Butterfly Kisses and an old Mytime Sketch...

Hi everyone! HAPPY WEEKEND!!! Though I only actually worked 3 days this week, it feels like the week was a LOT longer. Monday was great- hubby and I cleaned the basement, got rid of a TON of junk...it felt great to be rid of all that stuff. Tues-Thursday I was at work...normal days, thank goodness, nothing too crazy - then today, my oldest had a swollen gland, and I needed to take her to the Dr. to be sure it wasn't strep...for some reason, it doesn't present itself in the usual way with her - either that or she has a really high pain tolerance, because she never complains...well - no strep, not on the rapid test anyway - so we wait and see for the other one. She certainly SEEMS fine though *wink*. Sorry - onto the card...

I needed to make a card for a friend's birthday coming up, and really had no plan...no idea, no spark of creativity...so I decided I'd head over to Lauren's blog, and flip through her Saturday sketches for some inspiration.

I came across this one, from January 9th:

















I had Butterfly Kisses from PTI still sitting on my stamp table from my Blog Hop project the other night, so I figured I'd use that set again. Here's what I came up with:
The bottom rectangle was embossed with my long scalloped rectangle nesties. Then with the die still in place, I masked off the area around it with post-its, and sponged in the middle.

The Lemon Tart and Summer Sunrise layers are on dimensionals for some depth. The butterfly was stamped on vellum CS, and heat and stick used with Dazzling Diamonds glitter...sooooo sparkly.

We actually have a pretty quiet weekend ahead. I'm happy about that. What are YOUR plans this weekend? Thanks for stopping by!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Butterfly Kisses (PTI)
Ink: Summer Sunrise, Versamark
Paper: Select White, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise, vellum CS
Accessories: Long scalloped rectangle nestabilities, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (SU!), dimensionals, sticky strip (glitter strip on Summer Sunrise Layer)

Hoppy Spring! :)

Hi Everyone!

So I FINALLY got to particpate in the PTI Blog Hop this month!!! Glad you stopped by :)

















When I saw the challenge this month - I was pretty excited... while I do like Winter, I'm looking forward to Spring. I thought Lauren's Basket Template would be PERFECT for a Spring Themed project. I printed out the template and assembled the basket according to the directions provided. But what to put in the basket??? I've had these styrofoam eggs in my box of 'stuff' forever. I decided to take some of those wonderful Bridal Confetti Flowers and 'pin' them into the egg.
This could be cute for a place setting on your Easter Dinner Table!

The sentiment is from Flower Garden Sentiments, and the Butterflies are from Butterfly Kisses, my very FIRST PTI set.

Thanks for popping by, hope you enjoyed your visit!! Have a terrific night all!





Supplies:
Stamps: Butterfly Kisses, Flower Garden Sentiments
Ink: Brocade Blue (SU) Versamark
Paper: Bashful Blue (SU), Lemon Tart (PTI), Vellum CS
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU), Heat & Stick Powder, brads, bridal confetti, styrofoam egg

Can I have your Autograph?? CPS 104

Happy Monday Everyone! If THAT isn't an oxymoron, I don't know WHAT is ;).

Hope everyone had a good weekend. We certainly did. The birthday party was great. The kids had a great time, and in turn, so did we. Today, we just hung out at home, getting a few things that I've been putting off done.

I got my new THE Dawn McVey set in the mail from PTI yesterday, so I wanted to break it in right. Headed over to CPS this morning and saw that PTI is sponsoring this week's contest...how fun! I did last week's sketch, but didn't upload in time...I'll post it later this week.

So, THE Dawn, is a friend of mine, and we've been teasing her about her popularity. For some reason, she doesn't think that she's become a 'name' in the stamping world, yet we all do, so my friend Laura, or was it Jenn started saying 'THE' Dawn. I was so excited to see that Damask Designs SOLD OUT! YAHOO - also glad, of course, that I got one :)
So, tonight, I sat downstairs, and couldn't think of a better person to make my FIRST card with Damask Designs for. THE Dawn, of course!! I used CPS Sketch 104 In line with our teasing, I picked out this great sentiment from Verve Stamps, it's part of the Great Expectations set. All teasing aside - it's so exciting to see this new adventure for our friend.

Here are some words, from one of my FAVORITE people...Jason Mraz "I know my job wouldn’t exist without listeners and readers, those who share my joy and my journeys thru the time and space. I would still have my art, but the vibrations wouldn’t be as strong without the audiences that gather and the collective souls who sing from their cars and within their showers. You make the art more immediate by accepting it, applying it, and continuing to share it on your own plain.". Don't you think stamp designers get a little excited when they see THEIR sets in use??? I think that's way cool.

I picked Raspberry Fizz, as it's Dawn's favorite color - and stamped away. I cut a slit in the card halfway to thread the ribbon through, and then made my little bow. This was a fun sketch, I can see myself using it again.

Before I go - thought I'd share a few photos to make you smile...my little ham...and my cheeseball ;).


























Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Damask Designs (PTI), Great Expectations (Verve Stamps)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Rspberry Fizz
Paper: True Black, Raspberry Fizz, Select White (All PTI)
Accessories: Black satin ribbon (PTI)

Happy Birthday Joe!

Hi everyone :)

Sorry I've been MIA - after the PTI challenges, my creativity was drained! I forced myself to stay downstairs last night until I came up with something for my nephew Joe (especially since his birthday party is TODAY! LOL).

It's been a few emotional days for me...not sure if it's just hormones, or what. It was a year ago yesterday when my Dad's leg was amputated. A WHOLE YEAR. It's amazing to see him now though - he really is doing well!! Those of you out there who think smoking can't do stuff like this...IT CAN...and IT DID. I used to smoke, so I know what it's like to hear all the 'you really should quit, blah, blah, blah'...but I can't help but say it now and then.

Now...TOMORROW...1 year ago, my nephew Joseph was born. My Dad was on a vent in ICU, and my brother and his wife were in the birthing center, celebrating their new little man...now THAT was a mix of emotions! So TODAY - we celebrate Joe. He's really a cutie pie, and is growing so fast...they all do really. He's started walking in the last 2 weeks...YAY!!! What a big boy.

My brother is a HUGE Yankees fan, so (at least for now) Joe is too ;). I had originally planned something COMPLETELY different, but couldn't make it work, so I played and played and played...and this is what I came up with. I haven't TOUCHED any of my Pink Cat Studio Stamps in a while, and I missed them! Dress up Billy was perfect for this. (BTW - be sure to stop by Melissa's blog - they've got peeks of the NEW Enchanted Lily Set!!) I thought it would be cool for Joe - there's LOTS of different textures on there - the velvet paper is soft, the letters are puffy and smooth, and the glittery star is rough...

Thanks for stopping by today - I'm off to celebrate with the little guy!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Dress Up Billy (Pink Cat Studio), Wise Owl - stars (PTI)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Fresh Snow (PTI)
Paper: Pure Poppy, select white (PTI) Velvet paper (SEI), DCWV Glitter stack
Accessories: Copics, Star punch (SU!), orange puffy thickers (American Crafts), 'All Boy' tag (SEI)

How was your Valentine's Day??

Happy Sunday all~

How was your Valentine's day?? Single, dating or married, what did you do? We don't really make a big deal about Valentine's day, but do exchange cards, and get a little sweet and a treat for our girls. I posted the Valentine I made for my hubby last week. I'm going to post today the ones I made for the girls, as well as a card I made for my Dad to give to my Mom. He's homebound, and really only gets out when she takes him out - so I wanted to make sure Mom had a Valentine, as she's a super special lady.

My day didn't start out all that happy - hubby wasn't feeling well, and was SUPER grouchy...in turn, it made me super grouchy...not your typical lovey-dovey happy day for sure. I had to go to the grocery store for a few staples, and something to make for dinner. When I got back, I was greeted with a smiling husband, and an excited 5 year old, who couldn't WAIT to give me the Valentine she made me, and to tell me about her adventure with Daddy in Stampland. "DADDY made you a card Mommy." For YEARS I've been asking my hubby to make me a card, and he looked at me as if my head was screwed on backwards. This year I said it, and he said "maybe I will!" I didn't believe him. And he knew I didn't believe him..he even wrote inside "see, I told you I'd make you a card!" Well, needless to say, all the grouchies were gone - and the day took a MAJOR turn for the better. Here's his creation. I thought he didn't do half bad for his first time out of the gate...
cute, right? He told me how he thought the 'O' in the set looked a little funny, so he decided to use the zero...then after he did, he said "I should have used the 'O'" :) I loved it, as he made it for me. I never thought that would happen.

Then onto the girls...We got them each a little tin with some hershey's kisses in them, and the Madagascar 2 movie (though the 1 year old won't care much about either - it's the thought, right???)


I used PTI's Heart Prints for these. I try to keep them the same, so (especially as they get older) I don't hear arguments about who got what. They get special 'different' cards for their birthday. Loving the simplicity here...
The Raspberry Fizz one is for my 5 year old, and the Plum Pudding for the 1 year old. They liked them...well...they liked the chocolate anyway...

And last for today, but certainly not LEAST...a Valentine for my Mom. She's SUPER. Always helping us out - being my Dad's care taker - anyone who knows me, knows the lengthy list of Dad's health issues, and he can't go out on his own. So it's A LOT on my Mom to always be the one to take him to a fro, Doctor appointments and the like. He broke his wrist Christmas night - compounding things even further! Poor guy - poor Mom.

ANYWAY - since Dad can't get out to shop, I wanted to make sure Mom had a Valentine...so I got this FABULOUSLY adorable image from 'The Greeting Farm'. It's Anya and Ian, the 50's couple. PERFECT for my parents. I just loved coloring this in. I look forward to adding more Anya's to my collection someday in the future!!

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope I didn't bore you with my blah-bi-di-blah-bi-di-dah today. Hope you had a GREAT Valentine's Day, and that the love lasts all year long!! Have a super Sunday!

Dawn's Color Challenge and a treat for a friend...

Hi all ~ It's been a few days. I couldn't miss out on the last (I'm guessing) of the challenges for the PTI release. I have another post of the Valentine's I made, but I'll save that for tomorrow.

I picked one of the cards from THIS POST on Dawn's blog.

I can honestly say - I've 'known' Dawn for a while now...from the time when she very first met Nichole Heady, to today, when she is releasing her VERY OWN line of stamps for PTI... As a friend, I am SO proud of her!! We've never met face to face, but have known each other for YEARS on the computer - through SCS. What a sweetheart.

I remember a time not all that long ago, where she was looking into how to get published, and the like, and ZOOM! Her paper-crafting career TOOK OFF! After so many publications - to get asked to design for PTI - a total dream come true.

I've had so much fun along the journey with Dawn - and am so excited for the next chapter in her story to unfold. I wish her the best of luck - not that I think she needs it. Don't forget us little people when you're big and famous, k???

Love you girlie!


Oh - right - my card.
This will be sent to a friend (she knows who she is...IF she's looking) because I came across this yummy stuff in the background when I found a box of TS stuff that I had set off to the side for some reason. I'm a TS consultant - and had this left over....well, a friend of mine LOVES the stuff and the product was discontinued...and I didn't think I had any - and lo and behold - FOUND SOME!!!

I went with Dawn's clear embossing roll, using Spiral Boquet. I thought this was a super fresh color combo. I gave this a little oomph with some bling on the flowers, and some accents with my stardust pen.

Thanks for stopping by - and if you haven't already - stop by and congratulate Dawn, k?? :)

True Friends...

Hi there!!

Posting a little late - but wanted to do this. I had a busy day, working, then fife rehearsal tonight --we are doing a recording in a few weeks, and are dusting off some old, but kickin' pieces. I did send myself downstairs to make a quick, but cute card for the latest challenge at PTI.

She said to make a card for your best friend. I have a few -- but this one is for my friend Sue. We've known each other since 1st grade (or was it second?? I'm pretty sure it was first) and though there were a few years where we kind of let things fall to the wayside - I'm glad that we're good friends once again.

She's the one who introduced me to stamping...I don't know if I should love her, or hate her, since my bank account has never been the same since ;). Sue is always helpful and has a great heart. When we were teens she'd come over to sleep over, and she'd help me clean my room...things haven't changed much - she was over yesterday, and helped me clear the mess off my kitchen table - and get the toys all picked up in the family room.

So this one's for Sue - thanks for being a true friend always!

As for you all reading this - friend or blog hopper - thanks for stopping by and being a part of my day!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Alphabet, Simple Alphabet
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Select White
Accessories: Raspberry Fizz satin ribbon, doodlebug jewels (bon bon and cupcake), swiss dots CB Folder, Scor-pal

Always be mine... CPS102

So I'm on a roll with the challenges...I saw the CPS sketch posted last night - so I went ahead and made a card last night - since I didn't know if I'd get a chance to stamp today.










Here's the sketch:

















Did you see the fun images that were used on the CPS team's samples??? A peek of what's to come, according to Nichole :) yay!

I figured I'd go ahead and my my honey's Valentine...so I broke out my Heart Prints set, and got to work.

I went back and used Nichole's color combo from the other day since I loved it so much...

Here's my take:
I tried not to make it overly girly...how did I do??? I brought the star in for a little more 'manliness' instead of two hearts.

The 'lace edge' below the white layer is a Marth Stewart Border punch...again not too girly.

I've been having a TON of fun keeping up with the challenges each day -- something about them has really gotten my creativity flowing!

Hope you have a great Sunday!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Heart Prints (PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides, Brilliance Graphite Black
Paper: Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides, Select White
Accessories: MS Border punch, dimensionals, star nesties

Challenges...3 for 3!!!

Hey all~

How's your weekend going??

We had the birthday party today - and it was a good time. Birthday boy loved his gift, could have cared less about the card...but he's a 6 year old boy - what did I REALLY expect??? ;)

Papertrey Ink had enticed us with even MORE fun upcoming news, and some peeks at some new products...that bitty dots paper looks delicious!!!

All of the challenges have been a lot of fun - I can't pass up an opportunity to win PTI product, so I've been participating in all of the challenges so far. Here's my entry for today's 'Bitty Dot' Challenge...here are the rules:

What a fun way to present a sketch :) I thought about letting my 5 yo DD do the dot to dot, but figured she wouldn't be impressed with a card layout...so I kept it for myself.

I pulled out my Text Boxed set which I haven't used in AGES...it was fun to go waaaaay back to one of my first purchases from PTI.

I saw a card in the challenge yesterday that used this image, and colored it in, and I liked it, so I went ahead and went with her idea. I also colored in some of the Chocolate Remix paper to match my focal image. Added a little bling on the right, and a sentiment, and my challenge entry is done!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Text Boxed (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream, Chocolate Remix patterned paper
Accessories: Dark Chocolate Satin ribbon, Doodlebug jewels

Colorful Birthday Challenge!!

Good Evening Friends :)

Hoping everyone is enjoying this Friday Evening. I'm happy that it's the weekend! YIPPEEE!

I'm also happy that I got to play some more today - and work on PTI's Over the Rainbow Challenge. This is for a chance to win a WHOLE YEAR worth of Cardstock! How awesome is that?!?! I figure I'd give it a go. Here are the rules:















My nephew Matthew turned 6 today!! How time flies. Seemed like just yesterday he was born...wow. His birthday party is tomorrow and I needed a card...so I decided it would be a birthday card. Then what? I looked at the colors posted on Nichole's blog, and liked the circles, so I decided to stick with that...

I added a LOTS of dimensionals on the back, each circle is on varying 'levels'. The red has one layer, the green 2, and the focal image 3, it really pops. It needed a little something more - so I added the ribbons in the background, but didn't want to do a 'bow' since it's for a boy. I have to say, I love this color combo - and I'm pretty happy with how this turned out.

What are YOUR plans for the weekend??? I'd love to know. Hope it's a great one!!







Supplies:
Stamps: It's a Celebration, Fresh Alphabet, Simple Alphabet (All PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy, Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise, Brilliance Graphite Black
Paper: Pure Poppy, Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise, Select White
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, ribbon, dimensionals

Riesens You are a Great Couple... a PTI Challenge!

A friend of mine is getting married in June, and has asked me to make her invitations. So I've had this thought in my head for a while of what I would do - I just never got it on paper. Well, I sat down tonight and FINALLY worked up my prototype. I'm pretty pleased with it - I just hope the bride is also!!!

I also wanted to get in on the challenge over on Nichole Heady's blog - for a chance to win a great Papertrey Ink canvas bag and a $100 gift card to PTI! Woo-hoo! Being my hubby just got reduced to a 4 day work week, this could CERTAINLY come in handy :)

I used one of Lauren's Timeless Templates, and got to work. I decided to make the uber-cute Purse-onality Clutch, and make it match the prototype of the invite...I'll give it to the bride to be, as a thank you for giving me some business...but WHAT could I put in it???


I looked around, and had some chocolate 'Riesens' candy...how PERFECT!! I wrote a little note inside listing all the 'riesens' Jackie and Jim are such a great couple. And I finished it off with a tag made from PTI's borders and corners monogram set and Mixed Messages.

You can see the invite in the BG, but I want to wait to post details, as Jackie hasn't seen them yet - and I don't have her permission to post names and such. That I'll save for another day... :)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mixed Messages, Borders and Corners Monogram Ed. (PTI)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Paper: True Black (PTI), Poison Ivory shimmery ivory CS
Accessories: Bridal confetti flowers (ivory and green) swarovski crystals, silver cord, circle punches

What do you think???

Do you like my new layout?

I needed something different and fresh...think I found it. Now if I could get the archives link to work, I'd be SUPER happy...

I'm hoping to be back tomorrow with a post...until then...thanks for stopping by!!