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

Where in the World

I seem to have gone missing in blog land.  I cannot tell you that things will pick up anytime soon, but I do promise to blog more than 1 time per 6 months.  :)  Where to begin and how to keep it short and sweet.

My dad got sick and wasn't getting any better.  Long story short, he had a stroke during a simple eye surgery.  I spent a lot of time at my parents house over the summer and just after school started.  Praise the Lord.  My dad is recovering.  Slowly, but recovering non the less.

I have not shared tons about my private life.  Again long story short, my husband and I have been trying to have #3 for about 3 1/2 years.  We had 2 back to back summers of heart break when I miscarried.  Again, to God be the glory, I am pregnant.  The baby and I are doing well.  Well, mom is experiencing some serious pregnancy sickness, but it is nothing earth shattering or that won't go away after the birth of our 3rd.  I am due mid-May with a little boy.  We are working on a name, but so far he is nameless.

Oh, and we bought 10 acres at the beginning of 2011.  We are starting construction on our house in February of 2012.  We are putting the final touches on the floor plans the next 2 weeks.

So, not only have I not been blogging.  I haven't been doing ANY crafting.  Blasphemy!!!  :)  In fact, I haven't bought anything since June until I put in an order during PTI's December release.

I have been keeping up with my Project 365.  So, I thought I would share my November title page from my 2011 book.  Yes, it is all complete except the 21st to the 28th and the 29th to the 31st.

I am sorry for the unexpected absence.  But let's hope the new year will bring me some much needed crafting therapy.  I miss making cards more than words can express.  It is like a salve to my soul.

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 #5

This will probably be my last share for the day.  I am playing along with the PTI Stamp-a-faire today.  The deadline is looming, and I don't think I can make another card before it is over.  I have had a very fun and relaxing day.  I hope you have enjoyed all of my cards today as much as I have enjoyed creating them.  This has been a fun filled, PTI, crafty day.  :) Thanks for looking and leaving your comments.

This challenge was to use a stamp to create a faux border.  I used the Heart Prints stamps to create my scallop border.

Supplies:  All Papertrey Ink unless noted
Stamps: Garden Variety, Botanical Silhouettes, Heart Prints
Ink: New Leaf, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz
Paper: Rustic White, Raspberry Fizz
Ribbon: Hibiscus Burst Ribbon

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!  I hope to craft and post soon.

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)

Stamp-a-Faire Challenge #2

Yeah, I made it through the 2nd challenge.  :)  I am having a fun slow, but very fun day.  This challenge was to use Raspberry Fizz and Smokey Shadow.

I had fun with this one.  And, I used the glimmer mist again.  I am addicted to the shimmer.  Eek!  The sentiment is coming up fuzzy while it is not in real life.  I would fuss with it, but I am shooting with a new camera and don't want to spend today figuring out the best shooting combo.  Thanks for looking!

Supplies:  All supplies are from Papertrey Ink (except the Glimmer Mist).

Stamp • a • Faire Begins at Home

I have had a crazy, wild, fun, hard, heart-breaking, and blessed summer.  Sounds crazy, hugh?  But so true.  To spare you (and frankly me, too), I will leave out the details except to tell you that my husband has graciously given me this little day in the year to just stamp.  Stamping is such a source of fresh wind in my life.  And trust me . . . I could use it today.  :)

I am going to try and play along with the Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-Faire challenges and fun all day.  I have NEVER taken a whole day just to play.  This should be interesting and fun.  We'll see what really gets done today.  So, I am sorry upfront for the post blast that should/will happen today.

The first challenge was to stamp a strip using one of our favorite icons in our stamping stash.  I have must have back-to-school on my mind as this is what I came up with.

I like how I went for an obvious, but not-so-obvious, color scheme.  I think it works.  Do you see the shimmer on the Pinefeather card stock?  It is so pretty in real life.  I am still unsure of the main image thingy. I will have to keep looking at it to see if I want to make a change.  But, otherwise, I was super happy.

This was the first card I have actually made since May.  Seriously.  Yes, really!!  My 4th of July post has been scheduled since like November of last year.  :)  Sneaky, hugh?  And my book was ordered at the end of May.  So, let's just say that today is timely and so exciting for me.

Supplies: It is all from Papertrey Ink except the dark green ink (which is Momento) and the spray shimmer (which is from Tattered Angels).

Happy 4th and Best Wishes

I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone Happy Independence Day (well, if you are in the US that is).  I hope you are having a great summer!



-All Papertrey Ink unless noted-
Stamps: Distressed Stripes, Tiny Treats: Halloween, Round and Round, Stars (The Paper Studio)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Rustic White, Kraft
Ink: Enchanted Evening, Scarlet Jewel, Tea Dye Duo, Vintage Cream
Ribbon: Scarlet Jewel Grosgrain, Fine Linen Satin
Other: Silver Star (Michael's), Mat Stack 4 Die

It Came! It Came!

I worked on my "365" book all of last year.  I was faithful.  I got it all put together.  Then. . . I didn't have the extra cash to spend on it.  So, I put it off.  Then, I put it off again.  And again.  And again.  Until I decided that I needed to just press order.  So I did!!

Here are some peeks:

I will spend some time to write up a proper review in the next week or two.  I did have it printed at Blurb if you are curious.  It is a 12x12 book for reference.  

I hope you are having a great summer!

Case Study #41

I played along with the a case study challenge.  I really liked this particular challenge because . . . well . . . it was a challenge.  :)  I am neither chic nor shabby.  I am not lace and fills.  I had to design this card inspired by a different card. 

Supplies - All Papertrey Ink unless noted:
Stamps: Fillable Frames #10, Mat Stack 1 Collection, Est. 1776, Fancy Flourishes, Background Basics: Text Style
Ink: Scarlett Jewel, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream
Paper: Vintage Cream, Scarlett Jewel, Kraft
Dies: Fillable Frames #10, Mat Stack 1, Edgers #3
Other: Scarlett Jewel Grosgrain Ribbon, Spring Moss Button, Twine

Thanks for looking.  I had fun!

Clean and Simple 141

I am playing along with the Clean and Simple Sketch challenge.

I immediately fell in love with this sketch and this card came to mind.  Enjoy!

I have loved having so much beautiful sunshine lately.  This card is a reflection of my day today.  Thanks for looking!

Supplies - all Papertrey Ink unless noted:
Stamps: Up Up and Away, Life, With Sympathy, Damask Designs
Ink: Momento; Spring Moss
Paper: Simply Chartreuse, Stampers Select, Harvest Gold
Dies: Cloud 1 and 2, Limitless Labels 1.75, Scallop Border
Ribbon: Harvest Gold Bitty Dot

The Future Looks Bright

I pretty much always have at least one graduate in my life every year.  This year, I made all the cards to match.  This was SUPER simple by using the technique of masking embossing folders by Erin Lincoln in the Papertrey Ink Make-It-Monday series.  If you haven't seen it, run over to Nichole Heady's blog and look for the video.  That Erin is a pure genius!!!!

Short and sweet today!  Happy Wednesday!

All Supplies Papertrey Ink unless noted:  Stamps - Fillable Frames, Graduate (Stampabilities); Paper - Stampers Select White, True Black; Ink - Pure Poppy, True Black; Ribbon - Pure Poppy Satin; Embossing Folder - Morocan (Cuttlebug)

CR84FN 28 Color Challenge

I am playing along with a super fun Color Challenge from CR84FN.  I loved the colors of this challenge and here is my take.

All Supplies Papertrey Ink unless noted:  Stamps - Chevron Stripes, Flower Fusion; Ink: Scarlett Jewel, Lemon Tart; Paper - My Minds Eye, Vintage Cream;  Flowers - Prima Sprites; Ribbon - Scarlett Jewel Grosgrain; Buttons - Scarlett Jewel; Other - Edger #1 Die

Congratulations

I am playing along with the MoJo Monday sketch.  Thanks for looking!

Designer Paper - My Minds Eye; Card Stock - Lemon Tart, Vintage Cream; Stamp - Enjoy the Ride; Ribbon - Lemon Tart Satin; Flower - Kaiser; Button - Maya Road; Jewels - Dollar Store; Ink - Vintage Cream

Chevron Stripes

I know that chevron stripes are hot right now.  I was awaiting my Papertrey order to arrive with the ever-so-cute Chevron Stripes Background set.  I set down to make a card and ran across this paper in my stash.  I know it has been there for at least 2+ years.  So, in honor of this newest trend, I played.  :)

I was taken by the colors in this paper and have had a hard time using it.  However, this time I pulled it out, the card just flew together so fast and easy.

All Supplies Papertrey Ink unless noted:
Paper: Chevron Stripe (My Minds Eye); Spring Moss
Stamps: Fillable Frames, Turning a New Leaf
Other: White Filigree Embossing Powder, Kaiser Flower, Spring Moss Button, Turning a New Leaf Die

Thanks for dropping by today!  Have a great Wednesday!!