What I Do Instead of Laundry

Poppies

2012-01-31T21:24:00.000-05:00

A person should never go "window" shopping in a stamp store with another stamper, unless that person wants to lay out some serious cash. Oh well. I take full responsibility...These poppies are from Paper Source, and although I have almost completely sworn off rubber stamps, these called my name. I had to have both, of course.

Paper: PTI White

Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, Versafine

Stamps: PTI Signature Greetings, Faux Ribbon (stems), Paper Source poppies

Other: Zig marker

Rosie Posie Sympathy

2012-01-30T21:18:00.002-05:00

Sympathy cards are always difficult to make, I think, but beautiful stamps and paper make it a bit easier. This one is for my friend who recently lost her dad.

Paper: PTI White, Autumn Rose

Ink: Versafine Onyx, Versamark, SU Mauve Mist, PTI Autumn Rose, Spring Moss

Stamps: PTI Rosie Posie, WMS Framed

Other: PTI Rosie Posie Dies

More shiny things

2012-01-24T22:40:00.000-05:00

Another use of Zing sparkly embossing powder--this time silver and gold.

Paper: PTI White, True Black

Ink: Versamark

Stamps: PTI Harvest Berries, Think Big Favorites

Other: Zing embossing powder silver, gold

Ooh, shiny!

2012-01-23T22:33:00.001-05:00

I get distracted by shiny things. This is sparkly copper embossing powder by Zing, and I had to try it out on those ginkgo leaves in Harvest Berries. It is so hard to photograph glitter!

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Ocean Tides

Ink: Versamark, PTI Vintage Cream

Stamps: PTI Harvest Berries, Think Big Favorites

Other: Zing embossing powder, corner chomper

Red Nordic Winter

2012-01-22T22:16:00.002-05:00

My new favorite Waltzingmouse stamp set is Nordic Winter. LOVE. It looks great in any color, but I especially love it embossed in white on red. Not too Christmasy, but still wintery, right?

It took me forever to figure out what to put in front of that pattern, because it's so delicious. I decided to go simple. I ended up making 10 of these.

Paper: PTI White, Pure Poppy, True Black

Ink: Versamark

Stamps: WMS Nordic Winter, PTI Women of Life

Other: White Filigree embossing powder, dimensional tape

CAS Class-White Space

2012-01-19T15:11:00.000-05:00

We were challenged to embrace the white space on a card. It's easy to do when the colors and images are bold and bright. I am loving Rosie Posie, can you tell? It's the perfect all-around image set for both masculine and feminine cards.

Paper: PTI White

Ink: SU Brilliant Blue, Green Galore

Stamps: PTI Birthday Basics, Rosie Posie

CAS Class One Layer Card

2012-01-18T15:19:00.000-05:00

Okay, so you already saw a version of this card in different colors, but I really like the trick of the Fresh Alphabet in the hexagons. Great for one-layer cards!

Paper: PTI White

Ink: SU Brilliant Blue, Green Galore

Stamps: PTI Rosie Posie, Fresh Alphabet, Big Birthday Wishes

CAS Class One Stamp 2 Ways

2012-01-17T15:17:00.002-05:00

Here is my attempt at using the same stamps in different ways, also on flat cards. I LOVE that PTI's Fresh Alphabet fits into those hexagons from Rosie Posie! ...and can anyone photograph Summer Sunrise adequately? I sure can't.

Paper: PTI White, Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise

Ink: PTI Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise, SU Pumpkin Pie

Stamps: PTI Rosie Posie, Big Birthday Wishes, Fresh Alphabet

Other: Dimensional tape

Clean and Simple Class Sketch 1

2012-01-09T22:24:00.004-05:00

I've signed up for another Online Card Class, and I'm so excited. This Clean and Simple style is right up my alley! Here's the first card I made for Day 1:

Paper: PTI White, Hawaiian Shores, Basic Black, SU Pink Passion, Gable Green
Ink: Versafine Onyx, Versamark, Zig pen
Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til the End, Enjoy the Ride
Other: White Filigree embossing powder, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, PTI Double-ended Banner die, Friends 'Til the End dies

Holiday Extravaganza

2011-12-18T08:46:00.002-05:00

In the words of my 9-YO daughter, "This was the best day, EVER!" I got to host a craft day with some of the loveliest women on the planet yesterday. I hadn't met two of them until yesterday, but through the PTI forum, we were already friends. We had a great day crafting, talking, laughing and eating. Perfect! Unfortunately, none of the pics I took was a crafting action shot, but here are some from our gift exchange. You know it's a group of crafters when the packaging is admired as much as the gift!

Merry on couch with my daughter, L-R: Michele, Jenn, Heather, Cindy, Melissa

Heather, Cindi, Melissa, Joan, A on couch

Various kids in background, A, Merry, Michele, Jenn

Cindi and me. I consider this woman a dear, dear friend.

Thank you, ladies, for making this a most wonderful day. Let's do it again soon!

Mendhi Birthday

2011-12-14T06:21:00.001-05:00

I made this card for my niece's birthday last week. She is a free-spirited, world-traveling yoga instructor, and this year she spent more than a month in India. I thought her card deserved some sparkle, color and Mendhi.

This is the first time I've colored in this Mendhi Medallion stamp, and it was a lot of fun. Then I decided it needed some sparkle, so I colored over the top of the Copics with Sakura Stardust pens. So I colored it twice. Also, are you tired of this sketch yet? I'm not!

Paper: PTI White, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise

Ink: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers, Sakura Stardust pens

Stamps: PTI Mendhi Medallion, Enjoy the Ride

Other: White Filigree EP, PTI Hawaiian Shores satin ribbon, Sunshine Impression Plate, Edgers #3 die

MIM #44 Glitter Masking 3

2011-12-08T22:49:00.001-05:00

Are you tired of glitter yet? :) Here's one last one for a while for Make It Monday #44:

Paper: PTI White, Pure Poppy, Candy Cane Prints

Ink: PTI Pure Poppy

Stamps: PTI Signature Christmas

Other: Ultrafine glitter, star punch, Zing gold glitter embossing powder, 1/2" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch, PTI Christmas Tree die

MIM #44 Glitter Masking 2

2011-12-07T22:43:00.001-05:00

Another card with glitter masking for Papertrey's MIM #44. Love this technique!

Paper: PTI White, PTI Candy Cane Prints, SU Gable Green

Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, PTI Fresh Snow

Stamps: PTI Peace Be Still, Signature Christmas, Nativity Silhouettes

Other: PTI Fresh Snow satin ribbon, Sakura Stardust red pen, PTI Peace Be Still die, Edgers #3 die, Ultrafine glitter

MIM #44 Glitter Masking 1

2011-12-06T22:23:00.003-05:00

This week's Make It Monday has proven to be one of my very favorite techniques. This super-duper-ultrafine glitter is fantastic, but do not inhale it! Here's my first take on it:

For the stripe on the ornament, I masked with a small strip of backing paper. For the polka dots, I masked first with the big circle, then after the green glitter, I punched holes in the circle mask with my Crop-a-Dile, sprinkled red glitter, then removed the mask and sprinkled white glitter. The sentiment is stamped first on cardstock then covered with a scor-tape die cut and glittered. I thought the background paper needed some bling, so I colored over some stripes with the Sakura Stardust red pen. Silver cord is threaded through a small hole made by my paper piercer, and bows are adhered with scor-tape.

Paper: PTI White, Candy Cane Prints

Ink: PTI Pure Poppy

Stamps: PTI Christmas Blessings

Other: PTI double-ended banner die, Sakura Stardust pen-red (for stripes), 1 1/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, 5/8" circle punch, SU silver cord, Scor-Tape sheets, Ultrafine glitter

PTI November Blog Hop

2011-11-25T18:19:00.002-05:00

This month for PTI's Blog Hop, we are to use the picture above as inspiration. I am a sucker for traditional red and green at Christmas, so I really enjoyed making this card:

Paper: PTI White, New Leaf

Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, SU Garden Green

Stamps: PTI Christmas Blessings, Wreath For All Seasons

Other: PTI Pure Poppy Satin ribbon, PTI Edgers Die #3, Sakura Stardust red pen

Papertrey Make It Monday #27

2011-08-14T22:56:00.005-04:00

Hi again. I told you I'm still alive...:) I finally decided to join in on PTI's Make It Monday series. It's only #27. What can I say? This technique is coloring on ribbon with Copic markers. So fun.

Berry Sorbet and Blueberry Sky. Yummy, isn't it?

Cardstock: PTI White, Berry Sorbet, Blueberry Sky

Ink: PTI Spring Rain, SU Bliss Blue, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue

Stamps: PTI Iconic Images, Healing Touch Sentiments

Other: PTI Fresh Snow Satin ribbon, Copic Markers, Sakura Stardust pen, Sunshine IP, Book Print IP, Mat Stack 3 die, foam tape, 2" circle punch

Papertrey Radio

2011-04-08T19:05:00.002-04:00

I'm alive, I swear! But I think my blog needs some rescue breathing...

Anyway, I wanted to share that I was interviewed for this week's Papertrey Radio podcast, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I don't sound like a complete buffoon!

Take a listen.

Tree Take 2

2011-02-04T21:51:00.000-05:00

I participated in a Holiday swap on the PTI forum, and I received PTI's Background Basics: Woodgrain from the lovely Alanna. I was anxious to try it out on kraft with clear EP, and I came up with this card. Some of you may have seen my blog hop card here, and in reality, this one came first. I love how the tree fits so perfectly into the Mat Stack 3 die. It was also the first time using PTI's Tea Dye Duo to tone down the white.

Paper: PTI Kraft, White, SU Garden Green

Ink: Versamark, SU Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, PTI Tea Dye Duo

Stamps: PTI Father Knows Best, BB: Woodgrain, Birthday Basics

Other: PTI Mat Stack 3 die, Double-Ended Banner die, clear embossing powder

A Little Welcome Card

2011-02-02T21:46:00.000-05:00

Here's a simple 4 1/4" square with PTI's Wreath for All Seasons and WMS's Frame It and Text It. Love it. I like doing square cards this size because they can be sent in an A2 envelope without extra postage. Thanks to the smart girl on the PTI forum who gave me that tip!

Paper: PTI Kraft, White, Michael's brick red

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Michael's brick red

Stamps: WMS Frame It, Text It, PTI Wreath for All Seasons

Other: Dimensional tape

Mums

2011-01-31T21:41:00.001-05:00

I had grand ambitions of making at least 10 sets of cards for Christmas gifts this year, and I think I only made 3. Oh well. This was one of the designs I chose, and I made it in several colors. Berry Sorbet is my favorite, but I also did Summer Sunrise and Pure Poppy. A little masking and a little coloring and there we have it. BTW, if you are scared to color, this mum stamp is the one of the easiest of Year of Flowers series, IMHO.

Paper: PTI White, Berry Sorbet

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx, Versamark

Stamps: PTI Year of Flowers-Mums, Waltzingmouse Frame It

Other: Copic Markers

Dot Spot Wishes

2011-01-29T21:35:00.000-05:00

I just bought PTI's Dot Spot. I don't know what in the world I was waiting for! The first thing that came to mind was dandelions, which I thought was odd, but I went with it. I like it. The stems are from PTI's Faux Ribbon--I tried Green Thumb, but they were too thin. Those are still flat rhinestone stickers in the middles. Best $1.39 I've spent on craft supplies!

Paper: PTI White, Blueberry Sky, True Black

Ink: Versamark, Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI Dot Spot, Everyday Button Bits, Faux Ribbon

Other: White Filigree EP, PTI Double-Ended Banner Die, Dimensional tape, Rhinestone Stickers

Toile Two Ways

2011-01-27T21:29:00.001-05:00

I wanted to try out PTI's Fine Linen, and all along I've thought that a tone-on-tone damask or toile pattern would look beautiful with this color. I had a hard time pairing it with another color, but surprisingly, PTI's Ocean Tides works really well. These stamps are from a MAMBI set, and unfortunately, the quality of the stamps themselves is pretty bad. I do love the images, though. Here's version 1 with white:

Here's version 2 with Versamark:

Thoughts?

Paper: PTI Fine Linen, Vintage Cream, Ocean Tides

Ink: PTI Ocean Tides, Fresh Snow, Versamark

Stamps: MAMBI Toile set, PTI Fillable Frames #1, Communique Curves Sentiments

Other: FF #1 Die, PTI Ocean Tides satin ribbon, white organdy ribbon, dimensional tape

January Blog Hop

2011-01-25T15:41:00.003-05:00

This month's Blog Hop theme is to dust off a set that has been sitting so forlorn and use it! I love PTI's Father Knows Best, but I haven't used it in a while. I love the swirly tree, and I've been wanting to try it with the Sunshine Impression Plate. And voila!

Paper: PTI Kraft, Vintage Cream, SU Garden Green

Ink: SU Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, PTI Tea Dye Duo

Stamps: PTI Father Knows Best, Birthday Basics

Other: PTI Sunshine Impression Plate, Mat Stack 3 Die, Double-ended Banner Die

Help for Katie

2011-01-10T08:02:00.002-05:00

I know I've been MIA for a while. Sorry about that. I promise I've been busy making cute things. Can't you just imagine them?

Anyway, today I'd like to direct your attention to Jak Heath's blog. She is having a digital stamp fundraiser for our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who was just recently diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer. She has 3 young children, and is far too young and vibrant herself to be going through such difficulties! You can read Katie's own words here. And check Jak's blog and digi stamp collection here.

We can all find some small way to help a friend.

Papertrey Party

2010-12-12T15:54:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had the privilege of hosting a Papertrey party, and these lovely ladies made the drive to my house to have a day full of chatting, food, sharing and a little bit of stamping. I had so much fun, and I hope we can do it again soon. My little girl invited herself all day, and when we were done, she said it was "the best day EVER!" I felt that way, too. Thank you, ladies!

L-R: Deb C., Cheryl (with 8-YO chatty munchkin), Melissa, Amy, Erin, Stacy

Here are a few action shots, taken by my 15-YO daughter.

Purpley Baby

2010-11-10T21:56:00.000-05:00

More baby cards in a pretty familiar layout. It's just so darn easy, but I love how it turns out. That onesie is just perfect, don't you think? I made a set of 10 cards for my friend who just had her first girl, and she is all about the purple.

Paper: PTI White, Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon

Ink: Versamark, Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI Bitty Baby Blessings, Communique Curves Sentiments

Other: White Filigree embossing powder, PTI Lavender Moon satin ribbon, dimensional tape, rectangle Nestabilities

Poinsettia

2010-11-08T21:50:00.001-05:00

Alright, just shoot me now. I made a Christmas card in October. What is the world coming to? I have a very staunch rule that there should be no Christmas until after Thanksgiving, and here I am breaking it. Alas, Claire's poinsettia just got to me. Isn't it beautiful? Once again, instead of coloring the whole thing, I paper-pieced it and just colored in some shadows with the T1 Copic. Sneaky, huh?

Paper: PTI White, Pure Poppy, SU Garden Green, Lemon Tart

Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow, SU Garden Green

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Big Blooms: Poinsettia, PTI Wreath for All Seasons

Other: T1 Copic marker

Thankful for You

2010-11-06T21:46:00.000-04:00

I am in L-O-V-E with PTI's Wreath for All Seasons. I just keep staring at that berry wreath. The images are just perfect. Here is my first card made with the set. Hopefully I'll stop staring and make some more.

Paper: PTI Kraft, White, Michael's Brick Red

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Michael's Brick Red

Stamps: PTI Wreath for All Seasons, First Fruits

Other: Michael's Brick Red grosgrain ribbon

Inspired by Your Example

2010-11-04T21:39:00.001-04:00

So I intended on posting this for the Waltzingmouse Blog Hop, and I completely missed it. Whoops. Anyway, I made this for a friend of mine who really is a wonderful example to me. Now if I could just get it together and actually mail it...

Paper: PTI Kraft

Ink: SU Garden Green, PTI Summer Sunrise, Michael's Brick Red

Stamps: PTI Take Note (frame), WMS Blessed by You

Just Hatched

2010-11-02T21:20:00.001-04:00

I made this card (and several others just like it--I loved it that much) for a friend of mine who just had her first baby girl. I'm so happy for her! You can barely see, but I used the Polka Dot Basics 2 Impression Plate on the Dark Chocolate background paper--I flipped the paper around so the dots are embossed. Love this image and sentiment for a new baby! The card is 4 1/4" square.

Paper: PTI White, Dark Chocolate, My Mind's Eye

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, PTI Aqua Mist

Stamps: PTI Birds of a Feather

Other: PTI PB2 Impression Plate, Mat Stack 3 Die, 1 3/4" circle punch

Basic Birthday

2010-10-26T09:57:00.000-04:00

My husband asked me to make a bunch of birthday cards so he could send them to the teenage kids at church. He's a non-foofy kind of guy, so I kept them very clean and simple. I used the frame from PTI Take Note and the cute present from an all-time SU fave, Eat Cake.

Paper: PTI White

Ink: SU Real Red, Cool Carribbean, Gable Green, Brilliant Blue

Stamps: SU Eat Cake, PTI Take Note, Enjoy the Ride

Berry Monogram

2010-10-24T21:51:00.004-04:00

I really like making monogram cards. I think they are a great gift for anyone, because they can be used for any occasion. This is part of a set of 10 cards I made for a friend of mine who recently celebrated her 30th birthday. Simple layout, fast and easy assembly.

Paper: PTI White, Dark Chocolate, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush

Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet

Stamps: PTI Trajan Monogram

Other: PTI Beautiful Blooms die, Polka Dot Basics 2 Impression Plate, 1" and 1 1/4" punches,

Papertrey Princess Challenge-No Sentiment

2010-10-14T20:36:00.002-04:00

Alright, I'm coming up for air again...It's my turn to host the Papertrey Princess (blog group) Challenge. For this challenge, I would like you to create a card with no sentiment on the front. It was a challenge for me, but I think it has grown on me. What is written on the inside is the most important anyway, right? Good luck!

This first card is 4 1/2" square, and I have yet to be able to photograph Summer Sunrise in a flattering light.

No stamping at all on this second one. I think that might be a first for me.

Hey, wait...almost no stamping on this one either, except on the leaves in Versamark and heat embossed.

Card #1:

Paper: PTI Summer Sunrise Spring Rain, White

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Versamark

Stamps: PTI Leaf Prints

Other: PTI Leaf Prints die, dimensional tape

Card #2:

Paper: PTI White, Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, Bitty Dot

Other: PTI Beautiful Blooms die, 5/8" circle punch, dimensional tape

Card #3

Paper: PTI White, Berry Sorbet, Bitty Dot, SU Garden Green

Ink: Versamark

Stamps: PTI Year of Flowers: Roses

Other: PTI Polka Dot Basics 2 Impression plate, Beautiful Blooms die, 1/2" circle punch

Card Purse Tutorial--PTI Box

2010-08-03T21:17:00.004-04:00

I've had a few requests for a tutorial for the card holder purse made out of a Papertrey stamp box seen HERE. Please forgive the amateur photography and the little black "u" shape in the pics. There's something on my lens. And if someone can tell me how to post more than 4 pictures at a time, I'd appreciate it. Click on the collage to enlarge, and if you have any questions, please let me know.

You will need:

1 empty Papertrey Ink stamp box ($24 sets are 1" thick)

33" of ribbon of your choice

Scor-tape or Redliner tape

Paper cutter

Scoring tool

Two pieces of patterned paper, cut to 7 1/8" x 4 1/2" and scored at 1" along the short side

1. Remove PTI label (don't worry about leftover adhesive), cut through the circle sticker at the bottom of the box, and flatten the box.

2. Line up the bottom of the box (not the flap--the actual bottom) at 4 1/2", and cut off the top of the box.

3. Reopen the box, and insert patterned paper as shown. You may have to trim the paper to slightly less than 7 1/8" to fit. (You also may want to apply another clear sticker to secure the flap, if you have one.)

4. Attach Scor-Tape or Redliner tape about 1 1/2" from the edge of the box, around the bottom, and to the other side, in one continuous piece. Repeat for the other edge.

5. Remove half of the backing for one piece of tape--just to the bottom of the box.

6. Attach ribbon, starting at the bottom of the box and up to the open end. Turn the ribbon to make a handle as big or as small as you want. Remove half of the backing for the tape on the same side of the box, and attach the ribbon.

7. Remove the rest of the backing for the tape and repeat step 6 for the other side of the box (you will come around the bottom of the box to the other side). You will meet up with your starting edge at the bottom of the box. Trim the ribbon.

8. If the patterned paper isn't secure on the inside of the box, cut a small piece of Scor-Tape, and place it in between the box and the paper, just behind the ribbon.

9. Fill your beautiful creation with up to 10 cards and envelopes (the thickness of the cards will determine the actual number). Decorate with a tag, if desired.

Red Rose

2010-07-23T18:06:00.000-04:00

I just got this Year of Flowers: Roses stamp set, and I think I'm head over heels in love with it. After seeing what Debbie Olson did with her coloring, I was convinced I could handle it. You see, she was sneaky and stamped the rose on colored cardstock and just shaded with a darker Copic marker. BRILLIANT! So that's what I did. I just used the T1 marker where it needed some shadows. I love how it turned out.

Paper: PTI White, Pure Poppy, SU Garden Green

Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow, Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI Year of Flowers: Roses and Violets

Other: Copic marker T1

Argyle & Duckies

2010-07-21T19:53:00.000-04:00

I am in love with A Little Argyle! I love the possibilities for color combinations and that it can be used for masculine or feminine projects. Here's a baby boy card I made for a friend recently.

Paper: PTI Spring Rain, White, Bitty Dot paper

Ink: PTI Spring Rain, SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: PTI A Little Argyle, Bitty Baby Blessings, Inside Out: Baby

Other: PTI Dark Chocolate grosgrain ribbon, dimensional tape, orange marker

A paid gig

2010-07-19T18:11:00.001-04:00

Recently one of the teachers at my kids' school asked if I would make sets of cards for her to give as gifts. She had received a card that I had made for another teacher and liked it so much she wanted some for herself. I was so flattered! She ended up ordering a variety of cards, and I packaged them all up in these little totes (made from PTI stamp set boxes).

If you are interested in the specs for these boxes, let me know, and I'll attempt some kind of tutorial. They are very easy.

Here's one of the cards included--it's an updated version of a card I made a while ago. I put little rhinestone stickers in the flower centers. Love those things!

Here's another in the sets. This is also a CASE of myself, CASEing Debbie Olson, this time using Giga Guide Lines with sparkly centers. I like how the ribbon pinches through the small holes.

I also made monogram cards like the Berry Sorbet polka dot ones shown here.

Packages:

Paper: PTI Raspberry Fizz Mix

Other: PTI stamp boxes, Offray ribbon, eyelets, twine, Scor tape, SU scalloped circle punch

Card #1:

Paper: PTI Hibiscus Burst, White

Ink: SU Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Gable Green, Versafine Onyx

Stamps: SU ?, PTI Green Thumb

Other: PTI Raspberry Fizz satin, Offray organdy, Rhinestone stickers

Card #2

Paper: PTI White, Hawaiian Shores

Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Versafine Onyx

Stamps: Giga Guide Lines

Other: PTI Hawaiian Shores satin ribbon, Scor-Pal, Sakura Stardust clear pen

Teacher gifts

2010-07-18T18:15:00.001-04:00

Where have I been? Oh, goodness. I'm just coming up for air after the last month of school and the first few weeks of summer vacation. It's always quite the adjustment for everyone to be all home, all the time. I think we're getting the hang of it, though. Anyway, here are some of the teacher gifts I made this year--like 80 cards worth. Phew!

This is the card I enclosed to say thank you. We really had some great teachers this year!

This is one example of the 80 or so cards I made--sets of 10 identical cards per teacher. Of course, in the middle of the project I ran out of white cardstock and had to get a little creative...This is Vintage Cream. Simple one-layer card, but I love how it turned out.

Card #1:

Paper: PTI White, Polka Dot patterns (Spring Moss), Pure Poppy

Ink: SU Real Red, Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI Teacher's Apple

Other: Fillable Frames #1 die, SU Certainly Celery marker

Card #2:
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream

Ink: PTI Ocean Tides, SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: PTI A Little Argyle, Communique Curves Sentiments

Wedding Car

2010-05-25T00:14:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine got married a few weeks ago, and I made her a quick card with this great set. I had this card in my head and couldn't figure out what to use for little cans, until I saw Betsy Veldman's blog post with the same idea (dangit!--or--great minds think alike :) Those buttons are perfect. I colored in the windows and lights with a Sakura Stardust pen for a little sparkle, and I tried to make clouds, which I'm not so sure about.

Paper: PTI black, Spring Rain

Ink: PTI white, SU Real Red, Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI Faux Ribbon, Enjoy the Ride

Other: PTI buttons, CTMH flax, dimensional tape, Sakura Stardust pens

Baby Boy Invites

2010-05-22T00:11:00.001-04:00

My friend finally had her first boy, after 3 wonderful girls, so some mutual friends are throwing a shower for her. They asked if I would create the invites, and I was so happy to do so. This is a flat card, with shower info on the back.

Isn't this set adorable? I also love these colors together. Can you see the polka dot embossing? It's the backside made from a PTI impression plate. Enjoy!

Paper: PTI White, Spring Rain, Pure Poppy

Ink: SU Real Red, PTI Enchanted Evening,

Stamps: PTI Fly Away, Piece of Cake, Inside Out: Baby

Other: Sakura Stardust marker, PTI Polka Dot Basics II Impression Plate

May WMS Blog Waltz

2010-05-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

This month's WMS Blog Waltz challenge is to make a birthday card. I have no trouble making cards for girls, but sometimes boy cards elude me. I absolutely LOVE this paper airplane from Free Spirit-Boy, and I think it's perfect for a simple, masculine birthday card. (Inside the card it says, "happy birthday".) Enjoy!

Paper: PTI Kraft, White

Ink: Versafine Onyx

Stamps: WMS Free Spirit-Boy, Free Spirit Sentiments, PTI Little Lady (dotted trail)

For you, my friends

2010-05-09T19:39:00.001-04:00

I'm posting this card in honor of all of my beautiful friends this Mother's Day. Thank you for your influence in my life and my attempts at being crafty. I appreciate you all so much and wish you a Happy Mother's Day, whether you have children or not. Every woman has a mother heart.

Paper: PTI White, Black, SU Purely Pomegranate, tissue paper

Ink: Versafine Onyx, PTI Fresh Snow, SU Purely Pomegranate

Stamps: PTI Fillable Frames #1, Women of Life, Turning a New Leaf

Other: PTI Small Scallop die, Fillable Frames #1 die, 1/4" circle punch, PTI Black grosgrain ribbon, Scor-Tape

Bubbles, bubbles

2010-05-01T08:05:00.002-04:00

Here's another fantastic image from Waltzingmouse Stamps--it's a big collection of circles stuck together. They remind me of bubbles. When I started out, I intended to make a baby girl card, but I somehow couldn't quite get the effect I wanted and gave up and turned it into a birthday card. I'll figure it out sometime...Suggestions?

Paper: PTI White, Sweet Blush

Ink: PTI Sweet Blush

Stamps: WMS Free Spirit-Boy, PTI Piece of Cake, Take Note

Other: PTI Sweet Blush Satin ribbon, 1 3/4" and 2" circle punch, CTMH hemp

Faux Fun-WMS Sketch

2010-04-29T06:08:00.001-04:00

Claire is hosting a contest in honor of her 1 year anniversary with Walzingmouse Stamps. If you have not seen her work or her stamps, RUN to her blog and website! This girl is simply amazing. This card is my take on the sketch (with a little creative license sprinkled in...the rounded corners count as circles, right?). Here's the sketch:

I love, love, love this stamp from Waltzingmouse Stamps! I bought the whole set based on this stamp, and I couldn't wait to heat emboss it. I also love that there is an opening for the sentiment. Great work, Claire! The card is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".

Paper: PTI White, Black, Berry Sorbet

Ink: Versafine Onyx, Versamark

Stamps: WMS Faux Fun Circles, PTI Everyday Classics

Other: Filigree embossing powder, corner chomper

Papertrey Princess Challenge--BethieJ

2010-04-28T16:40:00.002-04:00

I just realized that this card qualifies for Bethie's challenge to do something new and springy--I think this card achieves both goals--those dies are new, and I've used flowers and spring colors in a new combination for me.

Just having fun with Papertrey's new dies--Beautiful Blooms II #1 and #3 and Rickrack. I've always loved the cover of this book--The Ladies' Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis. Being different from the group can be beautiful. I also really love the book--it is such a great discussion book and is so uniquely written. I highly recommend it.

Paper: PTI Spring Rain, White, Plum Pudding, True Black, SU Gable Green

Ink: Versamark

Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til the End

Other: PTI dies: Beautiful Blooms II #1&#3, Rickrack, circle punches

April Blog Hop

2010-04-25T17:56:00.002-04:00

For this month's Hop, we are to use tissue paper in our projects. PTI does a beautiful job with packaging, and every stamp set is wrapped in white tissue paper. It's such a nice touch, and I always have some on hand for gifts or other projects.

The first one is pretty straightforward--clean and simple. Die cut flowers in white and fuchsia and leaf stamps behind. Sometimes it's nice to have a one-layer card.

This second one took a bit more time and detail. I used tissue as the flowers on the branch, as well as the little "skirt" at the bottom and the wings for the birds. I love these colors together.

Card #1

Paper: PTI White, white and fuchsia tissue paper

Ink: SU Gable Green, Pink Passion

Stamps: PTI Turning a New Leaf

Other: PTI flower dies

Card #2:

Paper: PTI White, Raspberry Fizz, fuchsia tissue paper, SU Ballet Blue

Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, SU Chocolate Chip, Ballet Blue, Pink Passion, Gable Green

Stamps: PTI Everyday Button Bits, Take a Bough, Polka Dot Basics

Other: Flat Rhinestone stickers, 5/8" and 1" circle punches

Papertrey Princess Challenge--Neutrals

2010-04-07T20:19:00.002-04:00

Val has come up with this new challenge--to use neutrals only. I actually don't think I have ever done that before, so it was really fun to try something new. I liked it so much, I think I'll keep trying.

I used the little scrolly stamp from PTI's Vintage Labels and repeated it to look like damask. It's hard to tell, but the sentiment strip is scored, a la Debbie Olson. Oh, and how much do I love that scallop die? Ohsomuch!

Paper: PTI White, Black

Ink: Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI Inside Out Baby, Vintage Labels

Other: PTI small scallop die, black satin ribbon

Baby Shower Invites

2010-04-03T08:12:00.001-04:00

I am throwing a baby shower for my cute friend who is having her first girl. She used to babysit my kids, and it's a little weird for me to have my babysitter have a baby that my daughter could potentially babysit. Aaah!

I ran my cardstock through the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder and used two handy dandy PTI dies for the scallop edge and the flower. I like that there is a lot of interest and texture without bulk. The presents are from SU Loads of Love (which I've always loved but can't quite use effectively). The text of the invite is on the back of this postcard--I printed it on plain white paper and adhered it to the back. I made over 40 of these. Yikes.

Paper: SU Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, PTI White, Vellum

Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow, Hibiscus Burst, SU Certainly Celery

Stamps: PTI Scattered Showers, SU Loads of Love

Other: PTI dies, 1/4" circle punch, Copic markers, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder

Blue birds

2010-03-28T06:44:00.000-04:00

I am a few weeks late for Becky's last challenge, but that's alright. I actually made it on time but didn't post it. I think this card had to grow on me a little bit.

I love this egg and dart pattern from PTI's First Fruits. It has always reminded me of a bird's feathers. Becky's challenge included white embossing on Soft Stone cardstock, with specific measurements, ribbon and a button. I do feel like the button was a little contrived for me, but it's there nonetheless. Enjoy!

Paper: PTI Enchanted Evening, White, SU Sahara Sand

Ink: Versamark, PTI Enchanted Evening

Stamps: PTI First Fruits, Birds of a Feather, Pond Life

Other: White Filigree embossing powder, PTI Enchanted Evening satin ribbon, button, white thread

Bee Yourself

2010-03-26T06:33:00.001-04:00

My friend just signed up to be a Close To My Heart consultant, and she graciously gave me this tiny little stamp set with bees. I don't even know if it has a name, but I like it.

I made this card for a sweet friend of my daughter's (and mine), whose parents are in the middle of a divorce, and she is feeling untethered. I cannot say enough good things about this girl, and I just pray that through this experience she becomes stronger.

This card pulled itself together really quickly. I love how the impression plate looks a little like honeycomb. I masked the little trail from PTI's Little Lady, and the bee is nice and sparkly.

Paper: PTI White, Lemon Tart

Ink: Versafine Onyx, SU markers

Stamps: CTMH, PTI Little Lady

Other: PTI True Black satin ribbon, Polka Dot Basics 2 Impression Plate, Cuttlebug die, Sakura Stardust pen-clear

Daffodils

2010-03-23T18:58:00.004-04:00

Beth, this is for you, so you can see the daffodils on Hawaiian Shores...I just got my Papertrey Ink order and tore open those daffodils stamps. Gorgeous! I also think I have a new favorite color--Hawaiian Shores is beautiful, and it will coordinate so well with so many other PTI colors. When I saw it next to my yellow Copics, I knew I wanted to make a card with those colors. So I did, as fast as I could. Yes, I even cut the flowers out again. I know. Everything is colored with Copics, and the sentiment is embossed in white.

Paper: PTI White, Hawaiian Shores

Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow, Versamark

Stamps: PTI Year of Flowers: Daffodils, YOF: Violets

Other: Copic markers--Summer Sunrise trio and Buttercup yellow, New Leaf trio, white Filigree embossing powder, Sakura Stardust pen-clear

I love cherry pie.

2010-03-21T15:48:00.001-04:00

I have this friend. Her name is Maggie, and she can do everything. I'm not joking. Every year on my birthday, she makes me a cherry pie, from scratch. And when I say "from scratch", I mean she actually picks the cherries herself, preserves her own pie filling, and of course, makes the crust herself. I wouldn't be surprised if she makes everything from memory and doesn't measure anything. She's just that good. The best part? She acts like it's no big deal. Here is my thank-you card for this year's pie (I was so excited to get WMS "Blessed By You" so I could use that pie stamp!):

...and cherry pie for breakfast is the best thing ever!

Paper: PTI White, Pure Poppy

Ink: SU Creamy Caramel, Mellow Moss, Real Red marker

Stamps: WMS Blessed by You, PTI Everyday Button Bits, Everyday Classics

Other: Nesties Labels #1, PTI Pure Poppy Satin ribbon, buttons, dimensional tape

Papertrey Princess Challenge--CASE it!

2010-03-18T10:15:00.009-04:00

Good afternoon, ladies! It's my turn to host a Papertrey Princesses challenge, and I thought we could do something to showcase each other. What I would like us to do is to CASE at least one card or project from one other person in our group. Copy it, change up the colors, find inspiration in it--whatever you like. Please link to your person's blog for all to see. To make it easier, we'll just go alphabetically and pick the next person on the list. So...

Anya CASEs Belinda

Belinda-Bethie

Bethie-Cheryl

Cheryl-Dana

Dana-Diane

Diane-Joyce

Joyce-Leah

Leah-Lee

Lee-Mara

Mara-Mariah

Mariah-Melissa

Melissa-Michele

Michele-Pam

Pam-Valerie

Valerie-Anya

I get to case Dana. First of all, she is a master of color combinations. She always makes harmony out of colors my brain can't combine, and her cards are simply beautiful. After several pathetic attempts to CASE her work, I've determined that I cannot hold a candle to this girl. Here are two of my favorites:

I must confess that for the life of me, I can't figure out how she masked this flower so well. I tried it three times, and I failed miserably. Nope, not going to show it. I'll just let you bask in its beauty.

I love this second card because of the colors. Dana uses fall colors so well. Here's my not-so-great attempt (BTW, Summer Sunrise really is prettier than that. For the life of me, I cannot photograph it without it looking greenish.):

Now it's your turn!

Paper: PTI Summer Sunrise

Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Berry Sorbet, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise, SU Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery

Stamps: PTI Green Thumb, Turning a New Leaf, Out On a Limb, Flower Garden

Other: Nestablilities, PTI Berry Sorbet satin ribbon

Waltzingmouse Blog Hop

2010-03-17T13:42:00.003-04:00

Today is the Watzingmouse Stamps Blog Hop for customers, and it's my first attempt at using Claire's stamps. She does beautiful, beautiful work, and my jaw drops each and every time I see her projects. I just my first stamps in my mailbox today, and I can't wait to ink them up! In the meantime, here is a project I made with her digital download for St. Patrick's Day:

As I was not on the ball enough to make this and send it to someone before today, I thought I'd make it a more general "good luck" card. Yes, I cut it out, but by now you know I'm crazy enough to do that. Enjoy!

Paper: PTI White, New Leaf, Photo paper

Ink: SU Garden Green

Stamps: Waltzingmouse digital download, SU Greetings Galore

Other: Copic markers, PTI Hibiscus Burst satin ribbon, Sakura Stardust pen-silver

Two baby cards

2010-03-13T22:11:00.001-05:00

I just realized I hadn't posted these cards yet...I made them over a month ago. Just two little baby cards. I was having fun with the paper piecing.

I always feel like the centers of these flowers need a little sparkle. I couldn't stop myself, so even the buggy's wheels are sparkly. This is one of my favorite PTI color combos--Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush and Dark Chocolate. Love it.

Card #1:

Paper: PTI Spring Rain, White, Dark Chocolate

Ink: PTI Spring Rain, SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: PTI Bitty Baby Blessings, Background Basics-Retro

Other: PTI Spring Rain twill ribbon, SU scallop punch

Card #2:

Paper: PTI White, Dark Chocolate, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: PTI Bitty Baby Blessings, Inside Out Baby

Other: PTI Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate satin ribbon, Sakura Stardust pen

I just couldn't stop coloring.

2010-03-10T20:12:00.001-05:00

I finally took the plunge and bought myself some Copic markers. I didn't know I would love them so much. Because they are alcohol-based, they blend so well, and there are very few marker stripes. Now, I'm in trouble, and I can't stop coloring! Here are three cards I've made, using the Hibiscus Burst, Berry Sorbet and New Leaf trios.

Paper: PTI White, Berry Sorbet, SU Gable Green

Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow

Stamps: PTI Year of Flowers: Violets, Birthday Basics, Women of Life

Other: PTI Hibiscus Burst satin ribbon, rhinestone stickers, Copic markers

Papertrey Princesses Challenge--Score it

2010-03-08T12:33:00.004-05:00

Pam issued this new challenge--to use scoring creatively on a card. I've never done diagonal scoring before, so I thought I'd try it. Then I became a lunatic and decided to put little teeny punched circles on all of the intersections. But I love how it turned out.

This card is for my niece, who just found out that she will be having twins this fall. They are her first babies, and she's a little freaked out, but I know she'll be fine. In fact, I think she'll be a fantastic mom!

Here's a closeup of the scoring and punched dots...

Paper: PTI White, Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, Bitty Dots patterns

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: Bitty Baby Blessings

Other: Scor-Pal, SU double circle punch, PTI Lemon Tart polka dot satin ribbon, SU Only Orange marker

Compose a Card #5

2010-02-28T14:23:00.002-05:00

Now this one was fun! Becky Oehlers has another challenge using polka dots, red, white and aqua. The measurements are specific, and we were to also use a button. These colors are so fun together, and I feel like I need to wear a poodle skirt or something. My friend has borrowed my Polka Dot Basics stamp set, so I thought I couldn't do this particular challenge. Then I had a stroke of genius...the polka dots don't all need to be the same size--duh. I used all kinds of circle punches to create my 3-D polka dots. I really like how it turned out (after about 42 small white sentiment strips later...).

Paper: PTI White, Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist

Ink: Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI Piece of Cake

Other: PTI button, 1 3/8", 1", 5/8", 1/4" and double circle punches, PTI Aqua Mist twill ribbon, dimensional tape, patience

Poppy Seeds & PTI Princesses #4

2010-02-26T21:40:00.001-05:00

I'm killing two birds with one stone today...I made this card for the Papertrey Princesses challenge #4 and low and behold, it fills the requirements for Lisa Johnson's new set of "Poppy Seed Challenges". Michele challenged our blog group to color, and this new violets set is perfect. My coloring supplies and skills, however, are not. I finally caved and bought some Copic markers, but they are not here yet. So after using pastels, markers and finally Prisma pencils, on three different cards, this is my final answer. Prisma colors. I forgot how much I love to color. Why didn't I start this sooner?

Lisa's first challenge has three "seeds", and the rules aren't strict, but I managed to follow all of them. Flowers, crystals and light yellow. Go me! (Crystals are in the center of the purple flower.)

I actually really surprised myself, and I love how this card turned out. I love those outlines stamped in Smokey Shadow--they look like pencil drawings. My intent was to leave them all blank except the purple, but once I started coloring, I just couldn't stop. AAAAH!

Paper: PTI White, SU Regal Rose

Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow, SU Garden Green

Stamps: PTI Year of Flowers: Violets, Friends 'Til the End

Other: Prisma color pencils, PTI Hibiscus Burst satin ribbon, dimensional tape, flat rhinestone stickers

February Blog Hop

2010-02-25T19:40:00.003-05:00

For this month's Hop, we are to pay homage to a member of PTI's Design Team. They are all so very talented! I chose a recent project by the amazing Debbie Olson. I loved her simple design with white embossed violets on Raspberry Fizz, with a few little details sprinkled in--sparkly centers, a scored edge and rounded corners. Just beautiful!

I actually copied this card exactly, because it was so easy, but then I decided to change it up a bit. Here is my version in Enchanted Evening, with the smaller flowers. I didn't have the right color buttons, so I made a little fancy ribbon edge. The sparkles are flat rhinestone stickers. Best $1.99 I've spent in a while! Thanks for the inspiration, Debbie!

Paper: PTI White, Enchanted Evening

Ink: PTI Enchanted Evening, Versamark

Stamps: PTI Year of Flowers: Violets

Other: Filigree White Embossing Powder, PTI EE twill ribbon, flat rhinestone stickers, corner rounder

Compose a Card #4

2010-02-18T10:20:00.003-05:00

Becky, thank you. This was much easier. :) Becky Oehlers has really amazing Compose a Card challenges. And they are challenges, but that's what makes it fun. Here is this week's:

I really like the combination of green, black and white. I do have a '70's flashback aversion to the particular shade of avocado, but it does look pretty in this scenario. Just not next to orange and yellow in wallpaper or kitchen appliances, and I think we're fine. Anywho...This is my take on it:

Paper: PTI True Black, White, Ripe Avocado

Ink: Versafine Onyx, SU Old Olive (and marker)

Stamps: PTI Sweet Love, Simple Little Things

Other: Offray organdy and narrow satin ribbon, PTI Black satin, Avocado button, oval scallop punch

Grandparent Valentines

2010-02-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day! Here are two valentines that I made for Grandma and Grandpa.

I like how this first one turned out--very graphic and precise. After I punched out the square, I stamped the stripes from Background Basics-Retro three times. The hearts are punched, too. My 5-YO looked at the kraft cardstock and said, "Mom, this paper is hairy."

Here's another version of the CPS challenge card I made a few days ago. I heat embossed the flowers in white on Raspberry Fizz cardstock, then colored in the centers with a clear stardust pen.

Card #1

Paper: PTI Kraft, White, Pure Poppy

Ink: SU Real Red

Stamps: PTI Men of Life, Background Basics-Retro

Other: square punch, heart punches

Card #2

Paper: PTI White, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, SU Pixie Pnk

Ink: Versamark, SU Pink Passion (& marker)

Stamps: PTI Background Basics-Petal Power, Heart Prints

Other: Sakura Stardust pen-clear, Heart punches, white embossing powder

Just a Birthday Card

2010-02-12T10:12:00.000-05:00

After doing Becky's challenge, I had a few white-embossed-on-Pink-Passion-with-rhinestones-thrown-in flowers, including this one, so I put it to good use. I had sponged the flower with Fresh Snow ink, so it looks softer than normal. I thought it would look nice with Smokey Shadow paper. Lucky me, I already had those leaves cut out from another discarded project. Voila! a super-fast card. And I need many, many more sentiments in this font. Please, Alli Miles!

Paper: PTI White, Smokey Shadow, Raspberry Fizz, SU Gable Green

Ink: Versamark, PTI Fresh Snow

Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til the End, Communique Curves Sentiments

Other: White Embossing Powder, Flat rhinestone stickers, cramped hands from all the cutting

Emboss Resist

2010-02-11T11:00:00.001-05:00

So I missed PTI's Emboss Resist challenge by several hours. Whoops. But I made one anyway, and I really like how it turned out. I used white shimmer cardstock, and in real life, it still shimmers under the leaves. Pretty. There are also flat rhinestone stickers in the flower middles. Did I say how much I love those? I flipped some polka dot ribbon over (I liked the width) and heat embossed the sentiment. And believe it or not, this is my first card to use buttons!

Paper: PTI White, white shimmer

Ink: SU Gable Green, Pink Passion, Versamark

Stamps: PTI Background Basics-Petal Power, Turning a New Leaf, Friends 'Til the End

Other: PTI Raspberry Fizz polka dot ribbon, buttons, slivers of Offray ribbon, white embossing powder, flat rhinestone stickers

Becky's Create a Card #3

2010-02-09T15:09:00.001-05:00

Becky Oehlers, you're killing me. How do you make it look so effortless to combine these colors? I thought I'd give your challenge a try this time, and I thought I had it all figured out at 7:30 this morning. Here it is 3:00 pm, and I'm finally finished. You have stretched me to my limits, but I'm happy to say, I enjoyed the process. Thank you for the challenge after all.

This challenge specified a 5x7 card with a Spring Rain mat of 3x4.5, a scallop border, white embossed flower on Raspberry Fizz, and a flourish on Terra Cotta Tile. Oh, and throw in some rhinestones, too. Well, I don't have Terra Cotta Tile, so I used the emboss resist technique and sponged SU Real Rust and Ruby Red over the flourishes. I like the mottled background it gives, so I softened the Spring Rain and scalloped border with some white ink. Several hundred flowers later, and I finally decided on a few from Petal Power with flat rhinestone stickers in the centers. I cut out the flourish and attached it on the blue, but now it occurs to me that I could have embossed it there as well. Whoops.

Paper: PTI White, Spring Rain, Raspberry Fizz

Ink: Versamark, SU Real Rust, Ruby Red, PTI Fresh Snow

Stamps: PTI Turning a New Leaf, Background Basics-Petal Power, SU Best Blossoms

Other: SU Scallop punch, Clear embossing powder, Flat rhinestone stickers

PTI Paint By Number Challenge

2010-02-08T19:13:00.003-05:00

Today's PTI Anniversary challenge is to use a particular color palette and cutting recipe to make a card, in honor of the new line of acrylic paints. I have to say I'm intrigued, since my painting and card making worlds have never collided in such a way before. Anyway, here is the palette I used--I have to say, I would never in a million years put these five colors together voluntarily, and I am secretly jealous of anyone whose first initial is between N and Z. I was pleasantly surprised with the result, though. Who knew? Okay, Nichole Heady did, of course.

These colors seemed pretty masculine to me, so I went with it. Did I mention how much I love Turning a New Leaf? Well, I do. I decided to tear the paper, rather than use scallops, and I made the Lemon Tart strip narrower, tucking it underneath.

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Ocean Tides, Spring Moss, Lemon Tart, Kraft

Ink: Versamark, Ocean Tides

Stamps: PTI Turning a New Leaf, Birthday Basics

CPS & Papertrey

2010-02-07T20:15:00.001-05:00

Papertrey is sponsoring this week's sketch at CPS-Card Sketches, and there is a fabulous prize involved. Here is sketch #153, and my take on it--a valentine for Grandma...

I used a marker to color the outline heart on the multi-lined image in Heart Prints. I also thought the centers of the flowers could use a little sparkle, so I filled them in with another Sakura Stardust pen.

Paper: PTI White, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, SU Pixie Pink

Ink: SU Pink Passion

Stamps: PTI Heart Prints, Background Basics-Petal Power

Other: Heart punches, Sakura Stardust pink pen

Baby Makes Three

2010-01-30T18:00:00.001-05:00

Just thought I'd make another baby card--I have a friend (who used to be my babysitter) who is having her first baby girl in a few months. I'm very excited for her. I had her in mind when I made this--a little pink, a little sparkle, and a few flowers. I also tried something a little different with the bow--just pinched it a bit.

Paper: PTI Sweet Blush, White

Ink: PTI Sweet Blush (new formula), SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: PTI Bitty Baby Blessings, Background Basics-Petal Power

Other: PTI Berry Sorbet satin ribbon, Sakura Stardust pen-red, dimensional tape

It's Raining, It's Pouring

2010-01-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

Here's another attempt at using up scraps...Last month I made a bunch of bridal shower invites with the pink circles, and I had two sheets left over. These are what I made...One for a friend who recently lost her sister, and the other for another friend who works tirelessly in a difficult and sometimes thankless job at church that I used to do as well.

Here's a tip for the circles: Use the big, open circle stamp from PTI's Polka Dot Basics, then go back over them randomly with the smaller circle to mimic the pattern on the umbrellas. I also added a little sparkle with a clear Stardust pen.

Paper: SU Pixie Pink, PTI White

Ink: SU Pink Passion, Versafine Onyx, PTI Fresh Snow

Stamps: PTI Scattered Showers, Polka Dot Basics

Other: PTI Black grosgrain ribbon, Sakura Stardust clear pen, dimensional tape

Lavender Birthday

2010-01-26T07:08:00.000-05:00

I am on a new quest...to use up the bits and pieces of stamped paper that haven't made it to a card yet. I have stacks and stacks. So I've set out to use them all up. Wish me luck.

For these cards, I used the Me & My Big Ideas stamp. This set is just beautiful, with toile and damask designs, but the quality of the stamps themselves is just rotten. It makes me sad and sometimes frustrated that I can't get the best impressions, but I figured out that if I put a mousepad underneath, the extra give really helps. It's just that the stamps do not have an even surface. I can't figure out why they wouldn't, but I've been very spoiled by Papertrey, I suppose. Anywho, here are a couple of birthday cards for my stash.

Both cards:

Paper: PTI Lavender Moon, White

Ink: SU Mauve Mist, Versamark

Stamps: PTI Out on a Limb, Vintage Labels, MAMBI toile set

Other: Labels 1 Nestabilities, SU silver cord, PTI Lavender Moon satin ribbon, dimensional tape, silver embossing powder

Papertrey Princess Challenge-Anya

2010-01-24T16:18:00.003-05:00

Hooray for Anya for posting this inspiration pic. I love the colors! Unfortunately, I don't have Quilter's Sampler, but I thought I'd take a few of my favorite elements to use on my own card. I love the pinked ticking fabric, as well as the touch of silver in the safety pins. Of course, I had no buttons in these colors, so I just used circle punches instead. Enjoy!

Paper: PTI Kraft, White, Lemon Tart, Spring Rain, New Leaf

Ink: Versamark, PTI Spring Rain

Stamps: PTI Everyday Button Bits, Background Basics: Retro (stripes)

Other: PTI New Leaf Satin Ribbon, Silver embossing powder, CK scisors, 1/2", 5/8" and 1" circle punches

Primas and Leaves

2010-01-21T09:36:00.000-05:00

More Turning a New Leaf...Can't resist. One of my favorite color combos is raspberry and lime green (and the real-life flavors taste good together, too). Here are a couple of attempts with Prima flowers. I don't know which one I like better--I'm a little wary of making cards where the inside is dark, rather than white. Can people read writing on that color?

It's hard to tell, but I added a little sparkle to the centers of the flowers with a Sakura Stardust clear pen. I like a little bling now and then.

Both cards:

Paper: PTI White, Raspberry Fizz

Ink: SU Gable Green, Pink Passion

Stamps: PTI Turning a New Leaf, Giga Guide Lines

Other: Prima flowers, Sakura Stardust clear pen, corner rounder

Paper Flowers

2010-01-20T09:26:00.000-05:00

I love PTI's Turning a New Leaf set. I thought I'd try some paper flowers made with punches to go with it. I just punched out the shapes with my scallop circle and smaller circle punches and crumpled them up. PTI's cardstock is so thick that I could separate the layers to make it more 3-D. I like the way they turned out, and as a bonus, if I need to mail these cards, the flowers flatten enough to go through the post office without a hassle. Love that. I'm not a sticky-outy card girl.

"Thank you" is from Giga Guide Lines--another of my faves. These two stamps make for fast and easy cards.

Card #1:

Paper: PTI White, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise

Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet, SU Certainly Celery

Stamps: PTI Giga Guide Lines, Turning a New Leaf

Other: SU Scallop circle punch, 1" and 1/2" circle punches, corner rounder

Card #2:

Paper: PTI White, Raspberry Fizz

Ink: SU Pink Passion, Gable Green

Stamps: PTI Giga Guide Lines, Turning a New Leaf

Other: SU Scallop circle punch, 5/8" circle punch

Boy Striped Birthday

2010-01-18T09:08:00.003-05:00

I finally got my hands on PTI Faux Ribbon. I don't know why I was on the fence for so long. It's such a great set. I love the idea of making my own stripes, and the sentiments are great, too. The hard part is keeping the stamps straight, but Nichole's idea of placing it in the guide of my paper cutter really helps! Here are some boy birthday cards with Enchanted Evening and Orange Zest. Great boy colors!

All cards:

Paper: PTI White, Enchanted Evening, Orange Zest

Ink: PTI Enchanted Evening, SU Pumpkin Pie

Stamps: PTI Faux Ribbon, B&C Monogram (the dotted circle)

Other: 1 5/8" punch, 1 3/4" punch, 2" punch

Berry Baby

2010-01-16T09:01:00.001-05:00

Here is a card I made as part of a set given to a friend for her second little girl. She's not the pink type, so I thought this color scheme would be more appropriate. I cut the rectangle with one of my Nestabilities (still learning how best to use those things) and paper-pieced the onesie, which is popped up on dimensionals. If you look closely, you can see that I colored in the tiny flowers with my trusty red Stardust pen.

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Berry Sorbet, Chocolate Remix patterns

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: PTI Bitty Baby Blessings

Other: Offray ribbon, dimensional tape, Sakura Stardust pen, rectangle Nestabilities

Help for Haiti

2010-01-14T07:20:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for a way to help the relief effort in Haiti, here is one suggestion. The LDS Church responds very quickly with food and supplies and works in tandem with international relief organizations and other groups to provide help where it's needed. Here is an article with a link for donations, if you are interested. FYI, the LDS Church provides relief for all people, regardless of religious affiliation, and 100% of money donated will go directly to those efforts--not into someone's pocket. Read about the LDS General Humanitarian Fund here
http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humani ... 2010a.html

Let's all count our blessings today.

I'm back--finally!

2010-01-05T21:35:00.002-05:00

Seriously. What happened to me? November? I haven't blogged since November? Well, I suppose the Holidays did me in. And I don't even make my family's Christmas cards. Anyway, I really have been making plenty of things in my few spare moments, so I'll post them as I can.

This card is one of a set I made for my friend who got married last month. She is pretty amazing. I used their last name initial, then his on the left and hers on the right. I have no idea if that is kosher or not. It was difficult to capture on camera, but I used a rectangle Nestability to dry emboss the middle of the card. I then heat embossed the frame from PTI's Piece of Cake. Simple and elegant.

Paper: PTI White

Ink: Versamark, Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI Piece of Cake, Trajan Alpha, Simple Alpha

Other: Filigree embossing powder-silver, Rectangle Nestabilities

In other news: This is the picture we used for our Christmas card. Because we're ridiculous. We saw a portrait of Brigham Young this summer, and it was of the back of his head. Framed and on the wall and everything. We couldn't pass up that idea...Yes, I really do have 6 kids. And yes, that ugly statue is made of rebar. My husband tells me it can hold 8 hats. It has since been removed from the mantel.

Christmas 4--Snowflakes

2009-11-14T00:14:00.002-05:00

Thanks for hanging in there with me and my GSS entries...These are the last two. I put little rhinestone stickers in the centers of the red snowflakes.

I just love this Night Sky Shimmer paper. It looks so beautiful when it is embossed. I hadn't tried white yet, but here are some white snowflakes, and I really like how they turned out.

Christmas 3

2009-11-14T00:13:00.001-05:00

Here is some more lime green and red. These two are probably my favorites of this color scheme. I love this background image, but I think next time I'll vary it a little more. All of the white is heat embossed on the green and red.

This one is my very favorite. I couldn't figure out where to put a sentiment, so I thought I'd repeat it on the red strip, and I love how it turned out.

Christmas 2-

2009-11-14T00:12:00.002-05:00

I had a good time with this color combination. It's a little different for Christmas, but I really like it. I also tried Guide Lines with Snowflake Serenade for the background.

This next one uses the ornaments from Take a Bough, which is one of the first PTI sets I bought 2 years ago. I think it is genius.

Christmas 1

2009-11-14T00:06:00.002-05:00

Here are a few clean and simple Christmas cards I made for PTI's October GSS. I have lots, so buckle up and enjoy the ride for the next few days...

This middle card is a non-folded card--meaning the person is supposed to write in the blank white space. I always make a bunch of these kind for my kids to send thank-yous to those generous souls who send them gifts.

Rock and Roll

2009-10-31T19:59:00.002-04:00

I have a new favorite PTI set. Giga Guide Lines. Wow. The sentiments are nice and big, and there are just enough to cover about every event a person might need. And the images...I love them.

For both of these cards I used the "rock and roll" technique--ink up the stamp in a light color, then roll the edges in a darker color. I love this combination of Summer Sunrise and Berry Sorbet. I think I've been inspired by all of the beautiful fall trees.

Here I tried my hand at a homemade flower--I just punched circles and then folded and twisted and crumpled the paper. I actually was able to separate the layers because PTI cardstock is so thick. Not bad for a first try, right?

Paper: PTI Summer Sunrise, Berry Sorbet, White

Ink: Versamark, PTI Summer Sunrise, Berry Sorbet

Stamps: PTI Giga Guide Lines

Other: PTI Berry Sorbet Satin ribbon, white embossing powder

October Blog Hop--Rachel's Christmas Cards

2009-10-25T18:33:00.003-04:00

This month, we are to showcase projects we are working on for the Holiday season. This card is one of 50 that my 14-year-old daughter is making for my mom. This is Rachel's third year to make my mom's cards. She came up with this design and color combination herself. Isn't it great? I wish everyone could have a Rachel. She's amazing.

For the record, I don't mass-produce Christmas cards, because I am a little insane, and I make my kids spell out words with their bodies and silly things like that.

This is the card she made last year. Isn't it beautiful, too? These designs are both really simple for mass production.

Card #1:

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy, SU Garden Green

Ink: SU Garden Green, Versamark, Michael's brick red

Stamps: PTI Tree Trimming Trio, 2009 Holiday Tags

Other: dimensional tape, Sakura Stardust pens--gold, red

Card #2:

Paper: PTI White, Night Sky Shimmer

Ink: Versamark

Stamps: PTI Silent Night, Snowflake Serenade

Other: Silver embossing powder

Playing with new PTI stuff

2009-10-23T18:45:00.003-04:00

I finally got my PTI order today--it seemed like it took forever, but I hear they had quadruple the normal number of orders this month. Hooray for them! Anyway, I was so excited to try Giga Guide Lines and Mish's notepads/Take Note set. Here's my quick first try (I wanted to be able to attach a pen, so I left a loop on the side with the ribbon which ties all the way around):

This card is one I quickly came up with for others to mass produce at a craft night for my church next month. It uses my favorite PTI color combination--Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet and Dark Chocolate. I looked and looked for the right size sentiment for the label, and I decided that one of my faves from Stampin' Up--Sincere Salutations--would do nicely. I added a little sparkle to the centers with a clear Stardust pen.

Notebook:

Paper: PTI White, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush

Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush

Stamps: PTI Take Note, Giga Guide Lines

Other: PTI Berry Sorbet satin ribbon, PTI notebook, 1 3/4" and 2" circle punches

Card:

Paper: PTI Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, Dark Chocolate, White

Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Sweet Blush, SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: PTI Giga Guide Lines, SU Sincere Salutations

Other: Sakura Stardust pen-clear, Labels 1 Nestabilities

I Can't Believe It! Guest Star Stamper!

2009-10-20T20:47:00.004-04:00

I am so excited! I won this month's Guest Star Stamper for Papertrey Ink in the category "Best Clean and Simple Holiday Card". You know I'm all over the clean and simple! I think I entered 13 cards or something like that (you can see them all here)--I'll post them over the next couple of days. The best part is that my favorite card was the one that actually got picked. Love it! It really is a simple card to make, but it packs a punch.

Paper: PTI White, Pure Poppy, SU Garden Green

Ink: Versamark

Stamps: Tree Trimming Trio, Signature Christmas

Other: White Filigree embossing powder

Playing with new stamps

2009-10-19T22:21:00.001-04:00

I ran across this stamp set Saturday at JoAnn. It's Me & My Big Ideas, and it has some really beautiful damask and toile images in it. Unfortunately, the quality of the stamps themselves is quite poor--the surface is uneven, so the images do not stamp well or easily. But, I thought I'd try them out, and I surprised myself a little bit. I really, really like how this first background turned out.

This damask image is what sold me on this set (okay, that and the 30% off). It is so delicate, and it is just what I have been looking for in a damask stamp. I also used one of my brand-spanking-new Nestabilities. Oh, how I have had fun with my Cuttlebug!

Card #1:

Paper: PTI White, Enchanted Evening

Ink: PTI Enchanted Evening

Stamps: MAMBI unnamed set

Other: Cuttlebug tag die, Enchanted Evening twill ribbon

Card #2:

Paper: PTI White, Enchanted Evening

Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Enchanted Evening, Scarlet Jewel

Stamps: MAMBI, PTI Out On a Limb Sentiments

Other: Labels 1 Nestablilities, Scarlet Jewel Satin ribbon

Crazy 4 Challenges #7 - C4C7

2009-10-18T22:32:00.001-04:00

I'm playing along for the first time at Crazy 4 Challenges. Here's my take on the sketch:

I never make Halloween cards, but this new set from Papertrey has been calling my name. Isn't that paper wonderful, too? Love it.

Paper: PTI Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, Hocus Pocus PP

Ink: Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI 2009 Halloween Tags

Other: PTI True Black grosgrain ribbon, dimensional tape, 1 3/4" and 2" circle punches

Cleaning out my room

2009-10-16T19:52:00.002-04:00

I am cleaning out my stamp room, and I have all kinds of retired Stampin' Up sets for sale, as well as a few tools I don't use. Here is a thread on Splitcoast Stampers that lists them all, as well as the prices:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15368898#post15368898

If you have any questions, and aren't signed on to SCS, leave a comment here. Also, I can provide pics if requested.

Monogram gifts

2009-10-15T13:12:00.002-04:00

I did it. I finally got a Cuttlebug. My husband said, "Welcome to the age of Guttenberg!" He is less than intrigued by the low-tech capabilities of this machine, but I, however think it's fabulous, and so do my kids. Oh well. He's striving for a paperless world, and this is my hobby. Yin/Yang.

Here are two sets of cards I made for my SIL's birthdays. The top one features my Cuttlebug goodies--Swiss Dots embossing folder and ribbon slide dies. BTW, I love that ribbon, too. The bottom one uses Guide Lines in Fresh Snow on Enchanted Evening paper. Delish.

Card #1:

Paper: PTI White, SU Soft Sky, Whisper White

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: PTI Trajan Mono

Other: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, slide dies, Offray ribbon

Card#2:

Paper: PTI White, Enchanted Evening, Scarlet Jewel

Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Enchanted Evening, Versamark

Stamps: PTI Borders & Corners Mono Ed., Ambassador Mono

Other: PTI Scarlet Jewel twill, circle punch, SU scalloped punch

Papertrey Princess Challenge-Valerie

2009-10-09T23:46:00.002-04:00

This week's challenge for our blog group is Valerie's idea, to use the first Papertrey stamp we ever bought. I actually bought 4 stamp sets in my first order 2 years ago, including Believe. I love the simplicity of this set, as well as the combination of fonts. I also love that Santa can hold things (for this card I masked it). I colored him in with my trusty Sakura Stardust pens--red and clear--as well as the berries on the tree. I stamped "peace on earth" with white ink, then traced over it with a Souffle pen. Enjoy!

Paper: PTI White, Pure Poppy

Ink: Versafine Onyx, SU Forest Foliage, SU markers-Sage Shadow, Blush Blossom

Stamps: PTI Believe

Other: Sakura Stardust pens-red and clear, Offray ribbon, Souffle pen-white, 2" square punch

WCMD PTI Challenge #4-Australia

2009-10-04T11:54:00.003-04:00

Here are some cards using influences from Australia. When I was in 3rd grade, my teacher, Jenni Samuel, told us about growing up there. She moved to the US in the '70's, because she met and married Dave Kunst, who was the first man to walk around the world. She met him in during his walk there, and drove a car 3 miles per hour behind him, towing a trailer, for about a thousand miles. Now that's love!

The first card is a girl version, using a retired SU set, Paint Prints, and a white Souffle pen. The second card is a boy version, using another retired SU set, Suitable for Framing; again outlined with the souffle pen.

Paper: SU Real Rust, PTI Dark Chocolate

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps: PTI Birthday Basics, Women of Life, SU Paint Prints, Suitable for Framing

Other: 2" square punch, 1 1/2" square punch, Souffle pen

WCMD PTI Challenge #3-India

2009-10-03T23:30:00.002-04:00

PTI's challenge #3 takes us to India. Lots of gold, jewels and bright and interesting color schemes. Normally I wouldn't have added the New Leaf green (I would've gone for lime), but it seemed to fit better. There are itty-bitty rhinestones along the background, and I love these things! They are flat stickers, but they sparkle and look like three-dimensional jewels. Actually, they remind me of Barbie earrings...I got a little crazy with them, and the tweezers and I became good friends. Gold embossing is also something I don't do very often, but I love the look with this background. The bracket for the sentiment is actually a base for a Christmas tree in PTI's Tree Trimming Trio set.

Paper: SU Taken with Teal, PTI Raspberry Fizz

Ink: Versamark

Stamps: PTI Background Basics-Retro, Birthday Basics, Tree Trimming Trio

Other: SU Gold Glory embossing powder, Stampendous stickers, dimensional tape, PTI New Leaf satin ribbon

WCMD PTI Challenge #2-Mexico

2009-10-03T23:06:00.002-04:00

Today's second PTI World Card Making Day challenge is to be inspired by all things Mexican. My husband served a 2-year LDS mission to the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tobasco about 20 years ago, so he has a special love for the country and the people. He still speaks Spanish, which I should've learned growing up in SoCal, but didn't. Nevertheless, I have been to Tijiuana, and if Swine Flu hadn't canceled it this past May, I would've gone on the Love Boat-esque cruise there. Next year...

I always think of very bright colors and all kinds of ruffles...But I settled on a simple one-layer card that reminds me of my mom's Mexican house dress that she (and everyone else's mom in Southern California) wore in the '80's. I tried to recreate the embroidery in the flowers without actually sewing, but I am insane. It probably would've taken less time. I do like how it turned out, though.

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream

Ink: (and matching markers) SU Real Red, Only Orange, Green Galore, Brilliant Blue, Passion Pink, Pixie Pink, Versafine Onyx

Stamps: PTI Flower Garden, Everyday Button Bits

WCMD PTI Challenge #1-Japan

2009-10-03T15:55:00.002-04:00

Today is World Card Making Day. I would love to sit all day and make cards, but alas, I cannot. Actually, I am watching this, which I also love, because it is two days of amazing speeches and spiritual renewal. In a few days, these speeches will be available to read or watch online (and I will edit with the link). So in the 2-hour interim, I'm doing a little card making...Nothing like multitasking, right?

So Nichole, of Papertrey Ink fame has issued a few challenges today, and the first is that we incorporate influences from Japan in our card. I have chosen to use Washi paper that my friend sent me when she was living there. She knew how much I loved card making, and she saw these beautiful papers and sent them to me. They are amazingly colorful, shimmery and unique. Here are just a few:

Paper: PTI Berry Sorbet, Washi paper

Ink: Versamark

Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til the End

Other: PTI New Leaf satin ribbon, SU Gold Glory embossing powder

Favorite Stamp Set

2009-09-27T16:00:00.002-04:00

Hello, friends. Today's card is one I made to impress Claire (okay, to enter the contest to win her new stamp sets, released on Tuesday). She is simply amazing, and I am so excited for her new little one-woman company, Waltzingmouse Stamps. For the contest, she asked us to create something with our favorite stamp set and use the color green. Since my favorite set is PTI's Friends 'Til the End, I thought a green background would be more appropriate than a green flower. I do love this set, and I don't even mind cutting it out.

Paper: PTI Bitty Dot patterned (Spring Moss), Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, SU Garden Green

Ink: Versamark, SU Garden Green, Chocolate chip marker

Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til the End

Other: Filigree white embossing powder, dimensional tape

September Blog Hop

2009-09-25T19:42:00.004-04:00

This month's Papertrey Blog Hop involves recycling some of the packaging which lovingly wraps Papertrey goodies. I can't think of any other mail-order company that takes as much pride in their shipping as PTI. There is cardboard to prevent cardstock corners from bending, tissue-wrapped stamp sets, and extra newsprint paper for filling in the gaps in the box. I chose to use that newsprint here on my card. I dream of beaches with white sand like this...

I cased myself, but I really like paper piecing with this umbrella. Enjoy!

Paper: PTI Spring Rain, PTI newsprint (packaging), sei (patterned)

Ink: Versafine Onyx, PTI Fresh Snow

Stamps: PTI Scattered Showers, Green Thumb (pole) and the little birdie from Birds of a Feather's signature stamp

A Little Thank-You

2009-09-23T08:42:00.000-04:00

Here is a little one-layer card that I duplicated several times--a set for myself, I suppose. I needed to write all kinds of thank-you notes for dear friends and family and their hospitality while on our vacation this summer. I love this stamp set, but sometimes I am stumped by it. I think this turned out nicely, though. Just a little masking on the large flower and vine and my favorite pink combination--Sweet Blush (new formula is fantastic!) and Berry Sorbet.

Paper: PTI White

Ink: PTI Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, SU Certainly Celery

Stamps: PTI Flower Garden, Rustic Branches

Papertrey Princesses Challenge--My Turn

2009-09-21T20:32:00.001-04:00

Alright, ladies...It's my turn for a challenge (nevermind the fact that I should have posted this last week--oops!). This one was born out of necessity, as I often find myself low on supplies. Your challenge is to use any colors EXCEPT white or cream (not even ink or ribbon--or anything else white or cream). This summer I was saving up to make a PTI order, and I watched as my precious white cardstock dwindled away. I had to think of alternate ideas, and it was helpful for me to think outside my white box. Good luck, and I'm excited to see what you create.

This card uses Borders & Corners Monogram Edition on Kraft for the background and clear embossing on the sentiment. I have trouble with masculine cards, but I think this turned out pretty well.

Paper: PTI Enchanted Evening, Kraft

Ink: Versamark, PTI Enchanted Evening, SU Real Red, Garden Green

Stamps: PTI Birthday Basics, B&C Monogram Ed.

Other: PTI Pure Poppy Twill

I'm back, finally

2009-09-10T15:20:00.001-04:00

I'm back to some semblance of order now...School started on Tuesday, so I actually have a little quiet time while my 2-YO is napping. The rest of them are at school full-day. That's right--FIVE kids are gone until at least 3:00. No kindergarten or preschool jail this year (you know, the have-to-be-back-by-noon craziness)! Hip Hip Hooray!

So here's a card I made a while ago. It's actually one of a set that I made for someone, then I decided to completely redo her gift. These sat in my drawer for a few months, and when I looked at them again, I liked them. The flower is traced from a Maya Road flower, a hole punched, and ribbon tied in a knot through the hole. Enjoy!

Paper: PTI White, Berry Sorbet, SU Cool Carribbean

Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, SU Cool Carribbean

Stamps: PTI Polka Dot Basics, SU Seeing Spots

Other: SU So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Maya Road flower (as a template)

16 Great Years

2009-08-27T17:17:00.002-04:00

Just a little post to say Happy Anniversary to my best friend and husband, Glen. I love you.

1993...such an interesting hair year.

2009 with the whole fam on vacation in Salt Lake City. Yup, they are all ours, and look how happy they all are!