Cherry Blossom Tree & Elegant Chick

I had a vision of making a Cherry Blossom Tree. But I didn't have the right stamps and ink. Or so I thought! (I'm in the process of getting rid of all of my PTI inks and supplementing with other manufacturers so my ink selection is limited right now.) I used the tree from SU's Branch Out set and the flowers are from PTI's Floral Fusion. I inked a group of 3 blossoms and stamped off on some scrap paper so I could get just the right color of pink. I added some darker flowers to add some depth. Then I used a Copic Marker for the center of the flowers. That's one of the great things about the Memento ink, you can use Copic markers right on top of them!! I tried making the tree look like it was losing some blossoms in the wind. Not sure if I accomplished it, but I tried. I made 6 of them for a swap held by my good friend Jen. It's a clean and simple design but it was A LOT of stamping. Sure was fun though and that's what matters! :)

Stamps: SU Branch Out, PTI Floral Fusion
Ink: Memento Rose Red, Palette Burnt Umber
Paper: Gina K Luxury White Cardstock, PTI Hibiscus Burst
Misc: PTI Hibiscus Burst Button, misc ribbon, twine, pop dots, copic marker

The next card is for the same swap. My wonderful and generous friend Banu sent me her extra PTI Anniversary set, Round and Round. (Does anyone else sing that eighties song in your head when you read the name of this set? heehee! Who sings that anyway?) This was the first time I was able to use it. It's such a nice set. I especially love the big flourish with the circle in the center. So many things you can do with it!!

I didn't use ANY pink on this card!! I know Chris will be proud of me. It was tough, let me tell you. I think for me, pink is what Kraft is for most people. It's my neutral. :) But it's nice creating out of my box. Once in a while.

Stamps: PTI Round and Round, Everyday Button Bits, Polka Dots 2
Ink: PTI Hawaiian Shores, Versamagic Olive
Paper: PTI Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, Select White, SU Old Olive
Misc: PTI Lemon Tart buttons, flat back pearls, nestabilities, pop dots, EK Success Scallop Punch

Busy Bug

I made this card for my best friend. I hope to visit her next month. I haven't seen her in years and years. We've both been very busy living in different states and raising our kids. I promised her that I'd drive all the way up to see her if I had to. Even if it means 14 hours in a car with 2 kids with no DVD player. Oh the horror! But she is definitely worth it.

I thought this card was too busy with the patterned paper and then I paper pieced the car. I played around and even used a copic colored car instead but it just didn't look right. So I'm not thrilled with this but I'm hoping my friend will be.

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps
Ink: Memento black
Paper: October Afternoon, PTI Hawaiian Shores & Summer Sunrise, Raspberry Fizz Dots Patterned Paper
Misc: PTI Raspberry Fizz Satin Ribbon, PTI Lemon Tart button, PTI Cream Twine, pop dots, acetate for windshield

The Play Date Challenge {with no kids involved!!}

This is my first time trying the Play Date Cafe Challenge. Actually I just happened to stumble upon the blog today. I loved the combo so I just had to play!

I loosely based my sketch on the Fall to Layout Sketch #96. Well, it started out CAS with just the argyle. Then I made a mistake so I thought I should cover it up with some ribbon. But the ribbon was too high up so I added the butterfly to try to balance it out. Then it still didn't look right so I added some more ribbon to give it a gift box effect. It's funny how the end result can sometimes be something that you did not have in mind at all. Gotta love those mistakes. ;)

Usually ofter playdates I am exhausted and need some alone time. Preferably in my craft room. But this play date was kid free and just what I needed after a long weekend. Happy Monday!

Stamps: PTI A Little Argyle, Butterfly Dreams, Signature Greetings
Ink: Memento Angel Pink, Lady Bug
Paper: Gina K Luxury White Cardstock, PTI Pure Poppy
Misc: PTI Butterfly Die, stickles, white satin ribbon, pop dots

Here to give you a Lift

Hello my poor little deserted blog. I've missed you!! I had some free time the other day so I created this card just for fun.  I also had some time to create another 15 cards. However, 12 of them are swap cards that need to mailed out. Stop by tomorrow to see some more! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.


Stamps: PTI Everyday Button Bits, Text Background
Ink: Memento Rose Bud & Tangelo, Versamagic Turquoise Gem, PTI Hawaiian Shores, SU Garden Green, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Peeled Paint
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, New Leaf
Misc: PTI Buttons, Vintage Cream Felt & Vintage Cream Twill, Shearing scissors, Felt Glue

Long time no SEE!!!

Hello everyone! Long time no "see". It's been exactly one month. Pathetic!! Kids home from school, a puppy to train, in-laws due here any day and a computer crash has kept me busy. I've missed blogging and creating so much!! I hope to get back on track soon. Especially since I ordered some new PTI goodies. :)

This week I posted a Paper Piecing challenge over at the Papertrey Chicks blog. Check it out and join us if you feel inspired to do so. I thought I'd post the photo and deets over here just to give you some eye candy.

The first card I made using some October Afternoon Paper and PTI's Baby Button Bits. It's a very simple card, but I wanted to showcase the paper piecing aspect of it.

This next card is a cute 3x3 that literally took seconds to make. I'm going to make 5 more of these babies  in varying colors and make them a complete set. When that will be? Who knows...lol!

This last project was something that I have been itching to do for a long time. SCRAPBOOK!!! I used to scrap every week and I need to get back into it. I've even considered getting rid of all of my stamps  and stop card making just to force myself back into it. Crazy talk, I know. Don't worry, I still have plenty of stamps and many reasons to keep making cards.

Well that's it for now. Must feed kids, dog, self and shower. But hey, I got to play with my toys this morning. Yay!!

Project Details:

Baby Card:

Stamps: PTI Baby Button Bits, Honey Bee, Little Lady

Ink: Ranger Distress Ink, PTI Dark Chocolate

Paper: PTI Summer Sunrise, Hawaiian Shores, Lemon Tart Bitty Dot paper, October Afternoon

Misc: PTI button, misc satin ribbon, PTI twine, pop dot

3x3 Card:

Stamps: PTI Delightful Dahlia, Through the Trees

Ink: Black Memento

Paper: PTI Hibiscus burst, Summer Sunrise, Aqua Mist Bitty Dots

Scrapbook Page:

Stamps: PTI Butterfly Dreams, Delightful Dahlia, Fresh Alphabet, Polka Dot 2, Impression Obsession Journaling 1

Ink: PTI Hawaiian Shores, Memento London Fog & Black, Versamagic Dew Drops

Paper: PTI Hawaiian Shores, Spring Moss, White Select, SU Certainly Celery, misc blue

Misc: PTI Buttons, MS white twill ribbon

Chick Challenge # 2 Re-Do

So last night I was able to make a proper card for the Papertrey Chicks Challenge. {Everyone is welcome to join!! We post a new challenge every Monday.} The card above was what we were supposed to case. As I said before I just love Betsy. Casing her cards is intimidating!! I don't have that particular set she used, so I used Damask Designs. I'll be sending this to my Mom because after almost 2 months in the hospital my brother is finally coming home!!! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!!

Stamps: PTI Damask Designs, Fancy Flourishes, Round & Round
Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow, Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise, Sweet Blush
Paper: PTI Select White, Sweet Blush, Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise
Misc: White Satin Ribbon, Rhinestones, Pop Dots, scallop scissors

PTI Chicks Challenge #2 Casing Betsy Veldman

Last week's Papertrey Chicks Challenge was to case a card from the PTI Design Team Gallery. I thought I was to choose my own card to case but apparently I do not know how to follow directions!!! I was supposed to case the particular card chosen on the blog. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

I have been completely in love with this card since I set eyes on it. Betsy Veldman is my favorite DT Member!!! Below is the picture of her gorgeous card from the PTI Gallery:

I tried my best on my card but I had to leave some things off. My card just didn't look right with ribbon and a bow on it. It was way too busy. I also left off the second set of vellum flowers. I almost didn't want to put the vellum over the flower at all!! I am  not very good with copics but when I was done, I was happy with the outcome. It was almost painful to cover it up!!

I'm going to give this card to a sweet lady that I met at a church function. You know when you meet someone and you immediately connect with them? Not only did I connect with her, I absolutely fell in love with her. She was full of such energy and vim and vigor. She was the sweetest lady to me and my girls. After talking to her for a while, she told me that she was 79. I was completely in awe! I would love to have her energy and attitude at that age! I am giving this to her because we left behind my daughter's sweater and she tracked me down to let me know. And the next week at church she brought a bag full of puppy toys for Buddy. So I wanted to thank her. I'll give it her on Sunday. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps: PTI Delightful Dahlia, Damask Designs (sentiment)
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, Summer Sunrise & Spring Moss, Memento Black
Paper: Gina K Luxury White Cardstock
Copics: RV10, RV13, RV14, Y15, Y35, Y38, YG63, YG67
Misc: Vellum, Silhouette, Velvet Ric Rac, Rhinestone

Thank you Teacher

I have been in such a rut lately. Too much going on at home I guess takes away all of the crafty Mojo. A good friend of mine asked me to make her a card for her son's teacher. I had no idea where to start or what she would like. I knew I wanted to use an apple from PTI's Everyday Button Bits. I started searching teacher quotes and found a great one. I then took it from there and created this card.

Edited to Add: Because I blog surf so much, I had forgotten that I found the tree idea from another much more creative blogger. You can see her gorgeous card here:

http://gorgonoulaspad.blogspot.com/2010/05/papertrey-princess-challenges-7.html

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today!! I hope to have some more cards posted this week. I bought some great patterned paper at my LSS and can't wait to use it. I'll be by your blogs sometime this week to check out what you've been up to. I feel so behind in my blog surfing!! But Buddy appreciates my attention right now. ;)

Stamps: PTI Communique Curves Sentiments, Take Note, Through the Trees, Imaginisce Crayon
Ink: SU Close to Cocoa & Old Olive
Paper: PTI Pure Poppy & Summer Sunrise, SU Old Olive, GSD Studios "Practice Book" DSP from the Schooled Collection
Misc: Arial Rounded Font for the sentiment, PTI Pure Poppy Buttons, Pure Poppy Satin Ribbon, pop dots, SU Top Note Die, Copics

Whee!!!

When I first saw this image I knew I had to get it! It's so sweet and reminds me of my girls. I paper pieced her dress with coordinating paper from the Basic Grey Paper Pad I used. And glued on twine where the rope is. She's swinging from this wisteria vine and just having a wonderful time! I hope you all have a wonderful day today whether you are celebrating Mother's Day or just enjoying a relaxing Sunday.

Stamps: My Favorite Things Pure Innocence
Ink: Memento Black, Adirondak Lettuce
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Basic Grey Wisteria 
Misc: PTI Spring Moss Satin Ribbon, Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Die, Twine, Pop Dots, Prima Flower, Rhinestone, Copics

PTI Chicks Color Challenge Take 2

So while I was working on my card for this color combo challenge, I changed things quite a few times. Fortunately I ended up with 2 cards! AND this card also qualifies for the Three Cheers for Chairs Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. If you have some time,  you should play along!

This card will be sent to my best friend. I have known her for 30 years now. I met her when I was a shy 12 year old and moved to a new town. She was an outgoing chatterbox who made me laugh harder than anyone on this planet. And she still does!! She likes to refer to us as "Lucy and Ethel". Two good friends who get into a lot of mischief. Yep, that's us! Only I'm not sure I like being Ethel. ;)

I had fun with my new Cosmo Cricket pad! I was so excited when I saw that the flower and striped paper had almost every color from the color challenge. Debbie Olsen does some amazing works of art with this company's paper. I have another Cosmo pad on it's way to me and can't wait to use it!! This layout was very basic but I wanted to show off the papers. I don't have much experience with mixing all types of patterns so I was  hoping that because I bought a matching set of paper, it would match. What do you think?

Stamps: PTI On My Couch Additions
Ink: PTI Hawaiian Shores, SU Pumpkin Pie, Ranger Tea Stain
Paper: SU Pumpkin Pie, PTI Hawaiian Shores, Pure Poppy, Spring Rain & Vintage Cream, Cosmo Cricket 6x6 Garden Variety Pad
Misc: PTI  Pure Poppy Twill Ribbon, pop dots, sewing machine