Best Wishes

I have been waiting to play with my new Guidelines Impression plate since I saw its debut.  However, I really didn't see a lot of the design team members using it.  So, I was a touch concerned about it.  It did not disappoint!  I love the simple, and much needed, texture it added to my card.  Also, did you see ocean tides?  This is one of my original favorite colors, but it has gone by the side for me lately.  Oh, how delicious that color still is in my eyes!!  Thanks for looking today!  This is our first full week of school.  Wish us luck!!



- All Papertrey Ink unless indicated -
Stamps: Guidelines, Fillable Frames #7
Paper: Rustic White
Ink: Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist
Ribbon: Ocean Tides Satin
Other: Guidelines Impression Plate, Fillable Frames #7 Die

Teacher - You mean the world to me

Welcome to one of my very first shaped cards.  I made a shaped card about 2 years ago, which was my first.  I don't typically do these, but when the Create blog challenged us to do a star shaped card I pulled out my Gypsy and began creating.  I learned a lot!!  It wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be.  Maybe I will venture into them more often.  Also, I need to finish my teacher cards.  Yes, they are not done, and we started Thursday.  :)  Only 3 more!!!



Stamps: Make the Grade (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: from the Key Ingredients Kit (Taylored Expressions)
Flower: Kaiser Kraft
Other: Dark Chocolate Ink, Pure Poppy Button, Chocolate Bakers Twine (Papertrey Ink)
Die Cuts: All stars cut from George Cartridge on my Cricut

Happy Birthday

I made a card for Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #125.  I always admire all of Taylor's cards and never took the chance to play along.  This was a fun sketch and I had a blast making this card.

Thanks for looking!



Stamps: Beautiful Blooms II (Papertrey Ink), Wishful Elegance (Verve)
Paper: Spring Moss, Vintage Cream, Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Spring Moss, Tea Dye Duo, Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Die Cuts: Beautiful Blooms Dies (Papertrey Ink), Circles and scallop square (George and Gypsy Wanderings cut with my Cricut)
Other: Woodgrain Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink), Rustic Twine (Papertrey Ink), Copics
Sketch: TESC #125

Mr. and Mrs.

Today I have a wedding card to share with you.  For some reason, this is THE hardest type of card to make.  I honestly don't know where the disconnect is for me.  I don't feel like there are any great wedding stamp sets out there.  I have found a few bits and pieces here and there but nothing that knocks my socks off.  Wow, what a downer way to start a post.  Chalk it up to a late night coupled with an early morning of fussy children.  :)



- All Papertrey Ink unless indicated -
Stamps: Big & Bold Wishes
Paper: Stampers Select White, Aqua Mist
Ink: Aqua Mist, True Black
Ribbon: Black Stripe (JoAnn's)

Happy Birthday - Dino Style

I love finding ways to make cards for the younger audience.  I have 8 nephews and 4 nieces.  So, you can bet that I am always needing a birthday card for one of them.  I was totally happy to use my Tiny Treats Valentine for all sorts of applications all year long.  That set gets TONS of mileage with all the kids in my life.



Paper: Pattern Paper (Basic Grey), Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Stamps: Fillable Frames #1, Tiny Treats: Valentine (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Orange Zest, Dark Chocolate, Tea Dye Duo (Papertrey Ink)
Other: Copics

The Cow Jumped Over the Moon

We had a baby shower at our church for a couple that  I really didn't know well.  So, I went pretty neutral when I made this card to go with their gift.  As it turned out, I really love using yellow for baby cards.  I know I have already posted about it, but it is still true.



 And I actually stamped on the inside of a card.  !!!!  I know . . . you are thinking that is crazy.  But, I happen to see this little tip/trick on the fabulous Nicole Heady's blog.  I used Giga Guidelines as a background to the inside sentiment.  I stamped it in Lemon Tart, so it made it harder to photograph.  What do you think?  I was totally thrilled with how classy it turned out.


-All Papertrey Ink unless identified -
Paper: Lemon Tart, True Black
Stamps: Baby Boy Stamps (The Paper Studio), Background Basics: Tin Types, Giga Guidelines, Signature Greetings
Ink: True Black, Lemon Tart
Other: Lemon Tart Ribbon, Copic Markers

Friends for Life

I thought I would be blogging every day this week.  Well, I am glad to get any posts up.  :)  I am making some invitations - okay about 100 - for a surprise event.  I was commissioned to keep it a surprise; so once the event passes, I will share what has taken me so long.  I don't think anyone would happen by my blog, but you never know.  This is my last "job" for a while as I am taking some time off of custom orders.  Switching gears, today's card is one from earlier in the summer.  I love, love, LOVE this stamp set and would use it on every card if I could get away with it.  Thanks for stoping by!



All Papertrey Ink unless noted.
Paper: Hawaiian Shores
Impression Plate: Picnic Basket
Stamps: Life
Ink: Hawaiian Shores
Dark Blue Ink: Stampabilities
Ribbon: Unknown (seriously, it just showed up one day in one of our cars.  So, if this is yours, thanks for letting me use it.)

Teacher Cards . . . Again

Officially, 3 teacher cards down . . . and 4 more to go.  YEAH!!!  Thanks for looking at my fast share today.  Have a great weekend!  I will back on Monday with some more cards.  :)



Stamps: School Time
Paper: Kraft, Pure Poppy, Rustic White
Ink: Simply Chartreuse, Summer Sunrise, Dark Chocolate
Ribbon: Simply Chartreuse, Harvest Gold
Other: Medium Scallop Border
-All products from Papertrey Ink-

Papertrey Ink CHA Make-n-Takes

I had a blast in Chicago for CHA.  I am forever thankful that my husband agreed to let me go without question.  It was refreshing.  Of course, the major reason I went to the show and the highlight was getting to the Papertrey Ink booth.

Nicole and crew were fantastic!!  She was right at the front of the booth greeting customers with a smile and warm welcome.  Heather and Debbie were running one make-n-take while Dawn and Michelle did the other.  PTI, by far, had the best make-n-takes of anyone else at the show.  Hey free PTI, it doesn't get better than that.  :)  The girls had to be tired from travels and long days, but you would never know from their sweet spirits and happy hearts.  They were gracious to take photos with and for fans.  During the Meet & Greet, Nicole, Heather, Debbie, Dawn, and Michelle took the time to ask questions and really connect.  It was sincere and heartfelt.  Jane was fantastic and gracious as she took the time to speak with us and answer all our silly questions.  I spent a lot of money and time to get to CHA, and they didn't disappoint.  Thanks, PTI.

First, here are the design team's cards that they made with the "Four of a Kind" free CHA set.


These were just as gorgeous as ever.  If you think their cards and projects are cute in pictures on their blogs, they are even BETTER in person, flawless.

This is the make-n-takes from Friday:






These are the make-n-takes from Saturday:







I was so appreciative that they let us impress and die cut on our own.  It was good for first time PTI'ers and those who were hesitant to try them.  Let me just say that the envelope die cut was not even on my radar, but after using it I immediately went in the booth and purchased it.  :)  Great marketing move on PTI's part.  ;)

Thanks for reading my longer than usual post.  I had a great, refreshing, relaxing time in Chicago at a much needed time.

Edited: I said Cheryl but meant Debbie. Ummm . . . can we say long week. I don't even know a Cheryl in the pepercraft world. :)

Reach for the Sky

I made these for all the graduates this past year.  I loved how simple yet elegant they turned out.  I was able to use them for both boys and girls.  All the recipients loved them.  Thanks for looking today.  I hope you have a great rest of the week.



Stamps: Background Basics: Tin Types, Up Up and Away, Fillable Frames #4 (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Kraft, Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Fresh Snow, Smokey Shadow, Tea Dye Duo (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: JoAnn's

Thanks be to God

It looks like I have spent lots of time in my craft room lately.  I have some cards that I have made here and there and never found an opportunity to blog them.  Here is a card made with the Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit from June.



Papers: TE Key Ingredients June 2010
Stamps: Victory in Jesus (Verve), Beautiful Blooms II (PTI)
Other: Dark Chocolate and Summer Sunrise Ink (PTI), Brown Ric Rac (Hobby Lobby), Beautiful Blooms Dies, Clear Embossing Powder

Thanks for looking today!  I hope you have a blessed day!

CHA 2010 - Papertrey Ink Kites

I had an AWESOME time in Chicago attending the CHA Supershow.  By far, the highlight was getting to the Papertrey Ink booth.  I wanted to share all of the kites that hung around their booth.  I am always delighted to see new things made by the fabulous design team.  I was hoping that all the Design Team would share these on their blogs.   So without further ado . . . the Papertrey Ink Design Team Kites from CHA 2010.



I am guessing this is Lisa Johnson's.  ????  Hopefully, I will find out.


Heather posted about this kite on her blog.


I am guessing this is Nicole's.  Just a guess though.  :)


I was talking to Nicole and Dawn guessing whose kites these were.  So, I know that this one is definitely Betsy's.  And no surprise, probably my favorite.


My guess on this kite is Michelle. -- Yes, this is Michelle's.  She posted about it on her blog.


Dawn posted about her kite on her blog.


I am only guessing.  This just screams Niki to me.  -- Updated: Niki posted about her kite on her blog.


I had originally guessed this could be Dawn's.  So, I have no idea now. - This belongs to Maile Belles.  She posted about it on her blog.


My guess is that this belongs to Melissa.

Thank you for looking at some great craftiness.  I wish I could take credit for one of these, but I cannot.  :)  But, I wanted to post them anyway for your viewing pleasure.

Another Teacher Card

I am slowly getting my teacher cards completed for the kids to go back to school.  I made another 5x7 card and am falling head over heels for School Time designed by Niki Estes.  I don't want to put the background stamps down.  This is a must have set if you need anything teacher or school themed.  Hands Down!!



I don't know why the letters background is so washed out.  It was stamped with versa mark and no matter what I tried, my camera would not get a good photo of it.  Maybe I should try during the day to re-shoot it.

Stamps: School Time, Teacher's Apple (PTI)
Paper: Simply Chartreuse, Kraft (PTI)
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Versa Mark
Other: Lemon Tart Ribbon (PTI)

Thanks for looking.  I am hoping to get all my photos together and post about CHA 2010.  :)

Thanks for the Lift

I can honestly say that this has been a pretty crumby week.  Sigh!  Going into my little craft space is like therapy for my soul.  I haven't had the mental energy to even walk by it.  I was looking through all my regular blogs and was inspired by a certain stamp set that is my FAVORITE.  Ok, maybe one of my tops.  On the Cards Blog, the challenge was to make a card using a kite.  I slowly crept to my little crafty desk and sat down.  I could use a little "lift" at the moment and came up with this.



Stamps:  Up, Up, and Away (PTI)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Spring Rain (PTI)
Ink: True Black, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse, Spring Rain (PTI)
Other: Copic Spica Markers

Thanks for looking!!

Guess Who Loves You?

I am sharing a fun card that I instantly fell in love with.  No pun intended.  I think I like it because it isn't too girlie so any guy would be ok receiving it.  Thanks for looking!!




Stamps: Owl Digital Stamp by Brian Lock (The Digi Shack), Clouds from Up Up and Away (PTI), Swirl (PTI), Sentiment from Tiny Treats: Valentine (PTI)
Ink: Fresh Snow, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Other: Branch from Serenade Cart (Cricut), Kraft Paper (PTI), Brown Paper (Bazzil), Copics

Back to School

I am participating in The Digi Shack Sketchbook Wednesday.  I had the idea to have the kids give the teachers little back to school gifts and thought this card would be perfect.  The only hang up - my two kids have 7 classroom teachers between them plus a music teacher and a P.E. teacher.  So, I will be making cards for a while.  :)  Enjoy!



Stamps: Girl Digital Stamp (The Digi Shack), School Time (PTI)
Paper: Lemon Tart, Pure Poppy, Simply Chartreuse (PTI)
Ink: Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, Scarlett Jewel, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Other: Copics, Ribbon (Hobby Lobby), Dark Chocolate Buttons (PTI), White Floss

Doggone Great

It is Sketchbook Wednesday at The Digi Shack.  There have been some new releases and another right around the corner (*wink*).  So, you should head over to TDS and check out all the things that have been happening.

Here is my take on the sketch:


Stamps: Digital Dog by Brian Lock (The Digi Shack), Tiny Treats Valentine (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Black Pattern (The Paper Studio), Orange Dots (MME), Aqua Mist (PTI)
Other: Copics, True Black Ink and Aqua Mist Ink (PTI), Orange Zest Buttons (PTI), Black Stitched Ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Thanks for looking and commenting today!!  This summer has been a little more hectic than I ever realized.  This is my first actual summer because my kids were in school this year.  WoW!  I never knew it would be this crazy to have them home all day everyday - after all, I have always stayed home with them.  One day was the same as any other before they were in school.  So, thanks for bearing with my somewhat neglected blog at times.  I still love making cards more than ever; I'm just not able to stay consistent while the kids are needing my EVERY waking minute.  :)

Birthday Boy

I am playing along with The Digi Shack Sketch Book Wednesday.  Thanks for looking!



Stamps:  Digital Boy by Marlene (The Digi Shack); Fillable Frames #1 (PTI); Happy Birthday (SillyLeAnn Designs 1.0)
Paper: Kraft, Enchanted Evening (PTI)
Ink: Enchanted Evening, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Other: Copics, Floss, Scallop Border Die (PTI)

Wishing You Sunshine

This card has great meaning to me as my yard needs to be mowed and it has rained for days!  :)  Seriously, it is getting hairy out there.




If you leave a comment on today's post, I have a great blog treat.  I will let you come and mow my lawn - FOR FREE!  Yeah, I know I am generous.  So, don't hold back.  Comment away.  {Disclaimer: There is no limit to how many comments you leave.  I will pick a random winner on July 7th sometime between noon and midnight}

Stamps: Mower Man by Marlene (The Digi Shack), Let It shine (Verve), Up Up and Away (PTI), Polka Dot Basics (PTI)
Paper: Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, True Black (PTI)
Ink: Aqua Mist, Fresh Snow (PTI)
Other: Copics

Snail Mail

Sorry to all in blogland.  I have been absent.  We have had an illness in the family and I am trying to rebound.  I have a card that showcases a new release at The Digi Shack available today.




Stamps: Snail by Brian Lock (The Digi Shack), Snail Mail (Me)
Paper: unknown
Other: Copics, Raspberry Fizz Ribbon (PTI), Tea Dye Duo (PTI)