What I Do Instead of Laundry

You've seen this before in different colors. Here's a slight variation. Watch out--I'm getting crazy with the ribbon...I'm working on more single-layer cards.   I embossed the flower in white, then colored it in with SU Cameo Coral and Chocolate Chip markers.  Then I went over the brown with my Stardust clear pen to give it just a little shine to match the organdy ribbon (click to enlarge). This set is going to my cousin for her birthday. She loves that Berry Sorbet color. Paper: PTI Sweet Blush Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Versamark Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til the End, SU Sincere Salutations Other: Offray Organdy, PTI Berry Sorbet satin ribbon, Sakura Stardust clear pen

I'm trying to figure out more ways to use address labels to customize sets of cards when I give them as gifts. I'm a bit limited in my punch selection (well, not really, so humor me)--I have no rectangle ones, so paper cutter it is. I embossed the flourish from With Sympathy a few times with clear embossing powder. I haven't tried it yet with irridescent powder, but I will. The label is popped up on dimensional tape. These would be really easy to make in groups of 10, possibly in single layers as well, just on white cardstock. Hmm. I'm thinking... Paper: SU Whisper White, PTI Lavender Mist Ink: Versamark, PTI Lavender Mist Stamps: PTI With Sympathy, SU Warmest Regards Other: PTI Lavender Mist satin ribbon, dimensional tape, address label

This is a card I submitted for publication but sadly was not accepted. I have only submitted a few cards, so I have just barely gotten my feet wet. I struggle with the idea of submitting a bit, because sometimes with challenges or submissions, I feel like I am creating for what other people want and not so much for myself. My style seems so much more understated than a lot of others. But I've realized I really like my style, and I am committed to being a non-foofy stamper and card maker. If I never get published, I'm okay. My friends like what I make for them, and you are all so kind...So there. But it doesn't mean I won't keep trying :). Nevertheless, I branched out a bit with this card, as I used some 3-D charms/beads that Jenn gave me. I LOVE the beach, and I miss it terribly. When I saw the call for summer cards, my brain said "beach", but I had a difficult time translating that into a meaningful card. I do like how this turned out, though. I r...

Another friend from HS just had her first little boy last week.  He is hairy, and oh so cute!  I love hairy babies--I only had one out of six with hair that really mattered.  He looked like the Hobbit at birth, but I digress...I made a set of cards for this friend (whose son does NOT look like the Hobbit), so she could use them however she likes.  The inside is blank.  Enjoy! My daughter was very concerned that I would forget to cut out the tail when I was paper-piecing, but then I showed her the magic of stamping the image on the white paper first.  She was duly impressed. Paper: PTI White, Spring Rain, Pure Poppy, Bitty Dot Basics, SU Kraft Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Real Red Stamps: PTI Bitty Baby Blessings Other: PTI Fresh Snow twill, SU scallop punch

I loved Nichole Heady's project last month ( here ) where she made a DIY card set for a gift.  I often make sets of cards to give as gifts, and I will vary the sentiments within the set so my friends can have cards on hand for many occasions.  It had never occurred to me to leave the space blank and provide labels with already-stamped sentiments.  Duh.  What a great idea.  Here's my take on that project, using a different card holder template (super easy--only requires one sheet of carstock and some ribbon):  Here's the holder, all wrapped up.  I messed up the stamping on the outside a little bit--didn't mean to have so many white flowers, but I was committed, so oh well. Here is the gift set, open.  Those sentiments are stamped on regular-sized address labels, so they can be peeled off and placed on the blue rectangle.  The ribbon holds the cards/envelopes in place, and those flaps at the bottom can be secured with scor-tape or something like that, but I decided not ...

Diane  (who is also a mother of many children like myself) presented me with this award the other day.  I am so flattered!  She has started up a blog group of Papertrey Ink fan(atic)s, and I thought I would climb aboard and get involved.  There are some extraordinarily talented women who are also participating, and I'm looking forward to hanging out with the cool kids. I must also nominate several women who are worthy of this award...Each of them has been so kind to comment on my work, as well as being warm and welcoming on the PTI forum.  Not to mention the fact that their work is fabulous!  Check them out. I nominate: Tabitha Regan Dee Beth Karen Joan B. The rules  for passing this award on: you must post the award on your blog, name the person who awarded you, then pass the award to 6 other bloggers and leave a message on their blog that they've received the award.

Happy Easter to everyone!  I hope you enjoy this very profound and beautiful message of our Savior's sacrifice for us.  We are never alone.

Here is a little card I made with some of my fave PTI sets.  I love this big flower from Flower Garden.  A while back I cut out a bunch of these, so I've been trying to use up my stack (which is why you may have seen similar cards before...).  Lining them up vertically reminded me of a wall hanging my DH's grandma had in her house of some family pictures on a ribbon.  I know, I know, I'm getting craaaaazy with the loop above the edge!  Click to enlarge for full glitter effect. Paper: PTI Berry Sorbet, White Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Versafine Onyx Stamps: PTI Flower Garden, Green Thumb, Polka Dot Basics Other: PTI True Black satin ribbon, Sakura Stardust pen-red

Another Dawn McVey challenge...This one was a lot easier. :) This color combo is just beautiful.  I used Kraft (SU), PTI's Pure Poppy, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush and Vintage Cream.  There are so many possibilities--in fact, I made two cards with it. I needed to stock up my b'day card supply.  This first one uses Friends 'Til the End (again--love it!).  I just looped some ribbon scraps to the side to add a little interest. I love how this second one turned out.  I wish I could capture it better in a photo.  Each of the circles is punched out of different colored cardstock.  I used 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and 1/2" circle punches.  To get the ring, I punched the (smaller) 1 1/4" first, then went back over it with  the 1 3/8".  Lots of fun! Card #1 Paper and ink listed above Stamps: Friends 'Til the End, Birthday Basics (stamped in Berry Sorbet on Kraft looks like red) Other: PTI ribbon--Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Vintage Cream satin Card #2 Paper and Ink ...