CC186 - So Thankful

I very rarely participate in the Color Challenges at SCS because I never have all 3 colors. Thankfully this week was different. The colors for today's challenge are Baja Breeze, Really Rust, and Chocolate Chip. I didn't have Baja Breeze, but I had a scrap piece of patterned paper that was close to Tempting Turquoise, so I just sponged a little brown over it to mute it a little. The Natural's Ivory card stock is also sponged with brown. You can't tell from the picture, but the pumpkin is embossed in black. I colored it in with watercolor pencils.

This card is a CASE from a 'Close to my Heart' ad from the October issue of PaperCrafts. I couldn't find an online picture so I just snapped one from the magazine.

Have a lovely rest of your day!

{So Thankful}

Stamps: Pumpkin (Michaels $1)
Card Stock: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory (SU)
Patterned Paper: Polka Dot Blue (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU), Versamark
Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, AquaPainter, Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp), Midnight Black Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Vintage Typewriter Alphabet Stickers (Miss Elizabeth's)

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New JustRite Goodies

We had a super busy weekend. Two family reunions and a Fall Festival at Halle's school. All of this while being in a Benadryl coma. My allergies have been horrible this year.

Anyway, I received a few JustRite goodies over the weekend. I am now the proud owner of the Special Occasions Monogram Stamper Kit, Damask Borders, and Medium and Large Numbers Set. The kit is great! It comes with a wooden stamper that is sooo easy to use. If you are stamping the same thing over and over, I would use the self inking stamper. But in this case, I just needed one of this image, so the wooden one was perfect.

As you can tell from my card that I didn't waste any time getting acquainted with my new stamps. I used one of the Damask Borders with the letter G from the Special Occasions font.

Here is a close-up of the monogram. I wanted to make sure you saw the pearls that give this a really "classy" look.

Have a great day everyone!

{Damask Monogrammed G}

Stamps: Special Occasion Letter G, Damask Border (JustRite)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Stampers Select White (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Pattern & Pink (Basic Grey 6x6 paper pack- Sultry collection)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU)
Accessories: Pearls, Coluzzle, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Brown Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp), Corner Rounder Punch, Foam Tape

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PaperTrey Ink Blog Hop!

Yay! It's Blog Hop time! I just know I will find a ton of holiday ideas to recreate from 'hopping' tonight. To view all the projects, click on this link. You will then need to click on "Blog list of participants".

I made a gift ensemble which is a handmade ornament made using PaperTrey Ink's Guide Lines set along with a matching card.

I found this kind of origami-of-sorts ornament on some obscure forum. It was so easy to make once I finished stamping the pattern and was able to decipher the instructions. Here's the play-by-play.

You will need 6 pieces of 2.5"x2.5" card stock or patterned paper.

You will be folding the paper so that the tip of the corner meets in the center then fold. I decided I wanted to be a little more precise, so I marked off the middle and where the fold line would be so I could score it to make it a lot neater.

Here's what all the pieces looked like after you folded the corners to the center.

Next you just glue the folded pieces together. This ornament has six sides, just like a dice. I found it easiest to do the 4 perimeter sides and then put on the top and bottom. Here's a picture of all the sides put together minus the one on top.

And here's the finished product!

Here is a close-up of the card I made to match the ornament.

Thanks so much for stopping by tonight!

{Ornament and Card Ensemble}

Stamps: Guide Lines (PaperTrey Ink), Peaceful Wishes (SU)
Card Stock: Stamper's Select White (PTI), Glorious Green, Real Red (SU)
Ink: Real Red, Glorious Green, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Snail Adhesive, Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp), Green Satin Double Face Ribbon (Offray), Ruler, Pencil

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WT#185 Totally Charmed!

Today's "ways to use it" challenge was to use -you guessed it, a CHARM! I've had this charm in my embellishment drawer for well over a year now. Scott's grandma had hip replacement surgery this morning, so I decided to make this a 'get well' card. I sewed the charm to the ribbon with a needle and thread. This is yet again a one layered card. They are just so fun and easy!

Tonight is PaperTrey Ink's monthly Blog Hop. I will be posting my project tonight at 5:00 est., so be sure to check back later. This month's challenge was all about the holiday and handmade gifts. I know you'll love my little ensemble. See you tonight!


{Totally Charmed Get Well}

Stamps: Remember, Mixed Messages (PaperTrey Ink)
Card Stock: Naturals Ivory (SU)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green, Chocolate Chip (SU)
Accessories: Butterfly Charm (Walmart), Brown Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), Needle, Thread

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SC195 Ab Fab!

Okay, I didn't start out intending to post three cards today, but I like to post challenge cards the day of the challenge. Today was a sketch challenge. I went a little distress-happy. What can I say, I love to distress! I also love the look of all those patterns together. All of the papers came from a 6x6 Basic Grey Paper Stack (Sultry). And here is a close-up since you can't really make out the "Absolutely Fabulous" sentiment.
Don't forget there's another post from today below this one! Take care!

{SC195 Ab Fab}

Stamps: Mixed Messages (PTI)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip (SU)
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey 6x6 paper stack (Sultry series)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU)
Accessories: Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp), Gingham Jumbo Brad (Making Memories), Flower (Prima)

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Yay, Two Cards Today!

I feel so bad about my lack of posting, I decided to post two cards today. I've had an allergy headache since Saturday!! I'm finally going to break down and get some Claritan today. Tylenol is just not cutting it, plus I have an itchy throat. Anyway, enough about me...

The card above was made using all American Crafts paper and ribbon and PaperTrey Ink's Remember stamp set.

I've been really enjoying making one layer cards lately. My favorite blogger, Dawn McVey, has been making a lot of these and I think it's rubbing off. Can I just say that this sentiment reminds me of the "Golden Girls." LOL! Have a fantastic day!

{Celebrate Today w/ Poppy}

Stamps: Remember (PaperTrey Ink)
Card Stock: Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Backside of Celebration Series (American Crafts)
Ink: Night of Navy (SU)

Accessories: Celebration Ribbon (American Crafts), 1 3/8" Square Punch, Foam Dots

{Thank You Friend}

Stamps: Remember (PaperTrey Ink), Swirls (Autumn Leaves)

Card Stock: Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink)

Ink: Night of Navy (SU)

Accessories: Light Blue Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray)

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I am sooo bored...

I am bored out of my mind tonight so I thought I would post this really cool card I made earlier this week. This is the first time I've used two images together to make a pattern using Guide Lines from PaperTrey Ink. Just think how cool it would be when you use two colors. I was not super precise when stamping, but your mistakes get camouflaged in the overall pattern. You gotta love that!

This card is really different than most of my cards. It has NO layers and only one ink color. If you've visited my blog before, you know this is one of my favorite color combos.

Well, I hope your night is more exciting than mine. My husband returns from a trip to Dale Hollow tomorrow. So tonight, I'm just blog hopping and watching HGTV. Take care!

Stamps: Guide Lines & Butterfly Kisses (PaperTrey Ink)
Card Stock: Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink)
Ink: Basic Black (SU)
Accessories: Red Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray)

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LSC186 Happy Friday!

I have really been a challenge junkie this week. I love doing challenges because they guide you in a direction, any direction. It's sometimes overwhelming when you don't have a plan. So many stamps, so many colors, so many pretty things! I know you know what I mean! Well, the "limited supply challenge" today was very specific as to what your card needed to include (or not include!). Here's the requirements:

• Participants had to use White or Vanilla as the MAIN color
• Second color had to be black, brown, or gray
• Finally, you had to choose ONE other color
• Limit yourself to three layers
• No patterned paper, no background stamps
• You can only use one image stamp, one sentiment stamp and you can only stamp it once and it must be on white
• Embellishments,punches, and embossing were fine, but no distressing

Obviously I chose to use white, black, and red. The little stamp in the corner says "You're too kind". I have now officially used all of my "new" cuttlebug embossing folders and I really LOVE them. They add so much texture and interest.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! The weather here is perfect. A far cry from the wind storm last week. We still have about 130,000 customers without power in the tri-state area! We were definitely lucky to have only been without power for a day and a half. Okay, I'll stop rambling! Have a good one!

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes (SU), Mixed Messages (PaperTrey Ink)
Card Stock: Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink), Real Red, Basic Black (SU)
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black (SU)
Accessories: Black Brads (Making Memories), Flower Punch (EK Success), Dimensionals, Stripes Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

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WT#184 Silhouettes

Today's "ways to use it" challenge was all about silhouettes. You just needed to use them in your card. It was pretty easy picking an image since I don't have very many silhouette stamps. I haven't used my Flower Trio stamp in a while. Whenever I use this stamp, I have to add some bling to the flower centers. I know my neighbors got a good laugh watching my card blow away right as I was taking the picture. I got quite a few good shots of it lying face down-LOL! I do think it's worth the effort though. That natural light makes all the difference. Take care!

Stamps: Flower Trio (Autumn Leaves), Mixed Messages (PaperTrey Ink)
Card Stock: So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Naturals Ivory (SU)
Patterned Paper: lavender scraps
Ink: Mellow Moss, Lovely Lilac (SU)
Accessories: Rhinestones (Me & My Big Ideas), Green Gingham Ribbon (Offray), Diamond Rough Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Dimensionals

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SC194 Heartfelt Thanks!

I've noticed lately that my pictures have been looking a bit dark and dreary. My usual picture taking place is in front of my sliding glass doors in my kitchen/dining room. Usually there is a ray of light streaming though to make my pictures look pretty. Well, that ray of light is gone and I thought it was just because it was dreary outside. After days of dark pictures, I have finally realized that it's just the time of year where the sun hits the other side of my house. Duh! Anyway, I took my card outside to have a photo shoot. I hope this looks better! I really need to invest in one of those light box thingies.

This card was made using the layout for Sketch Challenge 194 at Splitcoast. I really like this layout. I used one piece of Stella Ruby (Basic Grey) patterned paper. I used the new Remember set from PaperTrey Ink to make the "grapevine". I added stickles to the leaves to glam it up a bit. I also "antiqued" the border using Distress Ink. The sentiment came from Butterfly Kisses also from PaperTrey.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Stamps: Remember & Butterfly Kisses (PaperTrey Ink)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip (SU), Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Stella Ruby Series (Basic Grey)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU), Distress Ink (Tea Dye- Ranger Ink)
Accessories: 4 Black Brads, Watercolor Pencils (SU), Aqua Painter, Foam Tape, Stickles (Ranger)

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What a crazy few days that was!

Well, if you are wondering why I haven't posted in a few days, it's because we have not had power since Sunday afternoon! Who would have thought that hurricane Ike could have such an impact in the Greater Cincinnati area??? We did get our power back last night so I've been busy getting caught up on laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, etc. We were pretty lucky though because some won't get their power back until the weekend. I think over 900,000 customers were without power. The kids have been off school these last two days. It's been really fun keeping them occupied without power =)

Way back on Sunday morning (when we still had power) I made this card. I was pretty uninspired so I checked out the Sunday challenge on Splitcoast. I think I've only participated in the Featured Stamper challenge one other time. The basic challenge is that they pick a stamper to feature and we all look at their gallery and pick a card to CASE (Copy And Share with Everyone). You have to change at least 2 elements. Here is the card I picked from the featured stamper, Lazy Lizard. You have to look close the see the Mosaic Embossing I used on the white card base. Take care!

Stamps: Remember (PaperTrey Ink)

Card Stock: Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink), Real Red (SU)
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black, Green Galore (SU)
Accessories: Black Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), Mosaic Embossing Folder & Cuttlebug, Dimensionals

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Happy Saturday!

Sorry this post is so short. The kids are down for nap/quite-time and I seriously need a nap as well. We had a great time with friends last night, but I had to get up too early this morning.

This card is pretty straight forward. I used my new Guide Lines set. It's so much fun to play around with. Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!

PS. Thanks for hanging in there with me this week while I was selling my stamp sets. (Only 3 sets left). I know what a pain it is to scroll through all that to get to the good stuff. Thanks!

Stamps: Guide Lines, Mixed Messages (PaperTrey Ink)
Card Stock: Pixie Pink, Going Gray (SU)
Ink: Basic Black (SU), Versamark
Accessories: Ribbon (Offray), Dimensionals, Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp)

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Sticky: This post will stay at the top until Sept. 12th (NEW POST BELOW!)

Stamps for SALE! Last day before they go on Ebay!

To make room for new stamps, I am selling some of my well loved sets. All of these stamp sets are retired, some are newly retired and some have been retired for some time and may be hard to find. All of these sets are used and may have some staining on the wooden block and rubber. This will not effect the stamped image at all, I promise! Please email me if you are interested or have any questions. grothausfamily@gmail.com Payment and shipping details below. Thanks!

Stampin' Pastels with 12 Daubers $20 (Barely Used)

HOLIDAY BLOCKS $7

MADE FROM SCRATCH $5 (HOSTESS SET)

NOTEWORTHY $6

I would prefer Paypal, however I will take a check. US transactions only please. I will charge actual shipping. I can figure out shipping once I have a zip code to ship it to and know what sets you want. Thanks for your interest and helping me out!

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Love you!

Hey ladies! Sorry I didn't have a post yesterday, but I was mentally exhausted. Let's just say it was a really, really bad day. This is a really simple card. I'm trying to get my mojo to come back. When I take a day off I feel like I have to start over with my creative process.

The one bad thing about selling items on SCS is that you see what everyone else is selling, and of course they are selling something you just have to have. Well, I just had to have this new Cuttlebug embossing folder. It actually was a great deal. I got 4 folders for $10 including shipping! The one I used in the card is called Script. Since I had the Cuttlebug out, I used the postage stamp die, which is the only die I have (it came with it). The "Love" stamp comes from A is for Adorable (SU) and the "You" is from my newly acquired set, Remember (Papertrey Ink).

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Hint: I have been itching to get my sewing machine out. We have a busy day tomorrow, but I'll try to squeeze in some craft time.


Stamps: Remember (PaperTrey Ink), A is for Adorable (SU)
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue, Naturals Ivory, Cameo Coral (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Brilliant Blue Marker
Accessories: Script Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Hemp Twine, Postage Stamp Die, Edge Distresser

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Guess who has new stamps???

I just got these two sets in the mail yesterday! They are Guide Lines & Remember from PaperTrey Ink. I used Remember for the card above and Guide Lines for the card below. There are so many possibilities with each set.

The first card was made using today's sketch challenge at SCS. In case you can't tell, both poppies are popped out using dimensionals. The poppie pod was stamped directly on the paper. This next card uses the Guide Lines set. You simply stamp the grid and then use the stamps provided to stamp on all the cross marks. The orange circle did not come with this set, it's from the Butterfly Kisses set, also from PaperTrey. You are basically making your own patterned paper!!! Gotta love that! Have a great day everyone!

{Remembering to Thank You}

Stamps: Remember (PaperTrey Ink)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black (SU)
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black, Green Galore (SU)
Accessories: Green Ribbon (Offray), Coluzzle, Scissors, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Dimensionals

{Halloween Wishes}

Stamps: Pumpkin & Halloween (Michaels $1), Guide Lines & Butterfly Kisses(PaperTrey Ink)

Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (SU)

Ink: Whisper White, Only Orange, Chocolate Chip (SU)

Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, Aquapainter, White Gelly Roll Pen, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals, Orange & Green Ribbon (Offray)

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SFYTT Birthday!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I made this card yesterday using Jen del Muro's sketch. I love this layout will definitely use it again. If you like that Happy Birthday stamp, it's for sale, LOL! See above post. Thank you to all the ladies who purchased stamp sets. You are really helping me out. Have a great day!

Stamps: Birthday Greetings (SU)
Card Stock: Buckaroo Blue, Whisper White (SU)
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey paper pack (Cupcake series)
Ink: Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Coluzzle, Dimensionals

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