Mix and Match Challenge

I absolutely loved this challenge as well.  Betsy is my card making hero.  Dawn is my color hero.  It was a win-win for me!

Ultimately, I chose to come up with my own color combo.  I went so far out of my box that I lost it somewhere.  Seriously.  I lost my mind.  I have NEVER water colored with real actual water colors in my life.  And, I loved Laura Bassen's use of the clear bobbles from her "thread nest" video.  I could hear Tim Gunn over my shoulder saying "make it work".  So, I did what she said she used to do and put glossy accent bobbles on my card for the first time ever!  EVER!  How is that for out of the box?

I am crossing my fingers and hoping this looks ok.  I will admit that it isn't my best work.  But, I think the point is to get outside of your comfort zone.  And I smashed that out of the park!

I used Peerless Water Colors for the background.  I purchased them a year ago!  I bought them off of a discussion I was following (but I cannot remember where . . . it was a year ago).  I thought I would crack into them today.

The color scheme of Scarlet Jewel, Hawaiian Shores, and Summer Sunrise is way out there for me.  I adore Hawaiian Shores.  It is probably my favorite color.  I tend to go in spurts with Summer Sunrise.  But, I just don't find myself reaching for scarlet jewel ever.  I think it worked.  I see Tina scrunching her nose at it, and Heidi turning her head sideways as if she needs to see it in a new direction.  But, I gave it my best effort.  I did NOT play it safe.  It is Project Runway . . . go big or go home!

The balloons and Sentiment stamps are PTI.  But the sunshine stamp is from Verve Stamps.

It is late . . . I am exhausted.  Thanks for looking.  I hope that I can complete the remainder of the challenges.  If not, I still had a fun day!

Thread Nest

I have never seen or heard of a thread nest until today.  Brilliant!!  I liked the idea so much that I ran to the craft store to get some of the thread.  It is late.  No time for unnecessary words.  :)

I had lots of fun with this one.  Thanks for looking!

Thanks so Much

It is fast approaching that time of year when we pause to give thanks.  Autumn can be a great season and arguably my favorite of them all.  I have a quick and fun share for you today.  I made a hybrid card.   Like I said, being on my laptop is so much easier and more transportable with a little one.  So, I designed this on the go and was able to put it all together so quickly later.

Credits:  Digital Papers, frame, and butterfly from Shabby Princess, Font - Some Weatz, Envelope Liner Die, Vintage Cream Card Stock and Hawaiian Shores Ribbon - Papertrey Ink

I am still loving making complete cards.  (LeAnn's definition of complete = (outside + inside + envelope) designed)  Yes, pull out your 6th grade math skills.  You can do it!  :)  I love how the liner adds the perfect and sophisticated (yet totally easy) touch to the card.  And hold the phone, operator . . . long, heartfelt inside sentiments . . . LOVE!  I will definitely be doing this one again.

I found a new love . . . my favorite paper products, Papertrey Ink, paired with my favorite digital products, Shabby Princess.  Love!

First Day of School

First day of school, first day of school.  Can you just hear Nemo chanting that (yes, I am a Disny Pixar junkie)?  I am a touch emotional today as the kiddos head back to school.  Growing up doesn't get easier as you get more grown up.  I am blessed beyond measure and appreciate my family.

Here is a card that I made using my very favorite cover plate die.  This card was so fun to make.  It just seemed to come together effortlessly.  Oh, how I wish they would all do that!

Credits:  Again, all papertey ink except the pattern papers which are from Basic Grey.

I am loving the coordinating envelope with the stamps and the lining.  Such fun touches!  Thanks for stopping by today!

SAF DIY

Done!!  This is my last badge to earn for the 2012 SAF (details found at Nichole Heady's blog).  I feel like balloons should drop from my crafting ceiling.  Or Nichole will show up at my door to give me a personal congratulations.  I am super pumped that I was able to play along.  I seriously have like zero follow through sometimes.

My son came in my craft room today asking me about the badges on my desk.  He wanted to know what they were for and if they were all that important to me (I secretly think he wanted them for his scout uniform, but who knows).  I paused and realized.  Yes, they are important to me.  I worked hard on each of my projects. I had fun in the process.

I learned a lot of new crafting techniques and more importantly learned a few things about me.  For instance, I work SO much better under pressure.  I do better when there is a set plan laid out in front of me.  I know what I need to do so I can just get to work.  No guess work.  I learned that I should really take a little more "me" time here and there.  (I currently take none.  Seriously.  I am a mess!!)  And most importantly, I learned that despite my short comings, my exhaustion, and the feeling like I could disappear tomorrow and no one would notice because I am just the cook, maid, and nanny - my family loves me and appreciates me.   Although I don't get to see a lot of the fruits of my labors right now, they really do value me as mom in this family.  (But it sure would be nice to get a "thanks mom" here and there)

Wow.  It is over with this post.  Just like that.  Gone.  As fast as it came.  Goodbye Stamp-a-Faire festivities.  I will hopefully see you next year.

Oh, and here is my DIY card.  :)  I used Betsy's medallion technique.  Have I mentioned how much I adore Betsy?  I totally do.

Thanks again for the comments, support, and visits.  It tickles me to pieces to be a part of such a fun community.

SAF Memory Conservation Badge

Check!  I earned another one!!!

This went together pretty easy for me considering I haven't been crafting much lately.  I love seeing how all the same elements can be used for such drastically different things.  I cannot wait to see what others and the PTI DT have done.  I have on purpose not looked so it wouldn't sway me or change what I might otherwise come up with.

I am having a great time.  I am taking a quick lunch break and then I will be back at it.

Make It Monday #64

I loved Nichole's video for this edition of Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday.  She took us through her thought process when card making.  It was an incredible insight into her creative process and really gave me some things to try and do.

I was needing to make a Thank You card for a very special group of people.  A group of my husband's co-workers got together to throw us a surprise baby shower.  It was such a kind thing to do, and I was completely blown away.  One of the ladies made this diaper cake for me.

Isn't that just amazing!!  To top it off, the same person painted this for our new little one's room.

Talk about creative talent!!!

Besides the amazing diaper cake that was Dr. Seuss themed after our nursery, we received so many wonderful treasures and well wishes.  It was so thoughtful and very appreciated.

So when I started my card this morning, all I could hear was Nichole Heady in my head talking me through the entire card.  :)  I didn''t use one of the MIM color combos, because I wanted to keep it in line with the theme of my shower.  So, I chose to work with red, white, and blue (or more specifically white, pure poppy, and enchanted evening).  Here is what I came up with.

Let me tell you how she influenced this card.  First of all, I picked out a few things I thought I would want to work with or would match the theme or overall feel I was going for.  I needed to make it somewhat gender neutral as well.  I pulled out my Seeing Stars Dies first knowing that stars would be a great way to go and cover all my needs.  Next, I pulled out my Pure Poppy and Enchanted Evening inks.  I decided that I wanted to stamp a background and Background Basics: Houndstooth came to mind.  So, I stamped the background in red and die cut the stars in enchanted evening.  The stars were a bit plain, so I dressed them up with a small amount of decoration by impressing them with an impression plate and adding some pen doodles.  Because the stars would take over most of the front of the card, I decided that I needed to add my sentiment on top both to add dimension and tame the overwhelming stars.  Insert . . . fillable frames.  Once I had the frame stamped, I started looking at the overall design.  I placed the stars where I wanted them and really liked how the frame looked good offset with one of the stars popped up over the top.  I added the stamped red stars because I needed another element of red.  I knew I was going to embellish the small star with a button.  After looking at my design, I decided to use white floss as I needed another white.  It still didn't look quite right.  I needed just a touch more white.  So, I added the satin ribbon.  I felt like the ribbon pulled it all together.  I am pretty pleased how this turned out.  It didn't take me forever.  I didn't hem-haw over every little detail.  I used Nichole's wisdom of methodology and it literally fell into place.  Thanks Nichole.

Thanks for looking at today's Make It Monday.  I had a blast.

Supplies - All Papertrey Ink unless noted:
Paper - Stamper's Select White, Enchanted Evening
Ink - Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening
Stamps - Fillable Frames #5, Tag It's #6, Background Basics: Houndstooth
Other - Pure Poppy Button, Fresh Snow Satin Ribbon, White DMC Floss, Guidelines Impression Plate, Clear Spica Copic Marker, White Signo Pen

Thinking of You . . . Sunflower

I have another sunflower card.  I was super excited to break out my Dear Jane paper from Papertrey Ink.  It is the first time I have had the chance to use it, and I loved it.  I cannot wait to add this to my go to supplies.

I scheduled this post just in case I was away having a baby.  Hey, a girl can hope, right?

Supplies - All Papertrey Ink except the flower which is unknown

Wonderful Friend

I have another quick share.  I am finishing up my sunflower stickers.  Thanks for stopping by.  I am due anytime now.  Well, that may be wishful thinking.  :)  I actually have 27 days left!!!  YEAH!!

Supplies - Cardstock - Papertrey Ink; Pattern Paper - Cosmo Cricket; Stamps - PTI; Ribobn - PTI; Flower Sticker - unknown

PTI Blog Hop - February 2012

I am so excited to be participating in the blog hop for the first time in a LONG time.  My release products just came in yesterday, but I already had this in my head.  So, I hope you enjoy.

Here is the front:

Then you open it up:

I created a little pop up for a gift card.  I made it and cut it out on my Silhouette.

Here is a close up of the inside of the card:

This was a fun challenge.  It really made me stretch myself.  This was a super fun card to make.  Thanks for looking.

Supplies - All Papertrey Ink unless noted
Stamps: Beautiful Butterflies, Turning a New Leaf, Inside and Out: Birthday, Butterflies (Martha Stewart)
Inks: Simply Chartreuse, Raspberry Fizz, Orange Zest, Kraft, Yellow (Studio G), VersaMark
Dies: Mat Stack 4, Turning a New Leaf, Beautiful Butterflies
Ribbon: Orange Zest Satin Dot
Punch: Butterfly (Martha Stewart)
Paper: Kraft, White (Sam's Club), Simply Chartreuse

Happy Valentine's Day

As tradition would hold, I sent my children off to school today with special handmade valentine's.  This year my son put his design preferences on them and my daughter ultimately followed.  Although, I wish she would have stuck with her original idea of glitter swirls and hearts.  BUT, I love making things for the kids and love seeing them sparkle when they see the finished product.

Here is what we came up with:

My son really liked the idea of the "You Rock" with the guitar and was super excited that I had a "Dude, You Rock" stamp.  So, we went with the "Dude You Rock" and Red Guitars for the boys and the "You Rock" with Pink guitars for the girls.  50 valentine's later and I was done.

I hope the kids love them, but I am pretty certain that they will end up at the bottom of the trash can this side of next week.  :)  Either way, I had fun designing them with the kids and spending some much needed crafty time.

Supplies - All Papertrey Ink unless noted
Paper - White Sam's Club 80lb card stock
Stamps - My Hero My Dad, Heart Prints, Boy Basics: Rock On, Signature Greetings
Ink - Smokey Shadow, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, True Black
Dies - Rock On

Challenging Myself to Look at my Stash

As you may or may not know, we are in the process of building a house.  I have been working on designing my craft room.  (Yes, I have the most amazing husband in the world.  As he insisted that we design in the plans a room of my very own far away from the reaches of my children.  My own little escape and piece of heaven. )  I have been thinking about all the aspects that will go into my room.  I realized a few needs that I currently don't have.  One of the needs being a place for patterned paper.  I don't tend to use it much, but I do love it.  It wouldn't sit there if I have some way of storing it in such a way that made it assessable and easily available.

I am also challenging myself to use up some things in my stash that are stuck or haven't been used.  This will allow the move to go easier.  And it will use up some things I just don't use much anymore.  That is how this card was born - using up older supplies that have been "stuck" and using some patterned paper.

I went ahead and made a coordinating envelope to go with the card.  I didn't have enough of the patterned paper, so I had to turn to my stamp stash and make something.  I love how it turned out.  It is fun to add these details.  I will hopefully continue to challenge myself to go a step further than just a card front.

Mining My Stamp Stash

I have switched my stamp index over to Evernote officially.  It is complete, and I LOVE it!!  I have found so many great uses for stamp sets that have been setting dormant.  I love that I can "mine" my own stamp stash for images and sentiments.  Don't get me wrong.  I love getting new stamps.  But, at some point you have to take a good look at your stash and either use it or lose it.

This card was made with some stamp sets that have yet to see ink.  Most of that is circumstantial at this point, but it is nice to use some of my new things as I get back into the swing of card making again.  This card all started with the flower stamp from Boxes, Bags, and Tags.  I love that flower.  Where has it been?  Well, it was locked away in forgetful land until Evernote brings these things to light.

Thanks for looking today!  I hope you have a great week!

Supplies - all Papertrey Ink unless noted:
Stamps: Boxes Bags and Tags, Daydreamer, Label Basics, Fillable Frames #4
Ink: Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse, Smokey Shadow
Other: Aqua Mist Ribbon, Label Basics Dies, Rhinestone (dollar store), Stampers Select White Card Stock

Baby Girl

So, I liked making the shaped card so much that I made a girl one.

I loved how the little scallops turned out.  I have a stamp from years ago made by "The Paper Studio".  It is a long simple scallop stamp.  I was so easy to bend it to go around the legs of the onesie.

I didn't get a photo of the inside.  Oh!!  I stamped the "Congrats on your new little bundle" from Signature Greetings.  I accented it with a flower from the Flower Fusion line.  Shame on me.  I thought that was one of the best parts.

Credits - All Papertrey Ink unless noted:  Stamps - Damask Designs and Unknown Set by The Paper Studio; Flowers - Prima; Pearls - craft store; Ink - Berry Sorbet; Die - Shape Up Onesie Die

Baby on the Brain

I definitely have baby on the brain.  I was putting away my newest Papertrey Ink order when I ran across this Onesie Die.  I couldn't stop thinking about it.  So, I made a card. Again, I kept it simple.  I am still trying to get back into the creative swing.

Yes, I made a boy card.  Because, I am after all having a boy.  I am super excited.  Anyway.  I was so happy with how this turned out.  It wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be cutting the card.  Two layers of card stock gave my little Cuttlebug a run for its money.

Credits - All Papertrey Ink unless noted: Paper - Spring Rain; Ink - Spring Rain, Enchanted Evening, and Fresh Snow; Stamps - Everyday Classics and A Little Argyle

Happy New Year

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!  I went into my craft room and made my very first card in months.  It felt so good.  But, it was funny as I sometimes felt like I had 2 left hands (which would be GREAT if I were left handed).  I couldn't remember where I kept things.  It came back slowly at first, but I started acting like I had never taken time off before long.

I went simple.  Easy.  Mostly I wanted to try my new PTI inks.  More on that later.  I want to use them several times before I give an honest opinion.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Credits all Papertrey Ink unless noted otherwise:  Designer Paper - Hobby Lobby; Vintage Cream Card Stock; Ink - Hawaiian Shores and Raspberry Fizz; Dies - Butterfly and Mat Stack 4 Layerz; Stamps - Butterfly Dreams and Limited Edition Thank You Stamp; Ribbon - Hawaiian Shores

Memories

It has been a LONG time since I have paper scrapbooked.  Most of my friends and followers know that I switched to total digital over 10 years ago.  But, I still have some photos that are a blast from the past that I would like to scrap.  My style and technique has changed so much since I last paper scrapped, but it will still look good in my album.  So, enjoy!  Who knows when I will get the scrapbooking inspiration again.  :)

Basically, everything you see is from Papertrey Ink.  This photo was taken in 1986.  (Yes, that is exposing!) I really wanted to journal on the front, but I couldn't find the right pen so I just journaled on the back.  If I find the need to buy a pen to journal on Kraft, I will definitely bring it to the front.  I also need to add a date so that I don't have to slip it out of the book to see the date.  I don't have a great solution for it, so I am going to wait.

Thanks for looking.  It was actually really fun to try at something other than a card.

Stamp-a-faire Challenge #7

Yes!  I finished another one!!  YEAH!!  The twitter updates are amazing.  It looks like everyone at the Stamp-a-faire event are having an amazing time.  Here's to hoping I win a prize.  :)

This challenge was to see if you could find 2 or 3 stamp sets that worked together surprisingly.  I used the star image from "Silent Night" and some medallions from Giga Guidelines and Guidelines II to make the back ground.  I am sure this has been done, but I discovered that the Tiny Tags series fit inside the Mat Stack stamps.  So fun!!

Thanks for looking.  I had fun with this one and making the color combo.  Again, all supplies are from Papertrey Ink.

Stamp-a-faire Challenge #8

So, I am working out of order today.  :)  But, I am still having so much fun!

This challenge was to make a card where the cover is slightly shorter than the back.  I don't recall ever making a card like this before, so it was fun to try.

I have been wanting to pull out some pattern paper for a while.  It seems like when I first started stamping and card making that I couldn't do anything without a patterned paper.  Now, I have gone full circle and hardly use them at all.  Interesting what we trend towards over time.

Supplies:  All Papertrey Ink

Stamp-a-faire Challenge #3

I am finally starting to work some of my crafting muscles back into shape.  Yeah!!  :)

This challenge was all about cutting a window in your card and wrapping ribbon through it.  I went out on a limb and used the bow to kind of accent the butterfly.  This was an extremely fun card to create.  Thanks for looking.

I have one more angle for you to see it possibly better.

Oh, this was fun!!  I love it when projects just come together.  It is fun to find stamps from lots of sets and create a card.  So much fun!!

Supplies: All Papertrey Ink (except the sun outline which is from Verve and the yellow ink which is from the Michael's dollar bin - it was my effort to match Harvest Gold)