What I Do Instead of Laundry

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

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

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

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

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