Craft Dash #20!

Happy Summer!!  Things are in full swing here this week - the girls started camp, and I AM NOT used to this new routine!  I thought Summer was supposed to be relaxing...mmmmmmm...my days have gotten LONGER, and I'm pooped! lol. I'm sure once I'm used to the routine, it will get better...I hope. :)

ANYHOO - I took a few minutes (literally!) for myself last night, and put something together for the latest 10 Minute Craft Dash.  I have to say, I really do LOVE this challenge, because so many times I will start a project, and not have ANY idea where I'm going with it -- and then it takes FOREVER -- well, when you are doing the 10 minute craft dash, you don't have TIME for that, so you need a plan.  Even at that, things don't always go as planned (like my last entry - I had issues with the size of the focal panel, so having to trim it cost me valuable time, and put me over) but more often than not, if you have a plan, you're good.

Keep your idea realistic, even the most simple of designs can be time consuming.

Here is the challenge graphic:

I totally LOVE these colors, by the way!

Here's my card:

Is it my favorite card ever?  no.  But -I think it is clean and simple, it's got a great pop of color.  The dimensionals I used were TOO big, in my opinion, popped a little too far off the page.  Also, I had to hand cut the triangles, because the dies were out of stock, and I think that would have made a big difference, too. I like the texture of the sketched images on the triangles, and I think I might definitely try this again once I can get my hands on those dies, I might be more pleased with the outcome.  BUT --Overall, still happy with it, quirks and all.

Best of all -- I made time :)

If you haven't already checked out the challenge, you should give it a shot -- it's a ton of fun!  Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies (All Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted):

Stamps: Sketched Shapes 

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Orange Zest, Fresh snow

Paper: Smoky Shadow, Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise

Accessories: White embossing powder, dimesionals

It's a Waltzingmouse Father's Day!!

Here in the states, it's Father's Day today.  I am very lucky, as I have a wonderful husband who is an awesome dad.  I also still have my dad here with me, and my father in law as well.  My girls have two awesome Godfathers as well, sooooo that equals lots of Father's Day cards to be made!

Luckily, Claire, over at Waltzingmouse Stamps, took a LOT of the guesswork out of cards for the guys this year!  These first two are for my father-in-law and brother-in-law whom we saw yesterday.  We're a fife and drum family, so all things patriotic always come to mind when I think of them.  So I used the new 1776 set, along with My Kind of Guy to make these two.

Up next is the card I made for my husband, which I used My Kind of Guy and Man of the Hour.

My girls each made their dad a card, as well, using the same sets... the first one is by my little one, and the next one by my big one :)

Lastly I'll finish up with the cards for my Dad, and my brother, both of which also use My Kind of Guy and Man of the Hour.

Claire - THANK YOU for making "man card" making easy for me this year!!!  I had tons of fun using these sets, and I see more projects coming in the near future!!!

Hope everyone had a great Father's Day :)  Thanks for stopping by!

Craft Dash and Sketch for you to try!!

Off to LOTS of celebrating today, but wanted to squeak in a card for the latest Craft Dash Challenge!  I combined it with the Sketch for You to Try (even though I missed the deadline).

Reverse Confetti is a great new company started by Jen delMuro -- fun fun designs -- I totally loved the "I Like You" set she released this past month.

Here's my card:

UNFORTUNATELY- I didn't make time, but I thought I would share it anyway!  :(  Maybe next time!!! 

Thanks for popping by -- have a GREAT DAY!!!!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: I Like You (Reverse Confetti), Hello Sunshine (PTI), Heart-2-Heart #6 (PTI)
Ink: Summer Sunrise, Harvest Gold, Pure Poppy (All PTI)
Paper: Harvest Gold, Pure Poppy, Select White, Spring Rain (All PTI)
Accessories: Heart-2-Heart #6 dies (PTI), heart border die (PTI), Cloud 1&2 die collection (PTI), corner rounder (CM)

Craft Dash 17!!

It's SPRING!!  And I don't know about you, but in my family, that means a WHOLE LOT OF EVERYTHING going on right now! lol.  We've got birthdays, Communions, Baptisms, Showers, Weddings, Anniversaries!  WOW!  So, needless to say, I've been busy making cards!  I haven't photographed all of them, because I run out of time :( ) but I have gotten a few, so I'll have some new things to share here soon!

BUT -- today I am here, playing along with the Craft Dash Challenge again!  Paulina comes up with some fun challenges, and I REALLLLLY want to get playing consistently.  This week's challenge is below:

Here's my take on the challenge:

One less birthday card to make for the weekend, WOOHOO! lol.  

Of course, let us not forget...how long did this take me???  Wellllll.....

MADE IT! :D

Speaking of making it...I've just started on a self improvement project...so I may post about here from time to time.  I've decided it's time to take my body back after not taking care of it pretty much since I became a mom.  I signed up for some fitness classes at the martial arts school where my children take class, figuring there's total accountability...I'm Irish, so I'm naturally guilty, lol.  I took my first two classes this past Friday, and it was INTENSE for someone as out of shape as I am -- BUT -- I made it through the first class (hour of upper body) and made it part of the way through the second (hour of lower body).  I made it farther than I expected, truthfully, but am glad to get going.  My muscles are still sore today, though I can finally walk down a set of stairs without wanting to cry ;).  I go back this Friday for more, and I'll update more on where I go from there :).  

Thanks for popping by!  Have a great week!!

Tracey

Supplies (all PTI unless otherwise noted):

Stamps: Super Stars, Stylish Sentiments: Birthday

Ink: Berry Sorbet, Aqua Mist, Classic Kraft, Smokey Shadow

Paper: Select White

Accessories: sequins

We're "Bubbling" With Excitement!

So, 2013 is shaping up to be a banner year!  LOTS of Weddings and BABIES BABIES BABIES!!!  My husband and I have 20 nieces and nephews, and this year, we'll have 2 more!  One nephew has already arrived, and the other will be here in a few short weeks!  It's nice to have little babies in the family again, the last ones were my little one who is 5, my nephew (on my side) who is 5, and my niece (on DH's side) that will be 5 in a few weeks.  We also have a bunch of friends all expecting -- it's so exciting - I LOVE IT!

Well, tonight we had a little "sprinkle" for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law.  It's been a while since they've had a baby, and we want to make sure the new little guy has all he needs!  Another sister in law found these cute bubble gum tubes, and I offered to make new tags for them, because the ones that came on them were kind of...well...lame.

So, I sat down at the computer, and made myself a template of a bunch of 1.75" circles, and made a computer generated sentiment "We're bubbling with excitement for new baby "K"!" and printed them out.  I broke out the Cuttlebug, and cut out all of the circles, along with the outer die cut shape, in red.  I stamped the single largest dot from Polka Dot Basics I (Papertrey Ink) stamping off once, in a few different colors, and added the "shine" with my sakura white glaze pen.  mounted them to the red scalloped circles, and then tied them on with some silver stretchy cord I got from SU! ages ago.  They came out really cute I think -- and could work for a bunch of different occasions -- with bubbles even, if you don't want to give something sugary (good call Alicia!!)

Thanks for popping by today!

Supplies (all Papertrey Ink, unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics 1
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise, New Leaf
Paper: Select White, Pure Poppy
Accessories: "Cocktail" font on my PC, Limitless Layers 1.75" Circle dies, Silver elastic cord (SU! - retired)

Babies, Babies, Babies!!!

Nope!  Not for me!  BUT -- I think I know 5 or 6, or is it 7 people (I've lost count!) who are pregnant and having babies this year! :)  I'm so excited for them all.  For some it's their first, for one it's their 5th!  2 of them will be related to me, I'm excited to be an auntie again, it's been 5 years since we've had any babies in the family.

Well, with babies, come baby gifts!  I made this card a few weeks ago (sorry for the poor lighting, it was dark out when I finished!) but I really liked it, and thought I'd share it here.

The background was done using the My Mother, My Friend stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  I just adore that wavy flower image!  I used the coordinating dies for My Mother, My Friend to cut out the layers for the sentiment, which is from the Sweet Baby set, also from Papertrey Ink.  The sentiment was embossed with white embossing powder.

Lastly, I added a little crocheted flower, to tie into the gift, as one of the gifts I gave my sister-in-law was a blanket her mom made for my oldest.  My SIL has other children, but this is the first being born after the passing of her Mom. My DD and I spoke about how we thought it might be nice to pass the blanket that was made for her by SIL's mom to the new baby, so he/she can have a blanket made by his/her grandma.

We've been BUUUUSY around here - I had been on such a good roll stamping - I need to clear the clutter on my table and get back at it!  Hope things are well where you are!

Stars and Smiles

So, how was everyone's weekend??  Mine was not exactly as planned, but still pretty darn good :).  We took my girls to a Math and Science night at their school, and it was really cool - lots of fun, hands on experiments for the kids to do!  Friday night - the little one started complaining about her ear -- so Saturday morning, instead of our usual Taekwondo (and this week we were supposed to meet friends for breakfast) we went to the doctor.  Ear infection.  Booooo.  We still managed to get a lot done, and I met a friend for dinner - it was fun catching up!

Today -- uuugggghhhh -- today I hit the play area in my family room, and WENT NUTS.  I got rid of 2 HUGE bags full of stuff - some garbage, some stuff that just needed to go.  We have TOO much stuff - and my girls never want to throw ANYTHING away (I foresee the show 'Hoarders' in my future!) So yeah, it was a busy day -- but Daddy took them to the park, and then they got to watch the new Monster High special, so all was right with their world, even if Mommy threw a bunch of stuff out ;).

Here and there, I've been trying to purge and get rid of things -- it's just taking the time to do it.  We have a very modest home, and the biggest thing is lack of storage -- so I'm always on a quest to be more organized.  I'll get the house to a good place, and then after a few weeks -- back to the old mess.  Do you have any tips or blogs or websites that have helped you become more organized??  I'm always happy to listen.

BUT -- this is not why I am posting!!  I came to share a card I made for my nephew Joe.  He just turned 5, and had a really cool party at Monster Mini Golf last weekend - lots of fun!  I needed to be quick, and try as I might -- this wasn't SO quick, but it was fun, and colorful.

These new birthday sentiments from Papertrey Ink are awesome, I've used them a few times already!  Unfortunately, I don't have the stars dies from PTI, so I hand cut the stars that weren't stamped directly on the card base, but at least they are all straight cuts, right?  That was what took the most time, but start to finish, it was probably about 25-30 minutes...not TERRIBLE.

Thanks so much for popping by -- I hope you had a great weekend!!

Tracey

Supplies (All Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted):

Stamps: Stylish Sentiments: Birthday, Super Stars

Ink: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, True Black

Paper: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, Select White