A {We Miss You} Card...

Today is the sixth day of our cruise and this morning our kids opened this card:

The sentiment stamp actually says "i miss you", so I wanted to replace the "i" with "we" and thought about handwriting it in.  Then I saw the stamp in this same set that says "WELCOME" and it was fate!  I stamped the "WE" from "WELCOME" and the "miss you" from the "i miss you" stamp.  Perfect!


Now, don't laugh at me!  After making this card is sorta looks like the parent birds are getting frisky, KWIM?  Bahahaha!  Hopefully my kids don't notice!  


Okay, so today we are at sea again and will be until we dock in Cape Canaveral on Sunday morning.  


Have a great day!

{We Miss You}

Stamps: Tweet Notes (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: On the Catwalk Cream, Dare to Be a Diva Red (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Green With Envy, Glamazon Green (CSS)

Accessories: Aqua-Painter, Baker's Twine

Copic Marker: W1 

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Hey guys!  Me again!  Just wanted to let you know I have a card featured on the Clear & Simple Stamps iPhone App today.  It's one of my favorites and it actually gives you a sneak peak at the set that will be released tomorrow!

See you shortly with another card!

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A {Sending You Smiles} Card...

Today is the fifth day of our cruise and our kids opened this card:

This is one of my favs and it was one of the easiest to make.  It totally looks like it's one stamp or at least two stamps from the same set.  The sun and clouds is one stamp from a limited edition set from Clear & Simple Stamps (you get it when you take their copic class at CKC) and the sentiment stamp is from their set called Icon Extras.  I just love happy accidents!


Today we are on the island of St. Thomas.  Not sure what is in store for us but I'm sure it'll have something to do with the beach, exploring the island, and drinking of frozen adult beverage.


Have a great day!

{Sending You Smiles}

Stamps: Icon Extras, Smile/Limited Edition (Clear & Simple Stamps), 

Card Stock: A Blanc Check (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Black Dress (CSS)

Copics: Y32, Y35, Y38, B93, B95, W1, 0

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A {Nuts About You} Card...

Today is the fourth day of our cruise and this morning our kids opened this card:

This card is probably my least favorite out of all the cards I made for the kids, but I know they will love it.  For some reason some of the leaves look yellow, when in real life they are a minty green.  This card is one layer and uses two completely different sets of stamps from tow different stamp companies.  

Today we'll be exploring the island of St. Maarten.  We are planning to go zip-lining.  I'm really excited about it!  I've never done it before and think it'll be a blast.  


Have a great day!

{Nuts About You}

Stamps: Forest Friends (Papertrey Ink), Happy Fall (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check (CSS)

Ink: Green With Envy, Brown Leather Satchel, Glamazon Green, Emerald Bling, Dish All the Dirt Brown (CSS)

Accessories: Markers

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A {hi} Card...

Today is the third day of our cruise and our kids will open this card:

I messed the background up on this one a bit, but not enough to scrap it and start over.  I know my kids won't mind since they will be too distracted by the glittery letters.


Today we are at sea.  We'll probably play some bingo, swim, lay in the sun, read, relax and eat a lot.

Have a great day!

{hi}

Stamps: Text Style (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Glamazon Green, Green With Envy, Kraft Like a Rockstar, A Blanc Check (CSS)

Ink: Glamazon Green, Green With Envy, Emerald Bling (CSS)

Accessories: Heart Punch (Paper Shapers), Foam Dimensionals, White Floss, Small Hole Punch, Edge Distresser, Chipboard Glitter Letters (Me & My Big Ideas)

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A {Sending a Smile} Card...

Today is the second day of our Caribbean cruise!  This morning our kids will open this card:

This card is so simple, yet so graphic.  I absolutely love it!  It was really easy and quick to make too.

Today we are at Cococay, Bahamas.  This is the cruise-lines private island.  We'll probably be spending the day snorkeling, tanning, and just relaxing.


Have a great day!

{Sending a smile across the miles...}

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Simply Blue-tiful, Trendsetter Blue, Green With Envy, Glamazon Green, Your Style Blue Me Away (CSS)

Ink: You Style Blue Me Away (CSS)

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch 

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An {Ahoy!} Card...

Today is the first day of our Caribbean cruise!  We are going with some close friends.  It's sure to be a great time.  Our kids are staying with their grandparents and I've made a card for them to open each morning.  Today is the first morning and this is the card I made for them.  I think it's pretty appropriate.

Today we are flying from Cincinanti to Orlando and then driving to Cape Canaveral where we will board the ship.  As I'm writing this I'm missing my kiddos already, and we haven't even left yet!


Have a great day!

{Ahoy!}

Stamps: Across the Miles, Alpha Varsity (Clear & Simple Stamps), Text Style (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, On the Catwalk Cream (CSS), Spring Rain (PTI)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Your Style Blue Me Away, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Accessories: Silver Brads, Foam Dimensionals, Top Note Die (SU), White Floss

Copics: B93, B95, W3, W5 

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A {Birthday Wishes} Card...

I have to say that I don't think I've ever made this many cards in one week in my entire life.  Before we leave on our cruise (in two days) I had 7 cards to make for Design Team assignments as well as my usual daily cards I post here on my blog.  If that wasn't enough, I decided to make an extra 7 cards (all made this morning) for my kids to open while we are on our cruise.  I made one card for each day we'll be gone and the card tells them where we are on our cruise.  I'll be sharing those everyday next week.  So, I've made 18 cards this week!

This card uses one of my favorite color combinations.  I love the true green with the minty green.  The kraft adds a natural feel to the card.

Sorry this is so short, but I have 7 other blog posts to write and some errands to run.


Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

{Birthday Wishes}

Stamps: Iconic Images, Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Green With Envy, Glamazon Green, Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Ink: Glamazon Green (CSS), Vintage Cream (PTI)

Accessories: Edge Distresser, Stamping Sponge, Foam Dimensionals

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An {Ocean of Love} Card...

Can you tell I'm dreaming of the ocean?  Only three more days until we leave on our cruise!  I'm so excited but it's been pretty overwhelming making arrangements for the kids and packing, packing and packing.  


This card started with a cream card base that is sponged with blue ink for the sky.  Before I sponged the "sky", I applied a circle mask where I wanted the "sun" to be.  Then I used a reverse mask (just the negative of the circle punch) to sponge the orange ink for the sun.  

The waves were created by using alternating strips of blue card stock that were punched using a scallop edge punch.  

I really love how the sentiment overlaps the sky and sun.  Don't know why exactly, but it just works.

Have a great day!

{Ocean of Love}

Stamps: Whale Wishes (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: On the Catwalk Cream, Simply Blue-tiful, Your Style Blue Me Away (CSS)

Ink: Simply Blue-tiful, Your Style Blue Me Away, Creamsicle Cardigan (CSS)

Accessories: Blue Rhinestone, Whale Die (PTI), Foam Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge, Scallop Edge Punch (SU)

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A {Teacher} Card...

Hello!  It's been super busy around here lately.  My husband and I are going on a cruise next week and there's a lot of work to be done.  I thought I would share a card today using the new SOTM, Alpha Varsity from Clear & Simple Stamps.


My daughter's teacher this year is Ms. Jones and she'll be getting this card later this year.  This card is clean and simple, just the way I like it.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  

{Ms. Jones}

Stamps: Alpha Varsity, Teacher (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, Glamazon Green, Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Ink: Glamazon Green (CSS), White

Accessories: Black Floss, Edge Distresser

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A Glittery {Have a Lovely Day} Card...

Hey guys!  I've been holed up in my studio watching Bachelor Pad (I'm way behind) and cranking out cards for DT projects.  It's really the perfect thing to do on a rainy day.  I've been stamping, masking, coloring, and cutting all morning.  When I had enough done to work on a card to share today, I just wanted to keep it clean and simple.

I used strips of pink paper (different widths, lengths and shades) but they are all cut at the same angle and I think that's why this card works.  The strips are so different, but they are all the same in one way.  KWIM?

Okay, that's it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by!!!

{Have a Lovely Day}

Stamps: Beauty Secrets II (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, I'm a Princess Pink, Paint the Town Pink, Coral Necklace (CSS)

Ink: A Perfect Black Dress (CSS)

Accessories: Simple Adhesive (CSS), Iridescent Glitter

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A {Before & After} Project...

I mentioned earlier that my husband is away on a "fishing" trip.  Whenever he's out of town for more than a day or two I always seem to find a few around-the-house projects to do.  Last time I re-orgnaized our entire walk-in closet and re-decorated our bedroom.  I have a few projects going on, but nothing that drastic.  I like to do things that involve power tools or spray paint when he's out of town to save him from having the be-jesus scared out of him just thinking about me using those things.  


The first project I tackled was re-doing the desk chair in my daughter's room.  All of her furniture is white and so this chair doesn't really go.  This chair belonged to my husband growing up and we no longer even own the hideous desk that went with it. 

This chair isn't too horrible looking, but it just didn't go with the white furniture and bright pink walls that make my daughter's room so girly.  Plus the fake leather seat had seen better days.  

This project all started when I saw this tablecloth on clearance at Meijer.  It was $3.74 and I knew I could find something to do with it.  This is the perfect time of year to look for summer tablecloths on clearance. Re-covering Halle's chair was the first thing that came to mind.  Plus, I still have 75% of the fabric leftover.  Halle's favorite color is green, and this looked like her style.  All those thousands of hours watching HGTV are finally paying off!!!

The first thing I did was unscrew the fake leather seat from the chair.  I spray painted the chair white with some Krylon Dual Paint that was a primer + white paint.  It was dry in half an hour, which is about how long it took me to re-cover the chair seat.


I left the fake leather underneath the new fabric.  I'm lazy that way and what if I opened a can of worms when I removed it?  I was really just avoiding a new problem.  I attached the tablecloth fabric the way I'd seen a hundred times on HGTV.  I used a staple gun just like the professionals.  The corners were a little tricky but I just kept at it.  I trimmed off the excess fabric, flipped it over and screwed my new seat to the freshly painted chair.  Check it out! 

Most importantly, my daughter loves her new chair.  Maybe now she'll want to do her homework at her desk?  


Fabric can be really expensive.  Whenever I see sheets, tablecloths, curtains, heck sometimes clothes on clearance with a cool pattern, I buy them just for the fabric.  I have a bunch of purse tutorials on my Pinterest board that I'm hoping to use the leftover of this fabric to make a cool tote bag.  There's something about the cooler months that make me want to sew.


Hope you enjoyed today's project.  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

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A {Best One Yet} Card...

 I made this card yesterday and am just now getting around to posting it.  This card is for my husband.  He goes on a trip to Dale Hollow every year with the men in his family and friends.  It's a tradition that's been going on for about 25 years (he hasn't gone for 25, but his family has).  Anyway, he left yesterday and I tucked this card under his iPad cover for him to discover later.

This card is rather masculine.  The chevron stripes are stamped with brown ink and then I used a regular old marker to color in the stripes with red. I added the white faux stitching last.  It just looked a little boring before that.  The red stitching is real, though.  I hope he likes it.

I added a little dimension to the sentiment panel.  It's a little wavy, like a flag/banner.  


Have a great day!

{Best One Yet}

Stamps: Chevron Stripes, Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink) 

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, On the Catwalk Cream (CSS)

Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Your Style Blue Me Away, Dare to Be a Diva Red (CSS)

Accessories: Sewing Machine, Red Thread, White Gel Pen, Corner Rounder Punch, Stamping Sponge, Red Marker

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Hi! Just one more thing today.  I have a card featured on the Clear & Simple Stamps App for the iPhone (hint: if you've seen this card, my card for the app uses the negative image).  For more info about the App and how to get it, click here.

See you tomorrow!!!

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Clear & Simple Stamps: Group Project

Good morning!  This is going to be fun!!!  This month for the Clear & Simple Stamps Group Project we are picking a letter and making a card/project revolving around that using the new set Alpha Varsity.  Fun, right?  I can't wait to see what everyone else made.  

I chose what may be the most obvious, A is for Apple.  Apples and teachers go hand in hand.  I used my Silhouette (before it broke) for the apple shape and also the banner shape.  I cut the stem, leaf and apple from On the Catwalk Cream card stock and then sponged them the appropriate colors. The apple is popped up on foam dots and so is the banner.

I used a circle punch for the tag and stamped the A from Alpha Varsity.  Who doesn't love being told how great they are?  Not me, that's for sure.  


Be sure to check out the rest of the group projects over at the Clear & Simple Stamps Blog.


Have a great day!

{Teachers}

Stamps: Alpha Varsity, Teacher (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like A Rockstar, On the Catwalk Cream (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Hattie (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Glamazon Green, Green With Envy, Dare to Be A Diva Red, Dish All the Dirt Brown (CSS)

Accessories: Foam Dimensionals, Circle Punch, Stamping Sponge, Baker's Twine, Digitally Cut Shapes (Silhouette)

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A {Thinking of You} Card...

I went down to my studio this morning with one goal in mind--to catch up on Bachelor Pad.  I can't believe I just admitted I watch that train wreck, but I do like to watch a little mindless tv while I get crafty.  I didn't have a card in mind like I usually do, but I did want to use the flowers from PTI's Iconic Images without the vase image.  My card evolved from there.

I started by making a 4.25" square card base and then trimming a post-it note to a 2.5" square and placing it in the center of the card as a mask.  I stamped the corners first using dark green and then the sides using light green.  Then I stamped the flowers in pink, removed the mask (the sharp, clean lines make me want to squeal), and stamped the sentiment in dark green.  

I kept thinking it needed a little something, but I can't put my finger on it.  I do like the white space though.  Check out the supply list!  Just paper, ink, and stamps!

It's the weekend already!  I love four day work weeks!  Enjoy your weekend!!!

{Thinking of You}

Stamps: Iconic Images (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: SS White (PTI)

Ink: Glamazon Green, Green With Envy, Paint the Town Pink (CSS)

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Blogher Book Club Review: Slow Love

I'm excited to share another book review with you today.  We're doing things a little different this time.  I'm going to let you know what I thought of the book and then I'll be participating in a month-long discussion over at Blogher.  This next book club selection is called Slow Love by Dominique Browning.  It's being touted as the next Eat, Pray, Love.

Slow Love is a memoir written by Dominique, a high powered magazine editor who unexpectedly loses her job.  She loses all sense of purpose and doesn't know what to do with her life.  This is the way I felt just a short time ago when both my kids started school this year (all day).  Dominique's life was fast paced and sort of a whirlwind.  Her losing her job was a blessing in disguise.  She learned how to enjoy life and really learn who she really was.

I spent a lot of time feeling sorry for Dominique since she didn't seem to live in the present and didn't really sit back and enjoy the now for over 30 years.  I feel that I've made good choices and say no enough that I really do enjoy the little moments in life.  This book reminded me to be thankful for what I have and how I should be savoring every moment.


Here is a link to the Slow Love page on Blogher Book Club, click on any of the reviews to participate in the discussions.  This should be a lot of fun!


Have a great day!

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A {Stop and smell the flowers} Card...

Okay, so this morning has been so frustrating.  Let me tell you about it.  I recently joined my brother's Fantasy Football League, so I owe him $10.  I thought it would be fun to make him a football themed card and send him the money in it. I get down to business designing a quick but impressive football card using Silhouette Studio.  All I need to do is cut it.  I turn on my Silhouette and it's acting up--again!  I try a few different things and end up calling Silhouette customer service.  They were helpful but their solution didn't work so now I need to send in my Silhouette to have it repaired.  Luckily it's still under warranty but I'm still bummed I won't get to send my brother his card since the money is due soon.  Bummer.

So, what's a girl to do?  I turn to Pinterest and check out some cards that I have pinned on my "Cards to CASE" board.  I decided to CASE the layout of this card by Jen del Muro.

I think this may be the first time I've used the Forest Friends set since I received it in my goodie bag at PTI's Stamp-A-Faire.  I like how the overall card is CAS but the squares each contain a scene that's not CAS.

My day has gotten a little better since making this cute and cheery card.  Hope your day is great!

{Stop and smell the flowers}

Stamps: Forest Friends (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Vintage Cream, Orange Zest, New Leaf (PTI)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Green With Envy, Simply Blue-tiful, Brown Leather Satchel, Dish All the Dirt Brown, Creamsicle Cardigan (CSS)

Accessories: Edge Distresser, Stamping Sponge, Foam Dimensionals, Circle Punch (SU)

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A {Happy Fall} Card...

Hello Hello!  I hope you've recovered from your holiday weekend!  We had a very lazy day yesterday and that's helped so much.  It's been so cool here the last two days.  Four days ago it was in the 90's and now it's in the 50's.  Bizarre!  So in celebration of cooler weather coming, I made an appropriately themed card.

I used my Silhouette to cut out the white rectangle of card stock and also the circle shapes.  If you aren't familiar with the Silhouette you might not know that you can design your card right on the computer and simply hit "cut page" and it cuts your card out for you.  Once I had it cut, I simply adhered strips of colored card stock behind the circle openings.  Easy peasy and most of the work was done on the computer.

Once I was done cutting the page, I saved the image I created so I can make this card over any time and simply change the colors.  I think the circles were meant to be used as a border, but I think they look kind of retro here.  I really like the button and how it's placed directly over a circle.  It looks like it was designed that way, but it was really just a happy accident.  

Thanks so much for taking a peek at my card!  Have a great day!!!

{Happy Fall}

Stamps: Icon Extras (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, Kraft Like a Rockstar, Dare to be a Diva Red, Orange You Fabulous, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Glamazon Green, Espresso Your Style (CSS)

Ink: Espresso Your Style, Dish All the Dirt Brown (CSS)

Accessories: Digitally Cut Shapes (Silhouette), Button, Cork Sheet, Foam Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge (CSS)

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