My Red Carpet Show

It is 12:35 AM.  Trust me . . . you do not want to see a picture of me.  :)

Here is a look at what I was able to make at the 2015 Papertrey Ink Stamp-a-Faire:

Thank you Papertrey Ink for all of the work that went into this day!  I enjoyed what part I could be a part of.  Thanks to everyone stopping by to look and leave comments.  You make my day!

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!

Unconventional Materials

I am playing along with Papertrey Ink today.  We were issued a challenge to use unconventional materials from the hardware store not to exceed $10.

So . . . here are my materials.

First in full disclosure, I did not go to the store to shop.  I am just thankful for the time to craft today. At 5:15 pm today (local time), I went to my husband's garage.  I started looking around.  I saw the wood filler right off but didn't pick it up. I rummaged around.  I found this bright orange flag.  I grabbed it thinking that would make for an interesting color and material.  Under the shelf with the flags, I saw this tag on a plastic pot.  So, I yanked it off.  I saw this string but passed it over thinking it was too easy.  I looked a little more and thought I would grab the wood filler.  After I found the inspiration for my card, I went back and got the string.

My original thought was to use the flag as a four wheeler flag.  Then I had the idea to remove the plastic.  I thought picnic blanket.  So, I came back to my room and sat . . . and sat . . and sat staring at these things.  What on earth could I possibly do?  I was afraid to stamp on the orange flag as it would be a smearing nightmare.  So, I started thinking about all the things that are bright orange.   And the idea hit me . . .

So here is what I came up with:

Hilarious!  Right?  I folded that flag piece in half and went to my sewing machine.  I was originally going to use the wood filler as texture for water.  But, it honestly looked so good as sand.  This was certainly a stretch for me.  It was fun and entertaining.  I hope my inspiration comes across.

Here are some other shots of my finished work.

I looked up the prices for the materials on Home Depot.  The wood filler is $2.98, a set of 15 flags is $3.88, the string is $2.57.  I am still counting the tag as free.  So with tax I am coming in real close to the $10 mark.  I think that is pretty good for grabbing a few things from my husband's garage.

I am excited to see what others have done now.  Thanks for looking!!

It is Time . . .

. . . for my once a year craft day!  Yay!  That is so sad though.  I miss getting to spend time in my little craft room just working away.  I finally have my very own room and life has just somehow got in to the way.  But it is ok.  I am having a blast making memories with my family.  And somehow . . . in years to come . . . I don't think I will ever regret the time I spent with them.

I am playing along with Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-Faire again this year.

So without further ado . . . what you came here to see . . .  My Patterns Challenge Card!

I am also crazy about finishing a card to the complete . . . full!  So here is a peek of the inside of the card and the envelope.  

I had such a good time putting this together.  I hope you enjoy!  I will hopefully be back to share even more crafty goodness!

All supplies are from Papertrey Ink.

Farewell Stamp-a-Faire 2013

Whew!  What a weekend!!  I had a great day yesterday working on my cards.  I was able to finish up the last two today.  Yeah!!  (Top Chef . . . Top Chef . . . Top Chef)  I would love to win Top Chef for being among those who completed all the challenges.

Well, that is it.  Stamp-a-Faire is over.  I go back to real life.  Maybe life will bring me back to my blog more frequently.  Who knows?  Thanks for stopping by.

Here is a look back at all of my projects.  I am going to leave these on top of my desk for a few days.  It brings me such joy!

This has been so fun.  Thanks again for all the comments and kind words.  It means the world to me.

Sweet Sugar Coated Embelishments

Yes!!!!  My final challenge . . . completed!!!!  I used Danielle Flanders technique.  So cute!!

Everything you see if from Papertrey Ink.

Now, I am channeling my inner "Top Chef".  I have never won anything from Papertrey Ink after all these years.  My whole family is praying that I win.  :)  Hey, I am not above a little supernatural advantage.

Thanks for following along and peeking into my creative life.

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 Rainbow Badge

I finished.  I finished.  My Rainbow Badge is officially earned!!  I was letting the tie dyed background dry last night.  So, here is my finished project.

YES!!!  I am so happy.  Thanks for stopping by to see all my projects and things.  The sweet comments  put a smile on my face.  Thank you.

SAF Farewell

I am sad to see the day come to an end.   It was such a fun day - full of inspiration.  I didn't quite finish everything yet.  But, I will do my best to get in gear and finish before the Monday deadline.

Here is a look at what I was able to accomplish today.

I officially earned 5 of the 7 badges today.  You can see that I have started the Rainbow Badge or Tie-Die Techniques.  I am still letting it dry.  Otherwise, I still have the Homemade Embellishments left.  I haven't even watched the videos or read the blog post for it yet. :)

All in all, I am proud of myself for all of the accomplishments.  Oh how I wish I could talk my husband into an all day craft day more often.  It was fun and SO VERY needed today.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope to finish up and get around to everyone else's blogs and things.

Farewell . . . it is lights out.

SAF Correspondence Badge

Woo-Hoo!  I earned another badge!  I made a set of quick and easy cards.  I used inspiration from Jessica Witty.  However, it all went wrong when I got to making the packaging.  I don't know if I didn't get a large glassine bag.  Or I made my cards too large.  But they simply would not fit the way she did hers.  I was sad as it was so super cute.  I adapted and moved forward.  I still put the cards and envelopes in a bag and used a hybrid of the way Betsy closed hers.  It all worked out in the end.

Here is a look at the set of notecards.

I stamped each of the cards the exact same way.  I only varied the sentiment and ribbon color.

Here is a look at them all packaged up.

Thanks for looking.   The comments have meant so much to me today.  Thank you again!!

SAF Friendship Badge

I am impressed at the paper beads.  They have an interesting look.  I am so glad I was able to participate in this challenge.  I decided to branch out and try something.  I made my own paper to make my own color scheme.

I took some regular computer paper.  I then cut it to size.  I stamped a variety of backgrounds to match the theme of the bracelet - Red, White, and Blue.  I'm not sure if it is the Olympics coming up.  Or maybe it was because we just celebrated the 4th of July.  But, I have been drawn to that color scheme for a couple of months now.  

Here are the papers that I stamped.

Here is a closeup.

I die cut them with the PTI bead dies just like you would with their bead paper.  I used the same technique just with my own paper.  This is what came from it.

I am really excited about this bracelet.  I am planning on gifting it to my sister-in-law tonight.  They love July 4th and all things American.  I hope she likes it and can use it.

I also made the traditional PTI Bead Paper bracelet.  It turned out very elegant in my opinion.  At least my 5 year old daughter thinks it is Bee-you-ti-Ful!!!  :)

This was another great challenge.  Thanks to the PTI team for such an inspiring day.  I am going out for a while with my amazing husband - just the two of us!!  I will hopefully be back later tonight to finish up some more projects.  Until then . . . 

How I Watch the Papertrey Ink Videos

I am back from my lunch break.  I watched a few more videos while I ate.  It occurred to me that I should share how I watch the tutorials that are posted.




I hope this may help someone.  I know I love this option.  It is so helpful to see some of the techniques on the big screen.

I am ready to get back to work.  Friendship bracelet . . . your mine!

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.

SAF Memory Preservation Badge

I have now earned my Memory Preservation Badge.  Yeah!!  I had a great time putting together this book for my new baby.  I made two and I am planning to gift these to both sets of grandparents.  They will love them.  I don't have the photos from Sam's yet.  If I get time, I will update with a few photos.  In the meantime, you get the idea with these photos.

I only included pictures of a couple of my favorite pages.  Still having a blast all by myself!!!  :)

As I normally use Papertrey Ink on just about all my cards these days, I should point out that I used a digital kit by Connie Prince called Oh the Places on this album.

SAF Knots Badge

I have just officially earned my Knots Badge.  Yeah!  You can read all the details here:  http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2012/07/stamp-a-faire-ribbon-techniques-challenge.html.  I used Melissa Phillips technique of ribbon leaves.  As soon as I saw it a light bulb went off.  Why didn't I think of that!!  It is so simple, but adds so much.  Here is my project.

Thanks for looking.  I am having so much fun.  Now off to feed baby.  I will be back later with my next project.

Good Morning SAF

What a great morning!  Right?  Right?  Ok, I am trying to convince myself that I am not that tired.  Although I am starting off a bit slow from a late night coupled with newborn interruptions, I am ready to roll today with all the online activities.

I am up.  I am already stamping.  I was up at 7am (or 6am my time).  I fed my son and got to work.  I am just now posting.  So, here is what I have been up to.

Yes, I finished my Make-n-Take.  Smart to start with a warm-up easy project.  It really did my juices going.  My crafting space is an utter mess.  I may have to take a break and clean on it some more because it is hard for me to create among chaos.

I look forward to getting started on the Knots Badge.  I have already been watching the videos.  Super exciting!!