So happy for you

Our son and his wife celebrated their anniversary this week.  I did some speedy watercoloring with Distress Inks, added a quick die cut sentiment and a few sequins and done!

All supplies Papertrey Ink (Scripted stamps & die) except for watercolor paper, Distress Inks and sequins.

Congratulations!

It's my favorite time of year!  Peach season!  We trekked up to Georgia and loaded the car with peaches to bring home to eat, freeze and share.  Loving the way our house smells.

No peach themed project just yet but hubby needed a card for a male employee who just received a promotion so I was drafted to create one in company colors.

No stamping other than the sentiment. and the base swirls.  All supplies Papertrey Ink except for the acrylic stars which came from my stash.

Thanks for stopping by!

Die Cut Birthday Wishes

The talented Jennifer McGuire has a video using a partial die cut border technique.  Her set of notecards was beautiful, so I set out to try it.

It was a lot harder than it looked!  I just couldn't get the hang of the partial die cut border so I cheated and die cut the floral image separately and glued it down on the back of the white card stock.  I think I got pretty close to the same look.

I spritzed the the background and birthday sentiment die cut with some Glimmer Mist for some subtle shimmer and instead of her stamped sentiment, I added a big die cut sentiment and butterfly.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink, Strathmore Smooth white
Dies: Papertrey Birthday Wishes, Simon Says Stamp Calliope Flourish
Other:  Martha Stewart butterfly punch, stick on pearls, Glimmer Mist

Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrate 100!

Whew...it's been hot here but that's summer in the sub-tropics.  I'll take that to snow...any day!  :)

We have a sweet 96 year old long time friend who emailed and asked if I'd make a card for HER friend who is turning 100!

Yes, she does email!  She doesn't see well and French is her first language but she handles that keyboard like a champ.  She used to make Christmas ornaments for the grands every year until her eyesight got too bad for the tiny work.

Time was short so I totally cased a card by Danielle Flanders.  I thought 100 years of life deserved a party on paper and I loved the happy colors on her card.  I made just a few small changes.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Neenah 110 lb. Solar White, Gold- stash
Stamps/Dies - Papertrey Ink
Ink - A Muse Pigment Inks
Other - Sequins (Papertrey Ink), foam dots, Stick it paper, Crystal Effects

Thanks for stopping by!  Stay cool!

Summertime, Birthday time!

Our oldest son's family joined us at the beach last week for a fun time of wave jumping and exploring.

Our grandson celebrated his 11th birthday while we were there so I wanted to create a card that would remind him of one of the fun things he did at the beach.

That boy has no fear and this is how he spent most of the week...in and out of the waves.  Snorkel and all!.  :)

I heat embossed the waves before coloring and cutting.

Supplies:

Cardstock - Papertrey Ink, Watercolor paper
Stamps - Papertrey Ink: What the Doodle Waves, Sand Swatch Mini Set; SparkleNSprinkle:              Summer Fun
Stencil - Papertrey Ink Sund & Surf Stencil Collection
Other - Tim Holtz blending tool, Hero Arts Shadow Ink, Copic Markers, foam dots, Crystal Effects

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you're having a great summer in the sun!

CAS373 - His & Hers Birthdays

Summer is finally here.  Hot steamy days, followed by booming afternoon thunderstorms are the norm.  Warm balmy breezes, palm trees and walks on the beach fill the longer days.  Perfection.

The rush of spring weddings has slowed and that means I can steal a few minutes for card making.  My love is still CAS style.  CAS373 on SplitcoastStampers was birthday cards.  I say "was" because this challenge was from April!  Thank goodness there are no deadlines!  :)

Papertrey Ink Brushed Off Stamp Set and a simple change of color way and I have sets of cards for birthdays that can also be used for just about any occasion by simply changing the sentiment.

I used my favorite A Muse pigment inks and simply gave them a quick dry with my heat tool to  set the inks.  I just love the vibrant colors.

Stormy days mean terrible photo lighting!

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you get some time to run through a sprinkler or wiggle your toes in the sand this summer.

CAS375 - Wildflowers in the Wind

Yay!  I actually had time to play in a CAS (Clean & Simple) Challenge on SCS this week.

This week's theme CAS375 is Weddings & Anniversaries and since our youngest and his bride are celebrating their 3rd anniversary next week, the timing is perfect!

I used Rubbernecker Stamps "Wildflowers in the Wind" and a sentiment from Papertrey's Painted Petals

I fell in love with these gorgeous flowers the first time I saw them and just had to have them!  It was so much fun to stamp them and the MISTI made the stamping so easy, I decided to make multiples using all kinds of different papers. 

Now, when I'm in a rush with no time to create, I can just stamp a sentiment for everything from birthdays to sympathy cards and be done in no time.

Here's a list of the supplies I used:

Stamps: Rubbernecker Wildflowers in the Wind

              Papertrey Ink Painted Petals

Ink - A Muse Pigment Inks 

Cardstock - Papertrey Ink

Miscellaneous - Sequins, Crystal Effects

Thanks for visiting and be sure to play along...there's still time.

Masculine Birthday Card

Our baby boy's birthday is tomorrow.  He's a grown man now but to us...he'll always be our baby boy.  :-)

That boy loves fishing more than anything else.  He keeps a pole and gear in his car in case he happens to see a spot to put his line in for even a few minutes.

I just love this stamp from Flourishes Kids Play.  I've had it forever and adore the simple yet beautiful silhouettes and sentiments.

To create the background, I first stamped the image onto a scrap cardstock circle, then I lined it up side by side with the circle I intended to use.  I drew a light pencil line at the horizon mark so I would know where the sky ends and water begins. 

I used my Tim Holtz blenders and Hero Arts Shadow inks to blend two colors each for the sky and water.  (sorry, I forgot to write them down!)  All paper Papertrey Ink.

After the blending was finished, I stamped the image in Versamark ink, sprinkled with black embossing powder then heat embossed the image, stamped the sentiment, mounted on the black circle and done.  

I hope he likes it.  

Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping by.

Secret Garden & Giveaway

Yes, I know...it's been awhile.  The shop has, thankfully, been busy but it also means less time for being crafty just for the sake of being crafty.

I love, love making these little mini notebooks...lovely little spaces to write thoughts, prayers and all the things to be thankful for.

I broke into my Graphic 45 Secret Garden, PTI's Phrases and Praises, a bit of lace, some stick on pearls and a bit of sepia ink

The inside is important too...a gentle reminder...

a bit of encouragement...

and don't forget the back.

Oh, and the giveaway...a Xyron Creative Station. (sorry, only US please.) 

 Just tell me what you love to create.  I'll pick a winner next Friday.

October Birthday - Marigolds

Lots of October birthdays in this family.

I was a little surprised to learn the October flower was the Marigold. I guess I never thought about it.   I do love them though. They're a strong, sturdy, colorful addition to the fall landscape.

I used Versamark ink and white detail embossing powder to create the blooms.  I colored them on both the back and front sides with Kuretake Zig Brush pens.  They watercolor beautifully.

I cut them out and just used my clear double sided tape runner to adhere them.  No see through!

A little embossed linen card stock with rounded corners and a sentiment and done!  Love Clean and Simple (CAS) cards.

The weather is beginning to moderate to mildly hot from sizzling... finally.  :-)

Supplies used:

Cardstock - Papertrey Ink Linen & Orange Zest ; Vellum
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Year of Flowers Collection, Bountiful Banners
Ink - Versamark; Kuretake Zig Waterbrush markers
Other - embossing folder, corner rounder

CASE this Sketch - CTS142

Yay...time to make another card.  Thought I 'd try this sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch (CTS142)

Here's my take on the sketch...Love matching the envelope!

Supplies:

Cardstock - Stampin Up, Neenah 80 lb. Solar White, DCWV 
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Wonderful Words Birthday
Dies - Papertrey Ink Wonderful Words Birthday, Envelope Die;  Lil Inker Designs

Thanks for stopping by!

CASEing Lime Doodle and Papertrey Ink

It's been so long since I've posted a card.  I've missed my paper and ink and I've missed keeping up with my blog.  Life is busy and while it's a good kind of busy, I'm longing to get back to visiting some of my favorite stamping blog friends and creating a few cards of my own.

I've realized that my creativity has taken a break so I decided to CASE a card I found on Pinterest by Debbie of Lime Doodle Design.

I loved the design but not the colors so I followed CASE rules and changed 3 things.  :)

1. Brightened the colors
2. Added a double wrap of twine
3. Changed the sentiment and darkened up my bird a bit more.

I love that this card can work for birthdays, get well, and thinking of you.

Thanks for checking in!  I've missed you.  

p.s.  I've decided to take a break from the May Arts Design Team.  It was a wonderful ride but it was time to step down...at least for now.  :)

Ribbon Sweat Band Tutorial

Love the no-slip ribbon sweat bands but don't love the price?  Good news!  We've got you covered on the May Arts blog today.  Now you can make one for every workout or night out and you can create them in any width you want thanks to the amazing selection of ribbon at May Arts.

Craft show season will be here soon and these would great Christmas gifts!

Thanks for visiting us...

May Arts Ribbon Scrap Blog Hop

If you're like me, you have a whole bunch of ribbon scraps.  I can't stand to throw pretty ribbon away no matter how tiny the scrap may be.  You never know when you can use it, right?

Well, the May Arts team has a whole lot of great ideas for those pretty bits and pieces of May Arts ribbon.

I've combined mine to create some fun binder clip photo holders.  Just stamp a scrap of cardstock, cut to fit your binder clip, use some Scor-Tape to make sure the paper is secure, then tie on some pretty May Arts satin leaves,  crochet lace, sheer or other combo of ribbons.  No stamps or paper?  No problem!  I used some rub-on scraps on the second clip.  They stick beautifully.

These would make awesome stocking stuffers, small gifts or party favors.

Want some pretty May Arts Ribbon scraps to get you started?  Want them from the NEW Fall lineup?  

I thought so!  :-)  Just leave a comment on each Ribbonistas blog.  The Ribbon Lady will be awarding 3 grab bags of ribbon from the new fall line.  

Here's the line up for the hop:

Tracy McLennon

Mary Brockway

Karen Hanson

Jenifer Cowles

Jen Shears

Gini Williams Cagle

Emily Lanham

Charlene Driggs

Karen Baker

Thanks so much taking time out of your day to hop with us!  We hope you've been inspired!

Shabby Flower Tutorial

Love pretty shabby flowers but don't have much time  to make them or $$ to buy them?  We've got you covered!

Head over the May Arts blog for the tutorial to make these beauties from your ribbon scraps!

Easy Summer Placemat Purse May Arts Style

I've got a quick and easy tutorial on the May Arts blog today.   All you need is a cute placemat and some fun May Arts ribbon!

These would be great for those last minute teacher gifts!  Just fill them with some cute notepads, pens, hand sanitizer, etc. and you've got a useful, economical gift!

Head over to the blog for all the details.

Thanks for joining us!

May Arts Ribbon Flower Challenge

It's spring time and that means it's time for a bounty of beautiful flowers.  May Arts is hosting a ribbon challenge for our readers!  The Ribbonistas have created our own ribbon flowers to inspire you.  Come create with us for your chance to win some amazing May Arts Ribbon!

I created these pretty silk roses with beautiful May Arts Silk Ribbon.  You can find the easy tutorial at the link below.

tutorial

Hope you've been inspired!  

May Arts Ribbon Baby Hop

The Ribbon Lady has an announcement.  She's hired a very special assistant (I hear she works for ba-ba's, is very cute and adorable, and that her momma, daddy and big brother are quite smitten with her.  :-)

The Ribbonistas are having a Baby Hop to formally welcome the Ribbon Baby to the team.

I've created a set of soft blocks with ribbon tabs using a variety of May Arts ribbons for color and texture.

I found the basic tutorial for these 4" x 4" blocks here.  The author only used 4 pieces of ribbon but we know that where May Arts Ribbon is involved, more is much better!

I used crochet velvet, crochet lace, velvet, grosgrain, satin, chevron, faux suede and more for lots of tactile interest.  The pretty fabric is from Moda.

These are quite addictive to make and I'll be making some to keep on hand for last minute baby gifts.

Here's the rest of the hop so you don't miss a day of sweet baby inspiration and a chance to win a spool of ribbon from the May Arts Ribbon Baby Section.  There will 3 winners so be sure to comment on each blog today and tomorrow.

Thursday

Charlene Driggs

Emily Lanham

Gini Williams Cagle

Jen Shears

Jenifer Cowles

Jennifer Davey

Friday

Karen Baker

Karen Hanson

Mallika Kejriwal

Mary Brockway

Rhea Weigand

Tracy McLennon

Thanks so much for joining us!  Hope we've inspired you!  Be sure to stop by the May Arts Blog and say hi to Ribbon Baby!

Cards Two Ways with May Arts Ribbon

I've got some quick and easy cards on the May Arts Blog today.  One for girls and one for guys. Both made with scrap ribbon.   Ribbon on guy cards?  Sure...when it's May Arts Ribbon.

 Here's a sneak peek:

Thanks for stopping by!

Easy Apron Tutorial/Mother's Day Gift Alert!

I love to cook and invariably, whatever I'm cooking, I end up wearing!  Now I understand why our moms wore aprons.  I actually love them and this one is especially easy to make.

Be sure to head over the May Arts blog for complete details.  They'd make great gifts too.

Thanks for stopping by!