A {Happy Holidays} Card...

Things sure do get crazy this time of year.  I vowed to get all of my shopping and wrapping done before my kids started winter break.  I actually stuck to this and therefore have not posted much on the blog lately.  Like last year, I also vowed to not buy any gift cards.  I like a challenge I tell ya.

I bought a gift for my husband that is a Groupon and I don't just want to hand him a piece of paper so I made this card this morning.  I used my silhouette a lot since he did by that for me for Christmas two years ago.  I thought architecture was pretty masculine, so that's where the whole I idea of the window came from.  The tree is on the inside of the card, that's why it's photographed with the card closed.

I created "siding" for my house by using my Martha Stewart scoring board.  I sponged the score lines and edges with brown ink to make the "siding" more noticeable.  I think overall this card has a vintage/shabby chic look.  Is it possible to be shabby chic and masculine?  I'm not sure.

 You can see a bit of the dimension is this above photo.

And here's the lone tree on the inside.

I'd like to post some more over Christmas break (I have one post scheduled already) but I'm not making any promises.

Have a great day!

{Happy Holidays}

Stamps: Stylish Sentiments: Holiday (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, Glamazon Green, Pressed Greige Linen, Gray-cious Host (CSS)

Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown (CSS)

Accessories: Silhouette, Foam Dots, Stamping Sponge, Scoring Board (Martha Stewart)

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A {Gratitude} Card...

Hey guys!  I have a fun one layer card to share with you today.  Don't be deceived, this card looks simple, but it was a lot of work.  

I started with a kraft card base measuring 3.5" x 5 (my new favorite card size).  I used a t-square ruler and a pencil to make a grid of squares that were 3/4".  That was really the most time consuming.  

From there I stamped the large and small flowers and then stamped the flower centers.  The flowers are from Papertrey's Iconic Images set and the flower centers come from CSS's Background Basics 2.  

Here's to a great weekend!!! 

{Grateful for You}

Stamps: Signature Greetings, Iconic Images (Papertrey Ink), Background Basics 2 (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Glamazon Green, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

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A {Welcome Fall} Card...

Welcome Fall!!!  I'm so glad fall is finally here, I even made some pumpkin muffins the other day to go with my pumpkin flavored coffee.  It's pretty safe to say that I love fall!

For my card today I pulled out an older Papertrey Ink set, Wreath For All Seasons.  It was one of those sets that I just had to have then didn't use it nearly as much as I thought I would.  One thing to note on this card is that the yellow bow looks a lot brighter in the photos than it does in person.  

I started off by stamping the wreath in the center of the card using a dark brown ink, then stamped the wreath again in a light brown ink all over the card's background.  I the stamped berries onto the wreath using red, yellow, and orange ink.

I used pieces of glue dots to hold the tails of the bow in place as well as the bow itself.  I like how they look like they are blowing in the wind.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope there is something pumpkin-y in your future!!!

Have a great day!

{Welcome Fall}

Stamps: Wreath For All Seasons (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Ink: Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Dish All the Dirt Brown, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Orange You Fabulous, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Accessories: Gold Embroidery Floss, Glue Dots

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A {Thank You} Card...

Hello!  I have another card for the 10 Minute Craft Dash Challenge.  This week the challenge was to use three colors plus neutrals.  The colors are light blue, a darker blue, and a green.  Here's the card I made and it took every second of ten minutes.

This card came together pretty quickly, the most time consuming were putting the gems on the butterflies and gluing them down.

Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to stop by!  I hope you have a great weekend!!!  Speaking of weekends, I'll have a really fun post for Clear & Simple Stamps tomorrow.  You won't want to miss it!

Have a great day!

{Thank You}

Stamps: Background Basics 1 (CSS), Communique Sentiments (PTI)

Card Stock: On the Catwalk Cream, Trendsetter Blue (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Basics Manila (Basic Grey)

Ink: Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Dies: Spiral Notebook (PTI) 

Accessories: Edge Distresser, Stamping Sponge, Floss, Foam Dots, Butterfly Punches (Martha Stewart)

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One More {Birthday} Card...

Hey friends!!!  Before I get to my card, I just wanted to share with you a little about my day.  So, I donated blood for the first time back in May.  The process went as planned, but I failed to read the list of things you should and shouldn't do afterwards.  I went right home and started to be a mom again, making dinner, checking homework, cleaning the house.  Within about half an hour of getting home I was sweaty, dizzy and puking.  My husband had to finish cooking dinner because I was either puking or laying down with my feet up.  It took about two hours to feel somewhat back to normal.

It's been over three months and not feeling discouraged about my prior experience, I scheduled an appointment for today to donate blood again.  I remembered how horrible I felt afterwards so I really planned my day so I could just lay down and only have this blog post to write and then I would just take it easy and watch tv until it was time to pick up the kids from school.  I made this card first thing this morning, photographed and edited it and also got down to business on a little project you'll see in a few days.  I even started dinner in the crock pot and straightened up the house a bit so I wouldn't have to worry about it later.

Well, I went to donate blood and my iron level was 1 point too low!  Darn it.  I was so disappointed because this is something that is really important to me and I'm glad I can contribute to society in this manner.  This might be TMI for some of you, but the phlebotomist said that she was sure it was because it was my special time of the month.  Well, I'll know better next time.  So, my afternoon is wide open now.  What to do, what to do?

Okay, enough about me....

I love this card.  I probably love it so much because I love the card it's based on.  Usually when I CASE a card, I try to change as much as I can to make it my own, but I just loved the original card so much, I didn't want to change too much.  The color combo of gray/blue/orange came from this outfit I found on Pinterest.

Since I don't have gray ink, I used black and stamped it on some scratch paper and then on the card (this technique as also called Stamping Off).

I hope you are all enjoying your day.  I'll be sure to report back next time I donate blood, probably it two weeks.  Thanks so stopping by!!!

{Birthday Wishes}

Stamps: Trinket Sentiments, Shapes: Hearts (Clear & Simple Stamps), Mehndi Medallion (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Such a Gray-cious Host, True Blue Fan (CSS)

Ink: Orange You Fabulous, Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS), Vintage Cream (PTI)

Dies: Tags 2, Shapes: Hearts (CSS) 

Accessories: Orange Floss, Glue Dots, Foam Dots

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Papertrey Ink August Blog Hop...

It's time for Papertrey Ink's monthly blog hop!  It's been a few months since I was able to participate, so I'm really excited I had the time to participate this go round.

The theme this month is autumn texture, think warm and cozy.  I used some really old Stampin' Up twill tape for the main texture on my card.  It was about an inch and a half thick, so I sliced it down the middle before weaving it in a basket-like pattern.  

The flowers come from the set Icon Images that I received for attending the Stamp-A-Faire last year.  I stamped the flowers on cream card stock first and then cut them out with scissors.

The little tag was cut from a CSS die, Tags 2, and stamped with a sentiment from Mixed Messages.  I've had that stamp set FOREVER, it was one of the sets in my very first PTI order.  

Thanks for hopping by!  

{Birthday Wishes}

Stamps: Icon Images, Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: On the Catwalk Cream, Glamazon Green, Green with Envy, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Ink: Orange You Fabulous, Paint the Town Pink (CSS)

Dies: Tags 2 (CSS) 

Accessories: Twill Tape (SU), Glue Dots, Silver Brads

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A {Happy Birthday} Card...

Good morning!  I think I designed and executed this card half asleep.  I've not slept well the last three nights and our new bed and mattress will be delivered here shortly.  Hopefully there will be a nice nap in my future on a foam mattress that feels like a cloud.

For my card I used a triangle banner image from the new CSS set "Triangle Trinkets".  I penciled a light line where I wanted the banner tops to line up, then I stamped the banner images and then paper pieced the banners.  Then I took a black fine tip marker and drew a short line connecting the banners, they look like they are linked. 

Hope all that made sense since I'm still half asleep (and I've had two cups of coffee).  Thanks for bearing with me.


I'm submitting this PTI's challenge this week to mix up many patterns of scrap paper.


Have a great day!

{Happy Birthday}

Stamps: Around & About Sentiments, Communique Sentiments (PTI), Triangle Trinkets (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Silver Valley (SEI)

Ink: Brilliant Blue, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Accessories: Black Fine Tip Pen, Red Floss, Corner Rounder Punch

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An {I Love You} Card...

I've been really smitten with gray and yellow recently.  I decided to throw some turquoise in the mix today.   The patterned paper that I chose is gray and silver, so kinda shiny.  

It's such a dreary day here, although it's great for taking photos.  I just can't wake up even though I slept great last night.  Maybe too much sleep?  I don't know but I think there is a nap in my future.


Check back tomorrow for the Clear & Simple Stamps release party!
Have a great weekend!!!

{I love you so much}

Stamps: Shapes: Hearts (Clear & Simple Stamps), Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Silver Valley (SEI)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Dies: Shapes: Hearts (CSS) 

Accessories: Foam Dots, Stamping Sponge

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A {Hope this year...} Card...

Happy Monday!  I have a quick and simple card to share with you today to ease into the week.  I used this week's CPS sketch.  It's been a while since I participated in any challenge, but this one was so simple, I couldn't resist.

I started a new board on Pinterest for color combinations that I like.  That is how the color combo came about for this card.  Here's the inspiration photo.

Today was the first time I used my new card stock organizational system and I have to say that I LOVE it!  Having my scraps organized by color and on top of my desk is so handy.


Have a great day!

{Hope this year...}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: On the Catwalk Cream, Green With Envy, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown (CSS)

Accessories: Birds & Swirls Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Foam Dots, Stamping Sponge, Corner Rounder Punch, Mini Hole Punch, Baker's Twine

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A {Get Well Soon} Card...

Another day, another PTI challenge.  I was so happy to see that today was a sketch challenge.  Today I used yellows and kraft, which I think is a widely underutilized color combo.  The light yellow is PTI's Lemon Tart and the darker yellow is CSS's Say Yellow to All Your Fans.  I love how they look together.

I decided to use an image stamp in the center of the card instead of just the sentiment like the sketch suggests.  I don't know about you, but it really doesn't bother me that the colors I use for the wreath/berries are those that wouldn't be found in nature.  Maybe a lemon tree?  Anyway, as long as it goes with the card, I'm cool with it.

The rhinestones were originally clear and I colored them with an orange-y yellow copic marker.  I love that trick!  


Well, it just started snowing here which is really exciting since we haven't really gotten any snow this year.  It's actually supposed to stick this time.  The kids usually have at least 5 snow days by now and we've only had one due to ice.  I'm making a big pot of chili tonight (bean chili that is) and I can't wait to have a cozy night at home.  At lease at home after my kids' Valentine's Day dance if it doesn't get cancelled due to bad weather.

My son's teacher asked me to organize this year's Valentine's Day party and I've been having so much fun finding activities.  I'm making a word search using all the names of the students in his class which my little guy is really excited about.  I also printed off some Valentine Bingo Cards and I'm going to punch a ton of hearts from card stock to use as covers.  It's going to be fun!

Have a great weekend!

{Get Well Soon}

Stamps: Wreath for all Seasons, Text Style, Communique Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, Say Yellow to All Your Fans (CSS), Lemon Tart (PTI)

Ink: Glamazon Green, Espresso Your Style (CSS)

Accessories: Clear Rhinestones, Buttons, Floss

Copic Marker: Y38 

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A {Thank You} Card...

Looks like it's going to be a week of PTI challenges for me!  I just can't NOT do it.  Anyway, the challenge today was a color combo challenge.  I chose Dawn's color combo which is: Ripe Avocado, Berry Sorbet, and Raspberry Fizz.  


I decided on CAS look.  I've rediscovered my ric-rac die and have been turning to it a lot lately.  I created stripes across the card and then carried them along the tag that's popped up on pop dots.

And here is an extreme close-up of the dimension and how the ric-rac lines up on both layers.

Such a fun and actually quick card to make.  Having the colors already put together for you takes out a big chunk of time.


Have a great day!

{Thank You}

Stamps: Communique Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: White, Berry Sorbet, Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz (PTI)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Accessories: Ric-Rac Die (PTI), Tag Die (CSS), Button, Pop Dots

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My {Maile} Card...

This is a continuation of my previous post.  I couldn't submit two card with one post, so I'm just breaking them up into two separate posts.  Sorry for the confusion!

And here is my totally "Maile" card, which tends to be more of my everyday style.  I was in love with Maile's digi stamp as soon as I laid eyes on it. I love white on white but I always have such a hard time keeping white things white.  Any help out there for a messy stamper?  Anyhoo, the white ric-rac adds texture and interest without steeling any attention from the focal point.

Here's a little close-up of the copic coloring I did. 

I'm having a really good day today.  Feeling so upbeat and energized.  I really hope this is my new normal.  I only have one chiropractor's appointment left, wahoo!  I just got over a miserable respiratory infection, I blame you Mother Nature!  Yesterday was the first day I felt back to myself and today I feel like bursting out in song.  Elliptical workout, here I come!

Have a great day!

{Hello}

Stamps: Digi Stamp (PTI)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, True Blue Fan (CSS)

Accessories: Ric-Rac Die (PTI), Foam Dimensionals, Circle Punch

Copic Markers: B93, B95, B99 

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My {Dawn} Card...

Hey there!  I'm sure you all know about the PTI 5th Anniversary activities that are happening.  I settled in with a tall cup of joe this morning, inspiration struck and I actually made 2 cards!  I know, that's almost unheard of in these parts!  I used Dawn's digi image and created a card very "Dawn" card and used Maile's digi image to make a very "Maile" card.

Here's my first card and it's totally obvious this is not a "Dana" style card, but it is totally Dawn.  Lots of shaped layers and patterns on top of patterns.  The sun is out in full force today so my cards look a little bright.

My daughter had this totally girly patterned paper out on my desk (she was making valentines) and it was just perfect and paper that I probably would not normally use. I also stamped a damask image on the notebook paper (which is actually light pink) and I had to include a frilly bow.

Please read the next post for my Maile card, I had to split them into two separate posts.


Have a great day!

{Happy Birthday}

Stamps: Digi Stamp (PTI), Love Cupid (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft

Patterned Paper: With All My Heart (SEI)

Ink: VIP Purple (CSS)

Accessories: Spiral Notebook Die (PTI), Labels 9 Die (Spellbinders), Circle Punch, Foam Dimensionals, Sheer Pink Ribbon, Edge Distresser

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Papertrey Ink January 2012 Blog Hop...

I should be doing a million and one other things right now, but I'm just going to quickly post this for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop.  The card on the left is one that I made last year for a Make-It-Monday Challenge and I just love it.  Click here to see that original post.  I happened to need a birthday card for my nephew today, so that's pretty much why I went in the direction I did.  Lots of masking going on here.

This card is pretty small, about 3"x 4".

Okay, off to wrap a present for my nephew to go with the card.

Have a great day!

{Make a Wish, Gabriel}

Stamps: Text Style, Fresh Alphabet (Papertrey Ink), Background Basics I (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Trendsetter Blue, Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Ink: True Blue Fan, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Accessories: Circle Punch, Number 3 Mask (Silhouette), Brad, Stamping Sponge, Pen

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A Mehndi {Thank You} Card...

Hi there!  First off I want to thank you guys for all the get well comments I received yesterday.  You guys are awesome and it was just what I needed.  I went to the chiropractor this morning (third day in a row and going back again tomorrow) and left feeling so much better.  It was a really painful session, but in the end it was well worth it to feel a little normalcy.

So, onto today's card.  I had this card in my head since yesterday and knew exactly how to execute it, except the colors.  I went through my inks and put together a few muted shades.  The only thing I wish I did differently was to use a cream card base instead of white.

One of my biggest problems making clean and simple cards is that I always feel like I need to add something.  I chose to add clear page pebbles so that I added a little something, but they are clear.  This is a supply that has just been sitting around and I'm glad I could finally use them.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  See you soon!!!

{Thank You}

Stamps: Iconic Images, Mehndi Medallion (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check (CSS)

Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Brown Leather Satchel, Glamazon Green, Green With Envy, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Page Pebbles (Making Memories)

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