Natural Burlap Gift Wrapping Tutorial

Have you seen the GORGEOUS new May Arts Burlap and Organic Cotton Ribbons?   I absolutely love them.

Here's a peek at what I did with them...You can see the full tutorial on the MA Blog.

I'm linking this up at the Pretty Packages Party #13 (lucky, huh?) on The Blackberry Vine.  Don't you love that name?  She's got my favorite summer activity (picking blackberries) and a favorite Scripture all in one deliciously crafty place.

Teapot Tuesday - Queen of Hearts

This week's Teapot Tuesday  (MMTPT188) destination is Wisconsin and Rita.

Rita sends 30 cards a month to the elderly and sick in her community. She sends cards twice a year to the 110 residents of the nursing home where her mom was for 8 years. She is constantly searching to find charities that she can make and donate cards to. She found Cards for a Cause and participates every month sending multiple cards each and every month. She has recently added sending cards to the military in Afghanistan to her plate, and she makes 25 cards every month to her daughter's rehab unit. She makes wonderful, simple cards with no extra embellishments because everything she does MUST go in the mail and extra postage is not an option. She stamps two hours a day to keep up with her goal of doing all she can to support others with card donations!

In appreciation, we're returning the blessing.  Rita loves to play bridge so our challenge is to send her cards made with cards! 

Supplies:

Card size - A2

Paper - Papertrey; SU Riding Hood Red

Sentiment - computer generated

Other- playing card; Stampin Up embossing folder; PTI banner die; BBP bling

Clean and Simple Monday

Whew..this time change is hard to get used to although I love the extra daylight. 

The Clean and Simple Challenge on SCS (CAS161) is a color challenge this week...white with shades of blue.  Here's my take on it...

I embosssed some Neenah 110 lb. with a Spellbinders Rectangle die then just popped on some Martha Stewart butterflies.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Stamps.

Supplies:

Card size - 4.25 x 5

Stamps - Rubbernecker (565-10)

Paper - Neenah; Papertrey

Ink - Tim Holtz Faded Jeans

Other - Spellbinders Rectangle die; Martha Stewart butterfly punch;glue dots

Somebody pinch me!

Yep, I need pinched real good because I still can't believe it....I won this: (sans ribbon, of course),


                               

from Ribbon Carousel for commenting on their Facebook page for their giveaway with Canadian Scrap Booker. 

Thanks Ribbon Carousel!  I love you!!!

Lucky to have a friend like you....

Sorry, I've been awol the past few days.  I came down with a bug that just zapped my energy.  Starting to feel a bit better today...

Some of the SNS (Sparkle N Sprinkle) DT members created some darlin' St. Patrick's Day cards in honor of owner, Margaret.  I didn't have any SNS St. Patty's images so I used what I had!  This darling image (Becca with Tulips) is from SNS Daddy's Little Princess Set.   I dressed her all in green and popped her on a 4 leaf clover shaped card from The Cutting Cafe. 


                             

I sparkled her up with SNS Shamrock Glitter...right down to her shoes!

BTW...Don't forget about my blog candy drawing for followers...I've been busy adding goodies, including more ribbon, window dies from the Poppy Stamp die, paper and more.   I love surprises....so will the  lucky winner on St. Patrick's Day! 

Supplies:

Stamps - SNS Becca with Tulips (3318-413)

Ink - Memento; Copics, SU marker

Other - 4 leaf clover shaped card/sentiment (The Cutting Cafe), SNS Shamrock Glitter, Recollections bling

Teapot Tuesday - Royal Cats

This week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge Destination  (MMTPT188) is a special one.  The web manager of SplitcoastStampers, aka Lydia, aka Understandblue, you know her if you hang out on SCS on the SCS Facebook page, because she's the one who keeps everything in the proper place and who posts the cool cards she finds on the FB page.

 Anyway, Lydia's mom, Virginia, has broken her femur right under the hip bone....OUCH!  The surgery required screws, plates and other uncomfortable sounding things and the recovery is going to be a bear.  Lydia's mom needs some serious cheering up!  She loves cats and books.

Our challenge is to bring Virginia some cats (or some books, or both!) but not just any cats, they have to be royal cats!  No riff, raff, we have to have cats with crowns.

Here's my card for Virginia.  I used the sketch from Card Patterns, CPS155 .

I love this Cat Set (597) from Rubbernecker!  It's got some of the funniest sentiments and cat poses.  This one says, "Women and Cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used the idea."...hee,hee!  I hope it brings Virginia a smile.

  

Supplies:

Stamps - Rubbernecker Cats Set 597

Paper - DCWV Glamor Girl , Bazzill Basics, (don't know who made the silver, sorry)

Ink - Versafine

Other - BBP gems, May Arts Velvet string, Jolee's stickers, paper piercer

Clean and Simple Monday - Monograms

This week's CAS (Clean and Simple) Challenge (CAS160) on SCS is Monograms.  While you're there, be sure to welcome the new Spring Design Members, Angela, Mary and Tilly.

I had this ivory scrap on my desk after cutting out multiple banner sentiment dies.  I like to cut a bunch to save time whenever I have it out.  I'm always left with this scrap so thought I'd use it.

I added a monogram from an old Anna Griffin set I have and a few green blings in honor of the month of March. 

Supplies:

Paper - PTI; Neenah cream

Stamps - All Night Media Anna Griffin

Ink - Versafine; Copic marker

Other - PTI banner die (accidently!); bling

Rubbernecker Sisterhood Sunday SS13 & Blog Hop Winner

It's Sunday and that means it's time for another Rubbernecker Sisterhood Sunday challenge.  This week our challenge is to create a round card.

Here's my take on the challenge...

Supplies:
Stamps - Rubbernecker Bud Set (505), Sentiment - Garden Phrase Set (508)
Paper - K & Co. Classic; Neenah cream
Ink - Tim Holtz Walnut
Other - Circle template - The Cutting Cafe; Ribbon - May Arts; Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle, Circle dies; pearls; paper roses; Martha Stewart Butterfly punch

WINNER DETAILS:
1. One Rubbernecker friend will be chosen to win their choice of ONE SINGLE STAMP.
2.That winner will be named our "SUNDAY SISTER" and will be announced on WEDNESDAY.
3.Our "SUNDAY SISTER" will  receive a badge to display on her blog.
4.At the end of EACH month, all the "SUNDAY SISTERS" will be entered into a random drawing for the GRAND PRIZE, a Stamp SET of your choice.

Be sure to head to the Stampin' Sisterhood Blog to congratulate our Blog Hop winner "The Wired Angel".

 

Sparkle N Sprinkle March Sketch Challenge SNSSC05

Did you know that Sparkle N Sprinkle sponsors a monthly sketch challenge AND that you can win a stamp set of YOUR CHOICE for playing along?  You didn't?  Well, now you do! 

Here's the sketch for this month (SNSSC05) and my take on it.  Be sure to pop over to the SNS site to see what the other designers have created using this sketch then link up your own creation.  You've got until March 31 to get linked to win that stamp set.

Supplies:

Stamps - Hummingbirds & Flowers Set 451, Fllying by - 3851-451AA, Bee Hummingbird - 3578-451B

Paper - Stampin Up So Saffron, Bashful Blue, DP (retired); Neenah cream

Ink - Memento Black; Copic markers

Other - Glitter - SNS Pistachio G1053; May Arts ribbon; Martha Stewart flowers; PTI banner die; Spellbinders Classic Square dies; Sakura glue pen

Foodie Friday - BTS Bars

Happy Friday!  I've been working on some DT posts so I don't have anything crafty to share today but I do have something yummy.  I was surfing the net the other day when I landed on Food Buzz.  I would not recommend doing this when you're hungry! 

My DH loves, loves, loves Snickers Candy bars.  I'm more of a cake, cookie, pie girl, myself, but he's been out of town and I wanted a special treat to welcome him home.  I found this recipe for Better than Snickers Bars and oh, my!!  You may never buy the kind in the brown wrapper again.  It makes plenty to share some too.

I modified the recipe a bit and put it in a more user friendly printable/download document for you.  Go ahead, indulge.   Better than Snickers (BTS..bet you were thinkin' somethin' else she said with a sly grin.)

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday #143

Goodness...I get farther and farther down the linky list at What's on your Workdesk Wednesday.  I can't stay awake long enough to catch up to UK time although last night I rolled around until 3:30 AM so just getting up and getting crafty might have been time better spent.  Yes?

I've just finished a DT project and about to start another...here's a peek:

Any guesses?

Don't forget my blog candy from last week's WOYWW 142...it's moved to a shelf where it's grown in ribbon and another package or two of crafty goodness.

Be sure to pop into Julia's and say hello to all the WOYWW ladies..and what's that ladder doing on the ground at Julia's house?

Teapot Tuesday - Robin

Normally, on the last Tuesday of the month, the Teapotters of Teapot Tuesday on SCS get a secret teapotter assigned to them to send their card to.  This week, however, all our cards are going to fellow teapotter, Robin (RJP111).  Robin's husband was killed in a freak accident and she's in need of some serious encouragement. 

Robin loves the ocean, the colors blue and green and her yellow mustang.  Our challenge (if we wanted extra cookies!) was to bring them all PLUS the seagull on the inspiration teapot.  You can find all the details here - MMTPT187

I found a Mustang coloring page online colored it and then covered it in Crystal Effects for shine...the little seagulls are from Rubbernecker Stamps...love this Cause a Scene set...so many images to play with.  The sparkly sand is Sparkle N Sprinkle's Sparkling Sands...is that cool or what?

Everything is mounted so that it's all on the card front when opened. 

Be sure to link for my blog candy and the Rubbernecker blog hop below!

Supplies:
Stamps - Rubbernecker Cause a Scene What's for Lunch #5; digital coloring page (Mustang)
Ink - Memento; Copics
Paper - Neenah, Xpress It; K & Co. Citronella
Other - Sparkle N Sprinkle Sparkling Sands Sparkle N Soft; K & Co. die cuts, foam tape; Spellbinders ovals, Crystal Effects

Clean & Simple Monday

The color challenge on SCS this week is a color challenge...Rich Razzleberry/White (CAS159).  Now, I must admit that of all the colors SU has come out with, this one was my least favorite so I have never used it.  (gasp!)

This looks better IRL than the photo...I'm wishing I had used the RR as the first layer and embossed a white layer...I still might.  :-)

Sparkle N Sprinkle Pretty Princess glitter is a near match for this color on the butterfly.

Don't forget the Rubbernecker Spring Blog Hop here...you've got all week to comment to win!

Also, you have time to comment for my blog candy here.  (I added more ribbon the ribbon jar today!)

Supplies:

Stamps - Rubbernecker  Life is Measured 582-11

Paper - Neenah; Stampin Up RR

Ink - SU RR

Other - May Arts ribbon; MS butterfly, SNS glitter; SB label

Rubbernecker Stamps Spring Blog Hop

                                 

Welcome to the Rubbernecker Stampin Sisterhood Spring Hop!  The Sisters have been busy creating Spring projects with the wide variety of Spring and Easter Stamps that Rubberneck Stamps has available. 

As you hop along the route that I have posted for you below, be sure to leave a comment as you go for an opportunity to win a STAMP SET OF YOUR CHOICE.  The winner will be announced on the Stampin' Sisterhood blog on Friday, March 2nd, so you have plenty of time to visit each blog for some Springtime inspiration.

I decided to make a little Easter treat basket using the darling little Carrot Bunny (84-09) image and the Some Bunny Text (59-06).  I cut and popped up the bunny and gave him a little fuzzy pom-pom tail.  The carrots are glazed with All Night Media Embossing Liquid.

I plan on making a few more and filling them with jelly beans for our grands and the neighbors so they know some "bunny" loves them!

Supplies

Stamps - Rubbernecker  Easter 59-06, 84-09

Paper - SU Regal Rose, Neenah Cream, DT from my stash

Ink - Memento, Copics

Other - Papertrey bag die, paper doily, MS chunky glitter, Spellbinders heart die, brads, MS grass scissors

If you arrived here from Bev Gerard's blog, you're in the right place.  Your next stop will be Charlene Merrick.  Here's the rest of the hop list in case you get lost.  :-)  Have fun!!

Bev Gerard

Charlene Driggs (that's me!)

Charlene Merrick

Ellen Taylor

Jacquie Piefer

Jen Charboneau

Jennifer Cuthbertson

Joan Ervin

Julia Aston

Juliana Swanson

Karen Hunsaker

Kecia Waters

Kittie Caracciolo

Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood

Foodie Friday and a few giggles

Goodness,  it's Friday...already!  I need a couple more days in the week! 

I made a quick dinner of Mexican Lasagna for a family from church the other night who's going through some rough medical issues.  I forgot how quick, easy and colorful it is and so easy to customize to your family's tastes.  It's filling and easy on the budget too.   You can find a printable recipe at the link above.

A friend sent over this list of Senior Citizen Texting Codes...don't laugh too hard it can happen to you too. ;-)

ATD ~ At The Doctors
BFF ~ Best Friend Fell
BTW ~ Bring The Wheelchair
BYOT ~ Bring Your Own Teeth
FWIW ~ Forgot Where I Was
GGPBL ~ Gotta Go Pacemaker Battery Low
GHA ~ Got Heartburn Again
IMHO ~ Is My Hearing-Aid On
LMDO ~ Laughing My Dentures Out
OMMR ~ On My Massage Recliner
OMSG ~ Oh My! Sorry, Gas
ROFLACGU ~ Rolling On Floor Laughing And Can’t Get Up
TTYL ~ Talk To You Louder

Be sure to check out my blog candy post here...I just added another goody today!  And don't forget...the Rubbernecker Stampin Sisterhood Spring Blog Hop is this Saturday, the 25th!! 

Home Sweet Home

Not totally happy with this one but it's late so maybe tomorrow I'll have another go at it.  This is for the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge Home Sweet Home.

I just love the whimsey of this little house.

Supplies:
Paper - Papertrey Kraft; Bitty Dot Basics
Ink - Memento; Copic marker
Stamps - Papertrey Wonderfully Whimsical
Other - May Arts Twine

WOYWW142 ...hmmmmmm

I hope you like what's on my workdesk (WOYWW 142) today because it just might be for YOU!  It's BLOG CANDY time!!  I've been collecting a few treasures to send out as a thank you for following my blog.   So in appreciation and without further ado...here we go:

I will be adding a few more things as we go along but here's the stash so far:

3 sets of clear stamps

Martha Stewart stickers

Melody Ross Inspiration Cards 

Colorbok chipboard letters (Cute)

6 rolls of American Crafts ribbon

3 Copic markers

1 White Signo pen

Contents of my ribbon jar - some long, some short ;-)

and a few surprises I'm keeping secret!

I've decided to limit this one to followers only because there are some who simply google "blog candy" and then you never see them again and I don't feel that's fair to those who faithfully follow/comment.

Just leave me a comment telling me what you 'd like to see more of ...projects, CAS cards, etc. and I'll draw a winner on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th! 

After you comment, head on over to Julia's Stamping Ground to see what other crafty goodness is going on in the world...and maybe a creatively messy desk or two!

Don't forget The Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood Spring Blog Hop is this Saturday!!  You don't want to miss out on the fun!

If that isn't enough,  it's May Arts/Stampendous Blog Week!!  The Design Teams have created some fun and exciting projects for you.  Of course, as always, leave a comment on the May Arts blog.  Tell the Ribbon Lady I sent ya for a chance to win some awesome Blog Week. prizes!!

Whew...I can barely stand the excitement!  hee,hee

May Arts/Stampendous Blog Week Boutique Gift Bag

It's here...another fabulous May Arts/Stampendous Blog Week!  You know that means lots of cool projects and lots of fun giveaways. 

Here's a peek at the project tutorial I have for you on the May Arts Blog.

Perfect for spring gifting and even just sitting on a shelf as home decor, n'est pas?  I've got a complete tutorial plus a tutorial for tying that gorgeous ribbon on the May Arts blog.  Be sure to click the photos over there because it's a 3 column blog and the pictures get stretched out but if you click on them, you can see them in their true form. 

As always, be sure to tell the Ribbon Lady if you like my project to be in the running for some yummy blog candy.   Be sure to check out the Stampendous blog as well for even more cool projects.

    

Teapot Tuesday - Birthday cards for kids in the hospital

This week's challenge SCS Teapot Tuesday (MMTPT186) is a bit different.  It's a birthday card challenge but with a bit of a twist. 

Here's the story:

This week our destination is Schenectady, New York. If you would like a destination for your cards this week, how about sending them to Chris. Chris is the 9 years old son of Fellow SCSer Sue (coffeestamper) . Just prior to Christmas Chris had surgery to remove a brain tumor. It was such an intense, fearful, and difficult time for the family! Chris is so young! He came through with flying colors, is home now and doing well.

and here's the twist:

Chris was treated at Albany Medical Center and Sue and her family are so very appreciative of the staff at the Medical Center. The would love to show their appreciation to the staff for the wonderful care Chris recieved during this difficult time.


The nurses and staff made them feel comfort while going through Chris' surgery. They would love to give back to that staff and they asked what could they do for them. Sue informed them that she makes hand made cards and they said it would be great if she would donate birthday cards to the pediatric unit because there are alot of times when kids are being treated when their birthday comes around. A handmade card would cheer them up on a birthday away from home. The pediatric unit treats infants all the way up to 18 year olds.

Chris has to return to the center for follow up MRI's to make sure his tumor doesn't grow back and he would love to show up there with a stash of birthday cards for the children being treated now and in the future. So, in honor of Chris and the wonderful treatment he received, we are sending cards that can be used in the medical center, in honor of Chris who by the way is just tickled to be getting cards he can hand deliver!

If you have an extra birthday card or two that would be suitable for children from infant to 18 would you please consider sending them to Chris?  Please include an envelope  with your card for purposes of convenience. Since these cards will be given to children, infants to 18 year old, they should be blank inside.

MAILING ADDRESS:
Chris Titolo
5108 Madison Street
Schenectady, New York 12306

Here's one of the cards I'm sending to Chris.

I thought a big happy glittery card would be good for just about any age although it's definitely girly.  See that glitter sparkle?   I's none other than Sparkle N Sprinkle glitter.  Their glitter has some serious shine...love that!!

Supplies:

Stamps - Hero Arts ZigZag Cupcake

Ink - Stampin Up Regal Rose; Copics

Paper - Stampin Up; DP from my stash

Other - Sparkle N Sprinkle glitter ( G1091 Lemonade, G1109 Pretty Princess, G1053 Pistachio); May Arts ribbon; corner rounder; foam tape

Clean & Simple Monday - Stitching

Today's CAS challenge on SCS (CAS158) is to use stitching on your card.  It can be real or faux...so have fun with it.

Here's my super simple card

I just stitched across my card randomly then covered the inside stitches with a strip of matching cardstock so that I could secure the ends of the thread.  I crocheted the flower with embroidery floss.  That's a fantastic find that's inexpensive to make and saves lots of $$ on the pre-made kind.

I'm entering this in the Kraft Journal's Make it Monday Fantastic Finds challenge. 

Hey, CAS lovers...the Clean and Simple DT Search begins tonight in the SCS forum.  Click the link above for details...the next DT member could be......YOU!!


Supplies:
Cardstock - Papertrey
Stamps - Papertrey Make a Wish
Ink - Versafine
Other - sewing machine; crocheted flower; button; Martha Stewart leaf punch