Humbled...

I am humbled and flattered. I was honored to have been asked to be a part of the Paper Crafts 350 Cards & Gifts blog hop, but all the 100+ warm, sweet, acknowledging comments on my post, left me speechless. Thank you all...

Today is another Our Creative Corner Challenge! This week is hosted by Sharon again, and she is challenging us to create a project with a tea party theme! Since I was in the 3D mood, I decided to make another box like the ones I made for the blog hop yesterday. They are easy and really cute!  You can see the tutorial here...obviously I only made 1 for this project...

This is a simple little box to put something yummy in. Since I used all the cookies for my neighbors gift, this one is left empty until I find something good to go in it. I used the Faux Metal technique to make the tea pot with Ranger Silver Pearl EP. Isn't it sweet? ...It looks like fine china... Alright, go brew yourself up a cup and get your creative juices flowin!

350 Cards and Gifts Blog Hop!

I am SO excited to be a part of this blog hop celebrating the newest Paper Crafts Magazine issue, 350 Cards and Gifts!  I was so surprized and honored when I received an e-mail from P. Kelly Smith lettimg me know I was one of the 12 most published designers for this issue and asking me to participate today...WOW!...  All of the other ladies that are participating today are so amazing, this is a real honor.  Many of my creations were tags for this issue, but my favorite personal creation has to be the Homemade Bread Wrap on page 101.  It reminds me of collecting leaves with my father when I was kid.  The prettiest leaves were preserved between 2 sheets of wax paper, which was how I made the bread wrap there.  This is a project I have done many times with my daughters, both with leaves and to make food wraps for gifts.  It's nice to pass on this sweet little experience with them...and you...

Enough chit chat, let's get hoppin'!  In honor of the 350 Cards and Gifts issue, each of the 12 designers have created a project using a template based on an item from the pages of this great issue to inspire you all.  You can find all the templates we used at the Paper Crafts Connection Blog.  I was assigned this Popcorn Box made by Alicia Thelin...isn't it cute?...  She has even shared her Candied Popcorn Recipe there too...I'll have to try it...  Following Alicia's lead, I decided to make several of these and put them together for my own creation.

The great thing about this template, is that you can keep it simple...like Alicia did...or dress it up with papers and embellishments as I did here.  If you want to see the building process of this, check out my very first tutorial here...be kind...  The paper is from the new DCWV collection, Lemon Flower.  The boxes are made from Basic Grey, a retired SU! color.  I love how it came out, soft and pretty.  We have a new neighbor that will be recieving this as a house warming and welcome.  I love giving baking gifts to neighbors, it's so warm and inviting...and well, neighborly!...

To make this blog hop even more fun, there are a couple giveaways for you to win!  First, I have a copy of 350 Cards & Gifts to give to one person leaving a comment here...as does every designer on the hop, so visit them all...  Second, at Paper Crafts Connection today, they are giving away a FANTASTIC prize, check it out...it has wonderful goodies every paper crafter wants...then leave a comment there to win!

I hope you had fun visiting my lil' ole' blog!  Be sure to visit ALL the ladies below participating in the blog hop.  Each of them are inspiring and have amazing talents, now go and give them all a little love!

• Betsy Veldman

• Kalyn Kepner
• Kim Hughes
• Chan Vuong
• Teri Anderson
• Vanessa Menhorn
• Kristin K. Tierney
 Lucy Abrams
• Ashley C. Newell
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Jessica Witty
• Latisha Yoast

They love me...

They really love me!  Cath over at Moxie Fab picked this card as one of her Trigger Tuesday winners!  I'm so honored and amazed!  I had the opportunity to peruse the gallery this week, and there were SO many wonderful creations.  Thank you for this acknowledgement, I wish everyone had been picked!

Gettin my fix

Hot air balloon fix that is. This is another creation for the current challenge at Moxie Fab called In My Beautiful Ballon. I had this little feltie from American Crafts and wanted to use it on an October Afternoon tag I had and miss stamped...that makes me so mad...  So I recreated it into a 3x5 card. I'm pretty pleased with the outcome, however the green is just a tad less vibrant. I think I'll have to give it to Lily in her lunch box this week. She has just started reading 'chapter books' on her own, maybe I'll make a book mark to match...I feel another balloon project coming on...

Hot Air

Balloons...its all the rage.  You've seen them - everywhere - and I don't mean in the sky.  They are so hot and trendy right now.  I've always been obsessed with them, I mean who doesn't want to go for a ride in one?  Oh the opportunity will present itself...someday...and I will take full advantage of it.  Until then, I will have to live vicariously thru my paper crafting.

A special thanks to Cath a Moxie Fab for enabling my mild obsession.  Check out her current challenge, In My Beautiful Balloon.  I made this card for it.  Does the layout look familar?...remember the Paper Crafts Go-To-Sketches call?....  I've had this paper for a while and needed to put it to good use.  It's such a  graphic pattern, that I wanted to have a layout that showed it off without overwhelming the card.  I like the effect, and the added little addition on the bottom corner I just love!

Pullin' the Trigger

It's been a while since I've been able to play with Cath over at Moxie Fab...I've missed you...  I spent a few hours in my spot last night, and was able to get a few things done for her current challenges there.  Here's the first one I did for this week's Tuesday Trigger.

Isn't this dish towel fabulous?  I love the complementary color combo - orange and blue.  I wanted to do something that was graphic and simple...opposite of my go-to style...and pulled some great orange rub-ons from Studio Calico from my stash.

The turquoise letters are an old SU alphabet set...I guess there is a reason to keep those retired sets....  I wanted to add the typewriter, but it made the orange letters less inpactful, so I put it under a piece of vellum.  This was an easy card, it just took some time to cut out the letters.

Girly-girl

Hi ladies!

This is a quick post, it's currently 2:12 a.m. here...*yawn*... Since I returned home from vacation, I haven't been able to get into my craftin' spot until 8:30 this evening. Lots of laundry to do....uggh....

Any-hoo - It's Our Creative Corner Challenge time again! This week our challenge is hosted by Sharon Wheet of Designs by Sharon. She is having us make girly things with ribbons, bling and home-made paper flowers....right up my alley.... I made a quick adorable card for a birthday party my daughter is going to this weekend, but alas - I ruined it. I wasn't paying attention, started cleaning up, and absentmindedly placed my stamp container on top of the slowly drying Stickles. Then hubby came home, we chatted and I cleaned up for bed so I wouldn't wake him later. When I returned to photograph it...an hour later...I discovered a glittery mess. I was going to just re-make it, but my printer wouldn't work for my vintage digi. Then I was frustrated! So I gave up on that and started a project I'd been wanting to do for a while...a spring wreath for my front door... I changed the original plans...coffee filters...to fit in the challenge and ~ voila! Shabby, doily covered wreath!

excuse the photo quality - it's late and this doesn't fit in my light box!

I used MANY Spellbinders die sets for this, Large Oval & Large Scalloped Oval, Floral Doily Accents and Floral Doily Motifs...the latter 2 were gifts from Terre and Stacy - thanks again ladies!... The wreath is made up of individual flowers made from the doily dies.  A total of 28 flowers, so 168 die cuts to be exact...my Cuttlebug was smokin'!... Here's a close-up of what they look like. They are really easy to make, just time consuming.

Ok - enough! Off to bed!

It’s over…

My vacation from life. Leaving my parents, my support. We are getting ready to jump back on a plane and back to reality….*tear*…It’s always hard to leave. We had lots of fun, the girls enjoyed their grandparents. Playing at the park, swimming in the pool. Rob enjoyed his spring training games, getting his autographs and hub-nubbing with the players. I just loved spending time with mom & dad, helping with the house plans, and general togetherness. It was all wonderful. This card perfectly represents how I’m feeling. I should have brought it along on the trip to give my parents. I’ll just have to send it to them when I get back…to grey skies…

Time Flies

Cardstock: (110 lb white card stock)

Patterned paper: (Urban Prairie, Hopscotch) Basic Grey

Stamps clear: (Time Flies) Studio Calico

Ink dye: (Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Baha Breeze) SU!; (Craft White) SU!

Embossing powder: (Winter White) SU!

Accent: (Vintage Pink & Granite Shimmer Spray) Tattered Angels

Fibers: (pink) Snug Hug; (white thread) Coats & Cutter

Tool: (Corner rounder) SU!; (sewing machine) PFAFF

Finished size: 3 1/3” x 6.5’

Instructions
1. Cut card and fold.
2. Spray ribbon with Vintage Pink shimmer spray. Tie ribbon around card.
3. Cut patterned paper 6.25x1.25’, stitch onto card.
4. Cut 1.5” squares from assorted ‘solid’ papers from collection. Stamp clock images in coordinating inks. Round corners.
5. Stamp hands on clocks with Craft White ink. Emboss with Winter White EP. Adhere to card.
6. Lightly Spray card with Granite shimmer spray.

Designer Tips (if applicable)
• Lightly spray finished card with shimmer spray for a touch of shabby shine.
• Leave particles of EP on your stamped image when you heat emboss for a shabby touch.

ATC or Baseball

Did you know that ATC cards are the same size as a baseball card? I didn’t. I bet your wondering why I’m bring this up. Well, for 2 reasons.

First, let me explain the baseball card reference. My hubby is a baseball fan…more like maniac… He has been collecting baseball cards since he was a kid. To tell him I was pregnant with our first daughter, I bought him special baseball cards to soften the blow…I wasn’t sure how he would take it… Part of the reason we are in Bradenton Florida instead of Orlando, is because they have Spring Training games…everywhere… His collection of baseball cards is outrageous. Over 1 million…he’s been at it a LONG time…he gets them signed, he has us get the big name players…they like kids and ladies with big ta-ta’s…like Brady Sizemore, Evan Longorria, Darryl Strawberry, even Reggie Jackson and George Steinbrenner.

Why am I bringing this up? Because, ATC’s are the challenge this week at Our Creative Corner! When I told Rebecca I didn’t know anything about ATC’s she told me it was the same size as a baseball card – something I could obviously relate to. Rebecca challenges us to make an ATC card using kraft, ivory, chocolate and a color of your choice. I have NEVER done an ATC card before…shocking, I know…I just never understood them. What do you use them for? Are they to trade or collect? It really boggled my mind. So when Rebecca posted this challenge, I thought, “Really? People actually make these?” Still, I decided to head into it full force, and admittedly, I really liked making this! Now I have to say, that I made it Sunday night, at 10 p.m. ...I had to since I had spent the week acting like Nurse Betty to my family and had NO time to create…we were leaving for our trip at 5:30 a.m. Monday. It came together really quickly…that’s why I like them… I used some blog candy I won from Clean & Simple Stamps…I’ve been so lucky lately, I should get some lotto tickets… They sent me the most adorable stamps and dies, Spring ( ) and GORGEOUS buttons, and Scortape and brads. I love these boots! I wish I could have a pair…my feet are too big…so I’ will live vicariously through my children and this stamp set.  I took these photos with my new Thunderbolt phone...it's so cool...but it didn't catch the shine from the clear embossed puddle.

Top 5

Isn’t this sweet? I love the tag I used, it’s from Little Yellow Bicycle. It’s really for scrapbooking, but I thought it worked well here. This was also not accepted for the Go-To-Sketches call last month. Oh well, I have the perfect person to give it to…

Top Five
Cardstock: (Baha Breeze, Regal Rose, Basic Grey) SU!
Patterned paper: (Oliver & Olivia) Basic Grey
Other paper: (tag) Little Yellow Bicycle
Stamps…rubber, foam, clear: (Up, Up & Away) PTI
Ink dye: (Baha Breeze, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Basic Gray) SU!
Accent: (Granite & Key Lime Shimmer Spray) Tattered Angels, (grey button)
Fibers: (White) Snug Hug, (pink felt); (white thread) Cutter & Coats
Dies, embossing folders, brass templates: (polkadots impression plate) PTI
Tool: (sewing machine) PFAFF
Other: (pin)
Finished size: 4 ¼” x 5 ½”
Instructions
1. Cut and fold card. Set aside
2. Cut Regal Rose panel to 4 1/8” x 5 3/8”. Cut Basic Gray 4x3.5”, emboss and adhere to panel. Cut patterned paper 2x4”, adhere to panel. Stitch around edge.
3. Spray ribbon with Key Lime shimmer spray. Wrap seam ribbon around card and adhere panel to card base.
4. Ink ‘you’ and stamp on lines of tag in varying colors. Adhere to card
5. Embellish with ribbon, felt heart, button and pin.
6. Lightly spray finished card with Granite shimmer spray.
Designer Tips (if applicable)
Lightly spray finished card with shimmer spray for a touch of shabby shine.

You are…

Just Lovely! Yes you, all my bleeps out there…you know who you are…I really appreciate that you take time from your busy days to visit my little spot here on the web. I hope it brings you some joy…I know I have fun with it…and some inspiration. Enjoy life and remember, that you are Just Lovely.

Just Lovely

Cardstock: (Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie) SU!

Patterned paper: (Urban Prairie) Basic Grey

Stamps clear: (Union Square Perfect, Lost & Found) My Minds Eye

Ink dye: (Basic Black) SU!

Accents: (green rhinestones)

Fibers: (white pom-pom)
Tool: (Upper Crest Border Punch) Friskars
Finished size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Instructions
1. Cut card and fold. Place corner of card at a 45 degree angle into the border punch and punch. Repeat with opposite corner.
2. Cut first patterned paper 2x4”, using the border punch, punch the corner to match card base. Adhere to card.
3. Cut second patterned paper 3.5x4”, using the border punch, punch the corner to match card base. Adhere to card.
4. Stamp sentiment. Make brackets with border punch, adhere to frame sentiment.
5. Embellish with pom-pom trim and rhinestones

Designer Tips;
• Use a border punch to embellish the corners of your card by placing your card at a 45 degree angle.
• Use a border punch to create your own brackets. Punch cardstock, move 1/8” and punch again.

Love’n Hopscotch

The new Basic Grey papers that is. I received them as blog candy from Cards magazines blog-site Create. It was tons of fun to use them for the Go-To Sketches Paper Crafts Call…even if it didn’t get in…I love how the patterns all go together, so much fun!

Love You

Cardstock: (Whisper White) SU!

Patterned paper: (Hopscotch Collection: Skip to my lou, Monkey Bars, 4 Square, Skipping) Basic Grey

Other paper: (heart doily)

Stamp rubber: (Sweet Saying) SU!

Ink dye: (Soft Suede) SU!

Paint: (White) Darice

Accent: (assorted buttons)

Sticker: (heart, Hopscotch) Basic Grey
Fibers: (white thread) Cutter & Coats, (white embroidery floss) DMC
Tool: (sewing machine) PFAFF
Finished size: 5x5
Instructions
1. Cut card and fold.
2. Cut patterned papers to fit sketch and sew onto card. Paint edges with white paint.
3. Cut ‘you’ from patterned paper. Sew with embroidery floss along letters.
4. Stamp ‘love’ and adhere ‘you’ panel below. Cut heart from doily and adhere next to panel.
5. Embellish with buttons and heart stickers.

Hoo’s ready for Halloween?

I mean really, summer isn’t even here! But that’s how it rolls in the land of glossy magazines. The last call for Paper Crafts focused on Halloween…it was difficult to get in the mood… I had so many ideas for it, but alas, the flu, strep and ear infection bugs had other plans for my time. This was the only card I had time to get done...finished the first day of the call… I really love her! Isn’t she just adorable? I was so disappointed she didn’t get picked, but that’s how the cookie crumbles. When you partake in the submission process, you have to get a thick skin. Even if your creation is wonderful…as this little owl chick is…it just might not fit in the plans of the issue they have. Don’t ever give up on it. Dust yourself off, puck up the glue runner and start again! What to do with the rejects? Get yourself an ETSY account and start pondering your wares. You’ll be surprised what your buyers want!

Halloween Hoo

Another Reject

Greetings from sunny Florida! We are here…like every other Midwest spring break family…for fun in the sun. We aren’t visiting our favorite Disney this time, but spending time with Mimi & Bopie…my parents…in Bradenton, playing in the pool, going to spring training games and general all-around relaxing. Since I’m not at home, I thought I’d share some of the rejects from some magazine calls I have.

This one is from the Go-To-Sketches call Paper Crafts had a few weeks ago. The circles are all stamped and heat embossed on White Metallic Shimmer paper, then I used the resist technique to have them match the Baha Breeze background. It’s cute and shimmery in person…take my word for it…

Happy Anniversary

Cardstock: (Baha Breese) SU!; (Metallic Shimmer White) Papers & More

Stamps clear: (Damask & Guide Lines Two) PTI

Ink: (Craft White) SU!; (Baha Breeze) SU!

Embossing powder: (Embossing Pearls Silver) Ranger
Accent: (white pearls) Kaiser Kraft; (large white ½ pearls, Pretties Kit) SU!

Tool: (1/2”, ¾’, 1”, 1 3/8” circle punches) SU!; (Upper Crest Border Punch) Friskars

Finished size: 4 ¼” x 5 ½”
Instructions

1. Cut Baha Breeze 4x11” and fold card.

2. Stamp assorted images from both stamp sets with Craft White ink on Metalic Shimmer paper. Heat emboss with Embossing Pearls Silver EP.

3. Punch out images with assorted circle punches. Use emboss resist technique by inking each circle with Baha Breeze ink.
4. Adhere circles and pearls.
5. Stamp sentiment with Craft White ink on Baha Breeze paper. Heat emboss with Embossing Pearls Silver EP. Border punch edge. Adhere to card with ¼” overhang.

Recycled DoodlePantry

Hi Ladies!
What a VERY crazy week...I'm exhausted...packing for our spring break trip, planning the schools' spring parties, 1 kid with strep throat, 1 kid with a fever, 1 sick hubby with a sinus infection and ear drum issues.  It's not surprising I didn't get much time in my craftin' spot.

I did however find time to create for this week's Our Creative Challenge, recycle a container in some way.  This week, the challenge is hosted Rebecca and is sponsored by DoodlePantry Digi Stamps!  I have to admit, this is the first time I have ever used anything digi...I think I may be hooked...  I've always presumed I needed a big, expensive photo program.  Not the case here!  I was able to use them with Microsoft Word...enlarge, reduce, impose...super easy peezy! 

Because of my recent addiction to my Skinny Caramel Lattes, I have several of these containers laying around, just for this challenge. 

Here is the reason I think I may be addicted to digi stamps, I printed out all the papers...so adorable... on white card stock.  AND I could do it again...and again, and again...make them bigger or smaller.  They're so versatile!  I enlarged the blue gingham, reduced the red gingham, and imposed the strawberry image on top of it so I could fussy cut it.  The leaves I colored in with my Copics...not very well I might add...  I also added the sentiment...included in the digi kit...over the yellow gingham and die cut it with the adorable Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio Three frame I recently received.  I paired it with my favorite coffee cup, nice, heavy, and holds a lot. 

Alright, now go and recycle something fabulous then post it up on the OCC challenge.  Need some inspiration?  Check out the rest of the design teams creations here.

Cards and Gifts

It's out!  The newest special issue from Paper Crafts, 350 Cards and Gifts.  It's SO fabulous, I just got mine in the mail, and it is oh-so-good...  I am proud to say of the 7 items I submitted,  they accepted 6 items of them for the issue!  I did a happy tap dance when I recieved the e-mail, it's such an honor.  This is one of my  item gracing the pages, Just a Note Card Set.

This one is in the Card Sets section...This photo doesn't look as nice as the one in the magazine...  There were so many great card sets in this section, after seeing all that's in there, I am even more honored!  I'll post the rest of the pieces in the next few days, including my FAVORITE item...on page 101 if you pick up the issue...

EEEKKK!!!

I compleely forgot to post my creation for this weeks OCC challenge!...and I'm the hostess, pitiful....  My BFF's are arriving in 10 minutes for a birthday celebration so this is going to be quick...

This a Fabulous Fabric challenge, so you need to incorporate fabric in some way - other than ribbon! 

First, I need to bring your attention to the die cut with my sentiment on it.  Is it not fantastic?  It's new...Ribbon Tags Trio Three, a gift from the lovely Terre and Stacy at Spellbinders!!!  I recieved a happy little e-mail about a week ago from them.  They like my creations and sent me some FABULOUS dies for me to use!!  How awesome is that?  It really valitifies my obsession with my hobby...are you listening hubby?...  Someone really likes my creations!  It just goes to show you, you NEVER know who's watching, waiting for an opportunity to shine some goodness on you!...besides the big guy upstairs...   THANK YOU LADIES & SPELLBINDERS!!!
I used a piece of scrap fabric for the background...isn't it cute?... and made my flower with scraps of chenille and ivory tulle.  Even the buttons have my favorite fabric on them, burlap!  Those are from my WCMD win...thanks PC...

Winner Chosen & loser showcased

Well, not really a loser...I like it...  This is another card I made for the Paper Crafts Sketch Call. 

It was a pretty expected creation for the sketch, but I do like how it came out.

Now ~ the moment you've been waiting for the Winner for my Simple Shabby Blog Candy! ...sorry it's a few days late... I've used the random number generator this time...my usual winner picker is at school...and the winner is:

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max: 10
Result: 8
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Nancy said...

Congratulations on being publishe! I just found you while hopping through the TE blog hop - I swore I would comment on every entry this time and when I got here I started looking around your blog. I just became a follower because I LOVE all your projects! (I actually became a follower BEFORE I noticed that you have blog candy - lol)  I love your style including your terrific bows, buttons and doilies.  Do you make the crocheted doilies? If so, do you sell them? :)  Have a great day!
February 24, 2011 3:56 PM

Congrats Nancy!  I'll contact you for all your deets.
 

Lucky...

Did you hear about the amount of submissions for the last Paper Crafts Magazine Go-To-Sketches call?  Over 2750 entries!  I did 10 submissions, and was lucky to have 1 accepted ....considering the competition...  Even one of the Go-To-Gals only had one accepted!  It really shows that PC's selection process is really 'blind',  in that they don't look at who made the card, just at the creation itself.  That's one of the things I really respect and enjoy about their process, and I'm completely honored each and everytime I have something accepted!
I had a few I was really proud of that didn't make the cut, and I thought I'd share them with you this week.   Here are the sketches the wanted us to use when creating our cards.  For this card I used sketch 81.  I think this was my favorite submission...including the one that was accepted...

Did you have some submissions that weren't accepted?  Share them here at Damask Love, Amber is hosting a Reject Blog Hop!  After seeing all the gorgeous projects here, the next PC Go-To-Sketches issue is going to be AMAZING!!!

Fly away fabric doilies

Alright ladies, I have heard you and am nearly ready...  For what, you ask?  Let's see if this creation can fill you in:

I can't tell you how many inquiry's I got from this tag and this creation featuring the fabric doilies, not to mention the dragonflies!  I'm getting ready to list on my Etsy account, both of those along with tea stained seam binding ribbons!  I should have everything posted on there by the 11th at the latest.

 Here is a close-up of the fabulous dragonfly, the ivory scalloped fabric doily and non-died seam binding ribbon.

I will keep you updated as soon as I get them up there.

Meanwhile, I've just found this great challenge blog, called The Creative Cottage Challenge blog.  They are right up my alley, a bit shabby, a bit cutesy.  I love doing challenges!