Sweet Violets Paperie

WMSC 81-Congratulations!

2012-01-27T05:33:00.000-05:00

Congratulations! It's your anniversary, it's your birthday, it's a promotion, it's the weekend! Finding a reason to congratulate a friend is easy. Celebrate with a bottle of goodness dressed with a bright cheery tag.

I used this sketch by Anya Schrier

and Seasonal Remedies and Fancy Phrases by Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Have a great weekend,

CR84FN 46

2012-01-23T06:38:00.000-05:00

With the many gray days we have had, these soft spring colors of CR84FN Color Challenge were inviting me to play.

When I saw these colors, I knew I wanted to make a card using one of the sweet images from Crafty Secrets Born to Fly stamp set. When Crafty Secrets announced last month they were no longer going to be making clear stamps, I quickly ordered a few sets that had been on my wish list. Luckily, customer response has convinced them to continue producing their stamps.

I started with a Lemon Tart card base. I printed the patterned papers, using Crafty Secrets Creating with Vintage Patterns CD #1. The yellow patterned paper is edged with a Martha Stewart heart border. The pink pattern is a happy mistake. I printed one pattern and meant to print another pattern on the back, but I put the paper in the printer the wrong way and printed the second pattern over the first. The tickets are also from Born to Fly and the flourish above the heart is from French Mail. I stamped the image on a die cut (Quickutz Nested Doily Hearts) and colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils; I added just a touch of sparkle to her wings with a Spica Buttermilk pen. And of course, I used some Antique Linen to age the die cut. The sentiment from PTI's Tiny Tags is stamped on a Tiny Tags die cut.

Have a wonderful week,

Waltzingmouse Blog Party

2012-01-17T06:29:00.013-05:00

Blowing the party horn for the first Waltzingmouse Blog Party of 2012! A fun progressive party with many inspiring destinations with this month's theme: SWEET THINGS. Check out all the stops on the party here.

My take on the theme was to make cards expressing love because there is nothing sweeter than love, although I don't think I could live without chocolate either :) My first card is feminine and sweet with pink, scallops, ruffles,and a cameo.

The pink background was stamped with WM Victorian Frippery (BTW-that background building stamp is SOOOO EASY to use), and the black and white background is was stamped with Nordic Winter (also very easy to use). On this card I also used Fancy Phrases and Cameo Creations.
After assembling the card, I was happy with it, but the theme is SWEET THINGS, and I had the perfect raspberry gingham ruffled ribbon, so of course, I HAD to add a fluffy bow to make a sweet card even sweeter.

This second Valentine card was inspired by this CAS card by Amber D.

I used these stamps from these Waltzingmouse sets: Faux Fun Circles, Nordic Winter, A Very Vintage Christmas, and Fancy Phrases. I used Antique Linen Distress on the edge of the banner and popped it with dimensional tape.

Reminder: Many of the stamps in the Christmas sets can be used for non-Christmas cards.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the party,

Stamps: Victorian Frippery, Nordic Winter, Fancy Phrases, Faux Fun Circles, A Very Vintage Christmas,Cameo Creations (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Memento Rose Bud, Tuxedo Black , Lavender Moon(Tsukineko); Antique Linen Distress Ink(Ranger);Pure Poppy, Spring Moss (PTI)
Paper: Rustic White, Raspberry Fizz, Stamper's Select White, True Black (PTI)
Other:Scalloped punch(Fiskars); circle die, scalloped circle die, banner die(Spellbinders)

WMSC 80 -A Simple Welcome

2012-01-16T05:35:00.000-05:00

I used this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge for my inspiration for a little crafty time on Saturday.

I followed the sketch closely using patterned paper in muted colors,a clean and simple design, and one of my favorite Waltzingmouse images. This little cottage reminds me of a small print that I purchased in Ireland and sits on the desk in the study.

After stamping the image and sentiment, I distressed the edges and added a felt pinked edging to the top and bottom. I added a simple embellishment of twine and a wooden button.

Remember, a charming image is lovely without coloring and many embelishments.

As always thank you for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps:Irish Blessings (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Paper: Rustic Cream, Ocean Tides (PTI);Lost and Found Portabello Road 6x6 Paper Pad(My Mind's Eye)
Other: Rustic Wood Button, twine, Ocean Tides felt, Pinking Shears Border die (PTI)

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T06:21:00.001-05:00

Wishing you a year filled with love, laughter, peace, happiness, and health....oh, and plenty of pleasurable creative and crafty times!

Papertrey November Blog Hop Challenge

2011-11-25T08:10:00.001-05:00

If your taking a break from shopping or nibbling on leftover pumpkin pie,be sure to check out the entries for this month's PTI Blog Hop on Nichole Heady's blog.
Here is November's Blog Hop inspiration photo.

The first time I saw the photo, my first thought was PTI's Love Lives Here: Holiday and the garland of greenery so that was my starting point when I made these gift card holders using PTI's Seed Packet die. And of course, I had to a bit of gingham!
The first has a small feminine touch with lace and velvet.

This next one has a frame, made with the Button Card die and Fillable Frames #7 die and attached with dimensional tape.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Supplies:
Velvet and Lace
Stamps: Love Lives Here-Holiday, Background Basics: Gingham(PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy(PTI),Peeled Paint Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Kraft ,Pure Poppy (PTI)
Other: Seed Packet die, Limitless Layers 13/4 Circle Collection (PTI), lace (Hobby Lobby), velvet ribbon (Michaels)
Framed
Stamps: Love Lives Here-Holiday, Mixed Messages (PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy(PTI), Peeled Paint Distress Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink(Ranger)
Paper: Kraft,Vintage Cream (PTI); gingham (Crafty Secrets-Creating with Vintage Patterns CD)
Other: Seed Packet die, Button Card die, Fillable frames #7 die, Pure Poppy Vintage Button (PTI); Nested Lacy Pennants(Spellbinders)

Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz

2011-11-17T05:46:00.000-05:00

I am happy to be a part of this month's Christmas- themed Waltzingmouse Stamps blog waltz. You can find the list of participants in a thread by visisting the forum here.

I LOVE the gorgeous typography and wonderful sentiments in Seasonal Remedies. Envisioning these labels on old grain sacks, I decided to make some little rustic gift bags.

First, I stitched some burlap bags that measure 4x5 and ran some jute twine through the casing. Next I cut some muslin squares and stitched around the edges with red thread; the frayed edges add to the rusticity--ok, so I just made up a word. Then I stamped the image with red dye ink. I attached the stamped muslin squares to the burlap bags with 1/8 inch score taped placed beneath the stitching--easy peasy.

Felt holly and berries along with rusty bells add a little more Christmas cheer. Now these little homespun bags are ready to be filled with a glassine bag of homebaked cookies, hot chocolate packets, a gift card, or even sparkling jewels :).

Supplies:
Stamps:Seasonal Remedies (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Jenny Bowlin Chili Powder (Ranger)
Other: Simply Chartreuse and Pure Poppy felt, Holly Jolly die (PTI)

WMSC 71--Nordic Winter

2011-11-01T06:29:00.000-04:00

Oh what a happy day last week when my package from Waltzingmouse Stamps arrived with three new Christmas stamp sets.! I loved Claire's latest release with such fun, festive designs and beautiful typography!

When I saw this sketch, I knew I had to inaugurate Nordic Winter.

A peak inside. The sentiment is from Compliments of the Season.

The most difficult part of making this card was cutting off some the stamped patterned paper to make it the right size. The large piece was so pretty, but since it is so easy to line up these stamps, I can easily make some more, and trust me I will. I have some white gift bags that will be Nordic Winterized. :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Nordic Winter, Compliments of the Season (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist(PTI)
Paper: Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist (PTI), white glittered paper (The Paper Studio)
Other: snowflake die (Spellbinders), circle punches, gingham ribbon (Michael's craft store)

Halloween Flourish

2011-10-29T12:17:00.000-04:00

With Halloween just a few days away, I'm enjoying stamping with my Crafty Secrets Halloween stamps before putting them aside for another year.

The card base is Orange Zest (PTI) . The orange patterned paper is printed from Crafty Secrets Vintage Patterns CD. I love all the fabulous vintage patterns included in this cd. The purple patterned paper is Paper Studio.
The image of the couple dancing with flourish from Costume Cuties (Crafty Secrets) was colored with these Copics.

Of course, after coloring the image, I did a little aging with Antique Linen Distress ink before mounting the focal point a Vintage Cream doily cut with PTIs doily die. A glittery flourish, cut from Paper Studio glitter paper with the MFT flourish die, and a rhinestone brad are nice juxtaposition to the simple black and white baker's twine.

I'm linking this to these challenges
The Shabby Tea Room challenge #85 --use a Halloween theme with the colors purple, orange, black,and a neutral along with twine or raffia
Wee Memories Challenge #74--"Buttons, Brads, or Bows"

Enjoying Autumn's Splendor? FTTC 141

2011-10-28T09:15:00.001-04:00

We've been taking advantage of the beautiful mild fall days by hiking in the Smoky Mountains; this past Monday we decided to hike to Charlie's Bunion, a trail that begins at Newfound Gap which is at a higher elevation and at the border between Tennessee and North Carolina . We knew that this section of the Appalachian Trail would be past prime colors, but we didn't expect to see this

Yes, there were several snowy patches along the trail. We managed to misjudge the temperatures. Luckily, I had thrown a couple of hoodies in the car. I usually take off my top layer after about 15 minutes; it doesn't take much physical activity to turn up my thermostat. So DH knew it was ~~cool~~ cold when I didn't remove my hoodie which was the top of three layers. Nor did I remove my ~~adorable~~ hat for a picture at the summit, well ,almost summit. I chose not to scramble up those rocks to my left.

Here is Ed at the summit;

Here in the valley, the fall colors are at their peak, and our woods are beautiful now while our lawn is quickly being blanketed in fallen leaves.

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 141 is timely. The challenge hosted by Makiko is to use a tree/leaf element.

I used PTIs woodgrain impression plate and Distress Ink in Old Paper for the side panel. The leaf, stamped in Red Brick Versmagic Chalk Ink, and the acorns, stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa, are from Flourishes Falling Leaves . The sentiment is from Flourishes Sweet Violets.

Have a great weekend .

Papertrey October Blog Hop Challenge

2011-10-25T12:05:00.000-04:00

It's great to be a part of this month's PTI blog hop. In case you're not coming from the hop, you'll want to check it out by visiting Nichole Heady's blog for the list of participants who are using this inspiration photo from Retro Mama for this month's hop.

Here's my card and an explanation of the four elements from the inspiration photo that I included and the PTI products I used.

!. Pumpkin--Fall Elegance stamp set
2. Acorns-- the narrow strip of patterned paper was made by stamping the acorn and leaf stamp from Mat Stack 1 in Spring Moss Pigment Ink (My PTI package with the new inks arrived the day after I made my card.) Remember you can click on image for a larger view.
3. Polka dots-Spring Moss paper from Pretty Pastels paper pad
4. Flourishes- I stamped the small flourishes from Embellishments in Spring Moss after stamping and masking the pumpkin. The larger flourishes behind the seed packet are die cut from SM cs and stamped with SM ink.

I used these elements with Garden Variety stamp set. The seed packet was cut from paper printed from Crafty Secrets Vintage CD. I attached the round closure with dimensional tape and added the twine to hint at a twine closure for the seed packet. I used the seed packet frame die, button card die and Rustic Cream cs for the front panel of the seed packet. I colored the strip with a Copic. The sentiment is from Gratitude Journal. After using a 1-inch punch to cut it out, I topped it with a clear epoxy sticker. The final embellishments include cream seam binding ribbon and some Making Memories flowers.

This card is for all the participants in this hop. I am grateful for the wonderful creative inspiration each of you share.

Timeless Tuesday Challenge 140

2011-10-23T21:43:00.000-04:00

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge is to make a Halloween card or project. While it's not a requirement to use Flourishes stamps, I always like to use a company's stamps in its challenges; however, I don't have a Flourishes Halloween stamp, so for me the challenge was to combine Flourishes stamps with the Halloween stamps I do own. I used the seed packet from Flourishes Seeds of Friendship and gave it a Halloween twist

I also used Flourishes Fanciful Flourishes and Lace Edges along with Crafty Secrets Costume Cuties and Halloween and PTIs Polka Dots 1. I colored the image with Copics and added some stars and buttons punched from glittery paper.

Cute as a Button

2011-10-07T06:17:00.000-04:00

Cute as a button? Where did that saying come from? What does it mean? ---something is round and shiny? I've never really thought of many buttons as being cute. However, I suppose if something can be compared to a cute button, it is this little girl decked out for Halloween.

I love those little Halloween black cats.
Thanks for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Costume Cuties, Halloween(Crafty Secrets); Button Boutique, Bitty Background Blocks (PTI)
Ink: Memento London Fog(Tsukineko), Berry Sorbet(PTI)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Melon Berry, 2008 Bitty Box Basics
Other: Button Card die, Parisian Doily die, Melon Berry Vintage Buttons (PTI); Label die (Spellbinders); corner rounder; seam binding

PTI Make-It-Monday and September Papertrey Peeps Challenge

2011-09-03T12:26:00.009-04:00

It's been quite some time since I played along with PTI's Make-It-Monday challenge, but this week's video and challenge about coloring with Prismacolor pencils could not be resisted. So yesterday morning, I ignored my household chores, poured that second cup of coffee, turned on an audio book, and stamped and colored--such a good morning. While last weekend had a hint of fall, the temperatures and humidity have risen steadily through the week and yesterday's temperature hit a new high for September 2; even so fall was calling me with PTI's Autumn Abundance, one of my favorite fall stamp sets. I am still wishing for a similar set for each of the seasons.

And to my fellow Peeps, I know you are wondering what is going on that I have met Carol's September challenge to use fall as our inspiration during the month the challenge was made. To further amaze you, please note that I have completed two more cards for our Peeps challenges and will soon have those posted. Now I just have to catch up on visiting your blogs, oh yeah, and finish those chores I ignored yesterday.
To those of you in the states have a great Labor Day and to everyone enjoy the weekend.

Supplies:
Stamps: Autumn Abundance, Limitless Labels, Just the Ticket, Places Please,Background Basics: Gingham (PTI)
Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo, Memento Rich Cocoa, Memento Tangelo, Versamark (Tsukineko); Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Terracotta Tile (PTI); 365 Degrees Paper Pad (Pink Paislee)
Other: Parisian Lace Doily Die, Just the Ticket die, Terracotta Tile Vintage buttons, Rustic Cream Button Twine (PTI), Prismacolor pencils

Flourishes Birthday Bash Challenge #3

2011-09-01T12:30:00.000-04:00

Starting off September with the aster which is the flower for September in Flourishes Calendar Basics #3 stamp set which I used for my card in the third Birthday Bash challenge for Flourishes.

I stamped the flower image in Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored with Copics on a button card die cut stamped with a border from Button Boutique (both from PTI). The sentiment from Mixed Messages and the flourish,stamped in Chrome Yellow Archival ink is from Vintage Labels (PTI). I used a Tiny Tags die cut(PTI). Papers include Vintage Cream and Aqua Mist CS (PTI) and patterned paper from October Afternoon's Thrift Shop paper pad.

Have a great day,

More Flourishes Birthday Wishes

2011-08-31T07:11:00.000-04:00

Birthday wishes for Flourishes continue today with a fall-inspired card for the birthday bash challenge.

I used a Wreath of All Seasons stamp set, another favorite Flourishes set. The sentiment is from Fanciful Flourishes.
I have relatives with fall birthdays, so it's good ( and surprising) to have a card made in advance.
Have a great day,

Happy Birthday, Flourishes!

2011-08-29T07:54:00.002-04:00

Flourishes is celebrating four years of offering beautiful stamps. With this celebration comes fun blog hops full of gorgeous cards and fun challenges with chances to win a very generous prize package of several stamp sets. One challenge is to use your favorite Flourishes stamp set. If you've visited here frequently, you know without a doubt Sweet Violets is absolutely my favorite Flourishes stamp set and one of my first stamp purchases.

The paper is from Picket Fence Tiny Tablet (lily bee design);fortunately, I had some Copics that complemented the paper while the ribbon and sentiment are a darker purple. Speaking of the ribbon; it's a good match for PTI's Plum Pudding. I found it along with several other good matches for PTI colors at The Dollar Tree,so if you have this dollar store in your area, you might want to check out the ribbons--5 yards for $1--what a deal!

Violet time will soon be here with cooler temperatures, and I will be happy to plant those sweet violets to enjoy for three seasons until the heat and humidity return next summer.

April Showers Bring May Flowers in August

2011-08-19T05:38:00.000-04:00

April showers bring May flowers in August? Those May flowers will bloom in August if one is long overdue in meeting the May Papertrey Peeps challenge. This is my second "make-up" post in my unmet Peeps challenges.

I used Life and Iconic Images (PTI) for the focal point. The background was stamped with Stella and Rose-Gertie "Girly" (My Mind's Eye). Of course, I had to add a strip of gingham with PTI's background stamp. I mean I hadn't used a gingham stamp for several weeks.Speaking of backgrounds, did you order the new houndstooth background stamps from PTI? I'm feeling a a little regretful for nor ordering them,but I decided to wait and hear the feedback from others. I'll be interested if they truly are easier to line up.
Today, I'm shopping at a new vendors market in town which is only opened three days a week. It just opened last weekend, but we were out of town. One of the booths is owned by Cerrie of The Little Pink Studio. I was introduced to her online store via Melissa Phillips's blog. I was surprised to learn she lives in Knoxville and was thrilled to learn she has opened this booth. You can check out her charming booth here.
Do you have something fun planned for today?

It's Early and I Can't Think of a Clever Title

2011-08-18T07:00:00.001-04:00

Hello dear friends! It's good to be back to blogland after another lengthy break. I decided that as I headed back to crafting and blogging, I'd take care of several of the Papertrey Peeps challenges I missed and use some stamps that have been waiting to get inky . So with my head hanging shamefullly because of the delay, let's take a look at the Peeps April challenge to use black. I made a small favor/placecard.

I made a triangle box using Tag, Bags, Boxes, and More Cricut Cartridge Then I stamped PTI's Tranquility Trilogy on three die cuts in gold ink and embossed with sparkling embossing powder.The stamped die cuts are added to the three visible sides of the box. The guest's name is added to double ended banner which is edged with gold ink. The banner just slides into to the box.

I'm not sure I would make these for many guests because I was pretty slow in creating one--die cut, stamp (sometimes multiples before I had one I was satisfied with), run to the kitchen, emboss while carefully holding with tweezers, return to study, stamp, go to kitchen, emboss..... I think my limit would be four before frustration level reached its peak. But I can see the table set with sparkling china and crystal, gleaming silver, crisp white linens, and the votive candles glittering in our wrought iron and crystal chandelier, so I guess I'll crank out a few more and plan a dinner. Or maybe I'll make just one more, and Ed and I will have a special dinner.

Summer Dressing--CR84FN Challenge 32 and CAS-ual Friday

2011-07-11T18:11:00.000-04:00

I love sweet summer dresses for girls of all ages, even though sadly I've passed the age for wearing them. And I don't have any little girls in my life to wear them, but I can have fun making some paper dresses.
I took some of my favorites--gingham and flowers and
CAS-ual Friday challenge to make a shaped card

and another great color combination from CR84FN Color Challenge

and made a sweet little dress invitation.

This SVG file is from The Cutting Cafe. I recently purchased several files, so I'll be having some fun making some shaped cards.
Thanks for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamp: Tiny Tags (PTI)
Ink: Lady Bug Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper: Sweet Blush (PTI), gingham (Paper Studio)

Other: SVG file(The Cutting Cafe); Sweet Blush twill, Pure Poppy and Simply Chartreuse felt, Tiny Tags die (PTI); small rolled rose die (MFT);Cuttlebug embossing folder

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-04T06:09:00.000-04:00

Parades, concerts, cookouts, pool parties, fireworks... people and pets decked out in their red, white, and blue... celebrating America's independence

If you have seen the July/August issue of Papercrafts, then you know the inspiration for these cards is on the cover and on page 20 with the sketch by Betsy Veldman and the cards by AJ Otto and Terri Anderson.
And this last card came about simply because I felt I needed to use my Cricut more often. And you know how I love A Child's Year cartridge. :)

For those of you in the states have a safe and happy Fourth! And for the rest have a safe happy Monday!

Supplies:
Stamps: Small Banners (Pink Persimmon); Ticking Stripe (CHF); Vintage Picnic, Background Basics: Gingham, Star Prints,Bitty Background Blocks (PTI)
Ink: Paris Dusk Memento (Tsukineko); Cranberry Pigment Ink(Colorbox)
Paper: Enchanted Evening, Pure Poppy, Stamper's Select White, Rustic Cream (PTI); star patterned paper (Paperpizzaz)
Other: Banner Labels (Spellbinders); star punch( EK Success); Pure Poppy and Enchanted Evening Baker's Twine , Picnic Plaid Impression Plate , double ended banner die(PTI);button die (MFT); gems (Kaisercraft)

CR84FN Challenge 32 + CPS 224

2011-06-29T05:46:00.000-04:00

Beautiful fresh colors with the latest CR84FN Challenge --green, aqua, and yellow!

A classics sketch from CPS

Do something crafty today,

Supplies:
Stamps: Mat Stack 1, Say It with Style, Simply Stationery, Love Lives Here (PTI)
Ink: Bamboo Leaves Memento (Tsukineko), Viridian Archival (Ranger), Sunflower Pigment (Color Box)
Paper: Thrift Shop Paper Pad (October Afternoon); New Leaf, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Other: Mat Stack 1 and Love Lives Here dies, New Leaf twill ribbon (PTI), lace trim

Welcome Home

2011-06-24T10:56:00.000-04:00

It has been a month since my MIL was admitted to the hospital with congestive heart failure. Now after time in the hospital and then in a nursing home to regain some strength, she has returned to her home.
Of course, I had to have a little card waiting to greet her.

After stamping the wreath, flowers, and sentiment from Wreath for All Seasons, I stamped, cut, colored, and attached the little bird house from Bird Watching with dimensional tape.
Thanks for stopping by,

Happy Summer Solstice!

2011-06-21T05:32:00.000-04:00

Today marks the summer soltice in the northern hemisphere.
Inspired by the scenes Kristi created here using the PTI's Garden Variet,. I used her card layout with a tag and created my own little summer scene.

I knew I wanted to use this precious tiny banner on the picket fence. Then I thought of the bird house and bird to finish my scene.

Thankfully the picket fence and tag are dies because the banner, bird house, and bird requred hand cutting. I used an acrylic paint and small stiff stenciling brush to paint the fence and kraft impressed matt. I used a scalloped die and blue ink to created the mottled sky, and I colored the bird house and banner with Copics.

What are your plans for this longest day of the year?

Supplies:
Stamps: Bird Watching, Garden Variety (PTI); Mini Banner Greetings(Pink Persimmon); Birdies(Crafty Secrets)
Ink: Rich Cocoa, Peart Tart, Rosebud (Tsukineko); Baby Blue(Stampabilities); Sunflower Pigment (ColorBox)
Paper: Kraft, Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream, Rustic Cream (PTI)
Other: Picket Fence die, Picnic Plaid impression plate, rustic twine (PTI); Swiss dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

CR84FN Challenge 31 and CPS 222

2011-06-15T10:12:00.004-04:00

I love this color combo for the current CR84FN Challenge. But then I like every color combination for each of the challenges. :)

I used CPS Sketch 222. I tried stamping the focal point in pink and then green, but each was anything but the focal point when placed on the card, so I went with a sepia ink for theUnity/Webster's Pages tea cups stamp. I also stamped Sweet Blush cs with Prima Recital and 7 Gypsies Auvignon stamps. The floral paper is Prima Ladybug. PTI's Mixed Messages and Postmarks were used for the tiny tag. I LOVE those Tiny Tag dies! I colored cream seam binding with a Copic Marker, and those sweet blossoms--another love of mine are from Sugar Pink Boutique.

Thanks for stopping by,

Make it Monday #18

2011-06-11T08:29:00.000-04:00

Yea! I made some time to make a card for PTI's Make-It-Monday. Betsy Veldman shows us how to add texture with tissue paper.

Because I wanted an aged-look, I first inked the white tissue paper with Antique Linen distress ink. I used Mod Podge to adhere the crumpled tissue paper to the stamped panel. After the tissue covered panel dried, I added another layer of Mod Podge. The small glittered butterfly adds just a little dimension to the card. I think this muted card would be pretty for a sympathy card, but I'm not so sure I like it for a birthday card.

It's another hot and sunny day here, so after some grocery shopping this morning, I'm planning on a little lounging in the pool with the slim possibility of some water aerobics.
Have a wonderful weekend,

Stamps: Life, Think Big Favorites # 2 (PTI)
Ink: Rich Cocoa, Lulu Lavendar, Sweet Plum (Memento); Antique Linen Distress Ink(Ranger)
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Fine Linen, Plum Pudding, Lavendar Moon
Other: Butterfly Punch (Fiskars), Glitter (Martha Stewart)

June Papertrey Peeps Challenge

2011-06-05T10:13:00.000-04:00

Where did May go? Oh my goodness--my last post was at the end of April! May was such a busy month for me--filled with lots outdoor work, tutoring, and vacation. And then on May 24, my 86-year-old mother-in-law was admitted to the hospital. She was discharged this Thursday and now is in a nursing home receiving some physical therapy, so hopefully she can go home soon. We are lucky that she does live in town, but we know we are facing some new challenges in the future.
My limited crafting time has been spent finishing a promised project and organizing some purchases.One morning I did manage to stamp some images that I cut out and colored while sitting at the hospital.
Luckily, I am the host of this month's Papertrey Peeps challenge, which forced me to create a new card, and spurred me to post. Because my challenge is to create a masculine card, I made a card for the most important man in my life--my husband.

I picked one of the latest trends--award ribbons and I created one, using PTI and Spellbinders dies.

I hope to catch up on recent Peeps challenges and blog visits very soon. You peeps are the best in so many ways!

I hope you can join our Peeps challenge this month and link your project on the Papertrey Peeps blog.
And as always thank you so much for taking the time to visit,

Supplies:
Stamps: Say It With Style, Limitless Labels,Background Basics:Distressed Stripes (PTI); Anytime Messages(Hero Arts)
Ink:Versamark, Red Brick VersaMagic (Tsukineko); Ocean Tides (PTI)
Paper: Kraft, Terracotta Tile,Vintage Cream (PTI); Restoration Paper Pad (Crate Paper)
Other: Double Ended Banner Die, Limitless Layers-1 3/4 inch Dies(PTI);Scalloped Circle die(Spellbinders); 1 1/2 inch circle punch, corrugated cardboard

Fairy Special Sister

2011-04-30T09:13:00.000-04:00

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful big sister--actually she is much shorter than I. Nevertheless, she will always be my big sister, and I will always be her little sister no matter our heights, or our ages. When I saw the Sweet Pea flower fairy stamp set by Crafter's Companion, I knew I had to have it. The image depicts how protective my sister has always been.

Because this is a fairly large image, I made the card larger so I could add a little embellishment, not too much though--that is not my sister's style, but flower fairies require a little something extra, don't they? I pulled out the Copics for the coloring the image, the seam binding, and the flower.

I am linking this to the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog and the first challenge which is to use flowers.

Have a beautiful weekend,

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Pea Flower Fairy (Crafter's Companion)
Ink: Black Tuxedo Memento (Tsukineko), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Patterned paper- Home for the Holidays and Winter's Wings Petite Paper(Webster's Pages), cs-Vintage Cream, Sweet Blush (PTI)
Other: trinket pin (Maya Road), Copics

Easter Wishes

2011-04-23T07:52:00.000-04:00

May the simple joys of Easter stay in your heart.

Supplies:
Stamps: Basketweave (Flourishes); Take Three: Spring, Fillable Frames 10 (PTI)
Ink: Rich Cocoa, Black Tuxedo Memento, Versamark
Paper: Kraft, Blueberry Sky (PTI)
Other: Favor It Box 2 die , Fillable Frames 10 die (PTI)

CR84FN Challeng 24

2011-04-22T21:06:00.000-04:00

Another quick post to meet the deadline for CR84FN Challenge 24 using this lovely soft palette.

I began by creating a soft vintage pattern using Victorian Frippery from Waltzingmouse Stamps.

The sentiment is from Fancy Phrases.

Gotta run; thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fancy Phrases, Victorian Frippery, Very Vintage Labels No.4 (Waltzinmouse Stamps)
Ink: Spring Rain, Aqua Mist (PTI); Black Tuxedo (Memento)
Paper: Spring Rain, Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Other: Turning a New Leaf Collection dies, Vintage Cream felt (PTI);Label 4 Nestabilties (Spellbinders);Rolled Rose and Mini Rolled Rose dies (My Favorite Things)

Trumpet Vine --Case Study #35 and FTTC #113

2011-04-18T14:42:00.003-04:00

One sure sign that spring has arrived is the arrival of hummingbirds. I put out the nectar last Wednesday morning and saw the first hummingbird at the feeder that afternoon. I'm sure these little winged jewels are also feasting on the coral honeysuckle that is blooming across the arbor which is part of the inspiration for my card. The other inspiration is CASE Study's April Muse Silke Ledlow and this beautiful card of hers.

My take on Silke's card uses a stamp from Flourishes Humming Along set, which was part of wonderful prize I won from Dawn Burnworth last fall. I am also linking this card to Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge # 113 to use flowers on your card.

The sentiment is from PTI's Delightful Dahlia. I distressed the edges of image panel and inked them with Antique Linen ink.
I used these Copics to color the image.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week,

Supplies:
Stamps: Humming Along(Flourishes); Delightful Dahlia, Background Basics: Text Time (PTI)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Petite Pad-Lullaby Lane and Life's Portraits (Webster's Pages)
Other: Copics; Melon Berry Vintage Button, Rustic Cream Button twine(PTI); Antique White grosgrain ribbon (Offray), pearls (Paper Studio)

Easter Wishes

2011-04-10T06:56:00.001-04:00

A quick post today to share a card for the Shabby Tea Room's Challenge #56, a spring color challenge.

My card uses a vintage image from Miss Rhea's Sweet and Shabby Roses and stamps from Papertrey.

Wishing you a day wrapped in spring bliss,

Supplies:
Stamps: Postmarks, Mixed Messages, Background Basics:Gingham (PTI)
Ink: Lulu Lavendar, Grape Jelly, Angel Pink Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper: patterned paper(Anna Griffin); cardstock-Sweet Blush, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Other: Parisian Doily die, Tiny Tags die, Postage stamp die, Tiny Envelope die (PTI);butterfly punch(Fiskars); millinery flowers (Sugar Pink Boutique); Stickles

March Peeps Challenge

2011-03-30T07:10:00.000-04:00

With one day to spare, I am posting my card for March's Peeps Challenge even though I made my card a couple of week ago. Kim's challenge is to make a good luck card using different symbols of good luck. You can read all about Kim's challenge here.
I chose the lady bug as my symbol of good luck.

I finally used my Nursery Rhymes Cricut Cartridge which was a Christmas gift.The grass tickling the little lady bugs' toes is cut with the die from My Favorite Things. The sentiment is from PTI's Mixed Messages, and the lady bug on the label is from Flourishes' Sunflowers.

As always thanks for stopping by, and I hope your day is filled with good fortune.

Spring Time-Make It Monday

2011-03-28T05:56:00.001-04:00

Spring Time? Really? After teasing us with a few wonderful spring days, Mother Nature has been giving us dreary, rainy cold days. But the wild violets have sprung up in the lawn, so I am not completely unhappy with Ms Nature, and those violets were my inspiration for last week's Make It Monday video and challenge to color with Copics on colored cardstock.

Using PTI's Year of Flowers: Violets, I stamped the smaller flower image on Lavendar Moon and the small leaf on Spring Moss, using Rich Cocoa Memento Ink; then I colored with these Copics:

I was hoping the PTI's new gingham background would be wide enough. to cover the front panel of the libary pocket; it might work for a better stamper, but I was not successful, so I used a Cornish Heritage Farms gingham stamp for the. However, I did find a use for PTI's background. Prepare yourselves for more gingham strips on my cards? :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Year of Flowers:Violets, Background Basics: Gingham, Take Three: Spring, Library Card (PTI); Notary(Prima Marketing); Fine Gingham Backgrounder(Cornish Heritage Farms)
Ink: Memento--Rich Cocoa, London Fog,Lulu Lavendar (Tsukineko)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Lemon Tart, Lavendar Moon, Spring Moss (PTI)
Other: Library Pocket die, Rustic Cream Button Twine, Linen Impression Plate (PTI); Die-namics Faux Crochet Border (My Favorite Things); Tags Trio(Spellbinders); Copics

Papertrey March Blog Hop Challenge

2011-03-25T10:04:00.000-04:00

The 25th of the month means it's PTI blog hop time! This month's challenge is all about embroidery floss.

"For the March Blog Hop we are challenging you to use embroidery floss in a fun and inventive way on your project. This could include stitching, wrapping it around and tying it like ribbon, braiding, accenting tags, embroidered patterns or anything else you can dream up!"
You can check out all the details and list of participants here.

Because of my 30 years of teaching, certain pieces of literature became part of me. I cannot think of embroidery and sewing without thinking Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and this quotation. " It was the art--then as now, almost the only one within a woman's grasp--of needlework." Let me date myself even more my saying, "We've come a long way, baby!"

Besides my artistic attempts with crayons, embroidery, learned from my mother and grandmother when I was quite young, was my early artistic expression. I still have some of my first pieces along with beautiful pieces embroidered by my mother and grandmother. One of my treasured pieces is a baby quilt made for either my sister or me which hangs in our upstairs hallway.

This challenge meant it was time for me to hone my embroidery stitches.

The inspiration for this first simple card was a crisp white embroidered pillow case.

I traced two Cuttlebug flower die cuts, punched holes, and embroidered with a simple back stitch. I stamped the small leaf from Beautiful Blooms 1 which is conveniently a series of dots, so easy for punching holes, and embroidered it. I added a Golden Harvest button and some twine. The Edgers # 2 die creates a romantic eyelet edge. I may have to embroider some crisp white pillow cases now-- minus the buttons and twine, of course; the impressions would take all day to disappear from this aging skin.!

For a second card the embroidery floss is used on the embellishment.

After cutting Harvest Gold felt with the Dienamics Rolled Rose die from My Favorite Things, I embroidered a blanket stitch along the edge before rolling the felt. I cut a couple of small leaves from Simply Chartreuse felt and stitched the vein down the middle of each leaf. (One of the leaves is hidden in the shadow. Obviously, my photography skills need some work)
The base for the flower was made using the scalloped die from. the Limitless Layers 1 3/4 Collection I strategically cut a doily pattern from patterened paper from October Afternoon's Thrift Shop. Even though the die is solid, you can hold it and the paper up to a light to aid in placement of the pattern. The bottom layer of the base is Pure Poppy cs cut with a die from the Doily Details Collection.

The front panel is more patterned paper from the Thrift Shop collection. The sentiment is from PTI's Birthday Basics. After adding some Aqua Mist grosgrain ribbon, I attached the front panel to a mat of Pure Poppy. The card base is Vintage Cream.

Enjoy the hop!

Magical Spring

2011-03-21T06:55:00.000-04:00

Hello, and welcome back. After a month since my last post, I'm glad to be posting again.
Spring is officially here, and it has beautifully springy (great adjective, huh?) here the last few days with warm sunny days, blooming rhodendrons, blossoming daffodils and violets, singing birds and frogs.

The magical beauty of nature is so often captured in the images of lovely ethereal fairies.

The Shabby Tea Room has a challenge this week that is a little different--a bingo challenge. Using this inspiration board, you must choose three embellishments in a row.

I used embossing -the Parisian doily, die cut-again the Parisain doily die plus a Spellbinder's die cut, and ribbon.

Wishing you a magical spring!

Softly Thinking of You---Make It Monday

2011-02-21T05:38:00.000-05:00

A quick post with a submission for PTI's Make It Monday challenge to use a vellum strip with a stamped sentiment. The sentiment is from Take Three : Spring. The vellum strip is anchored on one end with flower cut with Beautiful Blooms II #1 dies and centered with some pearls. I used Basic Gray Capella paper pad for the pink and patterned papers

Have a wonderful Monday.
We're going to visist a Titanic museum today.

Garden Days Ahead, FTTC 105

2011-02-18T07:44:00.000-05:00

We've had some mild temperatures, so I started thinking that soon it will be time to begin tidying up the garden. I guess that's why I was drawn to use this image from Flourishes From the Garden for this week's Timeless Tuesday Challenge which requires that one uses three patterned papers.

The papers are from Basic Gray's Lemonade pad, and the sentiment is from PTI's Birthday Basics.

Have a great weekend!

A Little Love-- Papertrey Peeps Challenge

2011-02-14T08:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! I hope your week is off to a great start. I've been enjoying my first cup of coffee while perusing all the PTI loveliness on the DT's blogs. Why do I always want the latest when I have so much to craft with? And why do I have such a hard time with delayed gratification with PTI? I haven't ordered in a couple of months and feel this sense of entitlement to order and order big this month, and then I look around at all I have and wonder why I must have more. But I will be ordering and hopefully at midnight. Well, you didn't stop by to read my early morning musings, so on with the cards. Marinette, hosting February's Papertrey Peeps challenge, has challenged us to make a Valentine's card and to use red or pink. I have a couple of cards to share. First up, a little homespun number.

For this first card I used several PTI sets. First, I used Background Basics : Hearts. The Blueberry Sky oval die cut is stamped with Tin Types in Versmark.After stamping the ticket outline from Just the Ticket, I added "friend" from Tags for Spring ; I love the font used for the F. The small hearts in the ticket are from Heart Prints.

For this card I used one of heart-shaped doilies I bought a few weeks ago; I decided I should use at least one this year! I started with a Sweet Blush card base;then I added some dp to which I added a strip of script from BB-Hearts . I hadn't used any script stamps for a few days, and I was some having some withdrawal issues. LOL. I used My Favorite Things Edger Die along the bottom. I made the frame using Mat Stack 4, Fillable Frames #10 and,Ellen's Craft-a-board. I stamped it with Prima's Notary stamp--more of my "script fix". The sentiment and pink stamped heart are from PTI's Heart Prints I spritzed the hearts with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Irridescent Gold--such a subtle lovely shimmer IRL.The resin heart is from Webster's Pages. BTW have you bought any molds, resin, or clay since Betsy Veldman's post? While I have checked out some products, I haven't taken the plunge ---yet. Saving all my pennies, ok,. dollars for PTI.

And finally here are some book marks I made using that cute little Crafty Secrets postman cupid that I used on some tags I posted earlier. I also used PTI's Wonderfully Whimsical and BB:Hearts.

Sending you sweet wishes for a happy Valentine's Day.

PTI Anniversary Celebration Day 8

2011-02-12T19:57:00.000-05:00

Today's contest as part of PTI's celebration is to think BIG. I made card, using a sentiment from Big and Bold Wishes.

Enjoy the next two days of the celebration!

Supplies:
Stamps: Big and Bold Wishes (PTI),Circle Lace(Hero Arts)
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado (PTI)
Paper: Ripe Avocado(PTI)
Other: Aqua Mist grosgrain ribbon (PTI)

Papertrey's Button Challenge

2011-02-10T14:18:00.000-05:00

There's more excitement today with PTI's anniversay celebration. I love the Button Boutique collection introduced today on Nichole Heady's blog. I love the dies and stamps to make vintage button cards that she introduces. Cardstock or thin chipboard buttons are wonderful for mailing cards and for using on bookmarks.

I covered this kraft tag with white cardstock buttons which I cut with button dies and stamped with four colors of ink--Summer Sunrise, New Leaf, Hibiscus Burst (PTI) and Paris Dusk (Memento).

Party Time with PTI!

2011-02-05T12:09:00.001-05:00

Papertrey Ink's fourth anniversary celebration has begun! And what huge kickoff to the celebration! What fun to peruse the favorites of last year of the amazing PTI design team, and then to have a chance to win ALL the supplies to create each is CRAZY! If you haven't already visited Nichole's blog, go here to get all the details for this first day celebration.
Among my favorites from 2010 are these Christmas tags using several PTI stamps and tag die that I made for November's blog hop.

Here's to another year of stamping fun with PTI!

FTTC103 and CR84FN13

2011-02-04T19:38:00.004-05:00

Just a quick post in order to meet the CR84FN13 challenge deadline tonight.

I loved using these colors to make a Valentine card for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 103

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fanciful Flourishes (Flourishes); Recital (Prima); Embellishments, Fillable Frames #10(PTI); French Mail(Crafty Secrets)
Ink: Cranberry Pigment Ink(Colorbox), Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko),
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Hawaiian Shores, Vintage Cream (PTI),
Other: Embellishment die, Fillable Frame #10 die, Hawaiian Shores grosgrain ribbon(PTI)

Tag Tuesday

2011-02-01T06:49:00.000-05:00

February 1st! Valentine's Day will be here soon, so here is my first Valentine themed post with some tags to add to those sweet treats.

I just love his little chubby knees!

Supplies:
Stamps: French Mail, Sweet Kids, Card Sentiments (Crafty Secrets);sentiment from Wonderfully Whimsical (PTI); border (unlabeled set)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko), Cranberry Chalk Ink(Colorbox), Hibiscus Burst (PTI)
Paper: Blueberry Sky (PTI), white (Georgia-Pacific)
Other:Tags, Bags,Boxes and More Cricut cartridge, Blueberry Sky satin ribbon (PTI), Copics

Vintage Christmas-- FTTC 102

2011-01-31T07:37:00.000-05:00

It's time for another Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge. Challenge 102 is to use hardware on your card. I purchased some metal crafty pieces at Tuesday morning over a year ago but have never used any. This challenge was the perfect opportunity to use one.
I had a horrible time photographing this card and still am not satisfied. I couldn't seem to get the colors true or the little sparkle I added to a few of the trees captured.

The sentiment is the metal tag.

We had a beautiful weekend with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60's, so yesterday we headed to mountain to hike where the trail still had quite a bit of snow and ice. Speaking of snow and ice, I hope those of you in the 60% of the US expecting another winter storm stay safe and warm.

Have a great week,

Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Postcard (Flourishes),Vintage Christmas (Crafty Secrets)
Ink: Memento London Fog (Tsukineko)
Paper: Fresh Linen, Ocean Tides, Scarlet Jewel(PTI)
Other:Die-namics Faux Crochet Border (My Favorite Things)

Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

2011-01-25T12:07:00.017-05:00

Woohoo --the first PTI Blog Hop of 2011! Most of you have come here via Nichole's blog, if not, you can visit Capture the Moment to get all the details of this month's blog hop. I am sure there will be many participants, so I will keep this short.

I had two stamp sets from my November order that got their initial inking for this hop--Signature Series--Dress Form and Fillable Frames #10.

And a peek inside.

Enjoy the hop!

Supplies:
Stamps: Signature Series:Dress Form, Fillable Frames #10 (PTI); Thanksgiving (Crafty Secrets)
Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo(Tsukineko), Dark Moss Chalk Ink (Colorbox)
Paper: Vintage Cream, True Black (PTI); Lullaby Lane and Life's Portraits Petite Pad (Webster's Pages)
Other: Signature Dress Form Die,Fillable Frames #10 Die (PTI); Velvet Rickrack, Pearls (colord with a Copic)

Victorian Violets--Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Blog Hop

2011-01-14T07:47:00.000-05:00

Congratulations Flourishes on the 100th Timeless Tuesday Challenge!

Welcome to my stop on this celebratory hop; you can read more about this celebration and hop HERE.

The challenge is "All About Favorites! Use your choice of one or all of your favorite stamps, papers, colors, technique, and embellishments!"

Some of my favorites that I 've used on this card include
1. Sweet Violets stamp set by Flourishes---an obvious choice based on my love of violets, the name of my blog, and the many times, including my first FTTC, that I have posted cards using this stamp set.
2. Deckled Edge Rectangle Nestabilities. I just love the distressed edge.
3. Antique Linen Distress Ink by Range. More distressing. Are you seeing a theme here?
4. Patterned paper--I've used 3 patterns from Basic Grey's Curio 6x6 card
5. Coloring--I loved my coloring books and crayons when I was young; now I love to color stamped images with colored pencisl and or Copics. I used Prismacolor pencils for this card.

Because I can imagine opening an antique book of botanical prints and seeing these violets, my inspiration for this card design was Victorian design--with its incorporation of nature, pattern, and sometimes dark weighty elements.

If this is your first stop by my blog, thanks for stopping by, and I hope you'll return.
Everyone enjoy the hop!

Dream a Little Dream

2011-01-12T08:57:00.000-05:00

Dreaming of sunny blue skies, warm days, sweet summer dresses, fragrant flowers, and someone special.

The image is from Crafty Secrets Sweet Kids set--part of my Christmas from my sweet sis. The sentiment is from PTI's Embellishments.

Have a wonderful day!

The Colors of Love & FTTC 99

2011-01-10T17:34:00.000-05:00

The latest Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge is to use flowers. But that is not the only challenge Flourishes is hosting. The Colors of Love challenge is being held in anticipation of their January release this week with a prize of the newly released stamps. Fingers crossed here! For this challenge you must use shades of pink, red, and white. I combined these challenges using Flourishes beautiful rose stamp from Calendar Set 2.

I colored the image with Copics and Prismacolor pencils and used the cracked glass method. I rubbed in some Antique Linen ink to age the "glass." Then I added the image to PTI's Favor It Box 1. Keeping an antique and romantic feel, I added the sentiment to a small scalloped heart spritzed with Pearl Glimmer Mist, added a pearl and thin satin bow.
A sweet little favor waiting for some decadent chocolate.

Supplies:
Stamps: Calendar Set 2 (Flourishes), sentiment from Embellishments (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen (Ranger)
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Sweet Blush (PTI)
Other: Copics; Prismacolor Pencils; Favor It Box 1 Die (PTI); UTEE (Ranger); Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels); Scalloped Heart Die (Spellbinders); pearl, satin ribbon

Papertrey Peeps Challenge and a Huge Thank You

2011-01-08T09:43:00.000-05:00

I hope the beginning of 2011 has been positive for you. I love the fresh feeling of a new year--the Christmas decorations are put away and the house feels lighter; there are plans,goals, and possibilities to meet. I am feeling postive about this first week; we have had two lovely snows, perfect for cozying inside. And I did work on some of my goals for the new year. I made it to the fitness center for four classes this week, did some decluttering and organizing, and even did a little crafting beginning with this card for the first Papertrey Peeps challenge of 2011, hosted by Rhonda who challenged us to make and send a Thank You Card. You can check out the challenge and fellow Peeps by hitting the links on the right, and please join our challenge.

This card, using some of her favorite bold colors, is for fellow Peep Terri who keeps us organized by scheduling the challenges and hosts for our blogging group. She also keeps the Peeps Blog updated and recognizes our birthdays with gorgeous virtual cakes.
I have so enjoyed meeting these ladies and being inspired their incredible creativity. I am looking forward to our challenges and visits this year.
So Terri, a huge Thank You for all you do for the Peeps!

Supplies:
Stamps: Delightful Dahlia, Background Basics: Tin Types, Inside & Out: Thank You (PTI)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Turquoise Gem (Tsukineko)
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Hawaiian Shores (PTI)
Other: Delightful Dahlia Dies, Eyelet Lace Border Die, Pure Poppy Felt, Hawaiian Shores Grosgrain Ribbon (PTI); Copics

Top 10 or 2010

2010-12-31T09:07:00.000-05:00

Seeing that several people have been posting their top 10 cards of the past year, I decided to stroll through my own blog and see what I had posted over the last year. This turned out to be a very good exercise for me. My mojo has been missing lately, so it was encouraging to see what I had created during the year. I chose the following for various reasons--satisfaction in the final product, joy in the creative process, fondness of the stamp set. In no particular order-- my top 10 of 2010.

Happy New Year !!!

Seasonal Silhouette

2010-12-19T13:28:00.007-05:00

Hello, everyone! I hope you are having a fabulous weekend. Friday night we celebrated my SIL's birthday. My MILtreated us to dinner at the city's longest operating restaurant which has been owned by the same family and in business for over 90 years. Sadly, it is closing at the end of the year. The current owner, an elderly gentlemen, greeted guests at each table. He seemed so sad as he thanked us for the memories.

Yesterday, I finished baking the last of the holiday cookies---appoximately 42 dozen this year. I'll be glad to put away the flour sifter for awhile :) I've just a few more gifts to wrap, so the next few days are all about cleaning until Thursday when I'll be doing some cooking for our dinner on Friday with my sister and BIL and Christmas Day when my husband's family comes for dinner.

Tonight, we plan to take my MIL out to look at Christmas lights and decorations.

Now for a little crafty talk. Have you noticed a growing trend in silhouettes? Have you seen the new releases from Hero Arts? There are several silhouette stamps in the new catalog. Also in the latest issue of Paper Crafts there is card featuring a cameo inspired stamp. I took this growing trend and pulled out my Cricut and A Child's Year cartridge earlier this week and cut some holiday silhouettes. The santa silhouette is hiding somewhere on my desk waiting for his home on tag. But I did finish this card in time to mail to my dear sis.

I am linking this to The Pink Stamper 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

I have a strong feeling, I'll be making silhouette cards throughout the year.

A huge thanks to my blogging friend Peggy at Artfull Journey, whom I wrote about meeting in this post, and who kindly gave me

Once given this award, you are to:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this
2. Share 8 things about yourself
3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers you have recently discovered
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their awards

So eight random things about me.

1. When, I was six, I had a pink- dyed chicken that I cleverly named Pinky. Does any one else remember when live chickens were dyed at Easter?

2. Speaking of chickens, I got the chicken pox when I was student teaching.

3. My favorite television shows include The Closer, NCIS, Burn Notice, The Mentalist, and The Daily Show.

4. I love to look at Johnny Depp.

5. My husband and I began dating in high school and married 6 years later.

6. I prefer cookies over candy. (I guess this explains my Christmas baking. :)

7. I love big purses

8. Oprah's latest book club selection, Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities selection, was the first novel I taught in 1979, one I taught many times during my 30-year career, and a novel I still read once a year. I love Dickens's style; he has some of the most clever figurative language. And two of my favorite character are Sydney Carton and Madame Defarge. One of my most treasured teaching keepsakes is a student's college application essay on how this novel influenced him.

I am happy to pass this award on to these following talented ladies.

Diane at Peaceful Lane

Nerina at A Creative Inkling

Angy at The Crafty Cappuccino

Aimes at Crafting Confessions

Peggysue at Roses by my Window

Sue Ann at Simply Sue Ann

Kelly at Gingham Girl

Linda at Stitches and Ink

Finally,thanks to those of you who have recently become followers; I promise to visit you soon.

Stamps :Documentary (Prima)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black(Tsukineko), Antique Linen (Ranger)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist,True Black (PTI); Christmas Town /Night Divine (LillyBee Designs)
Other: A Child's Year Cricut Cartridge; Deckled Rectangle die, Snowflake die (Spellbinders); Aqua Mist grosgrain ribbon, Vintage button (PTI);glitter (Martha Stewart); tinsel

November Papertrey Blog Hop Challenge-- Tag Time

2010-11-25T09:57:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another stop on the PTI blog hop where the challenge this month was to create holiday tags. I know you've many blogs to visit, so let's get to it. I created some single layer tags that should withstand piled-on gifts under the Christmas tree.

First, I cut Rustic Cream cs with the Tag 1 die. Then inspired by Betsy Veldman, I pullled out several stamps and created a collage background in Simply Chartreuse ink (PTI) for each tag and aged the edges with Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger). Then the other images were stamped in Scarlet Jewel (PTI) and Olive (Colorbox pigment) inks. I've listed the stamps below.

I am looking forward to visiting your blogs later this evening or mayby tomorrow and seeing what everyone has created and getting more ideas for tags (perhaps with a cup of coffee and a slice of pumpkin pie--that's me,not the tags, with the coffee and pie) :)

Finally, I want to leave you with my deep gratitude for your kindness, encouragement, inspiration, creativity, and friendship. When I purchased my first stamp set, I had no idea what a wonderfully beautiful and warm world would open for me.
With heartfelt thanks,

All stamps used are PTI
Seasons Greetings: Round and Round, Just the Ticket, Holly Jolly, Distressed Stripes, Background Basics: Text Style, A Little Argyle, Mini Scrapbook Series: Library Ledger
Joy: Stocking Prints, Signature Christmas, Beyond Basic Borders, Background Basics: Text Style, Embellishments, Background Basics:Botanicals, Limitless Labels, Background Basics: Hearts
Happy Holidays: Holly Jolly, Distressed Stripes, Background Basics: Text Style, A Little Argyle
Merry Christmas: A Wreath for All Seasons, Background Basics: Text Style, Background Basics: Hearts, Background Basic Botanicals

Thanksgiving Favors

2010-11-24T07:21:00.000-05:00

I love PTI's favor dies. You can quickly crank out these little treat holders. I made these favors filled with chocolate mints for our Thanksgiving guests. Making these has been the best part of Thanksgiving preparations. That's right-- more fun than grocery shopping, house cleaning, and ironing. :)

For those of you in the states-Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thankful for your sweet comments and friendship,

Holiday Planner, Peeps Challenge #20

2010-11-22T07:22:00.001-05:00

Many are gearing up for the holidays. Here in the U.S. Thursday is Thanksgiving, so I have been busy planning our menu , grocery shopping, and the preparing the house for Thanksgiving guests. I love making lists and checking off items. Are you a list maker? As a list maker, I love Michelle Wooderson's notebooks. Last year I gave a holiday planner to my SIL. This year she is participating in a stocking party with her coworkers and asked me make some holiday planners which I made last month but never got around to posting. (My first official commissioned work!)

Some small gift tags to tuck in the interior pocket.

A few large tags to dress up the packaging. I used the Limit Layer Die and followed Nichole Heady's tutorial to make the rosettes.

I hope these planners help these ladies organize their holidays.

Since I am behind in the Papertrey Peeps Challenges, I was glad to see Kim's challenge to use a PTI product line since several of the stamps I used fit the requirement.

Now I'm going to check off a few items on today's to-do-list.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Supplies:
Stamps: Take Note, Tiny Treats:Christmas, Distressed Stripes, Fillable Frames #9,Holly Jolly (PTI)
Ink: Simply Chartreuse (PTI), Memento Black Tuxedo (Tsukineko), Cranberry Pigment Ink (Colorbox)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy (PTI)
Patterned Paper-Tinsel and Twig (The Girls Paperie)
Other: Copics, Christmas tree die (Spellbinders); Button die (MFT); Limitless Layers Die, Rickrack die, Tag die, Fillable Frame #9 die, Simply Chartreuse felt (PTI); baker's twine, holly punch (Martha Stewart)

Happy Holidays--Case Study Challenge

2010-10-30T15:30:00.002-04:00

I've been following A CASE Study Challenge Blog since it began thanks to Amy Wanford, a member of the design team and fellow PTI Peep. Each week, I've planned on playing along, so here it is week 12 and I am finally joining in the fun. October's Muse has been Barbara Anders of Paper Pursuits, another blog I follow for some great eyecandy and mega inspiration.

Here is Barbara's card for CASE challenge 12.

And my card, using Cuttlebug Holly Ribbbon embossing folder with Spring Moss cs (PTI) and lightly stamped with Versamark Dazzle Frost ink.

I stamped the sentiment from PTI's Stocking Prints in Cranberry Colorbox pigment ink. Of course, I had to include the gingham ribbon.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Papertrey October Blog Hop Challenge

2010-10-25T10:42:00.009-04:00

Welcome to my stop on this month's PTI Blog Hop. You can find the challenge and the list of the participants here.
The front of my card has a little vintage look with PTI's Background Basics Botanicals and Everyday Treats. The sentiment is computer generated.

But the purpose is not clear.So let's look inside.

Still wondering? Pull the string.

Keep pulling.
A baby banner ( dont you love alliteration?) And a wish for a Happy Hanukkah.

Where to put this?
The hutch?

The book case?

A picture?

Think of all the special individualized pocket pennants or baby banners you can make with a tiny triangle or circle, an alphabet stamp set, and some twine.

Now, I'm off to do a few tasks around the house and then I'll start hopping.

Supplies:
Stamps: Background Basics: Botancicals, Everyday Treats, Ambassador Monogram Edition (PTI); Very Small Circles(Waltzingmouse Stamps); Banner-small (Pink Persimmon)
Ink: Enchanted Evening, Fresh Snow(PTI)
Paper: Enchanted Evening (PTI)
Other: Mat Stack Die #4, Beautiful Blooms Die #1, Baker's Twine-Enchanted Evening, Enchanted Evening twill ribbon, White and Cream Vintage Buttons (PTI); Star Dust Stickles (Ranger)

Soft Sympathy --Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 89

2010-10-25T06:22:00.000-04:00

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend. Since it was sunny and warm here, yesterday afternoon I pulled up the last impatiens and planted some more violas; then I found a sunny spot to soak up a little vitamin D while reading and watching the falling leaves. Today is a rainy day, so I'll be inside, watching "those falling leaves drift by my window"
The latest Flourishes challenge which ends today is to make the sentiment the focus of the card.

I love the elegant font of this sentiment from Thinking of You by Flourishes. The elegance of the focal point and the papers is contrasted with the simple design of the card. And from a practical side, this is a mail-friendly card.

Thanks for stopping by and have wonderfall day,

Supplies:
Stamps: Thinking of You (Flourishes), Very Vintage Labels No. 4 (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Versacraft Cool Grey (Tsukineko)
Paper: Fine Linen(PTI), Cappella Paper Pad (Basic Grey)
Other: Labels 4 (Spellbinders), border punch (Fiskars), Fine Linen satin ribbon (PTI)

Flourishes Details are Sketchy Challenge

2010-10-15T16:44:00.001-04:00

I'm posting this as time is running down for Flourishes Details are Sketchy Challenge. I'll be back later to add the details for this card.

Happy Halloween, Sis

2010-10-06T18:18:00.000-04:00

I made this card for my sister. This little pumpkin miss and cat are perfect for her since my sister is an avid reader, although she is a complete Kindle convert, so her piles of books are diminishing as her e-books grow. And the black cat will remind her of our childhood cat Inky and his connection to Halloween which I explained in this post and her cat Isabeau and my cat Augustus Ciaran. She also is a former English teacher, so I am sure she will love the background paper that includes text from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." I made sure to leave some of the characters' names visible. The top of the tag is stamped with Background Basics:Botanicals in Orange Zest ink. I colored the tag reinforcement with a Copic Marker. I added the black bow to complement the bow on Miss Pumpkin's bonnet. I added an orange felt flower ,cut with Cuttlebug dies, with a button and cut the 31 with Cuttlebug dies.
I wonder if the rick rack trim (made with PTI's die) will remind her of our sewing rick rack on bathroom curtains.
I enjoyed making this vintage styled card for my dear sister.

Challenges for this card

The Shabby Tea Room :Vintage Halloween using the colors orange and blag in the inspiration photo
Cards Blog :Halloween card.

As always thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment,

EHWCMD4

2010-10-04T11:48:00.000-04:00

Another quick post for Ellen Hutson's WCMD festivities.
The fourth of six challenges posted on Ellen Hutson's the Classroom blog to celebrate WCMD is a Glitz Challenge hosted by Sharon Harnist.

I made this gold glittery frame about a year ago, so I was glad to be able to use it along with some of the Webster's Pages paper I so love. I used Card Patterns Sketch 84

The flower is spritzed with Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer Mist, a recent purchase from Ellen Hutson.
Thanks for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps:Holiday Wishes(PTI)
Ink: Ripe Avocado(PTI)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Ripe Avocado (PTI): Petite Papers: Home for the Holidays and Winter Wings(Webster's Pages)
Other: Labels 4 (Spellbinders), Smoky Quartz glitter(Martha Stewart), cream satin ribbon (Hobby Lobby), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Fairyland Roses (Prima)

EHWCMD2

2010-10-04T11:07:00.000-04:00

I hope you had a little time to get crafty this weekend and celebrate World Card Making Day. I had some time to play along with some of the great challenges posted on Ellen Hutson's the Classroom Blog and had a chance to use some of the items that I ordered from Ellen earlier in the week. This is a great place to shop--- so many products, great customer service--frequent shopper discounts and super fast shipping, and great educational and inspirational blogs.
All righty, on to the sketch challenge hosted by Julia Stainton.

My card---

While the smaller snowflake is cut from Craft-a-board, the larger is simply cut from cardstock because of the ease of cutting the more intricate design. I attached the smaller with snippets of dimensional tape.

Check out these fun challenges. You have until Wednesday evening to play along.

Supplies:
Stamps: Signature Greetings: Christmas(PTI)
Ink: Smoky Shadow (PTI)
Paper: Vintage Cream PTI), Road Show (Fancy Pants)
Other: Snowflakes (Spellbinders), border punch (Fiskars), Crystal Coarse Glitter (Martha Stewart), cream twine (PTI), Essential by Ellen Craft-a-Board (Ellen Hutson), Glossy Accents (Ranger), cream twill (Wrights)

EHWCMD5

2010-10-04T10:49:00.000-04:00

One of the six fun WCMD challenges posted on Ellen Hutson's the Classroom is a Holiday Challenge, hosted by Lisa Strahl.

Check out that border punch. It's one those crafty items that for some reason just spoke to me the first time I saw it months ago, and no matter how many times I told myself I didn't need it, I always came back to it. You know, one of those items you constantly look for at the local stores or keep putting in your on-line shopping cart. Even as I was placing my recent order with Ellen Hutson, I took it out and then put it back in. I am glad I finally succumbed; I think it is a great complement to PTI's twig wreath on this card. I know I will be using it more. So get ready to see it frequently. :)

What craft item did you like immediately but waited awhile before purchasing?

Supplies:
Stamps: Wreath for All Seasons, Signature Christmas (PTI)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy (PTI)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Kraft (PTI); The Merry Days of Christmas "Santa's Forest" (My Mind's Eye)
Other: Mat Stack 4 die, Woodgrain Impression Plate, Rustic Twine, Vintage Pure Poppy button(PTI); Woodland Branch border punch (Martha Stewart), rick rack trim

Boo!

2010-09-28T06:34:00.000-04:00

Who is not a fan of spiders? Evidently, this little pumpkin isn't either eventhough this is quite a dapper little arachnid in his top hat and spats.

This little number uses those Pink Persimmon banner and alphabet stamps that I love! The vintage pumpkin image is from Joli-Paquet.The bats and spider stamps are from Crafty Secrets.

Have a spider-free day!

Supplies:
Stamps: Halloween Fun (Crafty Secrets), Banner-small, Carnival Alpha-small, Mini Banner Greetings(Pink Persimmon); Background Basics: Tin Types (PTI)
Ink:Orange Zest, Plum Pudding (PTI); Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Paper: Orange Zest, Plum Pudding (PTI), white (Georgia Pacific)
Other: small ricrac die (PTI)

Papertrey September Blog Hop Challenge

2010-09-25T09:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome!
As most of you who are visiting know, the focus of September's PTI Blog Hop is techniques.

"One of the most fun things about this hobby is the people you meet, whether in person or online, and
the things you can learn from them. Now is your chance to show off any skills you might have learned
from a fellow stamper, and perhaps even give them a little shout out to thank them for the inspiration
they have provided. Create a project using one of your favorite learned skills and perhaps after a little
blog hopping, we will ALL learn some new tips and tricks and continue to pass on the love of this hobby!"

For someone who has only been stamping for about two years, I must give a huge THANK YOU to the online community who have been my teachers. From your cards posted on your blogs and galleries, from your detailed instructions, from your comments on forums, I have learned some incredibly valuable tips and techniques.
While I have seen the blackboard technique with colored pencils used by several people, I want to give a shout out to Jennifer Ellefson whose blog is one of the first places I remember seeing this technique. You can read her instructions for this technique here and here.

Creating a fall card, I stamped the image from Vintage Picnic (one of my favorite PTI sets!) in Fresh Snow ink and then colored with Prismacolor pencils, using the blending pencil to blend. I like the "rustic" look of the this technique which is perfect for my coloring skill. :) I distressed the die cut a little with the white ink because it is so hard to keep a chalkboard clean.
I think this technique works well with larger images such as PTI's Year of Flower series. If you've time you can see a couple of cards using Lily of the Valley with the blackboard technique here.

I hope you'll sharpen your pencils and give this technique a try!
I can't wait to learn more during this blog hop!

Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Picnic, Limitless Labels, Embellishments(PTI)
Ink: Fresh Snow(PTI),Memento Black Tuxedo (Tsukineko)
Paper: True Black, Kraft (PTI); patterned paper --Thrift Shop 8x8 pad (October Afternoon)
Other: Mat Stack Die 4, Rustic Twine (PTI), Tags Trio (Spellbinders), Prismacolor pencils, Apron Lace Border Punch (Fiskars)

Celebrate Fall

2010-09-24T07:45:00.001-04:00

I've been doing some fall decorating inside and out even though it has been in the 90s here. The fall wreaths are hung on all the exterior doors. The fall dishes are on the table. The gourds and pumpkins are out and bittersweet vine is draped here and there. Nothing makes me think fall quite like bittersweet, so I decided to celebrate fall by making a card using the twig and berry wreath from Flourishes Wreaths for All Seasons.

With the rustic twig wreath I used other rustic elements as well--deckled edge Spellbinders die, distressed and ink edged paper, coffee-dyed trim, and twine. I colored with these Copics YR23, YR24,YR18,YR02,E43. While making the tag, I stamped a tiny portion of the wreath while the paper was still in the die to add just a touch of bittersweet to sentiment. The focal point and tag are inked with Antique Linen. After distressing the edge of the patterned paper the edges were too white, so I darked the white with Antique Linen. After purchasing this trim it was a little too yellow, so a few weeks ago I dyed it with some coffee--the end result-- a much better shade and for few hours a wonderful coffee aroma!

I am linking this card to Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 85--Celebration Cards and Flourishes Bring Back Beauty Challenge--Rustic Beauty.

What are you doing to celebrate the beginning of fall?

Supplies:
Stamps: Wreaths for All Seasons (Flourishes), Notary (Prima)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Memento London Fog (Tsukineko); Antique Linen (Ranger)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Kraft (PTI); patterned paper (K and Company)
Other: Deckled Rectangles (Spellbinders), Rustic twine (PTI), trim (Ellen Hutson),Copics,

Halloween Greetings

2010-09-22T07:06:00.000-04:00

A Halloween greeting with a touch of elegance. What a subtle way to "trick" someone especially with a little
"treat" like a gift card or small candy bar tucked in the pocket behind the sentiment.

I used CPS Sketch #185 and the Cards Blog Challenge to use a pocket on your card.

Supplies:
Stamps:Very Vintage Label #3 (Waltzingmouse Stamps), Halloween Fun (Crafty Secrets)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black(Tsukineko); Orange Zest (PTI)
Paper: True Black (PTI), black and cream patterned papers (Paper Studio), orange patterned paper (digital paper from The Graphics Fairy)
Other: Library Pocket die (PTI), Cuttlebug impression folder, Shapeabilities Pendants-Fleur de Lis (Spellbinders), Orange Peel Stickles (Ranger),Ellens' Essentials Craft-a-Board (Ellen Hutson), black crochet thread

Papertrey Peeps Challenge #14 and Storage Cubby

2010-09-13T11:33:00.000-04:00

Good Monday morning! How was your weekend? Ours was good! Saturday morning was cool and rainy.
It was so relaxing to have the windows open with cats perched in them and listen to the rain--one of those perfect moments! I did a little stamping., starting on dh's birthday cards; his birthday is in a couple of weeks.
Yesterday, was an absolutely gorgeous day! I spent some time on the screened porch reading with a little cat nap thrown in. I made lasagna for dinner which we enjoyed on the porch. It is wonderful to be able to eat on the porch again after such oppressive heat and humidity this summer. There is definitely a touch of fall in the air now!
Speaking of fall ,Angy posted this gorgeous photo as inspiration for the Papertrey Peeps Challenge #15.

I chose PTI's Autumn Abundance set for the focal point of my card

I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils and mounted on Terracottta Tile cs which I stamped with Embellishments in Versamark. The card base is stamped with Text Time in Versmark (It was sooo difficult to see the stamped text to stamp the next section! Fortunately, there is only a small stamped border to be seen, and hopefully no one will be looking too closely--there is definitely a handcrafted feel to this portion of the card--in other words, imperfections!)

I also wanted to share a photo of a new addition to the study/studio.My crafting space is a portion of our small study . On one wall between two windows, I have a small desk with a hutch and a small matching two drawer cabinet. On another wall between two doors I have taken over a small chest for storing supplies as well as my paper trimmer.
As many people do, I love this cubby organizer from Pottery Barn.

However, I didn't like the fact that it's shallow depth meant my cd cases would protrude and the size meant it would have to go above the small chest.

So hubby built a smaller version that is deeper And it only lcost $5! He had the stain and several pieces of left over wood, so all he had to purchase was a piece of wood for the back. This fits snuggly between the window and desk hutch. It's always a joy to determine where we can attach something thanks to our uneven log walls and the chinking between the logs. :) Although my first choice for height didn't work out, we did find a good spot to hang the storage cubbies.

As you can see, I am currently storing my PTI stamps and nugget tins with buttons here with my colored pencils on top I think I'll have to add a couple of more stamp sets this week. :) I am so lucky and thankful that sweet hubby likes to get handy around the house. I think some storage cubbies for copics would be another nice little project for him.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Supplies:

Stamps: Autumn Abundance, Embellishments, Background Basics: Text Time(PTI)

Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo,Versamark, VersaMagic-Red Brick (Tsukineko)

Paper: Smokey Gray, Terracotta Tile, Stamper's Select White (PTI);white (Georgia Pacific)

Other: Mat Stack Die 4(PTI),Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), Prismacolor Pencils

Happy Birthday, Flourishes!

2010-09-10T08:01:00.000-04:00

Flourishes stamp company turned three years old last month, and this month is hosting a belated birthday celebration. So using two of the fist Flourishes stamp sets I purchased and still two of my favorite and probably most used Flourishes stamps--Sweet Violets and Vintage Wallpaper-- I made a little birthday card to celebrate the Belated Birthday Bash Look Who's Three Challenge as well as play along with the Timeless Tuesday Challenge.
Let me quickly list some of the reasons I love Flourishes.
1. The most beautiful stamp images--Hats off to the stamp designers who are such creative geniuses!
2. The design team-- Speaking of creative geniuses--The Flourishes design team and Friends of Flourishes design team are so amazing. Their projects are always stunning! And several have visited here and left such kind words. I am so truly appreciative of their taking the time to visit and comment.
3. Awesome customer service--Orders and prizes are shipped pronto. I am always a little suprised and of course especially pleased to see how quickly my goodies arrive here. And any time I have had a question, I have received a response in a matter of hours!
4. The FLIP program--I mean who doesn't love to get a discount? And it certainly is not difficult to find products in the store in order to qualify.
5. I can pretend I am artistic. I truly don't have a lot of confidence in this area. Now, I am not confessing this to receive complimentary comments, but to explain that with these beautiful images and inspiration, I can pull out my Copics or pencils color create something that is passable.

Now few deets about the card:

I stamped kraft cs with the Vintage Wallpaper background stamp in Champagne Versarmark and then cut out with a library pocket die. After folding and taping the pocket, I used the large image from Sweet Violets.
I used one of the smaller violet images to stamp the cream cs. After cutting the ticket and stamping the ticket border, I stamped the sentiment and scrollwork from Sweet Violets, using Post-it notes to cover portions of the stamps. I mounted the ticket with dimensional tape. With the name Flourishes, a little bling was necessary so I added a few purple gems (which sadly I did not capture well in the photo)

While the card may be small, my gratitude for the enjoyment I have with Flourishes stamps and my wishes for a happy birthday are HUGE!

PS-If didn't catch any typos, I am blaming it on my new bifocals. AAARRRGH! I am having a time adjusting to them. I prefer my cheepo readers.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Violets, Vintage Wallpaper(Flourishes); Just the Ticket (PTI)
Ink: Champagne Dazzle Versamark, Peony Purple Versacraft (Tsukineko)
Paper: Kraft, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Other: Library Pocket DieTicket Border Die (PTI); Corner Chomper(We R Memory Keepers), gems

Embellish Magazine Challenge

2010-09-09T05:49:00.000-04:00

Hi! I'm back today with a couple of cards for the latest Embellish Magazine challenge. Each challenge always contains great inspiration photos, colors, and an additional element. This challenge is no exception!

With these great colors add the element of incorporating squares into the projects design and you've got the challenge.
I actually made two cards using this criteria.

After cutting the postage stamp squares, I stamped the fern and then turned the squares to create a wreath effect when mounting the squares on Plum Pudding cs. Because this is a sympathy card, I kept it simpley,only adding a simple twill ribbon and bow.
The second card has a similar simple design.

I embossed some Coordinations cs with a Cuttlebug embossing folder (which I scored in the clearance section at Hobby Lobby). You know me-I love a bargain! Then after raiding my husband's stash of sandpaper, I sanded the cs. I cut the white square for the sentiment with a Spellbinders die; while the paper was still in the die I stamped around the edge to create the square border for the sentiment. For the final touch I made a square chipboard/Stickles/Glossy Accent button.

Thanks for stopping by,

Supplies:
With Sympathy:
Stamps: Wildflowers(Crafty Secrets);Mega Mixed Messages,Background Basics:Text Time(PTI); Ticking Stripe Backgrounder(CHF)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding(PTI)
Paper: Plum Pudding, Ripe Avocado (PTI); white(Georgia Pacific)
Other: Plum Pudding twill ribbon (PTI), Cuttlebug Celebration Embossing/Die set

Halloween Greetings:
Stamps: Halloween, Halloween Vintage Postcard Kit-sentiment (Crafty Secrets)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Paper: Black Magic Collection (Coordinations); Ripe Avocado (PTI); white(Georgia Pacific)
Other: Square Spellbinders die; Peeled Paint Distress Stickles(Ranger); Glossy Accents; ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Papertrey Peeps Challenge #14

2010-09-08T07:10:00.001-04:00

After taking a little break from blogland but not from crafting, I'm back with a card for Papertrey Peeps Challenge # 14 hosted by Sharon who posted this great inspiration picture from Country Living.

And here's Sharon's challenge: Make something using RED, YELLOW and CREAM with at least a dollop of WHITE!

I started with a card base of Harvest Gold (such a yummy color!) and swiped a little ivory paint on the edges. The Pure Poppy panel is impressed with PTI's picnic plaid impression plate while the cream panel is stamped with Background Basics: Botanicals. The flourishes from Embellishments stampset are stamped on white (my dollop of white). I resisted as long as I could, but finally bought the Beautiful Blooms II die which I stamped with Mini Scrapbook Series: Library Ledger and Background Basics:Petal Power. The Harvest Gold scallop is impressed with the Linen Texture plate and pays homage to the scallop on the table in the inspiration photo while mirroring the shape of the flower blossom. With the finishing touches of a little Martha Stewart baker's twine and a Pure Poppy button, I have a bright cheery card with plenty of pattern and texture.
(All supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Thanks Sharon for a fun challenge!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 80 and Bring Back Beautiful Challenge

2010-08-23T07:54:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone! I hope that you had a great weekend and that your week is off to a good start. Another quiet weekend here at the little house in the woods. Friday night I went to a party where the hostess's good friend who is from India was there with her beautiful jewelry that she makes; I resisted any purchases since I lost one of the tiny gold hoop earrings that I wear 98% of the time. As I was brushing my teeth the other night, I noticed I was only wearing one earring. I was home all day, so I believe it must be in the house, but careful searching through furniture cushions and dusting of the floors hasn't turned up the missing earring. Well, I guess hubby has got a great idea for a present for our anniversary in a couple of months (if I go with him and pick them out-hee, hee).
Last week's Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge hosted by Silke Ledlow was a color challenge--kraft, hot pink, soft yellow, and black. This color combination was a toughie for me. I knew I wanted to use one Flourishes beautiful floral stamps, so I went through my stamps, thinking pink. I chose the stamp set Poppy Patch. While we normally think of poppies as red, there are some beautiful pink poppies.

I stamped the image and sentiment in Memento Black Tuxedo and colored with these copics:

Now to work in more black, yellow, and kraft. This took a long time. I pulled out patterned papers, cardstock, and background stamps. After many choices and discards, I finally settled on my trusty PTI background stamps.

As always thanks for stopping by and for your comments,

Supplies:
Stamps: Poppy Patch(Flourishes); Background Basics: Distressed Stripes, Background Basics: Tin Types(PTI)
Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo (Tsukineko), Raspberry Fizz(PTI)
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Raspberry Fizz, Kraft, Lemon Tart (PTI)
Other: Copics; Notebook paper die, Raspberry Fizz Grosgrain ribbon (PTI)

Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz

2010-08-17T03:00:00.004-04:00

I am so happy to be able to participate in this month's Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz. You can check the list of participants by visiting the Waltzingmouse Forum .The theme this month is vintage/shabby chic. This is a style I love, but honestly, it is not a style that is easy for me.
I actually have two cards to share. The first uses an image that reminds me of one of my favorite purchases during my trip to Ireland a few years ago--a small print of a thatched roof cottage.

I colored the image from Irish Blessings with Prismacolor pencils and blended with baby oil. I thought this might fit the vintage theme since my coloring is pretty primitive. :) I aged the image with Antique Linen Distress Ink. A little crocheted trim and some zig zag stitching add to the vintage feel.

This second card is a little more shabby with its mix of prints, layers, colors, distressing, and stitching.

I used Victorian Frippery circle border and sentiment for the focal point which is mounted on a Label 3 die. I also stamped the border on Sweet Blush and cut along the bottom of the design.

Enjoy your waltz; I know I will.

Supplies:
Cottage
Stamps: Irish Blessings(Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo (Tsukineko), Antique Linen Distress Ink
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Rustic White(PTI); We Are Memories Keepers; My Mind's Eye
Other: Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), border punch (Martha Stewart), buttons (Paper Studio); trim
Merci
Stamps: Victorian Frippery (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Sweet Blush Pigment Ink (PTI)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Sweet Blush (PTI); Paper Studio; K and Co
Other: Circle Nestabilities, Labels 3 Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Sweet Blush Vintage Button (PTI); flower (AC Moore wedding department); ribbon (Simple Treasures etsy store)

Pure Summer

2010-08-11T06:42:00.001-04:00

When I saw the latest challenge on the Cards blog, I knew I wanted to create a card using an image I found at Scrapologie of a family vacation at the beach.

I cut the starfish embellishments with my Cricut, embossed with Swiss dots embossing folder, and then decided they needed a little sparkle, so I added some Stickles. The starfish charm was in my stash and was the final touch.
Stay cool on this summer day!

Supplies::
Stamps: sentiment-Poppy Patch(Flourishes), Background Basics:Text Time 1(PTI)
Ink: Tea Dye Distressed Ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink(Ranger)
Paper: Rustic White, Melon Berry, Bitty Dot Basics(PTI); Gingham (Paper Studio)
Other: Border punch (Fiskars); Melon Berry Pure Vintage Buttons, Melon Berry Twill ribbon(PTI); Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities, Ribbon Labels(Spellbinders);A Child's Year cartridge (Provocraft); Fruit Punch Stickles

Bonkers for Banners

2010-08-10T11:11:00.002-04:00

I've been lovin' all the banners on papers and projects in the last few months. I had been looking at a banner stamp set at Pink Persimmon for quite awhile. When I revisited the site a last month, they were releasing two tiny banner sets. So I decided it was time to load my cart and make a purchase.
For my inaugural use of these stamps, I made a card for my friends and former co-workers in the English department who head back to school today while I'll be headed to my Pilates and Zumba classes. Can you see the huge grin on my face!

I started with the image from Little Red Wagon. which I colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils. I was Dick and Jane primer kid, so I have an affinity for this stamp set. In addition, teaching different English classes with the various text books and novels, one often feels like a wagon is necessary to cart books home at night. Our department does use a shopping cart abandoned in the school parking lot to transport textbooks from the storage area to the classroom. Those in public education must be creative and resourceful! :) I stamped the mini alpha banner stamps, cut, and glued them to baker's twine. Then I realized the upper left corner was bare. So I added a sun, actually the flower image from PTI's 2010 anniversary set. I had intended to swag the banners, but by the time I got to the point of attaching the them, I was ready to finish this card and went the easy and quick way with straight lines.
More pennants inside!

After stamping and cutting the pennants, I stamped the letters. After attaching them, I drew the lines to create the banner, leaving just enough space to squeeze in a signature.

By the way, can you guess what the school's colors are? :)
Have a good one.
.
Supplies:
Stamps: Little Red Wagon, Banner (small),Carnival Alphabet(small), Mini Banner Alpha (Pink Persimmon); Round and Round (PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy (PTI), Memento Black Tuxedo(Tsukineko)
Paper: Pure Poppy, Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Other: Baker's twine(Martha Stewart), Copics

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge

2010-08-09T06:37:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! I hope your week is off to a great start. I've a quick post this morning. The latest Timeless Tuesday Challenge hosted by Dee Jackson on the Flourishes blog is a limited supply challenge. " The limit? NO Embellishments. What does this mean? It means that we let the image we use speak for itself. We CAN use ink, stamps, paper, punches, die cuts, and coloring tools. We cannot add rhinestones, prima flowers, buttons, pearls, ribbons, brads, etc."

I stamped the lilac in Rich Cocoa, cut with a Nestabilities die,and colored with Prismacolor pencils. I inked the edges with Versamark ink to bring out the deckled edging. I mounted the image on an embossed panel, again highlighting the embossing with Versamark.
Be sure to check out Flourishes blog later this week for the August release.
Thanks for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Lilac, Falling Leaves-sentiment (Flourishes)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)
Paper: Kraft(PTI)

Papertrey Peeps Challenge #13

2010-08-07T07:44:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned before how lucky I am to be part of the Papertrey Peeps. These girls are so amazingly creative! Every visit to their blogs makes my eyes pop and jaw drop. Thanks girlies, for all the beauty, fun, inspriration, and kindness!
Carol has issued a fun challenge on the Papertrey Peeps Blog to use Mary Englebreit as our inspiration. I always check out the Mary Englebreit dollar bins at Michaels and have some really cute notepads to use as shopping lists However,I am not sure how Ed feels as he is walking through the grocery store with his bright, happy and CUTE grocery list. Hee-hee.

I made a couple of tags trying to capture Mary's style. I went through my PTI stamps first looking for images that reminded me of M. E. The most obvious stamp to me was a stamp from Everyday Buttons Bits. Mary and cherries--yep! So this was the beginning of the first tag.

After cutting the tag with my Cricut, stamping the image and cutting it with Nestablities, I headed to the jumbled ribbon drawer where I discovered the ribbon I had forgotten. Yes, that is ribbon from the Mary Englebreit dollar bin at Michaels. Woo hoo! Love it when I make a discovery, even if I feel kind of foolish because I my memory has failed me once again.
The beginning of this next tag was an image from this year's PTI anniversary set with a paper base of Raspberry Fizz and Plum Pudding Bitty Dot Basics.

I stamped the flowers in Raspberry Fizz ink. The black and white borders are a stamp from a Crafty Secrets Halloween set that I trimmed after stamping, and the stamped border on the Aqua Mist is from Fanciful Flourishes (Flourishes).

A couple of happy tags to brighten some kraft gift bags!

Supplies:
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Round and Round 2010 Anniversary Set(PTI); Fancy Flourishes (Flourishes); Halloween Fun (Crafty Secrets)
Ink: New Leaf, Rapsberry Fizz (PTI); Black Tuxedo (Memento)
Paper: Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, New Leaf, Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise, Bitty Dot Basics in True Black and Plum Pudding(PTI); gingham (Paper Studio)
Other: Tags, Bags, Boxes (Provocraft); Nestabilities; Aqua Mist, Summer Sunrise grosgrain ribbon(PTI); Mary Englebreit ribbon (Michaels)

Seeds of Friendship

2010-08-04T08:32:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago Silke Ledlow was having a blog giveaway, and much to my delight and surprise I was the lucky winner. I got to choose a stamp set from Flourishes release. I chose Seeds of Friendship -- the perfect stamp set to complement my love of flowers and love of vintage. When I saw the first peaks of this set, I thought it was such a clever idea to be able to create vintage seed packets. I was thrilled when my set arrived, but Silke didn't just send the stamp set; she included another precious stamp, some sweet Prima flowers, and some silver and gold bling. THANK YOU, Silke for your generous gift!! Opening the envelope was Christmas in July!
For my first card using Seeds of Friendship, I chose the small image from Sweet Peas, because I didn't want to look for some post-it notes or take the time to mask. I know, lazy Mazy!

The soft colors of sweets peas were great for the vintage look of the card. I kept my coloring of the packet detail to a minimum, coloring only the word "seeds" with Copics V91 and V95. For the sweet peas I used V000, V91,R81,R83, G21,G24,G28. I cut both sides of strip of green patterned paper with a border punch to create some paper lace. Some brown twine and a button are simple embellishments for this simple design.
Have a good one!

Supplies:
Stamps: Seeds of Friendship, Sweet Peas (Flourishes)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsusinko), Lavender Moon (PTI)
Paper: Vintage Cream Lavender Moon (PTI), green pp (K and Co), lavender pp (My Mind's Eye)
Other: Chocolate Baker's Twine, Vintage Lavender Moon Button (PTI); Fiskars border punch

Berry Sweet, Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 77

2010-08-02T11:28:00.001-04:00

With this post I met one of my goals for July--to participate the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge each week. The last challenge of July, hosted by Emily Keaton, is to use pins on the card. This gave me chance to pull out my beading supplies and make a couple of pins for my card.
First the card.

After cutting kraft cs with the library pocket die, I stamped the image from Strawberries with Black Tuxedo ink and colored it with Copics. Then I stamped the libary card in London Fog ink on. I rounded the corners with the Corner Chomper. Then I stamped the sentiment and strawberry which I also colored with Copics. I cut a tag from patterned paper and stitched onto more patterned paper from the Fly a Kite line. The green gingham rick rack trim was cut with PTI's die. I added some seam binding ribbon and my pins. As I was going through my beads I found two red ones that were shaped similar to strawberries, so I topped each off with a green bead cap and I carried the strawberry theme through the pins.

Be sure to check out Flourishes Blog for the details on the new monthly challenge Bringing Back Beautiful
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.

Supplies:
Stamps: Strawberries(Flourishes), Library Card(PTI)
Ink: Black Tuxedo, London Fog(Memento)
Paper: Kraft, Vintage Cream(PTI);Fly a Kite(October Afternoon)
Other: Rickrack die, Library pocket die(PTI), seam binding ribbon(Simple Treasures)

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 76 and Peeps Challenge 7

2010-07-26T15:51:00.001-04:00

Once again, I am posting my card for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge on the last day. The host for this challenge is Barbara Anders who chose this photo from A Creative Mint as our inspiration .

Oh, how I wish I was talented enough to capture the beauty of those roses with my coloring. I'd like to blame my poor attempt on not having the right color of Copic markers, but in truth the fault lies in the user not the materials. The photo is has a fresh simplicity to it, so I tried to keep my card design simple.

I chose the summer wreath from Flourishes A Wreath for All Seasons stamp set as the focal point. I stamped it in Rich Cocoa (Memento) ink. I used these Copics for the roses: R30,R32, R35 and RV10, RV11, RV13. I used YG91, YG93,YG95, and YG97 for the greens. I also used RV000, RV91, and RV95. The sentiment is from Mega Mixed Messages (PTI). The patterned papers are from Webster Pages' Petite Pad Lullaby Lane and Life's Portrait. I chose the striped for the freshness displayed in the photo, and the design of the bottom piece mirrors the design on the scrap of paper attached to the jar in the photo. I added the white ribbon and the buttons to give some to balance the card; otherwise it seemed a little top heavy. The final touch-- a tiny butterfly.

Since the inspiration photo is from A Creative Mint , this also counts for Papertrey Peeps Challenge which for some reason I never completed. Now I am only behind one Peeps Challenge--another goal for the week. You can check out the Papertrey Peeps Challenges by clicking on the button on the side.

As always thanks for taking the time to stop by,

PTI Blog Hop-Using Office Supplies

2010-07-25T18:17:00.001-04:00

Welcome to my stop on the hop with the following challenge:
"For this month's blog hop we are focusing on office supplies! We want to see you incorporate all of those fun desk drawer fillers into your paper crafting projects. This can include paper clips, binder clips, rubber bands, file folders, staples, binder rings, adhesive labels, post-it notes, index cards or whatever else you can dream up. Reinvent these basic office staples to be hip and trendy additions to your projects! "

My friends and former coworkers are headed back to school in a couple of weeks, so I made a card for the fantastic staff at the high school where I taught for 30 years.

My card layout was inspired by a birthday card by Nichole Heady seen in this post. The front of my card includes a cork strip serving as the mount for the message and some of the new items from July's release. Some staples and a paper clip from my school supplies add a touch of the office.

Inside the ticket sentiment is from Autumn Abundance and the stars from Limitless Labels.

Enjoy the hop!

Supplies:
Stamps:Just the Ticket , Mini Scrapbook Series:Library Ledger, Limitless Labels, Take Note, Autumn Abundance(PTI); A+ stamp(Michaels)
Ink: Lady Bug(Memento), Peacock(ColorBox Pigment)
Paper: Kraft, Spring Rain, Bitty Box Basics(PTI)
Other: Spiral Notebook Page die, Just the Ticket border die,rickrack die (PTI); star punch(Fiskars),cork(Quickutz)

Papertrey Peeps Challenge #11

2010-07-23T06:08:00.000-04:00

Nichole, one of our Papertrey Peeps challenged us a couple of weeks ago to do something outside of our comfort zone. I decided to try the blackboard technique with Prismacolor pencils. You learn more about this technique on Jennifer Ellefson's blog here and here.

I chose PTI's Year of Flowers:Lily of the Valley.

I stamped the image using Fresh Snow Pigment Ink and heat set it before I began coloring the image. I also added some Fresh Snow to the edges. I sprayed the image with Krylon's Workable Fixatif. This keeps the image from fading and it also makes the colors a little more vibrant.
Here's a second card using this technique.

For the second card, I used my trusty deckled rectangle die and stamped the image while the paper was still in the die. Remember you can wipe the ink off the die. I left a little more of the white showing through the leaves on this one. The image is mounted on a panel of white stamped with Tin Types in black.
Thanks Nichole for this challenge. I now have a new technique that I will be using again.
The blackboard takes me back to those many years of using a chalkboard when teaching before white boards and smart boards came along. Yes, I am old enough that when I first started teaching students got the privilege of beating the erasers on the sidewalk and we diagrammed sentences on the chalkboard.
Have great weekend!

Supplies:
Stamps: Year of Flowers: Lily of the Valley, Background Basics:Tin Types, Mega Mixed Messages(PTI)
Ink: Fresh Snow(PTI)
Paper: True Black, New Leaf (PTI)
Other: Button(Paper Studio), ribbon (Hobby Lobby), deckled rectangle Nestabilities, Prismacolor pencils

Birthday Wishes

2010-07-22T08:45:00.002-04:00

Hey peeps and bleeps! It's another triple H day--hot, hazy, humid! A day to stay cool inside and do some cleaning, some reading, some crafting; well, maybe two of those three :)
The lastest challenge on the Cards blog is to use pinwheels on your cards. I wish there was a breeze here to move a pinwheel. Anyway....
I chose to make a fun little pinwheel flower.

Fly a Kite papers from October Afternoon are perfect for this fun card. The stem and leaves or (body and arms-I just had to personalize this little flower) are made with PTI's rickrack die. Notice how one leaf (arm) points to the sentiment from Mega Mixed Messages.
Happy papers, happy pinwheel flower, happy card, happy me.

Thanks for stopping by and have a happy day!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)
Ink: Ripe Avocado(PTI)
Paper: Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise(PTI); Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
Other: rickrack die, Aqua Mist Vintage Buttons (PTI), Tags Trio die(Spellbinders)

Felty Flowers, FTTC75

2010-07-19T07:11:00.000-04:00

Hi peeps! This card is for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge where host Betty Wright's challenge is to use felt.

A couple of felt flowers to go with this sentiment which I just love.
Gotta get going--I've got a long to-do-list today.
As always thanks for stopping by.

Supplies:
Stamps: Poppy Patch, From the Garden, Vintage Wallpaper(Flourishes); Avignon(7 Gypsies)
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz(PTI);Versacraft Cherry Pink;Vintage Sepia(Versafine), Rich Cocoa(Memento), Antique Linen Distress(Ranger)
Paper: kraft, rustic cream (PTI)
Other: Labels 8 Nestabilities; tag, ribbon, buttons (Hobby Lobby), Raspberry Fizz felt(PTI), flower dies (Cuttlebug)

Pecan-Peach Cobbler, Flourishes' What's Cooking Challenge

2010-07-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

Flourishes' sneak peeks have begun, and they are indeed "berry sweet"! Be sure to check them out here.To celebrate the July release, they are sponsoring "The What's Cooking Challenge" with a challenge of sharing a recipe in a stamped creation with chance to win all three stamps in the Flourishes' July release.
Currently I own Flourishes' fantastic Cherries and Peaches set and Strawberries set, so I went with a fruity recipe. Peaches are in now here in Tennessee, and I remembered a recipe in the June issue of Southern Living magazine.

For the front of the card with the list of ingredients, I added the peach imaged, stamped in Rich Cocoa Memento ink and colored with Prismacolor pencils. I added a scalloped gingham and rickrack border.
I kept the card flat (no fancy embellishments) so that it would fit in my recipe notebook.
For the back of the card with the steps, the image is stamped in Summer Sunrise.

I'll leave you with a photo of this cobbler from the magazine. Trust me, when I make this cobbler, it will not look like this.

Yummmm!

Supplies:
Stamps: Cherries and Peaches(Flourishes)
Ink: Summer Sunrise(PTI), Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Summer Sunrise (PTI); gingham (Paper Studio)
Other: Prismacolor pencils, oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities, scalloped border punch(Fiskars) rickrack die (PTI)

Tradition with a Twist, FTTC74

2010-07-10T08:14:00.001-04:00

Happy Saturday morning everyone! Do you have a busy rush-around weekend or a quiet relaxing weekend planned, or are you like me and don't have any plans just yet?

Maki Jones is the challenge host this week for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge. Maki is getting us all in gear with a theme challenge. We are celebrating Christmas in July! And to add to the celebration, Flourishes Christmas stamps are currently on sale!
I use several glass pine cone ornaments on my Christmas tree, so I went with this traditional Christmas image but in a non traditional color.

I started with a card base in ripe avocado and stamped the sentiment from in Versamark and heat set with clear embossing powder. To the base I added some Raspberry Fizz stamped with a diamond shape in Versamark. The pinecone was stamped on cream with London Fog ink and colored with these Copics: RV10,RV14,RV19, C1,C5. After I cut out the pinecone, I added Glossy Accents and glitter for dimension and sparkle. I punch the center of the ornament hanger with punch. I used a Martha Stewart branch punch to cut several pieces for the branch. I cut a small piece of one to put through the ornament hanger. I attached the branch and ornament to a cream deckled rectangle stamped with an elegant script in London Fog ink and aged with Antique Linen ink and then mounted on Smokey Shadow cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by and have a good day,

Supplies:
Stamps: All that Glitters, Christmas Wreath (Flourishes); A Little Argyle(PTI); Notary(Prima)
Ink:: Versamark; Antique Linen(Ranger); London Fog(Memento)
Paper: Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz, Smokey Shadow, Vintage Cream(PTI)
Other: Glossy Accents; branch punch, glitter(Martha Stewart), deckled rectangle die(Spellbinders),Clear Filligree Embossing Powder

Cherish Today,FTTC73

2010-07-05T17:27:00.000-04:00

Here I am posting my card for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge near the deadline. Last Tuesday when the challenge was posted I was happy to see that Cindy Coutt's challenge was fruit inspired. I have had an image from Flourishes Peaches and Cherries colored for a couple of months and hadn't used it, so I knew I had to participate in this challenge.

I colored the image with Copics and mounted it on a Labels 4 die cut that I embossed with Cuttlebug's Swiss dot embossing folder and cut into two pieces. After I colored and cut out the small cherry images, I added some Glossy Accents to the cherries and leaves. Keeping with a summery theme, I used some plaid paper and used a kraft card base.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great stampy week!

Supplies:
Stamps: Peaches and Cherries(Flourishes)
Ink: Black Tuxedo(Memento)
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy, Kraft (PTI), Plaid(from Joanne's)
Other: Copics, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Labels 4 and Labels 1, Glossy Accents

Happy 4th

2010-07-03T08:13:00.003-04:00

Hi-ya, peeps! Just a quick post with some cards I made this week and got in the mail in the nick of time for friends and family to receive before tomorrow.

Happy 4th of July to everyone in the states!

Everyone, have a fun and safe weekend.

Cammie

Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Picnic, Limitless Labels,Vintage Labels(PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento),Pure Poppy(PTI)
Paper: Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, Bitty Dot Basics(PTI); Farmer's Market(Shabby Green Door);
gingham (Paper Studio)
Other: Copics;Buttons, Rickrack die(PTI); star punch(EK Success); twine(Martha Stewart)

PTI Blog Hop--COLOR

2010-06-25T17:45:00.006-04:00

AQUA MIST, CREAM, TERRACOTTA TILE

Hi! Welcome my stop on the hop that focuses on color this month.

When I awoke this morning, I decided to make another card for this hop, even though I had my post already to go.

As I set out on card number two for the hop,I had several goals in mind
1. Use a color I use infrequently--Terracotta Tile
2. Use a stamp I use infrequently--Beautiful Blooms One
3. Use a current sketch challenge--Clean and Simple Sketch 96
4. Make the overall look of the card light while using Terracotta Tile

Searching through my inspiration notebook, I came across these photos of these slipcovered chairs and stools which loosely became my inspiration.

I love this beach cottage!
But I digress, on to my card.

As I gathered materials, I realized I don't own Terracotta Tile ink; I only have the cardstock. So I used Versacraft Autumn Leaves ink which is a fairly close match to Terracotta Tile cardstock. I started with a card base of Aqua Mist. I stamped a piece of Rustic Cream cardstock and adhered it. The Aqua Mist piece, matted on Terracotta Tile, is stamped with a bloom from Beautiful Blooms and a fern frond from Turning a New Leaf. The sentiment is from the latest anniversary set, Round and Round. A little twine and button are the simple finishing touches.

Each month the blog hop provides so much inspiration. A huge thank you to everyone who participates!

Supplies:

Stamps: Beautiful Blooms One, Turning a New Leaf, Background Basics:Botanicals, Round and Round (PTI)

Ink: Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist (PTI); Autumn Leaves (Versacraft)

Paper: Aqua Mist, Rustic Cream, Terracotto Tile (PTI)

Other: Rustic Jute Button Twine, Aqua Mist Vintage Buttons (PTI)

Papertrey Peeps Challenge #10

2010-06-21T15:22:00.000-04:00

Happy official first day of summer! It's a sunny, hot day here, but at least the humidity is low.

There is new challenge, hosted by Heather, posted on the Papertrey Peeps Blog. Heather, known for her great use of color, is challenging us to use these colors: turquoise, chartreuse, purple, gray and white. I started on my card Saturday morning after reading Heather's challenge; however, I had short term memory loss and forgot the color purple until the card was almost put together.

I used a card by Jessica Witty in Card Creations Vol. 8 as my inspiration.
I began with a card base of Smokey Shadow and then added the large scalloped piece in turquoise. I stamped the large fleur de lis in Hawaiian Shores, the sentiment in Smokey Shadow, and the text at the bottom in Simply Chartreuse. I planned on using the chartreuse ribbon with a turquoise button. . As I was thinking I wish I had some chartreuse cs as a matte, I had the epiphany that there was another color in this challenge: purple, so I made the matte purple and added a bold purple button. The final touch is a more delicate beaded pin with a lavender pearl and turquoise and green gems.
A peek inside

Thanks, Heather, for a great challenge.

Supplies:
Stamps: Damask Design, Inside and Out: Thank You, Background Basics: Text Style,Simply Stationery(PTI)
Ink: Smokey Shadow, Simply Chartreuse,Hawaiian Shores(PTI)
Paper: Smokey Shadow, Hawaiian Shores, Plum Pudding, Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Other: Border punch(EK Success), Simply Chartreuse satin ribbon, Plum Pudding Vintage Button (PTI)

Summer Fun

2010-06-18T06:27:00.000-04:00

I found some time to play along with this week's The Shabby Tea Room Challenge--summer fun. I've had this sweet image of children playing from Vintage Printable printed for awhile, and I thought it would be perfect for this challenge.

I started with an Aqua Mist (PTI) card base. I stitched a strip of dotted paper from Webster's Pages to a piece of Road Show (Fancy Pants) paper, which I'm loving. (Why did I only buy one sheet?) I cut the image with Spellbinders deckled rectangle die and mounted it on a doily that I lightly aged with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I die cut the scalloped circle and covered with Martha Stewart glitter. The small die cut label is stamped with "summer" from Flourishes Wreaths of All Seasons stamp set and is anchored with an Aqua Mist button (PTI). The seam binding ribbon is from Deb's Simple Treasures Etsy Shop which happens to be the sponsor of this week's challenge. A flower, pearl, and Jenni Bowlin stick pin complete the card.

Wishing you some summer fun this weekend,

You Are So Sweet

2010-06-16T07:03:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! How's the weather in your neck of the woods as Al Roker says on the Today show? Here it has been hot and suffocatingly humid-- more like our July and August weather--weather where two minutes outside leave you "dewey"--a Southern woman's way of saying "sweating profusely". While I much prefer being outside than in an air conditioned room, that just hasn't been the case, the last few days, so I've been inside enjoying the AC while getting crafty. I made a card using this week's sketch at CPS.

Using A Child's Year Cricut Cartridge, I cut the ice cream cones in different colors and then paper pieced. I stamped the kraft cone with the small diamonds from A Little Argyle with Versarmark. A cherry gem tops each cone.
Gee, I wonder why those diamonds made me think of cool, cool ice cream cones?

Stay cool and thanks for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Say It With Style, A Little Argyle (PTI)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento),Versamark
Paper: Kraft, Vintage Cream, Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate, Pretty Pastels(PTI)
Other: Cricut, gems

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge 2

2010-06-15T06:21:00.000-04:00

Hello! Such a simple sentiment, but that simple sentiment on a handmade card mailed to someone is a wonderful way to brighten a day. My card today uses the sketch found at Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.
Here is the current sketch.

And my take on the sketch.

I stamped Labels 4 in Ripe Avocado. Then I stamped the geraniums in the set From the Garden. After masking the flowers, I stamped the pot. I colored the geraniums with these Copics. R22, R24, R29,YG93,YG95,YG97. I colored the pot with Prismacolor pencils.Then added some shading of the image with C1. The sentiment from Mega Mixed Messages is stamped in Ripe Avocado on an oval die cut with an inked edge.

Thanks for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Labels 4 (Waltzingmouse Stamps), From the Garden (Flourishes), Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)
Ink: Ripe Avocado(PTI), Black Tuxedo(Memento)
Paper: Vintage Cream(PTI), Road Show(Fancy Pants)
Other: Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Berry Sorbet Vintage Buttons (PTI)

FTTC 70

2010-06-14T06:41:00.000-04:00

Dee Jackson,the host this week at Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge, has issued the challenge to use black and white with a third color of choice. I knew immediately I wanted to use my recently purchased Flourishes Lace Edges set. Initially, I had something completely different in mind for a card, but I was at Target and saw some thank you cards with an ornate border and a clean sentiment. So I made a set of single layer thank you cards.

I like the modern twist of these elegant laces in these colors.

Supplies:
Stamps: Lace Edges(Flourishes), Thank You: Inside and Out (PTI)
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores,Melon Berry (PTI);New Sprout, Black Tuxedo (Memento)

Papertrey Peeps Challenge #9

2010-06-12T08:58:00.001-04:00

Over on the Papertrey Peeps Blog, Linda is challenging us to think about summer travel and vacation. With this fun challenge, I gave my PTI set Up, Up and Away its initial inking. Although my summer travel plans don't include balloon travel, I love seeing hot air balloons sailing peacefully against a blue sky.

I just received the latest issue of PaperCrafts, where there is a shaped card by Betsy Veldman like one in this post. Using Betsy's card as inpsiration, I used Label 8 Nestabilities to die cut my card.

I used two layers for the front piece. Then after sewing the front to the back of the card base, I added another layer to the back, to hide the "uglier" side of my stitching. Usisng two layers also means that all sides of the card base show the "good" side of the die cut. I used some lighter weight ( cheaper) white cardstock since there were two layers. After cutting the blue piece I ran it through the Cuttle bug with PTI's canvas impression plate. I inked the edges of the cloud, and those balloons---so much fun to color. In fact I rate coloring them right up there with coloring the dahlias from Delight Dahlia. And think of all the coloring options you have!
No soaring in the sky for me today, I will be close to the ground. Work in the back yard is necessary. My plants have had a real growing spurt and must be trimmed to find the stone path. I mean I love a lush garden, but one does need to be able walk through it without a machete in hand. And with humidity this morning at about 200%, it does feel like a jungle.

Have a good weekend!

Supplies:
Stamps: Up, Up and Away; sentiment from Everyday Button Bits (PTI)
Ink: Black Tuxedo, London Fog (Memento)
Paper: Spring Rain (PTI), Dear Lizzy Spring Dragon Fly Dance (American Crafts), Georgia Pacific
Other: Copics Y13, Y15, B41, B45, RV32, RV34, G21,G24, R22, R24, E25,E29,E43; Rustic Cream Twine(PTI), button(Paper Studio), balloon and cloud dies (PTI)

Card Pattern Sketch 67

2010-06-10T17:56:00.001-04:00

Hi all. This is a quick post with a card using this sketch from Card Patterns.

And my card using Vintage Picnic, one of my favorite PTI stamps.

I stamped the sentiment from Every Day Button Bits and flowers on a deckled rectangle die cut. I stamped, colored ,cut the picnic basket and then attached it with dimensional tape. The pink strips are stamped with Polka Dot Basics 1 in Versamark. The flower embellishments are die cut and colored with a Copic. I used a black pen to make the petals more pronounced. Brown buttons finish the flowers which are placed on some green polka dot ribbon.

I'm off to the kitchen to start dinner.

Supplies:

Stamps:Vintage Picnic, Every Day Button Bits, Polka Dot Basics 1(PTI)

Ink: Black Tuxedo (Memento)

Paper: Stamper's Select White, Hibiscus Burst, New Leaf(PTI), Pretty Plaid (Jenni Bowlin)
Other: Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities, Flower Dies (Cuttlebug), Copics, Buttons, Ribbon

Sunshine and Blue Skies Challenge, FLLCJUN10

2010-06-06T17:11:00.001-04:00

As Flourishes readies to unveil new stamps this week, this great stamp company is hosting a color challenge--Sunshine and Blue Skies. Create a card using any combination of blue and yellow, and you have a chance to win the entire June release!
The paper, the butterfly, and the sentiment are just right for this fanciful summery card.

1.Make an A2 card base from Smokey Shadow cardstock.
2. Cut 3 strips of patterned paper and sew onto a piece of Lemon Tart cardstock.
3. Die cut label and stamp sentiment from Pure Poppy stamp set with London Fog ink. Thread with lace trim and attach to piece.
4. Attach piece to card base.
5. Stamp butterfly from Fanciful Flourishes with blue ink on Lemon Tart cs,cut out, attach with dimension tape. Place tape only in the middle of butterfly and gently lift wings.

Do you think the bird is calling out a warning about the giant mutant butterfly?

Supplies:
Stamps: Poppy Patch, Fanciful Flourishes (Flourishes)
Ink: Peacock pigment ink(Colorbox), London Fog(Memento)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Lemon Tart, Smokey Shadow(PTI), Petite Papers-Seaside Retreat, Garden Gala, Nature's Storybook(Webster's Pages)
Other: Ribbon Labels Trio 2 (Spellbinders), Lace trim (Prima Marketing)

Embellish Magazine Challenge

2010-06-05T11:21:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I have a card for the latest Embellish Magazine Challenge

While I have several Waltzingmouse Stamps on my wish list, currently the ones I own are those that coordinate with Nestabilities. I love Nestabilities, and Claire's stamps add beautiful details to those die cuts!

I began this card yesterday morning . Later in the day after I saw Betsy Veldman's felt roses, my decision for emblishments was made! These rose are not at difficult to make. I'm not sure about the brown leaves, but I wanted to stick with the challenge colors.
Steps:
1. Cut cream cs for A2 card base.
2. Cut yellow cs and stamp.
3. Cut a piece of cream cs and stamp. Stitch to yellow panel.
4. Attach yellow panel to card base.
5. Die cut and emboss Fair Isle Pendant in Berry Sorbet.
6. Die cut circle in cream. Stamp label image and sentiment. Attach to pendant die cut.
7. Attach pendant to card.
8. Attach felt flowers and leaves

Have a great weekend!

Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Circles Small (Waltzingmouse Stamps), Background Botanicals (PTI), Anytime Messages(Hero Arts)
Ink: Berry Sorbet (PTI), Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Lemon Tart, Berry Sorbert
Other: Circle Nestabilities, Fair Isle Pendant(Spellbinders); Cream felt(PTI; brown felt(Hobby Lobby)

Live the Sweet Life, FTTC69

2010-06-04T07:47:00.001-04:00

This week's host of Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge, Barbara Anders, is challenging us to make a single layer card.

After masking the top and bottom portion of the card, I stamped the medium cherry image from Peaches and Cherries. Then using my Score Pal, I embossed the edges of the stamped section and added a second embossed line on the top and bottom. I added a sentiment, ribbon, and button tied with twine.

Hope your day is sweet!

Supplies:
Stamps: Peaches and Cherries(Flourishes)
Ink: Pure Poppy (PTI)
Other: Pure Poppy Vintage Button (PTI), ribbon (Hobby Lobby), twine(Martha Stewart)

Less is More

2010-06-03T12:26:00.002-04:00

This is true. A clear concise thought is more powerful than a verbose statement. And a CAS card often makes a stronger impression than one with many layers and embellishments. Not that I favor one over the other. It depends on what mood I am in. I mean I am a Gemini with that dual nature and attraction to opposites. I have been intrigued with cards that are white on white with the only color coming with the focal point. I thought the latest Just Us Girls challenge to use dry embossing would be a great time to use this plan. I pulled out some of my metal stencils, light box, and stylus along with an impression plate.

I used PTI's Linen Impression plate on the upper portion of a 5 1/4x 4 piece of card stock. (You may need to enlarge the photo to better see the texture.) Using the light box and stylus, I embossed the focal point on the bottom portion. Remember, running a piece of waxed paper over the cardstock, makes it easier to emboss with the stylus.

The focal point is a metal stencil from a local company, Country Stencils. This company has some lovely designs. If you are a quilter and attend quilting shows, you may see a Country Stencils booth; if so, be sure to stop and check out their products. Of course you can also order online.
After embossing, I stenciled the image using Lavender Moon dye ink and Spring Moss pigment ink. Use stiff bristled brushes and blot brush on a paper towel, so that the brush is fairly dry before stenciling.
Next I added the rick rack border which I ran through the Cuttlebug with the impression plate after I cut it with PTI's rick rack die. Finally, I attached the panel to the card base.
I like the light summery mood of this card.
Thanks for stopping by,