More Butterfly Kisses

TGIF! I am so excited that it's Friday. We are taking the kids to the circus tonight! It will be their first time. I'll have some pictures to post tomorrow.

On to the card. No matter how hard you try, you cannot go wrong with black and white. I was really tempted to add a pop of color, but I think it turned out great without it.

Have wonderful weekend peeps!

{Butterfly Kisses Thank You}

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses (Papertrey Ink), Cute & Curly (SU)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Basic Black (SU)
Ink: Whisper White, Basic Black (SU)
Accessories: Curly Label Punch (SU), Black Mini Brads (Making Memories), Ribbon (Offray), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

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Birthday Wishes with Butterfly Kisses

Hello! Sorry for the late post. I was up late checking out all the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop entries. And, I won a stamp set!!!! Can't wait to get it and start playing. Anyway, Kristina Werner posted a color challenge on her blog today using the colors above. I love all those earthy colors. There are a lot of colors though, and that was a bit tricky.

Does this card look familiar to you? It should, it's this card, just with a few changes.
Thanks for stopping by today! See you all tomorrow.

{Birthday Wishes}

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses (Papertrey Ink)
Card Stock: White, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Brocade Blue, Old Olive, Ruby Red (SU)
Ink: Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Brown Satin Ribbon (Offray), Script Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Dimensionals (SU)

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Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Time

Hello! Tonight is the blog hop for Papertrey Ink. The theme this month is spring. I used the same color combination that I used for this card. The layout comes from today's sketch challenge at SCS. I stayed pretty close to the sketch except I changed the base to a square.

Here's a close-up of all the pastel goodness.

I hope you all enjoy the hop! Thanks for stopping by!

{Easter Wishes}

Stamps: Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink), Pocket Silhouettes (SU)
Card Stock: SS White (Papertrey Ink), Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette (SU)
Ink: Certainly Celery (SU)
Accessories: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Curly Label Punch (SU), Silver Brad, Mini Blossoms (Making Memories), Foam Dimensionals (SU), Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp)

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Just a quick note....

Just a quick reminder that the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop is tonight. The theme is spring/easter. I will be back tonight with a card to share with you.

Also, I am super excited to share that I made the top 20 round-up for Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge with this card!!! Click here to see the other 19.

See you in a bit!

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Look at this guy...

Hello! Just look at this giraffe!!! I knew I wanted to ink this guy up today, but I also wanted to do the Mojo Monday challenge. The giraffe was pretty big, so I had to alter the sketch just a bit. I think it still works though. I also threw in the Color Inspiration Challenge today on SCS. The colors to use were old olive, summer sun, and pumpkin pie. The main body of the giraffe is colored using a mix of summer sun, pumpkin pie, and an aqua-painter. The rose is old olive and pumpkin pie and the ears are close to cocoa. This giraffe looks very romantic so I decided to use a script embossing folder. The "I love you" sentiment was printed from my computer using "Rage Italic" font from Microsoft Word. This giraffe stamp is from Dog Gone Stamps and I just love it!

{I love you w/ Giraffe}

Stamps: Giraffe (Dog Gone Stamps)
Card Stock: White, Summer Sun, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie (SU)
Ink: Jet Black (Stazon), Summer Sun, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Black Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), 3D Foam Dots (EK Success), Curly Label Punch (SU), Black Brads (Making Memories), Script Texture Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Computer & Printer, Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp)

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Thinking of you, friend

Happy Monday!!! I made this card last night while watching the Oscars. I guess I was inspired by all that bling. I wanted to make a card without all the straight and perfect lines. I think it turned out pretty good. A little something different.
Have a great start to your week and I'll catch you back here tomorrow with a Mojo Monday card.


{Thinking of you, friend}

Card Stock: Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Sultry by Basic Grey
Accessories: Flower (Prima), Clear Gem Stickers (Martha Stewart), Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Jumbo Pebble Brad (Making Memories), Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon (SU), Pink Ribbon (Offray), Paper Piercer, Chit Chat Rub-on (SU)

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Blog Candy Winner

I'm so excited to announce the winner of my first ever blog candy giveaway!!! And the winner of all the items in the picture below is Tonya from Old County Creations. Here's what Tonya had to say about Dog Gone Stamps:

"I love the look of Dog Gone stamps. I adore "Twirl" and the Halloween cat is awesome. Soccer girl is adorable (my daughter plays) and the golfer is fabulous too (my dad plays) and of course the dogs. Thanks for the chance to win such fabulous candy and the chance to try these stamps!"

Congrats Tonya! Please contact me with your snail mail address. Thanks so much to all who participated. I really enjoyed all of your comments.

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Blog Candy Reminder & a Card

Hey guys! Today is Friday and that means that today is the last day to enter for BLOG CANDY! Click here to go to the BLOG CANDY post. Comments close at midnight tonight and I will announce the winner tomorrow.

Some of my fellow Dog Gone Stamps DT members are also offering blog candy. Increase your chances of winning by visiting their blogs.

• Jean
• Mitzi
• Lauri
• Cathy
• Jacilynn
• Sandy

Also, I have some more stamps for sale at SCS. Whatever I don't sell are going on ebay on Monday. Please email me (grothausfamily@gmail.com) if you are interested in anything.

On to my card for today. I was having one of those days where everything I touched turned to crap. Ever have one of those days. It was the perfect day to stamp. The kids had school and then spent the afternoon at my Mom's. I pretty much had all day to do whatever I wanted, but nothing went quite right. I wasn't happy with anything. Then I went to Walmart (I hate their craft section) and bought some Martha Stewart Clear Gem Stickers. This was just the trick to get me feeling crafty. When I go home I pulled out my JustRite Monogram Stamper and made this card.

Have a great weekend!

{Monogrammed G Note}

Stamps: JustRite Monogram Stamper, Damask Border, Special Occasions Font
Card Stock: Kraft, White (SU)
Patterned Paper: Kiwi Kiss Designer Patterns Paper (SU)
Ink: Old Olive (SU)
Accessories: Clear Gem Stickers (Martha Stewart), Brown Satin Ribbon (Offray), Dimensionals (SU), Scallop Edge Punch (SU)

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A Perfect Pair

***Click Here For Blog Candy***

Hello! One of my best friends is getting married and her bridal shower is this weekend. Sherry loves butterflies more than any person I know. She's obsessed really. I just know she will love this card. The idea for this card came about after seeing this card on Wendy's blog. I would have never thought to layer white on white. It's so elegant. The sentiment for my card

is from Chit Chat rub-ons from Stampin Up. This card also satisfies the requirement for todays ways to use it challenge at SCS which was to use stripes on your card. The stripes were made with a Cuttlebug embossing folder called "distressed stripes." That's all for now. Don't forget about the blog candy!!! I will close comments Friday night at midnight.

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses (Papertrey Ink)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze (SU)
Ink: Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Chit Chat Rub-ons (SU), White Brads (Making Memories), 3D Foam Dots (EK Success), Brown Satin Ribbon (Offray), Distressed Stripes Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

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Color Inspiration Challenge

****Click Here For Blog Candy****

Hey there! The card I made today is for Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #42. The colors are Really Rust, More Mustard, Kiwi Kiss, and Whisper White. I was a little leery of this combo, but I think it looks nice with all the white. This card uses the Top Note die and the Birds & Blooms dies from Stampin' Up. I love those dies but I'm itching to get some more. To participate in the challenge or to see what everyone else created, click here.

Don't forget to click here for the BLOG CANDY Giveaway!!!!


{from my heart, thanks}

Card Stock: Really Rust, Whisper White, More Mustard (SU)
Patterned Paper: Kiwi Kiss Designer Patterns Paper (SU)
Ink: Really Rust (SU)
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon (SU), Dimensionals (SU), Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Top Note Die (SU), Birds & Blooms dies (SU), 1/2" circle punch (SU), Chit Chat Rub-ons (SU)

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Round Top Box

****Blog Candy Below****

Hey ladies!!! I made this cute little box this morning. I found the template here for yesterday's Technique Lover's Challenge. It was very easy to cut out and glue together. The only problem is that I used my last piece of Kiwi Kiss card stock, *gasp*!!!!!
The box is filled with a bag of leftover valentine candy. It will make someone very happy, unless my kids find it first.
Have a wonderful day and don't forget to scroll down for BLOG CANDY!



{Round Top Box}

Stamps: Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink), Pocket Silhouettes (Stampin' Up!)
Card Stock: Kraft, Kiwi Kiss (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper: Kiwi Kiss Designer Patterns Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Old Olive (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Stampin' Sponge (Stampin' Up!), 3/4" Circle Punch (Stampin' Up!), Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon (Stampin' Up!)

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Blog Candy!!!!

ETA: The contest is officially over. Thanks so much to all who participated! It's blog candy time! Someone will win all this goodness. Nancy from Dog Gone Stamps has generously donated 5 stamps. The prize pack includes:

• $10 Michaels Gift Card
• Alpha Betty from Queen & Co.
• Fab Flowers from Queen & Co.
• Large Oval Eyelets from Stampin' Up!
• Stencil & Emboss Templates with Stylus
• 3 yards of ribbon
• Label Lingo Stickers from Sticko
• The Graduate Stickers from Sticko
• Blue Letter Stickers from Deja Vue
• Plus 5 stamps from Dog Gone Stamps ($35+ value)

To win, all you need to do is visit the Dog Gone Stamps website and leave me a comment on this post saying what you like. Make sure you check out the 1926 stamps. Those are the newest and some of the best. This post will be closed for comments Friday at midnight EST and I will draw a random winner and announce it on Saturday. One entry per person please. Good luck!

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Quick Valentine's Treat!

Happy Valentine's Day! I just wanted to share a quick treat with you. If you are short on time, this is perfect. Everyone loves chocolate, right? This is a covered Hershey Bar. All you do is peel off the original wrapper, cut some cardstock or patterned paper to the same size as the wrapper. Adhere and decorate. It's that simple. (A special thanks to my friend Haley for the idea!)

I hope you all have a wonderful day with the ones you love!

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Color Challenge

Good morning! This card is for Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #41. The colors she picked were Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, and Whisper White. This is a very classy combo. I used a stamp from the "Pocket Silhouettes" set from Stampin' Up. I think it made an abstract background. You can't really tell by the picture, but the flowers are black embossed.

This was actually the second card I made this morning. The first one was absolutely hideous. Seriously.

Thanks for all the concern about the wind storm we had yesterday. It actually wasn't too bad. Just a lot of limbs down and our lights flickered a few times. We slept through some of it.

Well, until tomorrow! Have a great day!

{Thank You}

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Thank You Kindly (SU)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray (SU)
Ink: VersaMark, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Black Mini Brads (Making Memories), Dimensionals (SU), Black Embossing Powder

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Sketch Challenge #215

We are having a major wind storm here today, so I need to post this fast before I lose the internet connection again.

This is a simple and straight forward card that uses the bird die from the Birds & Blooms sizzlit set from Stampin Up. Can you believe today was the first time I used it? I use the 'blooms' part all the time. Before I forget, the layout is from today's sketch challenge at SCS.

I'll be back tomorrow with another card if we have electricity and an internet connection. Fingers crossed!

{To You From Me}

Stamps: Best Yet (SU)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Kraft (SU)
Ink: Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Stampin Sponge (SU), Dimensionals (SU), Birds & Blooms Sizzlits (SU), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Paper Piercer, White Pen (Gelly Roll), Mini Brad (Queen & Co.)

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Happy Blog-Anniversary to Me!

Today is my official one year anniversary for my blog! I'm so excited to announce that I have landed a spot on the Dog Gone Stamps Design Team! Never heard of Dog Gone Stamps? Well, it's a brand spankin' new company with a bunch of adorable stamps. I was able to pick 6 stamps to work with over the next couple of months, then I get to pick some more!!! This hula hoop girl was a 'gotta have it' stamp. It reminds me of my little girl, Halle.

Dog Gone Stamps are sold individually and are not mounted on a wood block. Here's what they look like when you receive them. They are red rubber stamps that are deeply etched to leave a beautiful image.

They come with a paper-like backing that you will want to keep for storage.

They cling right to an acrylic block. They are not sticky at all and hold tightly to the block.

Here is a close-up. For those of you that follow my blog (thank you!), you are probably thinking that you haven't seen me color very much. Yes, this is definitely out of my comfort zone. In the past I have used sentiments and embellishments a lot more on my cards instead of images. I'm always at a loss when a card sketch calls for a large panel because I don't have big stamps to fill the area.

To color the hula hoop girl, I used Stampin' Up watercolor pencils and an aqua painter. What do you think? Also, the sentiment "Hoop it up!" (it was either that or "Hoop there it is!") was printed on my computer.

So, in honor of my One Year Blog-versary, I am putting together some blog candy!!! Nancy at Dog Gone Stamps has been gracious enough to donate some stamps for the give-away! Stay tuned for more details.

{Hoop it up!}

Stamps: Hula Hoop Girl (Dog Gone Stamps)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette (SU)
Patterned Paper: Cupcake Paper Pad (Basic Grey)
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: Curly Label Punch (SU), Watercolor Pencils (SU), AquaPainter (SU), Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Dimensionals (SU), Light Pink Sheer Ribbon (Offray)

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Mojo Monday Sketch

Hey guys! This is going to be a super quick post. Such a busy day. This card layout uses this sketch from Mojo Monday. It also incorporates the element of friendship so it qualifies for this give-away at the Papertrey Ink blog.

Here's a close-up. I stamped the image in the center first and them "stamped off" to get the lighter stamp in the background.

Just got some new stamps in the mail today. Check back tomorrow for an announcement and to check out the new stamps!

{Friend to Friend}

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes (SU)
Card Stock: Kraft, Close to Cocoa, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip (SU)
Patterned Paper: Kiwi Kiss Designer Patterns Pack (SU)
Ink: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip (SU)
Accessories: Curly Label Punch (SU), Dimensionals (SU), Satin Ribbon (Offray), Button (Walmart), Hemp Twine (SU)

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Yes, another Papertrey challenge today...

Surprise! Another Papertrey challenge. This is serious. Papertrey Ink is giving away over $250 worth of ribbon. Yes, that amazing Perfect Match kind. They are giving away one of every color they carry plus one from the February release. I couldn't even imagine what I would do with all that ribbon, but I'm gonna try to win it.

Down to business. Today was a sketch challenge. You can find the sketch and details of the ribbon give-away by clicking here. I did change the card from a rectangle to a square.

Have a great weekend!

{Happy birthday to a great friend}

Card Stock: Stamper's Select White (Papertrey), Pink Passions (SU)
Accessories: Flowers (Prima), Black Brads (Making Memories), Ribbon (Dashes, Dots & Checks), Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Dimensionals (SU), Chit Chat Rub-ons (SU)

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New day, New Papertrey Challenge

Here's another card I am posting in hopes of winning Papertrey Ink goodies. Click here for info on today's challenge and prize. Today was a color challenge. I don't have any colored Papertrey paper (yet!) so I used Barely Banana, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, and Baja Breeze. I also tried a new technique with SU's scallop edge punch. Click here for the tutorial on Splitcoast.

This card was a special request from my Aunt Patty who has a friend that is retiring. I hope you like it! I also decorated the inside, which is a first for me! I really like how it turned out.

Wish me luck in today's give-away! Have a great weekend!

{Happy Retirement}

Stamps: Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)
Card Stock: Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink), Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Barely Banana, Old Olive (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Old Olive (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Dimensionals (SU), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Birds & Blooms Sizzlits (SU), Yellow Satin Ribbon (Offray), Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp)

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Friendship Purse

Hey guys! Have you been following all the news at Papertrey Ink's blog? So much exciting stuff going on with the company and sooo many give-aways! Well, today they are having a give-away that you have to work for. The challenge is to make a bag and post it to you blog or online gallery by midnight tonight. They are giving away a $100 PTI gift certificate with a gorgeous canvas PTI bag!!! Oh the things I would buy!

Anyway, here is the hand-bag I made. You may recall this one I made a little while ago. The purse template came from Mary Fish. Such a quick and easy project. Stickles add a touch of sparkle to the flower petals. Just fill with chocolates (of course!) and give to a friend.

Take care! We're trying to stay warm today. It's zero degrees here today!!!

{Friendship Purse}

Stamps: Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)
Card Stock: Kraft, Kiwi Kiss (Stampin Up)
Patterned Paper: Kiwi Kiss Designer Pattens Pack (Stampin Up)
Ink: Old Olive (Stampin Up)
Accessories: Dimensionals (SU), Birds & Blooms Sizzlits (SU), Cuttlebug, Frosted Lace Stickles (Ranger), Coluzzle, purse template

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