There Is A Stamp For That!

Summer Break!

2011-05-27T11:40:00.001-06:00

So, today is our first official day of summer break, and I've got to say how excited I am! I love summer break! Now, I know I kinda went missing for a few months. But I'll be here this summer with an occasional post or two. Since I waited months and months to post anything, today I've got two things to share. First up, a scrapbook page. My daughter just finished first grade and LOVED her teacher. As the year was winding down, she was really sad for it to end, because she knew she wouldn't be seeing her teacher every day. One of the days of the last week of school she was at the bus stop crying. Well, I didn't want her getting on the bus with tears, so I promised her I'd make a scrapbook page of her and her teacher. So I got that done, and she loved it, and then asked me to make a second one for her teacher. So I did. This one, is the one I made for our family album. The page for her teacher I let her write the words, and it was a sweet little tribute to her teacher.

The second thing to share is a recipe card. I do not love potato salad, usually. In fact, most of my life I've hated potato salad. Well, my mother-in-law's potato salad is the only one I've really had that I can actually say I like. Yesterday was technically the last day of school, but we've always kept our kids home and done fun stuff as a family. So yesterday, I was in the mood for summer food. Bbq chicken, rolls, potato salad. And as much as I LOVE my mother-in-law's potato salad, she's not a "recipe" kind of gal. You know the type: "Oh, a pinch of this, a little of that." Which means I don't have an actual recipe for her potato salad. So I went searching the internet. And I found this. The recipe looked delightful. But I gotta say, as much as I need a recipe to start out with, I always have to change a few things here or there. So I did. And after my tweaking I loved it! But the true test was my husband. He's not a picky man with too many foods, but there are some things that have to be just right or he's not going to be a lover. Potato salad is one of those things. And he loved it! Woo-hoo! I was excited. It's the little things in life that keep me going! Here is the recipe card:

Well, I am off to do a few chores with the munchkins and hope to be back to make some blogging rounds later this afternoon! Enjoy your day!

January 2011

2011-02-01T10:12:00.001-07:00

Can you believe January is in the books already? I can't! And we've got Super Bowl Sunday coming up. Should be a good week (as long as the Steelers lose, haha!). I have my January scrapbook page to share today. And thanks to everyone for their input on the title. I decided to go with the single 2011 memories instead of the full row. Keeping it simple!

Stay warm! And I hope to be back someday with some more recipes.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-01-08T17:51:00.004-07:00

ya gotta have more, you can bake 'em in the oven or buy 'em at the store! That song always gets stuck in my head when I think about chocolate chip cookies. Anyway, I know everyone has a favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies, or they have tried a billion recipes for them and don't want just one more chocolate chip cookie recipe, or chocolate is a migraine trigger for you. But I'm here to tell you.....these cookies are DEliCiOuS!!! I love them. One of my running friends brought them to me the day I found out my grade on a history mid-term last semester. Well, I wasn't in a happy place and ate waaaaay too many of these. But they are so good. And I found out something fun. I have made lots of friends through blog-land, but I realize that most of them I will never see or even talk to in person. Well I found out that one of my real life friends recently started a crafting blog! I was so happy to hear that!!! She is talented and crafty, and can sew (and, yes, I am jealous!) and she is doing a fun feature on her blog this year called Fantastic Friday. Well, I know most of us look forward to Friday, and this is just another fun thing to look forward to on that day. And, yes, I realize it is Saturday, but she still has the link up and running, so I'm posting for all you chocolate lovers out there.

All supplies: Designer Digitals

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-02T20:29:00.000-07:00

Hello again, friends! Can you believe it is already 2011? I have seen several blogs lately that highlighted some of their favorite cards/projects from the year. I think that's an awesome idea! Too bad I fell off the blogging wagon a bit last year. haha! Oh, well. I did keep one thing going. At the beginning of last year I had in mind to do a Project 365/Photo of the Day. Basically you take a picture each day documenting life and at the end of the year you have a really cool album of the past year. Well, I didn't totally keep up with my project as far as getting the pictures on layouts. But I did keep taking pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. And early on in the year, I was doing a weekly layout. But I decided to shift to a monthly layout. So today I can share with you October, November and December.

I found a great template on Designer Digitals that I modified to fit my needs. Now, perhaps you noticed, but this template has room for only 28 photos. I generally do take a picture almost every single day, but I have missed a day or two. This layout gives me a little wiggle room. If I miss a day, no big deal. Or if I have a day that I want to include several pictures from, I do that. Now, for a little help from my crafting friends. The titles are not the same on all of them. November has "2010 memories" all across the page while October and November do not. I could not decide which way I liked better. I had the people in my house vote, and it was a split decision among the 4 of us. So I am just hoping for a little input from you. I always like to know other crafters' opinions on stuff like this.

And while I won't be making any New Year's resolutions like "post to my blog every day," I do hope to share a few more projects this year than last. Have a great one!

The countdown begins

2010-12-07T21:12:00.001-07:00

I have started my countdown.....finals will be over next week and I can say good-bye to one of the longest semesters of my life. Yes, school took up most of my time these past few months and I have really missed blogging and crafting. I had two incredibly boring (although informative) classes, and I am ready to be finished with both of them. Although that doesn't mean I'm ready for my finals.

I have a quick and easy and sugary recipe to share with you today. And since I haven't blogged in forever, I think I'm going to be trying to fit 3 billion words on one post, so settle in! LOL! I had these tasty treats at my sister-in-law's 4 years ago. They were SO good! I'm guessing she gave me the recipe and I lost it somewhere and never made them. Well, yesterday I was craving some sugary goodness and I called her to get the recipe. Her baby is teething and was not too happy, screaming in the background. I told her it wasn't a big deal and I could call when it was better for her, but she said to give her 30 seconds, she knew exactly what recipe I was talking about. So she gave me some of the ingredients and I got ready to make these. Here is the recipe (and the 3 billions words continue below):

Okay, so if I remember correctly, she actually called these "Welfare Cookies." But, I can't come back after months of non-posting and give you a recipe with that title. So I just made up my own name for them. I got new digi supplies I was ready to use, and so I went with a Christmas-y theme. So I made a batch and they really do go together quickly. My husband got home and I thought, "well, he is either going to love these, or wonder why I wasted a cup of chocolate chips!" It turns out he loved them. And so did my son and my daughter. They were in sugar heaven with me! And then my brother called. I asked him to please tell his wife thanks for the recipe and that we all loved it. So he asked what I made and I said, "Those cookies you make with saltine crackers." Silence on the other end of the phone. "What are you talking about?" So I started describing them to him. He was laughing so hard. Apparently, they are supposed to be made with graham crackers, not saltine crackers. LOL! I told my husband and he said not to change a thing because he loved them just the way they were. So, I will stick with the plan. And if you really want to know how else I changed things up, I'll let you know. Apparently her recipe didn't call for chocolate chips, either, but it did call for coconut. Well, I didn't have coconut, but did have chocolate chips. So I used what I had. Her recipe also called for 3/4 cup of both butter and brown sugar. Well, I cut both of those back and thought it was still plenty gooey and yummy and sugary. And since my husband loved it how it was, that is how the recipe got typed up.

And now, I am off to study more and more and more and more. And then in about a week, I hope to be back on here, and especially catching up with all your lovely blogs I have missed out on for all these months!

Going for a bike ride

2010-09-13T20:50:00.000-06:00

Well, I hope you've all had a wonderful week! It's starting to feel like fall here. When the kiddos have been getting on the bus in the morning it's been 55 degrees....perfect weather for running! Saturday was too cold, though. My son's football team had an 8 a.m. game, which meant 7 a.m. practice. It was 36 degrees!!! Hot chocolate weather, only I didn't pack any hot chocolate. Anyway, on to my page. This is from the day my kiddos finally mastered the art of bike riding. Yes, I kind of feel like a bad mom admitting that I had a 9 and 6 year old that didn't know how to ride their bikes. But, they didn't, that's life, and now they do. So it's all good! And they are super happy!!! I finally FINALLY used an element on this page that I've been meaning to for ages. Bingo cards seem to be making the rounds in the crafting world, and I've seen them on lots of cards and every time I do, it reminds me that I have these digi ones I've been waiting and waiting to use. Well, this project just called out to me to finally use one. And I'm so glad I did, I love the fun look it adds to the page.
Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals, Basic Grey

Surprise!

2010-09-04T12:21:00.000-06:00

I'm back! Wow, I feel like I've been gone a loooong time! I guess I ended up taking almost the entire summer off from blogging. I hadn't planned things that way, but that's how it worked out. At the start of the summer, I did have 2 goals. 1) To spend as much time with my little munchkins as possible before both of them were in school full time. 2) To try to get a good fitness routine going. To be honest, I am perfectly happy spending hours and hours on my computer: scrapping, blog-hopping, just surfing around. But that also seems to keep me spending hours and hours sitting on my butt, and too tired at the end of the day to exercise. So, anyway. I got moving, and spent lots of time with the munchkins. And it was great!!! But, I did miss my time blogging and blog-hopping. Now that these two:

are back in school, I'm planning (hoping) to get back in the swing of blogging. It might not ever be as regular as it was in the past, but I don't think I'll be missing 2 months. ha! No promises, though. I'm taking day classes at BYU for the first time in 10 years, and I'll admit I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. The past few years of classes, I've taken night classes. Campus is always less busy at night, and there isn't quite so much going on to overstimulate my poor brain. Anyway.

I have worked on some projects over the summer. Not a ton, but I'll be sharing them over the next little while. And you have to know that I'm itching to work with paper and glue again, too! What a perfect time for Leigh Ann to have several new releases of her Perfect Presentation templates: a Tall Gable Box and a Mini Cake Stand. Now, I've seen these templates and they are fabulous. I haven't worked with them yet, but I've got a long weekend ahead of me, so I'm hoping like crazy to fit some crafting time in.

Digital Basic Grey

2010-06-16T16:21:00.000-06:00

Well, by now you all probably know I love doing my scrapbooking digitally. Well, Basic Grey now has digital papers, making life for a digiscrapper even funner! This layout today came about because of two different challenges. One, this sketch posted on the Inspired Crafters blog. Chris was in charge of our April challenges, and while I fully intended to participate in each one, April went by too fast! LOL! The second challenge it is for is an "All About Me" challenge from Designer Digitals. The All About Me challenges are issued every other week. You can follow that challenge, and the idea is that at the end of the year you'll have some fun layouts about yourself. I love it. I know as a scrapper I'm always documenting my kids and their activities. This is a fun way to leave behind something about me, too! The current challenge is about your best friend.

My husband is definitely my best friend. I'm so lucky to have him. I found this old picture and it brought back so many memories, I had to use it for my best friend layout! That's all for today.

Digital Supplies:
Basic Grey
Designer Digitals

Mr. V

2010-06-11T17:07:00.001-06:00

.
Well, I found myself in need of a sympathy card this week. I was really sad to see my friend notifying people that her father-in-law had passed away. I grew up in a tiny little town, and her father-in-law was a teacher there in the middle school. I was super shy when I was younger, and I was petrified to have him for a teacher. He was known to be pretty strict, a no-nonsense kind of guy. He taught art and science. Kind of a funny mix, now that I think about it. Anyway, he ended up being one of my favorite teachers. He really wanted his students to excel. I believe he'd have been happy to have every student learn more about every subject than he himself knew. He loved kids to explore and learn everything that they could. And I loved that about his classes. My friend posted how hard it was going to be to tell her kiddos when they woke up that grandpa wasn't going to be around anymore. Well, I was really sad and didn't feel like making a card at all. My blogging friend Chris had made a beautiful card for her friend, and I just decided to take the easy route and case her gorgeous card. Enjoy your Friday, go hug all your loved ones!

Day at the Zoo

2010-06-08T08:26:00.000-06:00

Good morning!!! We're adjusting to our summer schedule. The alarm has been off for two weeks now (minus the day my son had a scout hike), the smell of sunscreen is a constant, and hot dogs are once again a main food group. I've been doing some crafting here and there, but mainly just enjoying summer at home with my kiddos. Today I do have a scrapbook page to share. I finished it a while back, but I'm pretty sure I never posted it here.

When my son was little, he was so scared of this gorilla at the zoo. We didn't go a lot, but every time that we did, we'd try to get him to sit on the gorilla's lap and he never would. Finally this day he did. I thought it made the cutest little picture!

Enjoy your summer days, and I don't think I'll be going two weeks without posting again ;)

All Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals

It's Official

2010-05-24T12:35:00.004-06:00

Well, it's official! My daughter had her kindergarten assessment this morning, but it's over with and we are home. So now I can say her summer has officially started. Now if the weatherman would get the memo, and quit sending us rain, and even little patches of snow, I'd be a lot happier! Today's project is what we made to give to her ballet teacher on her last day of dance class last week.

I always consider it a successful project if I get to combine pink, kraft, and a favorite template of mine! I have to show the inside, too. We piled some mini chocolate candy bars in, and added an iTunes gift card (not pictured, we picked it up on the way to ballet!). I love the size of this carton. I think it's perfect for getting just the right amount of chocolate in there!

Perfect Presentation Template: Cute Carton

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style

Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate

CS: PTI Rustic Cream, Kraft
DP: Unknown, but I love it ;)
Accessories: PTI Sweet Blush Saddle Stitched Ribbon

The case of the missing reinkers

2010-05-18T09:03:00.000-06:00

There are times it does not pay to overthink. Most times it does not pay to overthink. I had the perfect little spot for the only two reinkers I own. Dark Chocolate and Ripe Avocado. They were tucked in a little box in my ribbon drawer. And everything was fine. But the overthinking side of me said, "What if they tip over and leak out and get all over my ribbon?" So I moved them. And I don't know where they are now. I can't find them anywhere. Which wouldn't matter at all, except that it's the last week of kindergarten, and I need my dark chocolate reinker. Here is the card I need it for:

This is the card I made for the teacher's aide in my daughter's class. She is awesome! She works at the kindergarten in the morning, and then goes to school in the afternoons/evenings. She is hoping to become a teacher. She is so great with the kids and would make an awesome teacher. So I really hope she pursues her dream. I love this quote, and would put it on every other card I made, if it would make any sense to do that. But since it doesn't, I definitely like to use it on occasions when it makes perfect sense. As you can see, though, the sentiment needs a little more oomph to it. That's where the reinker would come in handy. I have a few days still to try and find it. But if I don't, this will the be the card she gets (oomphless sentiment and all).
Stamps: SU Summer by the Sea, Heidi Grace
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Ranger Coffee, Copics, Prismacolors, Colorbox Royal Blue and Cocoa
CS: PTI White
Accessories: PTI Dark Chocolate Satin Ribbon

2 weeks' notice

2010-05-07T08:37:00.000-06:00

With all the crazy weather we've been having this year, it has hardly felt like spring, and now it's almost summer. We have 2 weeks of school left for my kindergartener, 3 for my 3rd grader, and I'm excited! We had a baseball game last night that I had to wear a winter coat, hat, and gloves to. It was SO cold. This tree in our neighbor's field blew down a few weeks ago when we had a crazy wind storm.

And now for a card. I love it when I'm looking out in blogland and see a card or two that sparks my creativity. Or when I see a card that is so awesome, I just want to hurry and case it. I saw this fabulous card on Susan's Simplicity blog back before Easter, and I loved it. It's been in my head ever since then. Then I saw this card on a different Susan's blog (Mad Sky Designs). Well, I decided to use the layout from the first card and the colors on the second, and this is what I came up with:

A super quick and easy card, with colors that I just love. Enjoy your Friday!

Stamps: PTI Communique Curves Sentiments
Ink: PTI True Black
CS: PTI Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise, White, SU Rose Red
Accessories: Martha Stewart Classic Butterfly Punch, Rhinestones

That's what I get

2010-05-03T07:00:00.001-06:00

I guess I shouldn't have joked around last week about my "weekly post." Because it happened again! And yes, I was supposed to be back later in the week with a real paper project. But ballet and hives interfered with my scheduling. I do have a baby card to share, though, that involves paper and stamping! So I can leave my blog name as it is! LOL!

I used the Fall-to Layout #86 from the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog. I needed a baby card to take to a new mom at church, who had her baby a month early. I loved the layout, and decided it was perfect for a baby card. I got a little impatient cutting out all the circles, and ended up using buttons for the smaller circles. That's all for today; no promises this time on when I'll be back. I've been working on several sketches from the Inspired Crafters blog, so I'm hoping to finish them up and have more to share. Enjoy your week (in case I don't make it back...lol!)

Stamps: PTI Signature Greetings, TAC Hello Baby
Ink: PTI True Black, Copics, Prismacolors
CS: PTI Kraft, Spring Rain, Ripe Avocado, Lemon Tart, White
Accessories: Circle Nesties, PTI Buttons

Inspired and Intimidated

2010-04-26T08:55:00.002-06:00

Well, I'm here with my weekly post! lol! I don't know how the weeks keep getting away from me. Today I have a scrapbook page to share using a sketch posted on Inspired Crafters. So, the reason my post is titled inspired and intimidated....well, you all left such sweet comments on my last scrapbook page. And I loved reading all of them. But then I finish a page like this where I feel like something's not quite right, and I get intimidated to post. Silly, I know. But that's just me. But I have been working on this page since my daughter's kindergarten program last week, and just decided it was time to call it finished!

Enjoy your Monday! My kiddos have started the official countdown until school's out. And don't worry, I will be back later in the week with some real paper projects. It's Teacher Appreciation week, and I can't just make them a digital scrapbook page. Although it's tempting!

Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals

Breadsticks

2010-04-19T12:35:00.002-06:00

Today I've got a recipe for breadsticks for you. Just a basic simple recipe. I use these for breadsticks, cinnamon sticks, or for pizza crust. Now, I've had the same oven for 6 years. And in my oven these cook perfectly at 450. Several of my friends who have used my recipe say that they get too hard or burn at 450 cooking them the time recommended. All I can say, is they work in my oven.

Celebrating 6

2010-04-13T08:44:00.006-06:00

My goal this week, now that the kids are back in school, is to get at least 2 scrapbook pages done. And their laundry. LOL! You can see where my priorities are! I got this page done a while back, and realized I hadn't posted it. One thing about my scrapbooks, is that even if I scrap out of order (which I obviously do), I like the finished layouts to go in albums in chronological order. I spend so much time consumed with it, that I want to rearrange everything and put every page is its proper place. Which I'm trying to let go of. I have so many quirky things about scrapping that can keep me from getting done what I want to. So I'm just trying to scrap away and enjoy the process. And quit worrying about what page should go where. The stories are being told and that's what I really care about. Is there anything that is a road block for you when it comes to scrapping? I love to know what others think. Now, I'm off to do a load of laundry so I can sit down later and scrap. I've fallen behind on the Inspired Crafters challenges, and there are some great ones I am itching to get going on.

All supplies: Designer Digitals

Heavenly Oatmeal Cookies

2010-04-07T11:07:00.003-06:00

Well, we are on spring break here. And Monday and Tuesday brought snow. Monday it was such wet snow, the power was out for a few hours. My husband and I had been watching one of our shows, the kiddos were in bed, and it was pitch black. I didn't sleep very well. I'll just admit I'm afraid of the dark! Today it's finally sunny, but not warm. It's been a strange spring break for sure! I have a recipe card today to share. I love these cookies!

The original recipe called for raisins instead of chocolate chips. Every once in a while I make these with raisins, but usually I go for the chocolate! Enjoy your Wednesday. We're off to play with cousins and then I'm hoping for some craft time later today.

Happy Easter

2010-04-02T08:49:00.005-06:00

I am so excited for Spring and for Easter. Yesterday we woke up to several inches of snow, and it kind of put a damper on my excitement about spring. But today, it is sunny again, and I am hopeful! Today I am sharing the little treats I made for my kiddos' teachers and bus drivers. Laurie had two different Easter projects that I loved, and kind of incorporated both of them. The first she used her glassine bags, and just embossed them to give them a little something extra. I've seen her do this before, and I always mean to remember to try it, but until now never got around to doing it. The second she added cute little eggs to make some fun packaging.

So, for my project I used my new egg die from PTI, and embossed my glassine bags. Overall, a quick and easy project. Other than getting the paper out of the egg die! LOL! I've had coversations with people, and read on forums about how hard it was to get the paper out of the die. Well, my first 12 or 13, they popped right out. I was starting to think all the people must be doing something wrong! Then, I hit a brick wall, and the paper stopped coming out of the die. I still love that cute little egg shape, and it's a fantastic way to use up scraps. But, a bit frustrating at the same time. Enjoy your day!

Top Notch Template

2010-03-30T08:35:00.007-06:00

It is storming like crazy here this morning, and I'm hoping the power doesn't go out before this post is up and running. I have a project I'm really excited to show today. When Leigh Ann first emailed the new template to me, I was in the midst of the creative blahs and hadn't a clue what I was going to do with it! But yesterday, when I got home from mailing out my swaps, I started cleaning off my desk. I don't know how it got messy when I hadn't created a thing for weeks, but it was. And as I was putting things back where they belong I found a stamp set I got ages ago, and the light went on and I knew what I'd be making with this template! I'm so excited to show you!

I love that little girl splashing in the puddle. I think it's such a fun image for spring! And the template, called Top Notch, is another one that stays shut all by itself. But I had to add a little ribbon for fun! I love satin ribbon, and I've heard people say about it not holding its shape very well. I never believed them, until I tied a bow with the saddlestitch ribbon, and now I know what they are talking about! But, satin it is for this project, since that's what I have in Spring Moss. And why did I add the ribbon, besides for fun?

Wait for it! Wait for it!

To add the cute little sentiment, "You're my rainy day friend." I am hoping my daughter will want this for one of her sweet little friends whose birthday is coming up in April. Sometimes she doesn't want one of my creations, so if she doesn't, it can stay on my desk, or I'll give it to one of my rainy day friends ;)

If you want to see some gorgeous eye candy, check out what the rest of the Perfect Presentation team came up with using this template. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

Leigh Ann
Chris
Alyssa
Harriet
Kerri

Top Notch Template ( you can follow this link to the pdf, svg or gsd files!)
Stamps: Paper Pretties
Ink: Ranger Coffee, copics, prismacolors
CS: PTI White, Berry Sorbet
DP: PTI Polka Dot Parade
Accessories: Spring Moss Satin Ribbon, Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio

Swapping Time

2010-03-29T08:08:00.003-06:00

This is the card I made for a swap on SCS. I've done PTI swaps with this group of gals, and it's so much fun. Well, this time, in addition to the regular PTI swap, I joined a "Man Cards swap" that Jen was hostessing. Both of these swaps are due in the next 2 weeks, so this was not a great time for my creativity to go MIA. I finally was able to pull together a layout and design that I love, and hope the other "Man Cards" swappers will as well. I'm off to the post office to get these in the mail, then home to spend some computer time catching up on what I've missed this last week. Hope your Monday is shaping up to be a good one!

Stamps: SU Loads of Love
Ink: Ranger Coffee, Copics, Prismacolors
CS: PTI Lemon Tart, Spring Rain, White
Accessories: PTI New Leaf Twill Ribbon, SU Scallop Trim Punch

A tutorial

2010-03-20T10:12:00.004-06:00

Good morning! Well, my kiddos have missed the whole week of school, and even with Mucinex, humidifiers, and tons of fluid in them, they still have those awful congested coughs. But, on a happy note, I have an awesome tutorial I want to share with you.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial from Cathy Zielske on Vimeo.

I found this link the other day through another blog I was visiting, and I was thrilled. I've been at this a while now, and still learned some new things from the clip. To see more of her videos, just clink on her name above and it will take you to more. I hope you enjoy the tutorial, and enjoy your Saturday!

Child of God

2010-03-17T11:50:00.003-06:00

Today, I'm sharing a card that I did make while I was in my non-creative funk over the last little while. I am pretty happy with how this turned out, but it look me all day to make. Literally all day. I started in the morning and wasn't done until 5:45 when we were taking dinner to a lady from church who just had a baby, and I needed this card done by then. When I worked on this one little card for almost 8 hours, I just decided my creativity was on vacation and I'd have to wait for it to come back.

I loved when this set was released from Papertrey Ink. I waited forever to get it, but I'm so glad I finally did. It's so wonderful. I really wanted to use some soft colors on this, and I'm happy with the overall look. I decided I need to get more saddle-stitch ribbon; I love how it holds it shape for bows!

Well, I'm off for now. I have to finish my game of Phase 10 with my son, so I can make him take a nap!

Supplies
Stamps: PTI Heavenly Medley, Background Basics: Text Style
Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow, Spring Rain, Copics: Y11, BG11, V12, B21, Versamark
CS: PTI Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, Plum Pudding, Spring Moss, Spring Rain, White
Accessories: PTI Spring Rain Saddle-stitch Ribbon

Chasing the blah away

2010-03-16T11:17:00.004-06:00

Well, I've just felt blah the last week. I haven't felt creative at all, I haven't felt like reading, I haven't worked on a single scrapbook page; I've just felt blah! Last night I decided it was time to make a card no matter what. And still I couldn't get any creativity flowing. So I just started looking at old cards I've favorited from other people's blogs. So be prepared to see one of your cards "remixed" and appearing on my blog in the next little while. Up first is a yellow butterfly creation.

My inspiration for this came from Michelle's post here. I loved the stitching she added at the top, and the border punch on the bottom. But you all know by now, I don't sew! And I couldn't add any brown to the bottom of mine without it suddenly turning dark and dreary. So I "made it my own!"

What do you all do when the creativity isn't happening? Any tips would be appreciated!

Supplies
Stamps: PTI Signature Greetings
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate
CS: PTI Kraft, Lemon Tart, Vintage Cream, Clear sheet from PTI Stamps
Accessories: Perfectly Paisley Embossing Folder, Spots and Dots Embossing Folder, SU Bigz Beautiful Butterflies, PTI Vintage Cream Satin Ribbon, PTI Dark Chocolate Button

Chicken Chow Mein

2010-03-08T09:57:00.003-07:00

Well, I promise to be back someday with a card or a scrapbook page. I'm just on a roll getting my recipe cards done, and haven't been able to take a break from it! Today's recipe to share is Chicken Chow Mein.

My husband loves this recipe, it's one of his favorites. I started by using this Chow Mein Recipe from Recipezaar. Some of the ingredients that recipe called for, I didn't buy since I didn't know if I'd like it and ever want to make it again, so I made do with substitutions that I thought would work. The recipe card is my version of the original, with some tweaking. Also, the first time that I tried it, I did have the fresh Chinese noodles originally called for in the recipe. And they were good. But my husband liked it so much he wanted me to make it again right away. Well, we hadn't been to the store, and I'd used all the noodles on the first batch. We ended up just using thin spaghetti noodles instead, and that's what we usually use now.

Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals

Cream Soup Mix

2010-03-06T09:29:00.005-07:00

Well, I was hoping for a super productive scrapping afternoon yesterday. But that didn't really happen. So instead I have another quick recipe card to share. I make lots of casseroles, and so many of them call for cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup. I used to stock up on these cream soups when there were good sales. Then I found this recipe one day while browsing on Recipezaar (my favorite online recipe sight). It's condensed cream of _____ soup mix. And I love it! I mix up a batch and keep it in a rubbermaid bowl, and use it often. It doesn't get as thick as the canned stuff, but the flavor is phenomenal. And there isn't all the added fat or chemicals from the canned stuff. So this or the homemade mushroom soup are my preferred soups now.

Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals

Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy

2010-03-05T10:47:00.002-07:00

That is the first "real song" (if you can call it that) my husband ever heard my son singing. We were grocery shopping, and my little boy was singing "fruit salad, yummy, yummy!" My husband, not being the stay-at-home-Wiggle-watching parent like me, was wondering what the heck he was singing. Anyway, that was a long time ago! But it really does relate to my post today!

Here is one of my all-time favorite fruit salad recipes. It's my grandma's and it is oh, so good! She used to make it a lot. I think it's funny how food can bring back so many memories! I wrote the recipe exactly as I have it copied from my mom, but I often make changes. I left it the same, so no one in my family can complain that it's not really grandma's recipe ;)
First off, I just don't like the canned fruit cocktail. The grapes in there are really gross to me, so I skip that ingredient, and add some better fruit instead. Also, I don't often have buttermilk. To remedy this, you can add one Tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of milk, and have a similar taste. Or, if I don't do that, I just use regular milk and French Vanilla pudding. My husband is not a huge coconut fan, so I very rarely add that. It doesn't need the coconut at all. If you leave it out, it's still delicious! And, my last tip, is my most important one. Use Dole pineapple! I will buy generic or store brands of many things, but pineapple is not one of them. Dole pineapple is 20 times better than any other I've ever had. Worth every extra penny! Enjoy your Friday, I'm off to make some Chicken Chow Mein for dinner. Yep, starting early so I'll be done and can scrap the day away.

Take out, anyone?

2010-02-28T07:57:00.005-07:00

I am in heaven. I love it when I have a reason to get so excited about paper. Today I have a couple of boxes to show you making one of the newest Perfect Presentation templates: Gift To Go. When I saw this template, I was so excited. Months ago, before joining the Perfect Presentation team, I tried (miserably) to duplicate a take-out box after my husband brought home Chinese food. The great thing about this template, is that it gives the fun look of a take-out box, without a zillion score lines and complicated folds. And, it only takes 2 sheets of cardstock!

First off, I wanted to cut out some flowers to add some cheer to a little Gift To Go box I'm going to give a friend for her birthday. I wanted something cheerful and colorful. These flowers fit the bill for me perfectly.

And next, I had to combine 2 of my favorite sets. PTI's Background Basics: Text Style with Stampin Up's Artfully Asian.

I also included a picture to show the roominess inside the box. There is also a snack size Snickers in there (that you can't see), as well as several Werther's originals. And a little stuffing in the bottom. So, you can leave out the stuffing, too, to pack more yummy goodness inside. I was thinking of all the possibilities for little girls, too. I know my daughter has a friend with a birthday coming up, and I was thinking of fingernail polish and some lip gloss tucked inside, in addition to chocolate!

There is a second template being released today, but I got so excited about making this one, that I don't have a project to share with you using the second one. Some of the other design team ladies do, though, so be sure to check out their blogs.

Leigh Ann Baird
Alyssa Scritchfield
Harriet Hensley
Kerri Michaud
Chris Olsen

That's all for now. I'm scrambling to be on time to church, now! LOL! Have a great Sunday!

Perfect Presentation Template: Gift To Go
CS: PTI Rustic White, White, Summer Sunrise, Plum Pudding, Spring Moss
Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style, Friends 'Til The End, SU Artfully Asian
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink Antique Linen, PTI Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus Burst, Copics, Versamark
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Glitter Glue, Dark Chocolate Buttons

Inspired Crafters Sketch #7

2010-02-27T09:22:00.004-07:00

Today I have a layout that I'm really excited about. It uses a sketch that was posted on the Inspired Crafters blog. I am having so much fun being back in the rhythm of scrapbooking. These pictures are back from when my daughter was just a little baby. I loved the pictures at the time, and always thought they would make for a really fun scrapbook page. As soon as I saw the layout on Inspired Crafters, I knew it would be perfect for scrapping these pictures. In addition to the sketch, Banu challenged us to use ribbon on our layout as well. I used a yarn swirl instead, but I'm counting that!

Thanks for looking, and have a sunny Saturday! We've got a full day of activities ahead of us, and I'm excited to get out of the house.

Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals

Chicken Enchiladas

2010-02-23T12:10:00.005-07:00

Now that I'm current with my kids' mini-albums, I've decided to tackle another big project: getting my recipe cards worked on. I've been doing a 6x6 format, and that was working okay. I can place them in little albums, and it's worked out pretty well. But I like to pull my recipes out and stick them on the fridge while I'm cooking. I just like to see the recipe right there. But I don't like taking the page protector out. I just want the one recipe I'm working on right there. When my parents were here, my dad bought me a laminator
(thanks, Dad!). He said he knew I'd find a use for it! And then it hit me, that I could laminate my recipes, and pull each individual one out when I'm cooking them, stick them on the fridge, and not worry about milk splashing on them, or buttery fingers touching them. I am planning on doing them in a 5x7 format now, but still doing the 6x6 ones, too. That way I can still stash them in the 6x6 album if I feel like it. So, today I'm sharing my Chicken Enchilada recipe. Yes, I've shared this recipe before, from a recipe swap I was in. But I had a friend request it, and so I made a new recipe card I could share with her. Also, I'm posting both the sizes, because I don't know if anyone ever actually prints these out, or not. I know I've saved lot of recipes I found on other blogs, but I don't usually reprint them. But if someone wants to, then they could have their choice of sizes to use!

All Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals

Mini Albums

2010-02-19T09:31:00.008-07:00

So, in spite of the germies my kiddos had last week, I finally got their mini-albums done for them. A few years ago, when my son was going to kindergarten, I decided to do these mini-albums for my kids. I kept them super duper simple. One or two pictures a page, with some journaling from me to them, and that was it. At the time I came up with the idea, I hadn't been doing any real scrapbooking for a long time. Pretty much since my son was born. And it was overwhelming to think about catching up on 6 years worth of pictures. So that's when I decided on the format for these books. The best part is that the kids absolutely love them. I find them reading their little books all the time.

Well, fast forward to now, and the original mini-albums are the only ones I did for them. Once again I felt overwhelmed, because I missed a few years. I decided to start the process again. This time instead of doing them as a calendar year (January to December), I'm doing the school year (August to July). Now that I am current, I may try to go back and catch up, but we'll see how that goes. I just thought I'd show you the format in case anyone is interested.

I am doing them digitally (I'm sure that is not a surprise!). It is so great, because I got the format all set up and saved. Then when I pick out a picture, I just slide the picture in, change the date and my journaling, and I'm done. I'm so excited to be current for this year. The kids love their little books, and I love knowing that when their time at my house is done, they can just grab these little books to take with them, and hopefully have some great memories.

ETA: The page sizes are 6" x 6". Most places that print digital prints will print in this size, or you could of course print them at home. I had mine sent out to a printer.

Don't plan on it

2010-02-12T12:32:00.008-07:00

Well, have you ever had one of those weeks that just didn't go as planned? That was my week this week. My parents were coming to visit, and I asked my mom how her card stash was. She told me it was pretty depleted, so I figured I would just make cards all week to build her stash back up. Well, I've gotten 2 cards made. Not quite the stash I was hoping to build up for her.

Anyway. I finally got my kids' teachers presents made. That's the good news. The bad news is that they are both sick and missing their parties today. My daughter yesterday got an ear infection that had her in amazing amounts of pain. We took her to the doctor and got started on the antibiotics last night, so I figured if she wasn't in pain she could go today. But then my son in the middle of the night had his eyes sealed shut from pink eye. And when my daughter woke up, her eyes weren't sealed shut, but they were oozing, too. So that meant a trip to the doctor this morning for my son. And no school parties!

Here are the boxes the teachers will get after the long weekend:

I used the "Squared" Perfect Presentation template for these boxes. This particular size just takes one sheet of cardstock, and they go together really quickly. I originally planned to do some layers and cut out hearts, but then I went a totally different route. I decided to emboss polka dots and wrap with the ribbon to make them look like little presents! I did my son's in red and my daughter's in pink. I loved the end look. So fun! And easy. And that's what I needed this week! And I have a little tip for you on the Perfect Presentation templates. Many of the templates are also available now in the SVG format. So, if you have a cricut with the SCAL software, you can buy the SVG format, and the cricut will do all the cutting for you.

I'm off to tend to little sick kiddos, and then later today, be back to check on all your blogs that I've missed out on this past week.

Perfect Presentation Template: Squared
Stamps: Unity Distressed Dots
Ink: Versamark
CS: PTI Pure Poppy
Accessories: White Embossing Powder

Painting by Numbers

2010-02-07T23:06:00.005-07:00

I have been super busy over the last few days, trying to get ready to take advantage of some sales. I have a lot of scrapbook pages ready to be printed and was going back over them checking for typos before I send them to be printed. Which meant no card-making time! But I sent a bundle of pages off tonight, and so that meant as soon as I saw the latest PTI challenge posted, I could play along. Papertrey will be releasing acrylic paint soon (which would have come in very handy for me back before I switched to digital for my scrapbooking). So the challenge is a "paint by number" challenge. You have to pick a color palette depending on what your screen name is on their forum (mine is rj77, so fun and exciting!). So here is my color palette:
And here is the card I made, which also follows the sketch:

I love the flowers from the Life set, and the minute I saw the sketch and the colors, I knew I had to use them. After I got them stamped and the paper glued down, I noticed that I could have added another little bundle of the flowers down in the right hand corner. But I wasn't going to risk messing the whole card up to add that little detail. If I make another one, I'll stamp some more flowers there in the corner.

Well, now I have stayed up way too late, and will certainly pay for it tomorrow. But it was fun to be stamping again after a bit of a break.

And I get that the ribbon is covering the flowers. Sometimes that would totally drive me insane. But I just liked the way it looked this time, and went with the flow. Kind of more like I was covering patterned paper than a stamped image!

Stamps: Life, Signature Greetings
Ink: Scarlet Jewel, Smokey Shadow
CS: Kraft, Sweet Blush, Smokey Shadow, Vintage Cream
Accessories: Vintage Cream Twill, SU Scallop Trim Punch

Champs

2010-02-03T12:41:00.005-07:00

I'm back! I don't know where the weeks are going to. I am back today with a scrapbook page that is for the Inspired Crafters sketch challenge from the 23rd of January. You can find the sketch here.

And there is my layout. I haven't done a 2-page layout in a long time, and it was tricky for me to do. I guess I'm a little rusty. The layout overall is somehow off to me. I don't know if it's just so busy and I've been leaving more white space. Maybe that's what's throwing me. But my son liked it, and since it's about his event, I guess we're good. I was having some computer issues (yes, again) that had me off the net more than usual, so I'll be looking forward to catching up on other blogs, too.

All Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals

Saturday Sketch

2010-01-30T08:47:00.005-07:00

Good morning! Today is my first day hosting a challenge over at Inspired Crafters. It's a sketch challenge, and I hope that you might want to play along with us. I've had fun doing the weekly scrapbook challenges, and working more on my scrapbooks. Here is the layout I did for this week's challenge:

I've had several people ask me questions about digital scrapbooking, and I decided to type a little more info today on what I find so appealing about doing my scrapping digitally. I am a crafter who always wants to change things. I can't just get something on paper and be happy with it. I always wish I could move it a little to the left. Or that the picture was a little bit bigger. So, in that regard, digital is perfect for me. I can rearrange elements to my heart's content. Add in, take away, change color. All those things can be done rather effortlessly, and without messing up the whole rest of the layout. Even if it's been a few days, and I go back and see something I'm not loving about a layout, I can change it! Another aspect I LOVE, is that you get so much use out of your supplies. For example, on the layout I'll have posted tomorrow, I used some black chipboard letters. Well, I can use those letters over and over and over without worrying about using all of the i's, e's, and a's, and having a bunch of x's and g's left. Those are my two main reasons. I also have had a few questions about printing my layouts. I do either 8 1/2 x 11 layouts or 12x12. The 8 1/2 x 11 I print at home. This is the size I use for my "picture of the day" layouts. I take a picture each day, and make a weekly layout. I like this size because I can print at home, and have the layout printed each week. Reminding me how fun it is to see a week in pictures. For the larger 12x12, I send them to get printed. I use a sight called Scrapping Simply. Their prices are reasonable, they had super quick service, and the prints looked fantastic. I was very happy with them. I have read about a new place that is opening in February, Persnickety Prints, and once I try them, I will give a review on them as well.

If you are thinking digital might be something you want to try, I'd definitely say go for it. I am so glad I started scrapping this way, and don't care if I never do another paper layout. I'll save my cardstock for cards and 3-D projects! A site I love for their supplies as well as tips, is Designer Digitals. They have fantastic sales on Thursdays, where around 250 of their products are 30% off. On Sunday they have two new products for $.25. I mean, you really can't beat that for value! If you are interested in digital scrapbooking at all, I hope you found some of this information helpful. If I left something out you would like to know, please leave me a comment, and I'd be happy to answer the best that I can.

Happy Friday

2010-01-29T08:13:00.007-07:00

We made it to Friday! woo-hoo! Today is the 100th day of school. It's payday. We're almost done with January. And I've got a project to share using a newly released Perfect Presentation template: Cute Carton. I'd say the day is starting off in a good way!

I laugh everytime I use Kraft now. I always wondered why people were so in love with this cardboard looking paper. And I find myself reaching for it all the time now. I needed to whip up a little something for a thank you to take to someone who's been helping me out with a big PTA project. This fit the bill perfectly. It went together quickly, was very easy to decorate, and holds a nice amount of Hershey nuggets. It could fit cookies, too, but I wasn't doing any baking that day. All paper crafting!

If you'd like to see the rest of the templates that are released today, here is a list of inspiration that can't be beat!

Harriet Hensley is showing "It's a Keeper."
Chris Olsen has another view of "Cute Carton."
Alyssa Scritchfield is showing "Squared" can be fun (no math involved!).
Kerri Michaud is showing off "Hey Cupcake."
Leigh Ann Baird will be showing something using all four!!!

If that doesn't get you going on a Friday morning, I don't know what will! Enjoy your Friday everyone.

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style, Turning a New Leaf
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado
CS: PTI Kraft, Ripe Avocado, Rustic White
Accessories: Sizzix Bigz Beautiful Butterflies, PTI Dark Chocolate Buttons, PTI Cream Ribbon
Perfect Presentation Template: Cute Carton

Double Duty

2010-01-28T13:03:00.006-07:00

Oh, it's a late post today. I thought I'd be all ready to post these projects before going to help at the school today. But I was just moving tooooo slow this morning. Today I have a card and scrapbook page to share, using the same sketch! These both were inspired by last week's sketch at Inspired Crafters. The sketch can be found here.

First up, is my card.

I was browsing online galleries the other day, and saw a card using a similar color palette with this floral stamp. I cut out a shape with my Nesties, and it fit just how I hoped it would. I had a purple square to add on there instead of a second pink square, but it disappeared from my desk. And I didn't feel like cutting another one. So I didn't!

Then I used the inspiration from the sketch to make a scrapbook page as well.

This is another picture from the old metal lunchbox. It is me with my two older brothers on some Christmas long ago. It's the same year for all of us. My mom would always have us take a picture under the tree with all of our stuff. It is kind of a fun memory, and I'm glad I found a picture of each of us from the same year.

Card
Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style, SU Happy Harmony
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Summer Sunrise, Plum Pudding, Ripe Avocado, Versamark
CS: PTI White, Hibiscus Burst, Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avacado

Scrapbook Page
Designer Digitals Products

Blog Hopping with PTI: The Total Package

2010-01-25T16:00:00.004-07:00

Well, it's Blog Hop time at Papertrey Ink. The challenge this month was to create a card with the "total package." Meaning, don't neglect the inside of the card or the envelope (like I always do). So, once again, while this probably isn't too much of a challenge for some people, I was definitely working outside of my comfort zone.

I knew I wanted to make something cheery. I know it's not even February yet, but I'm ready for spring and flowers and cheery colors to flood the scene! So I tried to get some of that onto my card (and envelope) today.

That's all for me today. If you're on the hop, I can't wait to see what you've done as well. If you're just here visiting, hope your day is cheery!

Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til The End
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Versamark
CS: PTI Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus Burst, Plum Pudding, Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise, White
Accessories: Filigree White Embossing Powder, SU Scallop Trim Punch, PTI Dark Chocolate Buttons

Magazine Inspiration

2010-01-19T09:22:00.004-07:00

This week's Saturday Scrapbook challenge at Inspired Crafters is to find inspiration in a magazine advertisement. Well, while my computer was down for repairs, I found a stack of old scrapbooking magazines that had been missing. I ran across this ad here, and got inspired to make a page with lots of squares:

And here is my layout:

Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals

The Metal Lunch Box and Computer Down Time

2010-01-17T17:04:00.005-07:00

Yesterday my computer got an awful virus that had me down for hours. Thank goodness my husband has me up and running again today! One of my goals in scrapbooking this year, is to catch up on OLD pictures. I have tons of pictures from when my kids are little that still need done, too, and I'm working on that as I go. But I'm talking about pictures from when I was a little girl back to even some from when my mom was a little girl. My mom has an old metal lunch box that houses a lot of these old pictures. A few years ago, my dear sweet husband scanned them all in. A good quarter of them were so dark, I teased him for wasting his time scanning them in. I didn't know the joys of photoshop then. Now, I'm still no photoshop expert, so I haven't gotten any of the photos looking like a pro has been working with them. But I've been able to get a lot of them in a condition I can use them on scrapbook pages. For this page I used last week's scrapbook sketch at Inspired Crafters. To see the sketch, you can click here.

One of my favorite things about doing my scrapbooking digitally, is how easy it is to change things around. I did the first layout, had it totally finished, and loved it. But then when I looked at it again (after being away working on a different project), I worried it was too dark and drab. So I changed the main background paper and the color of the flowers. I still like both and my husband prefers the darker one. Since it's for my mom, I guess I will let her have the final say!

Fabulous Day

2010-01-14T08:24:00.005-07:00

Well, it's practically Friday here since there is no school tomorrow. And today I get to share some fun news. Leigh Ann of Stamping With Annie B, asked if I would officially join her Perfect Presentation Design Team, and I was thrilled to accept the offer. You know I love making 3-D projects!!! I have been so pleased working with her templates, and am super excited to show you a project using Bag It Up!

One of my favorite things about templates is how very versatile they can be. For example, this template also comes with the option to create handles on top and/or a peek-through window. Today, I didn't use those features, but I will! My daughter loves to take little treats on the bus to share with her friends. She gets frustrated when I tie a bow, and she can't re-tie it. So I kept this one super simple at the top, and added a little round clip that she can re-fasten when she wants to. So now, she can open it up, take out a few chocolate kisses, and fasten it back up. And I used some of my favorite Basic Grey paper. I don't use patterned paper a ton, but I could use sheet after sheet of this stuff!

Here are the links to the rest of the design team to get more inspiration:

Leigh Ann Baird
Kerri Michaud
Alyssa Scritchfield

And to look at any of the templates already available (and I can't pick a favorite, or I'd tell ya!) visit the Wild Flower Patch shop, where all the Perfect Presentation templates are available!

Stamps: PTI Signature Greetings
Ink: PTI Scarlet Jewel
CS: PTI Scarlet Jewel, Spring Moss
DP: Basic Grey
Template: Perfect Presentation Bag It Up
Accessories: Spiral Clip, Ribbon

You Make Me Smile

2010-01-12T08:59:00.003-07:00

So, I finally got my desk cleaned off. Well, cleaned off enough that my paper cutter can fit entirely on the desk. And my husband got me a new hard drive since my old one was almost jam packed! So it's a good day. Now, if only spring were here. Since it's going to be a while until spring, I made some cards with colors that cheered me up!

I love this set of sentiments, although I kind of feel like I am cheating using a set that contains someone else's handwriting. I found this paper a long time ago at our scrapbook store, and was thrilled with how many PTI colors it goes with. I love it! And it's cheery, and I need a little sunny cheer, even if it's just in the form of a card.

Stamps: PTI Signature Greetings
Ink: PTI Ripe Avocado, Terracotta Tile
CS: PTI White, Summer Sunrise, Terracotta Tile
DP: SEI
Accessoreis: PTI Terracotta Tile Twill Ribbon, Ripe Avocado Satin Ribbon

Snow Dots Christmas

2010-01-09T08:05:00.005-07:00

Yes, you read that right. It's January, and I've got a Christmas card to share. At the Inspired Crafters blog, we are running various challenges all year long. One of the challenges will be Christmas cards to work on throughout the year, so in December we don't have such a mad rush going to get things done! You can see our first card sketch here. Here is what I made with it:

My friend Michelle, a "non-coloring gal," sent me this snowman from the PTI holiday button bits set. As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I'd be using the little snowman (finally)!!! I love how it turned out, and yes, I love all the pink and red. I plan on using the sketch again, this time with the Santa. I had planned to do that last night, but my desk was so messy at the end of this card, I couldn't stand the thought of cleaning it all up to make another one.

Stamps: PTI Holiday Button Bits, Studio G Sentiment
Ink: PTI True Black, Pure Poppy, RV 10, Rv13 copics
CS: PTI White, Hibiscus Burst, Pure Poppy
Accessories: Glitter Glue, Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Snow Dots Cuttlebug Folder, Hibiscus Burst Saddle-stitch ribbon

Perfect Presentation with Pink Polka Dots

2010-01-06T08:02:00.008-07:00

I was feeling a little Dr. Seuss there with my title. Well, after a long Christmas break with no stamping time, yesterday it was time to get back in the groove. After the kiddos were both on the bus, I decided it was time to make something! You probably know by now I love to build stuff out of paper. There is just something really fun about making 3-D projects with paper. Well, the talented Leigh Ann of Stamping With Annie B, has started her own line of templates. It's so exciting to see someone I know from blog-land, venture out on their own and do something they love [and are really good at, too!].

I used her favor box template and, yes, I made it a Pink Polka Dot favor box. I know Valentine's will be here in the blink of an eye, and I figured now is a great time to get started on teacher Valentine's treats. One thing I really like about this favor box, is that the top stays totally closed on its own. Sure you can add ribbon or fun stuff for looks, but you don't have to to keep it shut! It takes only two sheets of cardstock, and went together super fast. Which is always great when you need to make more than one.

Well, I am off for the day. I get to go help at kindergarten, and my poor husband has finally caught whatever I had. I figured since almost a week had passed and he hadn't caught it, he wasn't going to get it. But last night, all that changed! So now 3 of the 4 of us have had it. Keeping my fingers crossed that my son stays in the clear! Enjoy your day.

Stamps: Unity Distressed Dots
Template: Perfect Presentation Favor Box
Ink: PTI Raspberry Fizz, Colorbox Frost White
CS: PTI Rustic White, SU Rose Red

Scrapping and Sketches

2010-01-04T11:19:00.004-07:00

I'm back! And glad to be back. I got sick right after Christmas and was miserable. Over the break I did get a lot of scrapbooking done, so I'll have some pages to share over the next little while. In addition, I want to tell you about a fun blog to check out. Some gals that I swap with on SplitCoastStampers decided to set up a fun blog and have challenges, sketches, etc. Here is the link to Inspired Crafters. One aspect that I was most excited about is that we're including scrapbook challenges. Since I started doing my pages digitally, I'm excited about scrapbooking again! I have so many ideas swirling in my head and can't wait to get a lot of layouts done this year. So, for the first scrapbook challenge. A sketch.

Now some people love sketches. I have to say, though, that sketches are not always my best friend. I have decided that my CAS style of cards, often pertains to scrapping as well. So I don't always want to add everything a sketch calls for. And I have finally decided that that's okay. Use a sketch for a starting point, and leave off (or add to, if that's the case) whatever doesn't suit me. After all, I don't want a bunch of completed layouts that I don't like ;)

This is my son back in 2003. Yes, that's how far behind I am. But I'm having fun looking at old pictures and remembering good times. Enjoy your Monday!

Caramel Popcorn

2009-12-24T13:36:00.007-07:00

Merry Christmas to all of you still out there in blog-land! I realize it's too late in the season to be starting on gifts, but this recipe is so good I had to share. And maybe you won't be doing any last minute gift-giving, but you could still whip up a batch of this for your family to enjoy when you snuggle in to watch Christmas movies tonight. The recipe card is a little different from my usual style, but I had fun making it!

A few tips on the recipe:
1) 6 quarts of popcorn is a lot! I personally don't have a bowl big enough to stir it all in. So I separate it into 2 bowls, so it will stir easier. You want the caramely goodness to cover all the popped corn. My little popper makes about 3 quarts at a time. So I put one batch each in 2 different bowls.
2) Get all the old maids out before adding the caramel.
3) When the caramel mixture is done boiling, get it off the heat while you add the soda. The first batch of mine boiled too long. While the flavor was still good, it ended up hard as a rock. This recipe makes delightfully chewy caramel corn, so don't cook it too long!

All Digital Supplies: Designer Digitals

Little Paper Houses

2009-12-21T12:38:00.010-07:00

Well, are you all ready for this week? I am slowly getting there. The last big project that I actually felt like I had a deadline for, the kids' teacher gifts, is done. I made 4 houses from the Home Made template. I love these little paper houses. There are some really fun, over-the-top, awesome houses I've seen out there. I definitely kept my decorating to a minimum since I was doing four [And don't mind the off-kilter bows. I was trying to tie the bows by myself while my bow-tying helper was at school.] I think these are such a fun way to package a little goody up. I ran into a major road block this morning on the way to finishing these. The 2 main things in the houses were going to be Denise's lotion (scroll down about 8 posts to #1172) and homemade caramels. I had made my caramels in advance, so they would be perfectly set up by today, so I could wrap them up. This morning I could not find my wax paper anywhere!!! And driving to town from where we live takes too long when you're racing with the clock. I switched gears and went with caramel popcorn, and filled the extra space with hot chocolate mix, peppermint candies, butterscotch candies, andtootsie rolls [the open picture was before I found all the extra candy, so the house looks pretty empty]. The little poem, I include with the lotion, just so they will realize it is definitely not an edible goody! I will definitely be making more of these houses next year! And I hope to be back later in the week with my caramel recipe and caramel popcorn recipe.

Winter Wedding Congratulations

2009-12-13T16:58:00.003-07:00

Well, it feels like forever since I sat down to make a card. We were going to my niece's wedding last night and I felt like making a girly wedding card for her. This is what I came up with. I love this big leaf image from Papertrey's Turning A New Leaf. I love that the big leaves can take the stage all by themselves, or share their space with pink flowers, and look terrific either way! The wedding was gorgeous, and my niece and her new husband looked so happy together. I love to see the bride and groom so happy at weddings. It was freezing cold, though. I don't know how people do winter weddings. I was very happy in the heat of June!

Stamps: PTI Turning A New Leaf, SU Botanical Blooms, Congratulations
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Spring Moss, True Black
CS: PTI Rustic White, SU Rose Red
Accessories: Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch, Dew Drops

Corn Flake Cookies

2009-12-09T06:59:00.004-07:00

Well, as you can probably tell from my lack of posting, we've hit the really busy time of year. Today I have a recipe card to share with you. Kara, at Kara's Kitchen Creations, is getting ready for the holidays by having a Christmas cookie recipe swap. I have lots of treats that I love to make and to eat around the holidays. I picked this recipe to share, because these cookies bring back so many memories for me. When we were little kids, we lived in the same town as one Grandma but the other one lived out of state. We would go visit at spring break, Thanksgiving and other times throughout the year. But every Christmas, without fail, we would get a box in the mail from my Grandma, filled with treasures and treats. And my favorite thing ever was her corn flake cookies. Just thinking about getting home from school, and seeing the package that my dad picked up from the post office and slid under the tree, makes me smile.

Milk and "Cookies"

2009-12-01T13:10:00.002-07:00

December first already! Wow, I can't believe it. I love this time of year and seeing the Christmas lights start to glow, listening to the festive music, and spending time with my family. This is a layout using pictures from Christmas 2007. I love these pictures of the kiddos from that Christmas Eve, and have been trying to make a layout for ages (2 years, to be exact). Finally today, I just sat down, continued to ignore my messy desk, and made this layout. I'm really happy with how it turned out. The story is that we were getting ready to make cookies for Santa. Everyone started talking about all the cookies Santa gets on Christmas Eve, and we decided to leave donuts that year, instead of cookies. It is a really fun memory for me.

Cookie Exchange Party

2009-11-30T08:37:00.003-07:00

Maybe it has something to do with the time of year, but it seems like I've read a lot of posts lately about messy desks/craft areas. Mine is worse than it's ever been I think! I wanted to make some little treat boxes for a cookie exchange party I was going to Saturday, but had to keep the stamping extremely minimal, since I was working with a super small area of my desk! My goal has been to clean off my desk for the last week; maybe after laundry and dishes I will finally start on it today.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T08:20:00.003-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I don't have any paper project to share. Just a picture of yummy rolls. My mom is such a wonderful baker, and made rolls not just for Thanksgiving, but pretty much any special occasion. I think I was probably 12 years old before I realized that there was such a thing as store bought rolls. I love to make these rolls now for my family, and they love eating them as much as I did as a kid! The rolls, more than turkey or even pumpkin pie, make my Thanksgiving feast complete!

Wherever you are today, I hope you have a wonderful one, and hopefully a chance to spend it with family and/or friends. And spend a few minutes to count your blessings!

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

2009-11-25T17:08:00.005-07:00

Well, it's time for another fun Papertrey Ink blog hop! The challenge this month was to create a quick and inexpensive wrap or tag that could be used for "grab and go" gifts for the holidays. Well, the other night I was quickly trying to make my kids' teacher and bus driver gifts. I thought, "Oh, these will be perfect for the blog hop, too!" Well, I think most people were thinking of Christmas, while I have a Thanksgiving project to share. Oh, well, it's all for fun, right!

These templates go together quickly. And using just a few sheets of cardstock, and part of a sheet of designer paper, these are cheaper than any packaging from the dollar store [my other source for last minute wrapping]. I stamped the "I am thankful for you" stamp, adhered it to a scalloped circle, and was going to find a way to attach it to the outside of the package. The pattern seemed too busy to me, and was competing with the stamped image. So I was just going to save them for another project, when my mom said, "Why don't you glue them on the inside of the package?" She saved the day! I didn't get the greatest picture of these the other night. Then today I found out that my son forgot to give his two teachers their boxes. I was bummed they didn't get their goodies, but excited to at least get a better picture. He brought them to me from his backpack.....totally smashed! Oh, well.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving! I've got my pie ready, hot wings dip ready, deviled eggs cooked but not smashed. I'm ready to put my feet up and get some inspiration. The eggs can wait!

Stamps: PTI Fall Elegance
Ink: PTI Chai, Pure Poppy, True Black
CS: PTI Kraft, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise
DP: Basic Grey
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Punches

Butterflies for you

2009-11-23T08:31:00.003-07:00

Good morning! It's Monday, but it doesn't really feel like it to me. Maybe it's just knowing that there's a holiday this week helps it feel less "Monday-ish." Here is a card I made for a friend, but didn't want to post until I was sure she'd gotten it. I was inspired by this card here. I ordered this butterfly set because I loved the shape of the butterfly, and I haven't used it nearly as much as I thought I would. When I saw that card, I knew I wanted to case it. Using the butterfly 3 times on one card makes me feel better about not using it as often as I thought I would!

Stamps: PTI Life, SU Great Friend
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Plum Pudding, Summer Sunrise, True Black, Versamark
CS: PTI Plum Pudding, Ripe Avocado
Accessories: PTI Raspberry Fizz Ribbon, Martha Stewart Doily Lace Punch

A notebook and Cinnamon Swirled Apple Bread

2009-11-19T13:36:00.007-07:00

Maybe you've noticed lots of cool notebooks popping up in blog-land. Papertrey Ink has a great set to make these little notebooks, and while that set is on my "someday" list, I don't have it yet. But when I saw this great notebook made by Betsy Veldman, I knew I had to make a notebook for my daughter. Well, my next problem, besides not having that stamp set, is that I can't sew. Not at all. It is not on my list of skills. So, I used my digital scrapbooking supplies to get as close as I'm going to get to real stitching. My daughter loved the notebook, and so I considered it a success.

I also have a quick recipe card to share with you today. I love this cinnamon swirled apple bread. I made some for a friend from church the other day, and she requested the recipe. I made a quick recipe card for her. The recipe and instructions are quite long, so it didn't leave much room for any added pizazz. But I like that the background paper makes me think of cinnamon! Also, my recipe is changed somewhat from the original. The original calls for apples not applesauce. When I'm in the mood to make this, I never seem to have apples, so I fiddled to see how I could make it with applesauce instead, which I always have on hand. And the original recipe called for walnuts or pecans, which people in our house are allergic to. So if you'd like the original recipe, visit the link above. I always mix this in my kitchenaid mixer, and it goes together quickly. Even though the instructions are long, it's not a complicated bread to make. If you make it, I hope you like it as much as we do!

Fun news

2009-11-16T12:08:00.006-07:00

Well, here is the card to go with my good news. I submitted this card as a Guest Star Stamper entry at Papertrey Ink, and I won for "Best Use of Previous Set." I cannot even tell you how excited I was to find out!!! My family thought I was acting a little crazy, but I was in heaven. Finding out that I won made my whole day. I could not wipe the smile off of my face! So, that is my good news that I was very excited to share!!!

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style, Friends 'Til The End, Life
Ink: PTI Chai, Dark Chocolate, Enchanted Evening, Plum Pudding, and Ripe Avocado
CS: Rustic Cream, Spring Moss
Accessories: Top Note Die, Scrapper's Floss, Dimensionals

Loving life today

2009-11-15T14:10:00.006-07:00

Can I just say that I am loving life today!!! I found out something super fun that I can't wait to post about. But we're headed out the door so I need to keep this short. So I have my fun stamping thing to talk about later; and then to make my day even better, my Bengals beat the Steelers just moments ago. My brother is a huge Steelers fan and has been talking junk all week. Well, last night I made my yummy hot wings dip. This stuff is awesome all year round, but I especially love it during football season. I made this recipe card last year in a recipe swap I was in. I've posted it before, but like I said, it was last year, so most of you have probably not seen it. And I'm loving that my Bengals won, so in honor of my team beating my brother's team, here's a yummy football recipe for you to enjoy (doesn't that little Bengals flag just look great in the back of the truck!!!).

Season of Giving

2009-11-13T08:07:00.006-07:00

Well, I woke up to snow in the mountains. I'll admit that I hate the cold that comes in winter, and I'm not very fond of snow....especially driving in it. But it makes everything gorgeous! If I could just stay home every day all winter I'd be okay with snow. I know I've been sharing some Christmas cards lately, and that it's still November, but this is prep-time for Christmas! Today's card is made using one of the Digiments that will be released tomorrow. And, if you're curious as to why I titled my post season of giving...here's why: You can get all 24 Digiments for $8.00. And, if you buy one set, you can receive a second for half-price, to give to a friend! {Now I feel like Bob Barker, but I'm continuing on.} And if that's not enough to entice you, go visit the Digiments blog, leave a comment on any and all of the release posts this week, and you will be entered to win the entire release for free!!! I told you it was the season of giving. If you're looking for more inspiration, visit any of the Design Team members' blogs. They are some talented ladies! You can find links on my left sidebar, or on the Digiments site. But, don't forget that the release is tomorrow, so for a chance to win the goodies, visit today! And if you are a digiment user, I'd love to see what you make with your stuff. It's always fun to see how other people use the same supplies, in different ways. So if you do, visit and leave me a link, I'd love to see what you make!

Stamps: PTI Tree Trimming Trio
Digiment: All The Best (November 2009)

Happy Birthday to my VIP!

2009-11-11T09:12:00.004-07:00

I've fallen a little out of the stamping groove, again. I have had ideas for several projects, but they haven't all been turning out how I pictured. So I sat the stamps aside, and I have been working on my scrapbook pages again. This week my daughter is the "VIP" in her class. That means she gets to have the class' stuffed dog Patch come home for the week, she gets to take the Incredible Edible Estimation Jar to school, and she gets to have a little scrapbook page all about her on display all week. Well, today is also her birthday! She's so excited that she is the VIP and birthday girl in the same week! I can't believe that my baby is six! So here is the scrapbook page I made for her to send to school. She loved it, even though she informed me that yellow is really her favorite color now, not pink!

Thank You!

2009-11-04T11:55:00.004-07:00

When my son's church teacher found out that our whole family had been sick, she brought us over a huge basket full of goodies. She had stuffed a basket full: soup, goldfish crackers, chex mix, cookies, more cookies, orange juice, oranges, grapefruit, and a card and book for my son. In addition, she gave my daughter a big stuffed dog that is now named "Wolfy." Wolfy has blue eyes just like my daughter and she thought that was so cool. So this is the thank you card I made for his teacher. I really wanted to do something spectacular, so I kept trying to think of some idea that would just be an over-the-top kind of card! I was thinking and thinking about what to do, and finally just went with one of my favorite layouts of all time. I guess CAS is my comfort zone, so instead of trying to make an over-the-top kind of card that would turn out blah, I just did what I felt comfortable with. Yes, I have used this layout a lot, but I've always liked how it turned out. I hope she likes it, because I really want her to know how much our family appreciated her thoughtfulness.

Stamps: SU Botanical Blooms, River City Rubber Works, PTI Background Basics: Text Style
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, True Black, & Versamark
CS: PTI Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado, Rustic Cream
Accessories: Top Note Die, PTI Sweet Blush Ribbon, Glitter Glue

A Merry Little Christmas

2009-11-03T08:35:00.003-07:00

Today's card is made using a Studio G sketch challenge posted on Paper Craft Planet. My son's school class has been practicing for their Christmas program, and he comes home singing Christmas songs almost every day. I am not intentionally trying to skip over Thanksgiving, but I was definitely feeling festive yesterday, so I went with a Christmas card for this sketch. I love the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." It's one of my favorite Christmas songs. It's a gorgeous sunny day here, but I guess Christmas will be here in no time, so it's not a bad thing to be getting a little stash of Christmas cards built up.

Stamps: Studio G
Ink: PTI Chamomile, Pure Poppy
CS: PTI Rustic Cream
DP: DCWV
Accessories: Corner Rounder, Ripe Avocado Satin Ribbon

Celebrating the Magic of Christmas

2009-10-31T12:03:00.004-06:00

What a long, crazy week it has been here. We've all been sick, and finally this morning I'm starting to feel like I will get better! The kids missed their Halloween parties at school, picture re-take day, and I missed Parent Teacher Conferences (I have them rescheduled with their teachers). All week I kept thinking about making this card, and last night I finally got my stuff out and made it. I love this tree! My mother-in-law has a gorgeous tree that is huge, and every year she covers it in ornaments. Really old ones that she's had for a long time, ones that she inherited from her mom when she passed away. This card is for her. If this was really her tree, it would be covered in ornaments, with no gaps at all! I love the Ripe Avocado and Scarlet Jewel together. I think they're a great Christmas combo.

Stamps: PTI Tree Trimming Trio
Ink: PTI Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel, Colorbox Silver
CS: PTI Rustic Cream
Accessories: Holiday Button Mix

Papertrey Ink Holiday Hop

2009-10-25T15:09:00.013-06:00

I was so excited that the UPS truck delivered my package on time, so I could get this little project ready for the blog hop! I've had this idea in my head since I saw these trees released a month ago. I LOVE to make cookie mixes for family and friends for the holidays. The year that my daughter was born, I hadn't done anything for family and friends and was feeling really down about it. At the last minute, literally an hour or so before my husband was going to the family Christmas dinner, I started whipping out little jars of cookie mix. It went so fast, and I felt happy to have something to send with him to the party (I was keeping the kiddos home...RSV and flu season). It's a bummer that I didn't have this stamp all those years ago. I think that they look really neat all layered in a jar. I always think that if people have reached their cookie-eating limit, they can wait and make these after the holiday bloat goes away! If you are mailing goodies to people instead of hand delivering, you can also put the cookie mix into ziploc-type bags. It doesn't layer well, so it's just a jumbled cookie mix, but it still tastes just as good, and you don't have to worry about fresh cookies going stale before they can be eaten.

A few tips I will share (which I didn't follow here) if you plan on doing your own cookie mixes, or any other mix in a jar:
1) Use wide mouth jars. It makes it easier to load all the ingredients, as well as tapping it down to get everything to fit. Here is the link to the recipe I use for my "canned cookies."
2) Adding a little cut out of material to the top of the jar really gives it a nice finished look. If you don't have material, which I usually don't, I do like to at least use a plain screw on lid. The "bring out the best" on the lid is a little distracting from the overall look of the project.
3) The thing I like about this particular cookie recipe is that even without adding the raisins or chocolate chips that the recipe calls for, the jar is almost full. So if you worry about whether people would prefer raisins or chocolate chips, you can just omit them from the jar, but make sure that you add that ingredient to the recipe card.

Stamps: PTI Tree Trimming Trio
Ink: PTI Enchanted Evening, Plum Pudding, Scarlet Jewel, Summer Sunrise
CS: PTI Enchanted Evening, Scarlet Jewel
Accessories: PTI Scarlet Jewel Satin Ribbon, Epoxy Stickers

Snowflakes A-plenty

2009-10-24T09:22:00.006-06:00

I don't love winter and I don't love snow. But I love using snowflakes for winter and Christmas projects. I found an awesome set of snowflakes on ebay the other day. So cheap that I had to buy them! There was one long continual swirly shape, that I was hoping would fit on the side of my top note die. It didn't quite fit the way I wanted, so I took my scissors to them, and started cutting them up so that they would fit however I wanted.

I am really happy with how this card turned out. I love these snowflakes!!! It was hard to get a picture of the card so that the gems would sparkle. So, this card really does look better in real life. I try not to say that too often, so that I'm not like the little boy who cried wolf. But I'm so happy with this card. Then I was kind of on my crafter's high, so I decided to try another one.

I'm not quite sure about this one. I guess for a better comparison I should have used the same colors as the blue card. I do like all the snowflakes on the one hand, but then I think maybe it's a little dark. But I am trying to figure out if that's just because of the darker paper. So, crafting friends, do you have an opinion on the second card? And don't tell me you don't like the first one, because I just won't listen Ookay, so maybe you won't like the first one. If you don't, tell me why. I will listen, but I will probably still make a bunch more because I like it). Enjoy your Saturday, I've been so behind in posting, but I have a few fun projects already done, and I'm hoping for a full weekend of crafting.

Oh, and I found through Susan's Simplicity blog a link to this great tutorial for tying knots so that they stay put. I found the tutorial a long time ago, made several cards with it, and thought that I would definitely remember how to do it. Until I needed it again for this card. So here is my link so I can find it more easily, and any of you can too!

Stamps: Inkadinkado Snowflakes A-plenty, Studio G Sentiment
Ink: PTI Enchanted Evening, Scarlet Jewel
CS: PTI Scarlet Jewel, Spring Rain
Accessories: Top Note Die, Enchanted Evening Satin Ribbon, Offray Petite Gems

Carving the Pumpkin

2009-10-20T09:52:00.004-06:00

I did actually complete a cute little project with paper and glue the other day. But it's out of my hands, and I forgot to get a picture of it. So instead I'm sharing yet another scrapbook page. I found an awesome layout in an old Simple Scrapbooks magazine that I totally copied for this page. I was a little worried my son was going to complain that there were flowers on his page, but since they are orange, he didn't put up too much of a fuss.

ETA: "Carving the Pumpkin" is a cool FREE Word Art which is available here (scroll down a bit, you'll see it). I was in a hurry to get this posted and forgot to leave the link.

Autumn

2009-10-16T14:21:00.002-06:00

Well, the field trip was a ton of fun. I got a little worried, though, the night before. I woke up to thunder and lightning at about 2 in the morning. It went on and on with pouring rain, and kept me awake for over 2 hours! I finally fell back asleep, and by the time morning came, it was cool and crisp but there was no rain. I haven't gotten any scrapbook pages with those pictures yet. But here is a page I got done today. Somedays when we are headed up to the bus stop, I grab my camera. This day our neighbor's tree looked so gorgeous, I was glad I'd brought the camera with me.

Sending Hugs

2009-10-12T10:26:00.003-06:00

Well here we are at Monday yet again. I don't know how the weekend goes by so fast! Here is a quick card I made using the another Fall-to Layout from the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog. I had a hard time adding the sentiment panel hanging over the edge like that, but I made myself do it. I was going to use some of my pretty pink buttons, but ended up using a butterfly with rhinestones to pop in the mail easier. I love the sayings from the PTI Friends 'Til The End set, but I wish they'd come out with a second version and have all the same sentiments, in a similar font, but cursive. Tomorrow is my kindergartener's first field trip. They're going to a pumpkin patch/corn maze, and I get to go with her class! I'm almost as excited as she is, I think. It's supposed to be a gorgeous sunny day, so I'm hoping for some fun pumpkin patch pictures!

Stamps: SU Pretty Petals, PTI Friends 'Til The End
Ink: PTI Plum Pudding, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado
CS: PTI Plum Pudding, White, SU Rose Red
Accessories: Martha Stewart Classic Butterfly Punch, Rhinestones

Studio G Sketch Challenge

2009-10-11T09:45:00.004-06:00

I made this card following a sketch challenge posted on Paper Craft Planet. If it wouldn't have been a sketch challenge, I'd have left off the ribbons. They gave me fits! I had some Christmassy ribbon from last year that had great colors in it that matched the ornaments. I got that ribbon added and it looked way too busy. So I switched the card, and added the ribbon to a panel that didn't have any embossing. That helped cut down on the business. But then I got them glued down crooked. Scor-tape is not removable! HA! So, after a lot of trial and error, finally this is the design I went with. I do love these little ornaments.

Stamps: Studio G
Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, Scarlet Jewel, and copics
CS: PTI Pure Poppy, White
Accessories: Cuttlebug Snowflake Embossing Folder, PTI Ripe Avocado Ribbon, Labels One Nestabilities

We are the champions!

2009-10-08T11:57:00.006-06:00

Well, flag football is over for the season. My boy had so much fun. Their team went undefeated, and the boys loved it! Here is the little "thank you" I made for his coaches. The head coach had his son and daughter both help him coach, and they were awesome. His son came up with awesome plays and worked with the kids so well. My husband helped as the defensive coach and my son now loves playing defense. He told me after the first few games that he dreams about rushing the quarterback. Okay, here it is:

I was pretty excited with how it turned out. I stopped by Archiver's for a few minutes the other day and they had this cool football set. I knew it would be perfect for this little project. Now, on the colors.....I was so bummed. My husband and son are huge 49ers fans. I love the Bengals. Well, their flag football team was the Bengals. When I found out I was so excited! I kept teasing my son about being a Bengal. Then they got their uniforms....and they looked way more like 9ers colors than Bengal colors. The project matches their colors almost perfectly. I so wanted to get to do scrapbook pages for my son in Bengals orange! HA! Oh, and I have to show you the back of the project, too. It's nothing special, but I think it's the coolest stamp in the whole set:

Enjoy your crafting day. And see, I can post a project without pink and green on it!

Stamps: Hampton Art
CS: PTI Scarlet Jewel, Smokey Shadow
Ink: PTI Fresh Snow
Accessories: Mini Spiral Clips
My Timeless Templates: Milk Made

Embrace Rhinestones

2009-10-05T08:21:00.003-06:00

Well, here we are at Monday. Our internet has been spotty {and that's being generous} all weekend long, my fantasy football team performed horribly, and World Card Making Day is officially over. At least there is still a little time left to enter some of the contests from the weekend. This card is for the 3rd challenge issued by Papertrey Ink's Nichole Heady: inspiration from India. I got this card all done, and went back to read the official challenge as I was preparing to post this. Well, the inspiration is from India {I used the top left-hand picture}, but the official challenge is to "incorporate rhinestones, sequins and jewels in a fun and artistic way." I don't know how fun and artistic a straight line of rhinestones is, but I sure love the finished card, so I'm posting it anyway! The layout is from my go-to spot for CAS layouts: The Clean and Simple Stamping Blog.

Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til The End, Life
Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado
CS: PTI Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, White
Accessories: Kaiser Rhinestones

Inspiration from Mexico

2009-10-04T13:29:00.004-06:00

The second challenge posted by Nichole Heady for WCMD, was to gain inspiration from Mexico. I googled a lot of different pictures, but didn't ever find one I was crazy about. So finally I decided to use the colors the girl is wearing in the bottom right hand picture posted above. I loved the pink and green. I had tried using the fall-to layout #61 from the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog the other day. The overall look wasn't turning out, so I changed that card, but knew I'd want to give this layout another try. So as I was planning this card, I decided the little flower would look great where the circle was on the sketch. So that's what I did. It's a rainy dreary Sunday, so I'm off to look at the third challenge, and see what I can figure out.

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style, Friends 'Til The End, Life
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado
Copics: RV10, RV13, R35
CS: PTI Spring Moss, Vintage Cream
Accessories: Glitter Glue

Cherry Blossoms

2009-10-03T14:02:00.004-06:00

This is my first card today to celebrate World Card Making Day. It's for an inspiration challenge posted posted by Nichole Heady here. She's having challenges where we take inspiration from around the world. The first challenge had us traveling to Japan for inspiration. I love this cherry blossom stamp and thought it would be perfect to use. I stayed with soft pinks, added one of my favorite punched borders, and added some ribbon on the other side. I thought the ribbons kind of helped the card mimic the look of kimonos. That's all for now, I'm off to see what my next project will be.

Stamp: Rubber Stampede Cherry Blossom
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate
Copics: E43, RV 10, RV13, YG91
CS: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Kraft, Sweet Blush, White
Accessories: PTI Hibiscus Burst Ribbon, Ripe Avocado Ribbon, Sweet Blush Ribbon, Martha Stewart Doily Lace Punch

Favorite Girl

2009-10-02T12:03:00.004-06:00

Here is a digital scrapbook page I finished today. I'd been thinking about it for a while. I just knew I wanted to use the "favorite girl" digiment to do a scrapbook page for my daughter. I had the cutest layout all picked out but it just wasn't working, so I tossed that idea. When I first started scrapbooking, I never journaled anything. Now, that is my main focus. I want the story to be told, even after I am not there to tell it. I hope you're all having a wonderful Friday! Tomorrow is world card making day! To celebrate, Michelle at Digiments will be offering free digiments and a contest to win all of the previous releases. So take some time to check that out tomorrow. What are you doing to celebrate the day? Let me know if there are some fun links I should check on.

What's cooking?

2009-09-30T14:11:00.003-06:00

Yesterday it was 90 degrees here. Today, it's been raining and gusting all day long, and it's freezing. I'm so not ready for icky weather. So I put soup in the crock pot, and would have made some bread to go with it, but my brain is too fried from test preparations; I don't think I would have activated the yeast properly. The bread will have to wait.

This card is made based on the Sketch Challenge on SCS today. I don't play along with too many sketch challenges anymore. Something about this layout, I really liked, so I decided to give it a whirl. Now, in hindsight, I would stamp the flowers and sentiment on creamy cardstock instead of white. The white seems really bright in comparison to the rest of the card. I even thought about restamping, and gluing down on top of the panels, but I have a 99% chance of messing the whole card up if I do that.

So, really...what's cooking? Do you have a great crock pot recipe. I love crock pot dinners, especially when it gets cold. So if you have a recipe you love, leave me a link to where it's at. I'd love to get some new ideas.

Stamps: PTI Life, Background Basics: Text Style, Clear Dollar Stamps Words Of Sympathy
Ink: PTI Chai, Chamomile, Enchanted Evening, Pure Poppy
CS: PTI White, Kraft, Pure Poppy
Accessories: PTI Enchanted Evening Ribbon, Offray Ribbon

Color Challenge!

2009-09-28T14:15:00.002-06:00

Well, this card took a lot of twists and turns to end up where it's at. The clean and simple challenge this week at Split Coast Stampers is a color challenge: shades of pink, green, blue and cream or white, with chocolate optional. I won some cool Studio G stamps from Michelle a while back, and have been planning fun ways to use them. I love the whimsical look to the flowers! In fact, they remind me a lot of the Basic Grey paper I've used on my last few projects. So when I saw the Fall-to-Layout on the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog, I decided to use the color challenge along with the fall-to-layout. Well, I had my card finished, and I just didn't like the overall look of it. So I chopped it down, and just matted it on a layer of green and added it to a plain white card base. I'm happier now, but plan to go back and try the fall-to-layout again. Persistence!

Stamps: Studio G, TAC
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Ripe Avocado
CS: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Ripe Avocado, Spring Rain, White
Accessories: Scallop Circle Nesties, Circle Nesties

Favorite Teacher

2009-09-26T14:53:00.006-06:00

I have loved working with September's Digiments. When I saw the line of "favorites" I was excited for all of the possibilities. I love these fonts together. So I decided to make a little gift card holder that could be used for a favorite teacher! I found a few tutorials for gift card holders, and just wasn't crazy about any of them. So I started measuring and folding and came up with this. It's just the right size to slip in a gift card, with not a lot of extra room. I thought it was a fun size to either tuck inside a card, or with some other packaging. I love this paper from Basic Grey, all the colors in it are great! I hope you've had fun seeing the projects I was able to work on using the newly released Digiments. You can head on over to the Digiments blog to see the full line of digital sentiments that officially went on sale today. There are 30 new Digiments, and you can get the total package for $15.00, which is a great bargain, or the single digiments are priced at $1.00 each. That is still one of the most appealing things to me about the digital world. Affordability!!! I hope you enjoyed my projects from this lastest release, and I hope you saw something that made you want to go get crafting!

A day late, and a dollar short!

2009-09-25T11:00:00.003-06:00

So I know you all came back looking for my sugar cookie recipe yesterday! Well, you're going to have to wait a little longer. Monday, I had my week all planned out perfectly, except for I forgot that the kiddos didn't have school today. "What does that have to do with a post for yesterday?" you ask. Well, it meant that things that would usually get done Thursday night got moved to Wednesday night, and no playing around on Wednesday night to have a post for Thursday. Does that make any sense!? So you'll have to stay tuned for the sugar cookie post, but I have something else for you today.

My blogging friend Laurie has made a lot of these boxes in a bag. They always look so cool, and everytime she posts one, I always tell myself I should try one. Well, I finally did. I have to say, though: I always think these 3-D projects will turn out larger than they do. The first one I made, following the tutorial here, looked great, but it wasn't as big as I wanted it to be. So I did a little changing of the measurements to make myself a bigger bag. I was wanting to put soup, crackers, and a little bag of cough drops in my bag, and that definitely wasn't all going to fit in the smaller bag. But if fits in this one perfectly. My kiddos ate the crackers before I could snap the picture, so now it doesn't look as neat without the little bag of crackers poking out the top. I thought that this would be a nice thing to drop off if you find out one of your neighbors or a friend has a little cold. When you know they aren't feeling great and you just want to give them a little pick-me-up. Now, the Digiment that I used here will be released tomorrow along with all of the September Digiments. If you haven't headed over to the Digiments site yet, you'll want to take a few mintues today to do so. Just for checking out the fun stuff the design team has been working on, and leaving a comment, you can win a ribbon package, a bling package, or even the entire release for the month! Enjoy your Friday, and I promise that in the near future, I'll share my sugar cookie recipe!

Birthday Love

2009-09-23T09:03:00.003-06:00

At Digiments, we all took a little bit of a summer break. But, we're back! I love the Digiments for September. Immediately after seeing the previews, I started churning all kinds of ideas in my head. I loved the thought of using the "Birthday love" for a little gift box. My daughter has her birthday in November, followed by my son and husband having their birthdays in December, 3 days apart. So I guess birthdays are on my mind. Well, I thought this little pizza box would be perfect for putting a giant homemade sugar cookie in. Obviously this box won't go to either of the boys.....a little too girly! I'll be back tomorrow with my sugar cookie recipe. And head over to the Digiments blog today to see more previews from the other designers. Just for taking a look and leaving a comment, you can enter to win a free bling package.

Digiment: Birthday Love
CS: PTI Ripe Avocado, Lavender Moon, SU Rose Red
DP: Basic Grey
Accessories: PTI Ripe Avocado Ribbon, Sweet Blush Button, Circle Nestabilities

Blonde Brownies

2009-09-22T10:51:00.004-06:00

So I'm finally sharing my brownie recipe with you. These are the brownies I planned to make to put in my little tucked away boxes I shared with you here. I was really bummed that they didn't turn out. They were thick and cakey, not moist and gooey, like I like them! So I tried again. Now that I have my cool Kitchenaid Mixer, I don't usually worry about softening butter when a recipe tells me to, since my mixer just blends everything right up. Well, this recipe doesn't just tell you to soften the butter, you are supposed to melt it. MELT IT! It makes a big difference in the finished product. Oh, you can also add nuts to these. My mom always did, and has that listed on her recipe card. Since my husband and my son are allergic to nuts, I never add them to anything, or even put them on the recipe card.
Moving on to other fun digital news. This Saturday is the September release of Digiments. To answer some questions people have had on changing colors of Digiments, etc., Morgaine, who is a Digiments designer, made 3 videos showing you how to change the colors on Digiments, how to work with gradients, and how to work with different backgrounds. Also on the Digiments site, are 2 free challenge Digiments available. So head over there to check out what is going on. I can't wait to show you the projects I made using this month's releases.

Card Night!

2009-09-17T11:22:00.006-06:00

A sweet friend at church decided to hostess a card night for anybody who wanted to come. Well, I'm definitely not gonna miss this activity!!! It was so fun. She put in so much work for all of us. Basically everything was ready to go. All the measuring and cutting was already done. All we had to do was assemble the cards. One card there was stamping and embossing, but the other 2 all that was required was to assemble the cards. I had so much fun. There were a lot of ladies that hadn't made cards at all before, and the set-up was so perfect for them, I thought. It was a super fun night. Here are the 2 cards, and the little project.

Since someone else did all of the prep work, I'm not really sure on any of the supplies used. I could have asked, of course, but was just having fun, and didn't feel like I needed all of the details. If you happen to see something you want info on, I am sure I could find it out. The one detail I did snag was the ink we used for all of the edging. SEI Tobacco. It was a nice color. And really easy to use. Not too inky, but not too dry; it was "just right." So, it was a really fun night....I hope she might do it again. It's so fun to get together with other ladies and make cards and chat. I haven't done that in ages, and definitely have missed it! I'm off to the bus stop, then back to blog hop in a bit!

Fall Birthday

2009-09-15T09:00:00.005-06:00

You might be seeing several cards in the next little while using this layout. It's fast and fun, and I really like the look! I've got a few fall birthdays coming up that I want to be prepared for. I am thinking that maybe I should have stamped the sentiment in black so it showed up a little better, but I liked the brown because it matched the brown leaf. I am off to try and find my battery charger so that I can take some pictures of more cards. If I don't find it anytime soon, you'll be getting all digi this week until I can find it! Enjoy your day.

Stamps: PTI Fall Elegance, River City Rubber Works
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Melon Berry, Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel, Summer Sunrise
CS: PTI Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel, Vintage Cream
Accessories: Scarlet Jewel Ribbon, Top Note Die

Tinkerbell Party

2009-09-14T08:12:00.005-06:00

My little kindergartener was invited to a Tinkerbell birthday party last week. She was so excited. She got off the bus carrying the invitation so carefully. It was wrapped in purple ribbon and she couldn't wait to open it. There were sparkly jewels on the invitation. It was really pretty. So while she was at school the next day, I made this card for her, trying to keep with the theme of the invitation and make it purple and sparkly. It was so cute when I showed it to my duaghter. She said, "Thanks, mom. It's pretty. But I want to make her my own card." So she did. And she loved every minute of it. So now I have a sparkly "tinkerbell" birthday card to throw in my stash. I'm hoping to not go so MIA this week. It seems that adding just one extra kid to the school activities mix has made life a lot more busy than last year. The kids are having a blast, but I'm already looking forward to fall break ;)

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style, River City Rubber Works, SU Botanical Blooms
Ink: PTI Plum Pudding, Ripe Avocado, True Black, Versamark
CS: PTI Vintage Cream, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss
Accessories: Top Note Die, Plum Pudding Ribbon, Rhinestones

Is it really Wednesday?

2009-09-09T14:12:00.009-06:00

I feel like I hit a huge wall this week. I tried playing along with the Clean and Simple Challenge on Splitcoast. I made one card, and really didn't like it all. I made some revisions, but still I'm not really crazy about it. I was going to post it anyway, but the longer I look at it, the less I like it. So instead I will share my latest little "tucked away" boxes with you.

I was meeting some friends for lunch today, and decided to make them brownies. Well, something happened, and the brownies tasted awful. I don't know what went wrong! I had no chocolate left to give, so instead they got salt water taffy. Definitely not what I had planned, but better than giving them empty boxes ;) I was going to wrap them with pretty ribbon, too. But something about a ribbon wrapped taffy box seemed strange. So I just left the ribbon off.

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style
Ink: PTI Fresh Snow
CS: PTI Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado
DP: Basic Grey, Scrapworks
My Timeless Templates: Tucked Away

Labor Day, a little early

2009-09-06T14:40:00.003-06:00

My sister-in-law had her "labor day" a little early, and delivered her sweet baby girl on Thursday. I made these little treat boxes to take to my nephew and niece when we went to meet their new little sister. I got the Distressed Dots stamp from Unity after seeing some fun cards my friend Chris made with it. I love her cards she's made with it, but almost every time I go to use it, I just can't get quite the look I am going for. Well, since I needed a "boy" look, I decided to pull it out again, because it makes a much better background for a little boy than any of my flowers do. Enjoy your long weekend if you get one. I'm off to stamp and get ready for my fantasy football draft. Wish me luck!

"She started it."

2009-09-03T08:42:00.008-06:00

I love color challenges. I think that they are challenging because I often want to add an extra in, or leave a little something out. I missed out on seeing the latest Raspberry Suite Color Challenge posted, but I saw on Miss Annie B's blog the card she made for it. Her card just said to me: "Hey, it's a challenge and they are asking you to use Kraft. Play along with us." Here are the colors to use:

I used an old Fall-to Layout from the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog. And I got to use my circle nesties. Michelle mentioned she doesn't see me using my nesties very much {which is true}, so I put them to good use for this card.
I've decided the thing about distressing that doesn't always work for me. Sometimes it seems like a good idea, so I distress some edges. But then, they don't really look distressed. They just look to me like I have shredded edges on my cardstock, and need a new trimmer. But I do love using the Text Style set for making a background that kind of looks old and weathered.

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style, Fall Elegance
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise
CS: PTI Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Scallop Circle Nestabilities, American Crafts Ribbon, Ribbon Tags Trio

Substitute Bus Driver

2009-09-02T13:20:00.007-06:00

So my day started out a little crazy. We were waiting at the bus stop this morning, and our bus driver was 30 minutes late.....yes, 30!!!! That usually only means one thing....substitute bus driver. Well, I knew there was no way the kiddos would be on time to school, but when it's the whole bus that's late, that's life, I guess. Whenever we have a day like that, it makes me glad that I give our bus drivers goodies on most of the holidays...they deserve it! Here is a little project I made for today. I have a cousin and a friend who both just celebrated birthdays. Now, I'll just admit this.....I am horrible at getting things mailed out on time. I don't know why, but I am. So, planning for my procrastination, I decided to make them little boxes I could fill up with chocolate or cookies. I went with cookies. Snickerdoodles, actually, cut into little bars to fit in the boxes better. I only ended up 2 days late getting those delivered, whereas if I'd have gone with cards, they would probably still be waiting on my desk.

I love this new little template from Papertrey. It is really easy to make. The thing that took the very longest was waiting for the background stamping to dry so I didn't smear it too much. And do you like the Kraft with Enchanted Evening? I do. I love this shade of blue, and I love it paired with Kraft. For my cousin's I decided to make a red one, since I know she likes red. She's not a pink girl, and that's okay. I can make red things now. Yes, the background stamping isn't very even on the red one. It actually looked okay until the flap got closed. Now it looks like I just forgot to stamp that section, instead of it looking kind of old and worn off, which is what it's supposed to look like.

Enjoy your day wherever you are. The kiddos have ballet and flag football tonight, so I'm sure by the time I get home I'm gonna be beat!

Stamps: River City Rubber Works, SU Upsy Daisy, PTI Background Basics: Text Style
Ink: PTI Enchanted Evening, Fresh Snow, Pure Poppy
CS: PTI Enchanted Evening, Kraft, Pure Poppy, White
Accessories: PTI Enchanted Evening Ribbon, Ribbon from Joann's
My Timeless Templates: Tucked Away

Oatmeal Bread

2009-09-01T08:00:00.005-06:00

Here is a recipe that is a favorite at our house. I LOVE homemade bread. For as long back as I can remember, if it was Wednesday, my mom was in the kitchen making homemade bread. To this day that is one of my favorite smells and tastes. This recipe is a modification of one I found in an old church cookbook. The original had the oats soaking in water, and a lot of "extra" steps. I love to cook, but don't love to spend all day doing it, and I'll combine as many steps into one as I can. If you are not a fan of wheat flour, you can definitely use all white flour, and it's super yummy that way, too. Also, I have made this by hand, before my KitchenAid mixer days, as well as used a bread maker. Pretty much any way will work, and the end result is so good. This recipe only makes one loaf, so if you want more homemade goodness to enjoy, definitely double the recipe.

Kraft Overload

2009-08-30T07:52:00.005-06:00

I promise that I will make something again without a Kraft base. Someday. But I love using it, a lot more than I ever thought I would. So here is a card that I got inspired to make after the Papertrey blog hop last week. There were a lot of people that used Enchanted Evening and Scarlet Jewel on their "fall inspired" projects. I wouldn't have reached for these colors together for fall projects without seeing them on the blog hop. There were some really neat projects using this combination, and I wanted to give it a try, too. I really like this color combination, and might see what else I can come up with!

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style, SU Small Script, SU Upsy Daisy
Ink: PTI Enchanted Evening, Fresh Snow, Summer Sunrise
CS: PTI Enchanted Evening, Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, White
Accessories: PTI Scarlet Jewel Ribbon, Martha Stewart Doily Lace Punch

Didn't take long at all

2009-08-27T09:50:00.005-06:00

Well, my son has only been in school since last Wednesday. Yesterday when he got off the bus he had a really runny nose and looked pretty tired. Last night was his first flag football game. We went to that and I didn't think too much about the runny nose until I looked over on the sidelines and he was lying there....and he looked like if he held still for about 30 more seconds he'd fall asleep. I was a little frustrated. Not with him, but with school germies. My son's pretty good at hand-washing and sanitizing {for an 8-year-old boy anyway}, but obviously you can't avoid all germs and sicknesses. But I thought we'd make it past the first week before we caught something. He woke up with a fever and still looked completely lethargic, so he's home today. Thank goodness my little kindergartener wasn't nervous at all to ride the bus by herself this morning. We could have had a disaster on our hands. Anyway, on to my card:
When previews for Papertrey Ink's fall sets started popping up last month, this little leaf was shown as a preview. I loved the little swirls in it so much. I actually did try to talk myself out of this set though. I have a Hero Arts set from last year with a cute little leaf that I never used last year. So I tried to make a cute little leaf card so I wouldn't want to buy anything new. Well, the darn leaf had a defect, the rubber was missing a chunk out of the outline, and stamped horribly. So this set made it onto my list anyway. This card was totally inspired by a card here on Susan's blog (the second card down). I like it so much I'd have done a straight case, but didn't want to have to try and figure out what size envelope to use for a card like that. So I changed it to something I could handle. Plus, Susan is really great at one layer cards. I can handle "clean and simple," and find myself drawn more and more to that style. But the art of one layer cards is a totally different thing.

Stamps: PTI Fall Elegance
Ink: PTI Melon Berry, Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise
CS: PTI Kraft, Rustic Cream, Summer Sunrise

Season of Gratitude

2009-08-25T16:21:00.009-06:00

I am so excited to participate in the Papertrey Ink blog hop tonight. The challenge is to create a project inspired by any aspect of fall: colors, fabrics, textures, etc. Part of the challenge is to try and work a little outside of your comfort zone. Well, CAS definitely is my comfort zone. So that didn't stretch me. The thing that did was adding more than one color to my fun little leaf stamps. I've never done the "rock and roll" technique or added more than one color to a stamp in quite this way. I'm sure to many people that's not a challenge at all, but to me it was. I am glad I tried it, because I think the multi-color leaves look really neat.

So that is the card I came up with. I had so much fun using these leaves and can't wait to make more fall/Thanksgiving cards with this set. I love it in fall when the colors start to change and the weather starts to turn. I used to not enjoy the beauty of fall as much as I do now. Fall meant winter and winter meant cold weather and snow. Then I met my husband and we started dating in the fall. Now, as soon as I feel that crisp fall air, it brings back a lot of great memories for me.
That's all for now. Happy Hopping!

Stamps: PTI Fall Elegance
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Melon Berry, Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel, Summer Sunrise
CS: PTI Kraft, Ripe Avocado, White

Congratulations

2009-08-24T08:26:00.002-06:00

Happy Monday! Well, last week ended up a little crazy. School started for my 3rd grader on Wednesday, and my daughter had her kindergarten assessment that day, too. The next day my brother was in a pile up on the freeway, which had me stressed out, until I was able to find out he was okay. Friday brought an unexpected doctor's visit, Saturday we had a birthday party, as well as a bridal shower I found out about on Friday. So, this is the super quick card I made for the bride-to-be. Kindergarten starts Wednesday, and I'm hoping we quickly adjust to the school routine.

Stamps: SU Pretty Petals, Congrats
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise
CS: PTI Hibiscus Burst, White
Accessories: PTI Plum Pudding Satin Ribbon

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

2009-08-18T09:09:00.007-06:00

Do you ever have one of those cards that you alternate between loving and not loving the whole time that you are making it? Well, that's how I feel about this card. Last week I was looking at the inspiration challenge on Split Coast Stampers. I found this fun picture that inspired me:
Granted, I don't usually need inspiration to use pink, but still. When I saw this picture I thought it would be fun to use as an inspiration piece. So I started thinking about my card. Then I saw this Fall-to Layout from the Clean and Simple blog. And I decided to combine the inspiration picture with the fall-to layout. Well, as I was working I loved it, then I didn't, then I did. Now I'm not sure. I wish I wouldn't have smeared quite so much ink on the edges. That is what is bugging me the most. And the flower is a softer pink and the Hibiscus Burst cardstock seems darker than what I wanted it to be. But I love the layout. So I guess it's not all bad.

Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til The End, Background Basics: Text Style
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Chai, Chamomile
Copics: RV10, RV13, E43, E47
CS: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Kraft, Vintage Cream
Accessories: Top Note Die

Back to School!

2009-08-17T08:59:00.006-06:00

I can't believe it's the end of summer for us. My little boy starts 3rd grade on Wednesday and then next week my daughter starts kindergarten! It doesn't seem possible that it's already this time of year again. This is what I made for my daughter to give her some goodies in before her first day. I know I'm doing it backwards since my son starts before her, but I haven't decided what to do for him yet. I don't think he'd like the floral theme too well. My plan at this point is to fill it with some little bite size chocolates. I was going to take a picture with it full, but the little people in my house that love chocolate ate all the stash up. So I took a picture with it next to finger nail polish so you can get a better idea of the size. A lot of these 3-D projects look bigger to me than they actually are....so here's a comparison photo.

That is all for now. We're hoping to go and swim and pretend that it's not really the end of summer! Enjoy your Monday.

Stamps: SU Pretty Petals
Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet, Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise
CS: PTI White
Accessories: My Timeless Templates: Milk Made, Offray Ribbon

I Believe In Santa Clause

2009-08-14T15:53:00.003-06:00

Today I made a card using a cheap stamp combined with the most expensive stamp I've ever bought. Last year I saw some card using this Santa from Rubber Stampede, and I couldn't resist hunting one down. I paid as much for this darn stamp as I usually do for a set. But I absolutely love it. Then I ran across some Studio G stamps that had the "always believe" in it, and I knew it would go perfectly with my cute little Santa image. Here is a card I made last year before Christmas (before I had any copics that gave me a good skin color), and a little tag I made using just part of Santa's face. I want to get some of that glossy stuff to put on his glasses. The cards I've seen with the glossy stuff covering his glasses look so realistic, they are really neat. This card is 4 1/4" square.

Stamps: SU Bold Snowflakes, Rubber Stampede Santa, Studio G
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Colorbox Silver, Versamark
Copics: R00, YG95, B21, RV13
CS: PTI Ripe Avocado, Spring Rain, White
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Scallop Circle Nestabilites, Ranger Clear Embossing Powder

Happy Little Ornaments

2009-08-13T09:24:00.004-06:00

Well, this card just made itself. haha! I was looking at some of my cheap Christmas stamps from Studio G and thought that it might be fun to make a row of the ornaments and then add a Merry Christmas at the top. I do like the Kraft part. I just don't know if I like it on the green. I tried adding it to a white background, cream background, red background, and finally the green. I really wasn't crazy about any of them. But I like the layout on the top note die. I think it's kind of fun. And in fairness to my little card, this isn't the best picture. We did finally get a new camera so that I can see what I am taking pictures of. But the coloring on the camera seems really off to me. The background and ribbon is Ripe Avocado from PTI, so if you are familiar with their product, that's what it is (the ribbon on my post just before this one is the same ribbon...doesn't look like it does it?). It is one of my favorite greens to use. I love it, and I don't think that this picture does it justice at all, and Photoshop wouldn't help me save it either. So I'm off to see if I can figure out a way to pull this off, because I want to make more little ornament cards.

Stamps: Studio G
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy
Copics: RV29, YG95
CS: PTI Kraft, Ripe Avocado
Accessories: Taylored Expressions shiny sparkly things, PTI Ripe Avocado ribbon

FTL31

2009-08-12T08:21:00.003-06:00

Happy Wednesday. I can't believe summer is winding down. Next Wednesday is the first day of school here. Yikes! My daughter is starting kindergarten, too, this year. Unfortunately kindergarten doesn't start until a week after regular school. So she's quite bummed that she isn't going to get to ride the bus for a whole week after her brother is already riding it. On to my card. I used the Fall-to Layout #31 from the Clean and Simple Stamping blog. I actually made 2 cards using the sketch, and they went together quickly. The second card {not pictured} followed the sketch, and I wrapped the ribbon all the way around the card front, instead of just the main panel. The bow on the other one didn't turn out so well, so I didn't try to get a picture of it. I plan on using the sketch again, so I'm writing down my measurements here so I don't have to remeasure every time I want to make this. The big panel is 4 3/4" x 3 1/2 ". The patterned paper is 2" x 3 1/2".

Stamp: Clear Dollar Stamps Words Of Sympathy
Ink: PTI Plum Pudding
CS: PTI Sweet Blush, White
DP: Basic Grey
Accessories: PTI Ripe Avocado Ribbon

Finding Inspiration

2009-08-10T07:00:00.004-06:00

Each Sunday at Split Coast Stampers there is a "Featured Stamper" whose gallery you can browse to pick out a card for inspiration. Then you create your own card, making at least 2 changes so you're not just copying their card. Well, since I've mentioned my creativity is down, I decided to look at the featured stamper's gallery today. Finally, I settled on this card as my inspiration. I loved the text background and the silhouettes, together with the butterfly. I tried to achieve a similar look, substituting stamp sets I have for the ones that she used. And I really liked that she had embossing on her card. I decided to emboss my butterfly instead of the text background. Most of the time I add a sentiment to the front of my card, but I left it blank this time, like my inspiration card. There you have it. I'm hoping for a fun, creative week. 2 Mondays until school starts.

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Text Style, PTI Life, SU Great Friend
Ink: PTI Chamomile, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise, VersaMark
CS: PTI Kraft, Ripe Avocado, Rustic Cream, Summer Sunrise
Accessories: Ranger Clear Embossing Powder

Merry Christmas To You

2009-08-08T10:02:00.006-06:00

I know that my posts have been few and far between lately. I haven't been feeling the greatest, and my creativity is down. But yesterday I got my crafting area cleaned up {mainly} and decided to just make a card, even if it was something super simple. Girls all over the card world start planning Christmas early, so I've already been seeing a lot of Christmas cards popping up. I decided to pull out some of my Christmas stuff and make a little card before I wanted to go crazy and order new Christmas goodies. I am pretty happy with how this card turned out. I do want to make another and add glitter all over the bottom, like on this great Christmas card by Susan. I don't have any glitter other than my glitter glue, though, and thought that if I did the whole thing with that, it would end up looking really gloppy. Have a great Saturday!!!

Stamps: SU Best Borders, Studio G
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy
Copics: E43, RV29, YG95
CS: PTI Ripe Avocado, White
Accessories: Glitter Glue

Sloppy Joes

2009-08-05T13:04:00.002-06:00

A couple of years ago I did "once a month cooking," where you can prepare meals for an entire month. It is so much work the day(s) you get all of the meals ready, but it's so nice to have meals for a month. This is my cousin's recipe that she gave me that works great for OAMC. It's my husband's favorite sloppy joe recipe. It's also great the day your prepare it. It doesn't have to stay in the freezer a few weeks to taste good.

Monday, yet again.

2009-08-03T08:23:00.003-06:00

Last week was a long one for us. There was a lot going on, and it definitely didn't help me feel very creative. So I was really looking forward to this weeks CAS challenge at SCS to get me going, yet again. Well, just my luck....it called for stitching, be it faux or real. I can't do real stitching, and don't really want to try fake stitching today. So I just went out on my own to make a thank you card.
Now we are down to 3 Mondays until school starts, and I can't believe it. This will be another busy week, but I'm hoping it doesn't take away from crafting this time. Have a great Monday!

Stamps: SU Artfully Asian, River City Rubber Works sentiment
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate
Copics: RV10, RV13, RV29, YG95
CS: PTI White, SU Rose Red