In case anyone is interested I am having a sale on select stationery sets in my Etsy store through tomorrow. The sets are discounted 25% making them only $15 per set of 10 cards and lined envelopes (total of 20 pieces). Here's a photo of one of my favorite sets.
Have a great weekend and hopefully I'll be able to get a brand new card posted tomorrow.
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Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
February Blog Hop!
Hello all of you Blog Hoppers you! Welcome to my entry for Papertrey Ink's February Blog Hop entry. I used Polka Dot Basics, Simple Little Things (last year's anniversary set), Background Basics: Retro, and With Sympathy on this card. The flowers are stamped in Melon Berry ink and colored with a yellow Prismacolor pencil and mineral spirits. There's also a touch of glitter on each flower center. The focal image is mounted to the orangey cardstock layer using foam tape to give it a little more visual interest. Hope you enjoy my card and your night of hopping!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Lemon Tart - Papertrey Ink, Ultimate White - Strathmore; Orange - Bazzill
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Simple Little Things, Background Basics: Retro, With Sympathy - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Melon Berry - Papertrey Ink; Frost White - Colorbox, Versamark - Tsukineko
Ribbon: Spring Moss Saddle Stitched - Papertrey Ink
Tools: Medium and Small Corner Rounders - EK Success; Scalloped Border Punch - Fiskars, Paper Piercer
Other: Foam Tape - Scotch, Glitter Pen - Sakura
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
You're A Hoot
Greetings! How was your day? Sean didn't have to work so we slept in (he had a show last night and we didn't get to sleep until almost 2:00. I'm too young to say things like "I'm too old for this", but I'm seriously too old for that) and visited the zoo. It was fun to be at the zoo today because it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. We only went to a few of the exhibits, but it was really nice to walk in the sunshine and watch the animals.
Anyway, on to today's card. One of our friends recently celebrated a birthday, but we haven't been able to get together yet to celebrate. I wanted to make him a card for when we have dinner next week. I didn't want to go my usual "man birthday card" route (usually a cupcake) so I settled on this (Sean approved) owl image from Kim Hughes's Pretty Birds set from Cornish Heritage Farms. Sean's only request was that he wanted the card to be blue. So I thought, "What's more fun than a blue owl?" Obviously my conclusion was, "Nothing!" I stamped the owl and branch images on a piece of white cardstock and colored them with colored pencils and mineral spirits. I layered that onto a piece of Ripe Avocado cardstock and set it aside.
Then, I took a piece of blue cardstock and stamped the dashed grid background (LOVE this background) from the Background Basics: Retro in white ink. The sentiment (also from Pretty Birds) is stamped in brown ink as well. That piece of blue cardstock was then adhered to a Kraft base.
I decided the focal image was a little naked, so I wrapped it with some yellow embroidery floss and added a button from my collection. That piece was then mounted to the blue layer/Kraft base using foam tape. I hope he likes it!
Thanks for stopping by today. Until next time...
Recipe:
Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Blue - Bazzill; Ultimate white - Strathmore
Stamps: Pretty Birds (Kim Hughes Collection) - Cornish Heritage Farms; Background Basics: Retro - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox
Other: Colored Pencils - Prismacolor; Odorless Mineral Spirits; Embroidery Floss - DMC; Foam Tape - Scotch; Button
Anyway, on to today's card. One of our friends recently celebrated a birthday, but we haven't been able to get together yet to celebrate. I wanted to make him a card for when we have dinner next week. I didn't want to go my usual "man birthday card" route (usually a cupcake) so I settled on this (Sean approved) owl image from Kim Hughes's Pretty Birds set from Cornish Heritage Farms. Sean's only request was that he wanted the card to be blue. So I thought, "What's more fun than a blue owl?" Obviously my conclusion was, "Nothing!" I stamped the owl and branch images on a piece of white cardstock and colored them with colored pencils and mineral spirits. I layered that onto a piece of Ripe Avocado cardstock and set it aside.
Then, I took a piece of blue cardstock and stamped the dashed grid background (LOVE this background) from the Background Basics: Retro in white ink. The sentiment (also from Pretty Birds) is stamped in brown ink as well. That piece of blue cardstock was then adhered to a Kraft base.
I decided the focal image was a little naked, so I wrapped it with some yellow embroidery floss and added a button from my collection. That piece was then mounted to the blue layer/Kraft base using foam tape. I hope he likes it!
Thanks for stopping by today. Until next time...
Recipe:
Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Blue - Bazzill; Ultimate white - Strathmore
Stamps: Pretty Birds (Kim Hughes Collection) - Cornish Heritage Farms; Background Basics: Retro - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox
Other: Colored Pencils - Prismacolor; Odorless Mineral Spirits; Embroidery Floss - DMC; Foam Tape - Scotch; Button
Monday, February 23, 2009
A New Look
I finally got off my duff and designed a blog header. It looks pretty bad for a graphic designer to be using a default google blog header (I'm just sayin'). Hopefully the new look pleases. Let me know what you think!
A Birthday Card
Today's card uses Sketch #3 from Card Patterns. It was a great sketch and I thought it might be fun to play along. I've had the Melon Berry/Spring Moss/Kraft color scheme floating around my head for the past few days and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity.
I started by stamping that dashed grid (grandpa's jammies) from Background Basics: Retro in white on a piece of Kraft. Then I stamped the leafy vine border from Heather's new set Beyond Basic Borders onto a piece of white cardstock and adhered that to the Kraft (I trimmed off about 3/4"). I stamped the sentiment in Melon Berry ink and sponged the edges of the cardstock with Spring Moss. I knew I wanted to add a Melon Berry layer, but I don't have the cardstock, so I took my twill ribbon and found a close-ish Bazzill color. I think it's a pretty close match, but I'm not sure what the name of the color is (I'm sorry).
Once the Kraft was mounted to the orangey color, I wrapped white grosgrain ribbon around the two layers and went about creating my focal image. The Melon Berry/Spring Moss scheme screams floral to me so I searched my stamps and came up with this sweet little bouquet image from Stampendous. I stamped the image, punched it out, and sponged the edges with more Melon Berry. After mounting the stamped image to a scalloped circle of Spring Moss, I embellished with a smidge of glitter and a tiny bow of hemp cord.
I adhered the Kraft/orangey layer to a 5 1/2" square base made from Spring Moss. The floral image was then mounted to the Kraft layer using foam tape. The card still needed a little something, so I searched through my button collection and found this orangey button that matches perfectly. A little hemp chord and adhesive and there you have it!
Have a great day!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Spring Moss, Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore; Pinkish-Orange - Bazzill
Stamps: Background Basics: Retro, Beyond Basic Borders, Birthday Basics - Papertrey Ink; Thanks A Bunch Mini - Stampendous
Ink: Melon Berry, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink; Frost White - Colorbox
Fibers: White Grosgrain Ribbon - Offray; Hemp Cord - unknown
Other: Foam Tape - Scotch; Glitter Pen - Sakura; button - unknown
I started by stamping that dashed grid (grandpa's jammies) from Background Basics: Retro in white on a piece of Kraft. Then I stamped the leafy vine border from Heather's new set Beyond Basic Borders onto a piece of white cardstock and adhered that to the Kraft (I trimmed off about 3/4"). I stamped the sentiment in Melon Berry ink and sponged the edges of the cardstock with Spring Moss. I knew I wanted to add a Melon Berry layer, but I don't have the cardstock, so I took my twill ribbon and found a close-ish Bazzill color. I think it's a pretty close match, but I'm not sure what the name of the color is (I'm sorry).
Once the Kraft was mounted to the orangey color, I wrapped white grosgrain ribbon around the two layers and went about creating my focal image. The Melon Berry/Spring Moss scheme screams floral to me so I searched my stamps and came up with this sweet little bouquet image from Stampendous. I stamped the image, punched it out, and sponged the edges with more Melon Berry. After mounting the stamped image to a scalloped circle of Spring Moss, I embellished with a smidge of glitter and a tiny bow of hemp cord.
I adhered the Kraft/orangey layer to a 5 1/2" square base made from Spring Moss. The floral image was then mounted to the Kraft layer using foam tape. The card still needed a little something, so I searched through my button collection and found this orangey button that matches perfectly. A little hemp chord and adhesive and there you have it!
Have a great day!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Spring Moss, Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore; Pinkish-Orange - Bazzill
Stamps: Background Basics: Retro, Beyond Basic Borders, Birthday Basics - Papertrey Ink; Thanks A Bunch Mini - Stampendous
Ink: Melon Berry, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink; Frost White - Colorbox
Fibers: White Grosgrain Ribbon - Offray; Hemp Cord - unknown
Other: Foam Tape - Scotch; Glitter Pen - Sakura; button - unknown
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Krafty Koffee
I've missed paper. Really, really missed it. Yesterday I was so excited because I had nothing pressing to do and I could play in my craft room for the first time in a week. I had new toys and enthusiasm! I gathered up my computer (for the necessary craft time listening experience) and my water bottle and marched triumphantly into my room. And wouldn't you know it...performance anxiety. I sat in one place for hours and couldn't think of a single thing to do. I browsed sketches and color inspirations to no avail.
So today I told myself to suck it up, be a woman, and get something made. Lucky for me there was a new sketch challenge posted over at Card Positioning Systems (with a little Papertrey incentive). So my card today uses that sketch (#104 from CPS) as a starting point. I'm a literal sketch follower, so it's pretty true to the original.
I used a standard A2 Ripe Avocado base layered with a piece of white cardstock stamped with the dashed square background from the new Background Basics: Retro set. I love this background. It reminds me of my grandpa's pjs.
The focal image is a piece of Kraft stamped with the coffee cup and sentiment from the Warm Happiness set. I rounded the corners, distressed the edges with a pair of scissors, and sponged on some white ink before adhering it to a piece of Ripe Avocado. That is mounted to the white layer with foam tape.
The smaller panel is another piece of Kraft (also with rounded corners and distressed/inked edges) stamped with the open polka dot from Rustic Branches. I wanted white inside the polka dots so I filled them in with a white colored pencil. I mounted that to another piece of Ripe Avocado and then ran it through my sewing machine (removed recently from storage just for paper crafting goodness). I popped a hole through that whole thing and attached a largish copper brad. That panel is then adhered to the white layer (no foam tape).
Boy, oh, boy it feels good to be productive again. It may not me my most mind-blowing card ever, but I'm pleased. I hope you've enjoyed!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore
Stamps: Warm Happiness, Rustic Branches - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink; Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox
Tools: Small corner rounder (yellow) - EK Success; scissors (for distressing); sewing machine
Other: Copper Premium Brad (the bigger ones) - American Crafts; Thread; Foam Tape - Scotch; White Colored Pencil - Prismacolor
So today I told myself to suck it up, be a woman, and get something made. Lucky for me there was a new sketch challenge posted over at Card Positioning Systems (with a little Papertrey incentive). So my card today uses that sketch (#104 from CPS) as a starting point. I'm a literal sketch follower, so it's pretty true to the original.
I used a standard A2 Ripe Avocado base layered with a piece of white cardstock stamped with the dashed square background from the new Background Basics: Retro set. I love this background. It reminds me of my grandpa's pjs.
The focal image is a piece of Kraft stamped with the coffee cup and sentiment from the Warm Happiness set. I rounded the corners, distressed the edges with a pair of scissors, and sponged on some white ink before adhering it to a piece of Ripe Avocado. That is mounted to the white layer with foam tape.
The smaller panel is another piece of Kraft (also with rounded corners and distressed/inked edges) stamped with the open polka dot from Rustic Branches. I wanted white inside the polka dots so I filled them in with a white colored pencil. I mounted that to another piece of Ripe Avocado and then ran it through my sewing machine (removed recently from storage just for paper crafting goodness). I popped a hole through that whole thing and attached a largish copper brad. That panel is then adhered to the white layer (no foam tape).
Boy, oh, boy it feels good to be productive again. It may not me my most mind-blowing card ever, but I'm pleased. I hope you've enjoyed!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore
Stamps: Warm Happiness, Rustic Branches - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink; Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox
Tools: Small corner rounder (yellow) - EK Success; scissors (for distressing); sewing machine
Other: Copper Premium Brad (the bigger ones) - American Crafts; Thread; Foam Tape - Scotch; White Colored Pencil - Prismacolor
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Busy Beaver & An Announcement
I've been a busy little beaver the past few days and I haven't had time to sit down and craft, but I do have a project in reserve and some corresponding good news I'd like to share. One of my Guest Star Stamper submissions received an honorable mention from Nichole Heady! It's been a long day (well, week actually), and it was so nice to read that announcement when I settled in this evening.
The challenge was to create a sympathy card with last month's new release With Sympathy. I made a 4 1/4 square card matted with a layer of Kraft cardstock.
Before I adhered the Kraft to the base I stamped the flowers (I think these may be my favorite flowers in any set I've ever had...seriously) in Ripe Avocado and Frost White inks. The sentiment was also stamped in Ripe Avocado. Then, I masked the flowers with an oval made from a transparency sheet and stamped the pin dot from Polka Dot Basics over the entire layer in Versamark ink. I rounded the corners and sponged the edges with Ripe Avocado ink.
Then, I covered a Maya Road chipboard scalloped oval frame and covered it with Spring Moss cardstock. I cut around the shape and used an emery board to smooth the edges. The frame's edges were then sponged with Frost White ink.
I knew I wanted to add a delicate textile to the card so I took a length of sheer white ribbon and tied it with a knot. One end was secured under the chipboard frame and the other end was secured on the back of the Kraft layer before it was mounted to the white base. I used just a hint of glitter on the flower centers as a finishing touch.
I hope you've enjoyed today's card and announcement. Take care and I hope you'll visit again soon.
Recipe:
Cardstock: Kraft, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore
Stamps: With Sympathy, With Sympathy: Loss of a Child, Polka Dot Basics - Papertrey Ink
Inks: Ripe Avocado - Papertrey Ink; Frost White - Colorbox; Versamark - Tsukineko
Embellishments: Scalloped Oval Chipboard Frame - Maya Road; Sheer White Ribbon - unknown
Tools: Medium Corner Rounder (green) - EK Success
The challenge was to create a sympathy card with last month's new release With Sympathy. I made a 4 1/4 square card matted with a layer of Kraft cardstock.
Before I adhered the Kraft to the base I stamped the flowers (I think these may be my favorite flowers in any set I've ever had...seriously) in Ripe Avocado and Frost White inks. The sentiment was also stamped in Ripe Avocado. Then, I masked the flowers with an oval made from a transparency sheet and stamped the pin dot from Polka Dot Basics over the entire layer in Versamark ink. I rounded the corners and sponged the edges with Ripe Avocado ink.
Then, I covered a Maya Road chipboard scalloped oval frame and covered it with Spring Moss cardstock. I cut around the shape and used an emery board to smooth the edges. The frame's edges were then sponged with Frost White ink.
I knew I wanted to add a delicate textile to the card so I took a length of sheer white ribbon and tied it with a knot. One end was secured under the chipboard frame and the other end was secured on the back of the Kraft layer before it was mounted to the white base. I used just a hint of glitter on the flower centers as a finishing touch.
I hope you've enjoyed today's card and announcement. Take care and I hope you'll visit again soon.
Recipe:
Cardstock: Kraft, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore
Stamps: With Sympathy, With Sympathy: Loss of a Child, Polka Dot Basics - Papertrey Ink
Inks: Ripe Avocado - Papertrey Ink; Frost White - Colorbox; Versamark - Tsukineko
Embellishments: Scalloped Oval Chipboard Frame - Maya Road; Sheer White Ribbon - unknown
Tools: Medium Corner Rounder (green) - EK Success
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Our Valentine's Day Was Lovely. . .
How was yours? Sean came home and made me fettucini alfredo with steamed broccoli. He even bought the fancy parm. I made bread pudding for dessert (with vanilla ice cream, naturally).
He bought me a gift certificate for the Papertrey release and a bottle of wine from a company named "Elizabeth Rose" (my first and middle names). He said he saw the bottle while he was on his business trip last month and after a long day it reminded him of me and of home. How sweet is that!? So he called the distributor and found out where to find the Sauvignon Blanc here in town.
I bought him a pair of SmartWool socks so he'll have a pair for every day of the work week. They are his favorite work socks because they're for hiking, so they are cushioned and keep your feet comfy even when you're on them for hours. He's always talking about how he just needs "one more pair" (he won't buy them for himself) and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to fill that need.
After we ate dinner he watched a little hockey while I worked on my color challenge card. Then we snuggled up and watched a movie to round out the evening. It was lovely. I hope all of you had a wonderful day and took some time to really enjoy the people you love.
He bought me a gift certificate for the Papertrey release and a bottle of wine from a company named "Elizabeth Rose" (my first and middle names). He said he saw the bottle while he was on his business trip last month and after a long day it reminded him of me and of home. How sweet is that!? So he called the distributor and found out where to find the Sauvignon Blanc here in town.
I bought him a pair of SmartWool socks so he'll have a pair for every day of the work week. They are his favorite work socks because they're for hiking, so they are cushioned and keep your feet comfy even when you're on them for hours. He's always talking about how he just needs "one more pair" (he won't buy them for himself) and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to fill that need.
After we ate dinner he watched a little hockey while I worked on my color challenge card. Then we snuggled up and watched a movie to round out the evening. It was lovely. I hope all of you had a wonderful day and took some time to really enjoy the people you love.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Dawn's Color Challenge
Well, the final (I think?!) challenge of the Papertrey Ink anniversary countdown was issued this morning. The challenge was to use a color scheme that Dawn McVey had shown on one of her cards throughout the countdown. I chose the Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, Dark Chocolate, White color scheme. I have Lemon Tart ribbons, ink, and cardstock, but I rarely reach for them, so I thought this would be fun. I also took the challenge and used a layout from one of her cards, too (a different one from the color inspiration card). It's a double challenge kind of night!
I started with a piece of Aqua Mist that I stamped with the largest dot from Polka Dot Basics. Then, I mounted that layer to a piece of Dark Chocolate and tied them with ribbon. I took two strips of Lemon Tart and punched them with the scalloped border punch from Fiskars. I mounted them to the back of the Chocolate using foam tape and adhered the entire piece to a white base. As a final touch, I stamped the "hello" sentiment from Mixed Messages onto Lemon Tart cardstock and punched out the greeting using a 1/2" circle punch. That was adhered to the Aqua Mist layer with foam tape. That's all there is to it. Nice and easy! I hope you've all enjoyed tonight's Hail Mary project. Take care and Happy Valentine's Day!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Mixed Messages - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Frost White - Colorbox; Burnt Umber - Palette
Ribbon: Lemon Tart Saddle Stitched - Papertrey Ink
Tools: 1/2" circle punch - EK Success; Scalloped Border punch - Fiskars
Other: Foam Tape - Scotch
I started with a piece of Aqua Mist that I stamped with the largest dot from Polka Dot Basics. Then, I mounted that layer to a piece of Dark Chocolate and tied them with ribbon. I took two strips of Lemon Tart and punched them with the scalloped border punch from Fiskars. I mounted them to the back of the Chocolate using foam tape and adhered the entire piece to a white base. As a final touch, I stamped the "hello" sentiment from Mixed Messages onto Lemon Tart cardstock and punched out the greeting using a 1/2" circle punch. That was adhered to the Aqua Mist layer with foam tape. That's all there is to it. Nice and easy! I hope you've all enjoyed tonight's Hail Mary project. Take care and Happy Valentine's Day!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Mixed Messages - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Frost White - Colorbox; Burnt Umber - Palette
Ribbon: Lemon Tart Saddle Stitched - Papertrey Ink
Tools: 1/2" circle punch - EK Success; Scalloped Border punch - Fiskars
Other: Foam Tape - Scotch
It's Finally Here! And I Don't Mean Valentine's Day. . .
Tonight is the Papertrey Ink anniversary release! I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I have yet to work on the color challenge that was issued today, but I wanted to share a project just in case I don't get back with a card. This is one of my Guest Star Stamper submissions for this month.
The challenge was to create a sympathy card. I used one of the sentiments from the With Sympathy set along with the large and small stars from the Text Boxed set to create this card. The stars are supposed to resemble a band (think Milky Way) of stars across the sky. I stamped the stars using Frost White ink on a navy textured cardstock. I distressed the edges of the white layer with a sharp pair of scissors before layering it under the navy layer.
The sentiment was stamped in Burnt Umber ink. The brads are white American Crafts brads that I rolled in Midnight Blue Stazon and heat set. Hopefully, I'll get back with another card before the night is through, but if not, enjoy the release party!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore; Navy blue: Paper Company
Stamps: With Sympathy, Text Boxed - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox; Midnight Blue - Stazon
Other: Sheer white ribbon; Foam tape - Scotch; White mini brads - American Crafts
The challenge was to create a sympathy card. I used one of the sentiments from the With Sympathy set along with the large and small stars from the Text Boxed set to create this card. The stars are supposed to resemble a band (think Milky Way) of stars across the sky. I stamped the stars using Frost White ink on a navy textured cardstock. I distressed the edges of the white layer with a sharp pair of scissors before layering it under the navy layer.
The sentiment was stamped in Burnt Umber ink. The brads are white American Crafts brads that I rolled in Midnight Blue Stazon and heat set. Hopefully, I'll get back with another card before the night is through, but if not, enjoy the release party!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore; Navy blue: Paper Company
Stamps: With Sympathy, Text Boxed - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox; Midnight Blue - Stazon
Other: Sheer white ribbon; Foam tape - Scotch; White mini brads - American Crafts
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Stupid Wind
We were ravaged by a wind storm last night. I was up in my craft room and the wind kicked up wicked hard. I heard hail and then I heard a loud crash. Uh-oh. I ran downstairs. The spooked cats ran upstairs. I looked out the kitchen door to see what had happened and notice that the storm door had blown off and littered the side yard.
Luckily the glass didn't break (thank Heavens!). The frame and part of the kick plate were still attached to the side of the house and I was afraid that another gust would do further damage (the flying door put a small gouge in the shaker shingle). I called Sean (first day at the new place and I'm calling to tell him his house is falling apart...nice) and we decided that the best course would be to remove the door remnants from the side of the house.
So in the middle of a windstorm (lightening, rain, and hail...oh my!) I'm standing outside my house with a power drill dismantling a wrecked door.
I am woman, see me cower at the slightest breeze from now until eternity.
Luckily the glass didn't break (thank Heavens!). The frame and part of the kick plate were still attached to the side of the house and I was afraid that another gust would do further damage (the flying door put a small gouge in the shaker shingle). I called Sean (first day at the new place and I'm calling to tell him his house is falling apart...nice) and we decided that the best course would be to remove the door remnants from the side of the house.
So in the middle of a windstorm (lightening, rain, and hail...oh my!) I'm standing outside my house with a power drill dismantling a wrecked door.
I am woman, see me cower at the slightest breeze from now until eternity.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
My Little Birdie Is In A New Nest
Today is Sean's first day in his new restaurant (same company, different location) which means yesterday was his last day at the Short North store. It's going to be a tough transition in some ways. He's going to come up with silly jokes about cabbage and John won't be there to fill in the punch line. He won't have Raphael to give bad advice about girls or Thomas to talk to about obscure music. He won't have Scott to confirm that the new Geico commercials are funny (even though they aren't).
But he will have a whole new cast of equally awesome characters to get to know. Guadelupe already told me she's going to keep an eye on him for me (to make sure he's not flirting with other girls - she called it her second job). I love Guadelupe. He tested a deodorant joke on me this morning that is sure to please. He is a talented manager and communicator that will charm his way into the hearts of his new employees without much resistance. So while the transition will not come without a little heartache and sadness, it marks a bright new beginning.
Today's card is a little message to my dear husband that I am thinking of him today. My little birdie is in a whole new nest and I'm keeping him in mind while I go about my day. It's OK little birdie. You'll do just fine.
The base is Strathmore Ultimate White that has been scored with my Scor-Pal and stamped with the pin dot from Polka Dot Basics. The Stampendous sentiment is stamped in Burnt Umber ink. The corners were rounded with the medium (green) corner rounder from EK Success.
I used a few of the stamps from the Pretty Birds set with a little creative masking. The image stamped on Kraft and colored with colored pencils and mineral spirits. The stamped layer is then matted with Ripe Avocado and mounted to a scalloped circle of Dark Chocolate cardstock.
I hope you've enjoyed today's card and I hope Sean is having a great first day. Take care...
Recipe:
Cardstock: Ultimate White - Strathmore; Ripe Avocado, Kraft, Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics - Papertrey Ink; Pretty Birds (Kim Hughes Collection) - Cornish Heritage Farms; Christmas Sentiments - Stampendous
Ink: Burnt Umber - Palette; Sky - Paper Salon
Tools: Scor-Pal, Scalloped Circle Punch (purple), Circle Punch (pink) - Marvy; Nesting Circles Dies - Quickutz; Medium Corner Rounder (green) - EK Success
Other: Colored Pencils - Prismacolor; Foam Tape - Scotch, Mineral Spirits
But he will have a whole new cast of equally awesome characters to get to know. Guadelupe already told me she's going to keep an eye on him for me (to make sure he's not flirting with other girls - she called it her second job). I love Guadelupe. He tested a deodorant joke on me this morning that is sure to please. He is a talented manager and communicator that will charm his way into the hearts of his new employees without much resistance. So while the transition will not come without a little heartache and sadness, it marks a bright new beginning.
Today's card is a little message to my dear husband that I am thinking of him today. My little birdie is in a whole new nest and I'm keeping him in mind while I go about my day. It's OK little birdie. You'll do just fine.
The base is Strathmore Ultimate White that has been scored with my Scor-Pal and stamped with the pin dot from Polka Dot Basics. The Stampendous sentiment is stamped in Burnt Umber ink. The corners were rounded with the medium (green) corner rounder from EK Success.
I used a few of the stamps from the Pretty Birds set with a little creative masking. The image stamped on Kraft and colored with colored pencils and mineral spirits. The stamped layer is then matted with Ripe Avocado and mounted to a scalloped circle of Dark Chocolate cardstock.
I hope you've enjoyed today's card and I hope Sean is having a great first day. Take care...
Recipe:
Cardstock: Ultimate White - Strathmore; Ripe Avocado, Kraft, Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics - Papertrey Ink; Pretty Birds (Kim Hughes Collection) - Cornish Heritage Farms; Christmas Sentiments - Stampendous
Ink: Burnt Umber - Palette; Sky - Paper Salon
Tools: Scor-Pal, Scalloped Circle Punch (purple), Circle Punch (pink) - Marvy; Nesting Circles Dies - Quickutz; Medium Corner Rounder (green) - EK Success
Other: Colored Pencils - Prismacolor; Foam Tape - Scotch, Mineral Spirits
Monday, February 9, 2009
Papertrey Friendship Challenge
I'm a bit later than I planned today, but I'm here none the less. Today's Papertrey challenge was to make a card for your best friend. I'm not telling who this card is going to just in case she happens to read this. You know who you are...
I stamped the large daisy from Floral Frenzy onto Ripe Avocado cardstock. The stem was stamped in Ripe Avocado as well. I like the leaf from Floral Frenzy, but I wanted a softer look so I used the larger leaf from Green Thumb instead. The sentiment is from Faux Ribbons. My entire stamped panel was layered with a piece of Linen Vellum Cardstock and mounted to the card using foam tape. Three brads and sheer yellow ribbon round out today's greeting. Only a few short days until the release!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Linen Vellum - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore, yellow - Bazill
Patterned Paper: Cottage Collection - Chatterbox (I don't know if this is available anymore or not)
Ink: Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox; Ripe Avocado - Papertrey Ink
Stamps: Floral Frenzy, Faux Ribbon, Beautiful Blooms - Papertrey Ink
Tools: Scalloped Border Punch - Martha Stewart Crafts
Ribbon: Sheer Yellow - Midori
Brads: Leaf Mini Brads - American Crafts
I stamped the large daisy from Floral Frenzy onto Ripe Avocado cardstock. The stem was stamped in Ripe Avocado as well. I like the leaf from Floral Frenzy, but I wanted a softer look so I used the larger leaf from Green Thumb instead. The sentiment is from Faux Ribbons. My entire stamped panel was layered with a piece of Linen Vellum Cardstock and mounted to the card using foam tape. Three brads and sheer yellow ribbon round out today's greeting. Only a few short days until the release!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Linen Vellum - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore, yellow - Bazill
Patterned Paper: Cottage Collection - Chatterbox (I don't know if this is available anymore or not)
Ink: Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox; Ripe Avocado - Papertrey Ink
Stamps: Floral Frenzy, Faux Ribbon, Beautiful Blooms - Papertrey Ink
Tools: Scalloped Border Punch - Martha Stewart Crafts
Ribbon: Sheer Yellow - Midori
Brads: Leaf Mini Brads - American Crafts
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Papertrey & CPS Issue A Challenge
Big news for Papertrey announced today! I am so excited about the new products! Today's Papertrey anniversary challenge is a partnership with CPS. The sketch can be viewed on the CPS Blog here.
I wanted to give the Kraft cardstock a rest so I decided upon a white/brown/pinks color scheme. I started with a 5 1/2" square base with a polka dotty circle from Papertrey's Borders & Corners: Circle set stamped in Berry Sorbet. The corner of the base was punched with the largest corner rounder from EK Success (the purple one).
I took a piece of Blossom cardstock and ran it through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dot folder. That piece was layered on some Strawberry cardstock that had been edged with the Fiskars Threading Water Border punch. I stamped the sentiment in Burnt Umber ink and attached that to the pink layers using ribbon and a touch of adhesive. That whole thing was then adhered to the base.
Then, I took a piece of Dark Chocolate cardstock and stamped the smallest dot in the Polka Dot Basics set in Frost White ink. I used that cardstock to cover a chipboard heart from Cosmo Cricket. The edges of the heart were sponged using the white ink. I wanted to add a little something to the heart so I scavenged in my buttons until I came across this little pretty that I threaded with white embroidery floss and adhered to the heart.
I hope you've all had a lovely weekend and you are enjoying the Papertrey Anniversary Countdown as much as am! Take care...
Recipe:
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore; Strawberry, Blossom - Paper Source
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Heart Prints Sentiments, Borders & Corners: Circle - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Berry Sorbet - Papertrey Ink; Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox
Tools: Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug - ProvoCraft; Threading Water Border Punch - Fiskars; Corner Rounder (Purple), Corner rounder (yellow) - EK Success
Ribbon: 1/4" brown satin - American Crafts
Embellishments: Embroidery Floss - DMC; Pink Button - unknown; Chipboard heart - Cosmo Cricket
I wanted to give the Kraft cardstock a rest so I decided upon a white/brown/pinks color scheme. I started with a 5 1/2" square base with a polka dotty circle from Papertrey's Borders & Corners: Circle set stamped in Berry Sorbet. The corner of the base was punched with the largest corner rounder from EK Success (the purple one).
I took a piece of Blossom cardstock and ran it through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dot folder. That piece was layered on some Strawberry cardstock that had been edged with the Fiskars Threading Water Border punch. I stamped the sentiment in Burnt Umber ink and attached that to the pink layers using ribbon and a touch of adhesive. That whole thing was then adhered to the base.
Then, I took a piece of Dark Chocolate cardstock and stamped the smallest dot in the Polka Dot Basics set in Frost White ink. I used that cardstock to cover a chipboard heart from Cosmo Cricket. The edges of the heart were sponged using the white ink. I wanted to add a little something to the heart so I scavenged in my buttons until I came across this little pretty that I threaded with white embroidery floss and adhered to the heart.
I hope you've all had a lovely weekend and you are enjoying the Papertrey Anniversary Countdown as much as am! Take care...
Recipe:
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; Ultimate White - Strathmore; Strawberry, Blossom - Paper Source
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Heart Prints Sentiments, Borders & Corners: Circle - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Berry Sorbet - Papertrey Ink; Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox
Tools: Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug - ProvoCraft; Threading Water Border Punch - Fiskars; Corner Rounder (Purple), Corner rounder (yellow) - EK Success
Ribbon: 1/4" brown satin - American Crafts
Embellishments: Embroidery Floss - DMC; Pink Button - unknown; Chipboard heart - Cosmo Cricket
Papertrey Anniversary Sketch Challenge
Today was the first time in a few days that I've had the chance to craft. We worked on some home improvement projects while Sean was on his mini-vacation this week and the craft room was momentarily vacant. I really wanted to participate in Papertrey Ink's anniversary sketch challenge though, so I went to town while Sean was out being a rock star (tonight's particular venue is not my favorite - to say the least. I opted to stay home...and avoid a potential tetanus shot).
Anyway, today's card follows the sketch found on Nichole Heady's blog today. I stamped the stems/grassy stuff from the With Sympathy set onto Kraft cardstock in Ripe Avocado ink. The flowers (also from that set) are stamped in Pure Poppy and Frost White (Colorbox) inks. The sentiment is from the Green Thumb set and is stamped in Burnt Umber ink. The stamped panel is sponged with Burnt Umber ink and matted on a piece of the Linen Vellum cardstock. The vellum was scalloped with the Treading Water border punch.
I used my handy dandy glitter pen to dress up the blossoms just a smidge. I tried to capture the sparkle with my camera, but this is the best I could do. I hope you can get the idea.
My base is Ripe Avocado. The Pure Poppy strip was run through my Cuttlebug in the Swiss Dot folder (in honor of the polka dotty goodness announced today). The ribbon is Dark Chocolate Twill. I loves me some Papertrey twill!
I hope you've enjoyed today's card. Hopefully I'll be able to participate in any other challenges leading up to Papertrey's second anniversary. Until tomorrow - take care!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Kraft, Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Linen Vellum - Papertrey Ink
Stamps: With Sympathy, Green Thumb - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy - Papertrey Ink; Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox
Ribbon: Dark Chocolate Twill - Papertrey Ink
Tools: Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug - Provocraft, Treading Water Border Punch - Fiskars
Other: Foam Tape - Scotch; Glitter Pen - Sakura, Thumb Tack
Anyway, today's card follows the sketch found on Nichole Heady's blog today. I stamped the stems/grassy stuff from the With Sympathy set onto Kraft cardstock in Ripe Avocado ink. The flowers (also from that set) are stamped in Pure Poppy and Frost White (Colorbox) inks. The sentiment is from the Green Thumb set and is stamped in Burnt Umber ink. The stamped panel is sponged with Burnt Umber ink and matted on a piece of the Linen Vellum cardstock. The vellum was scalloped with the Treading Water border punch.
I used my handy dandy glitter pen to dress up the blossoms just a smidge. I tried to capture the sparkle with my camera, but this is the best I could do. I hope you can get the idea.
My base is Ripe Avocado. The Pure Poppy strip was run through my Cuttlebug in the Swiss Dot folder (in honor of the polka dotty goodness announced today). The ribbon is Dark Chocolate Twill. I loves me some Papertrey twill!
I hope you've enjoyed today's card. Hopefully I'll be able to participate in any other challenges leading up to Papertrey's second anniversary. Until tomorrow - take care!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Kraft, Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Linen Vellum - Papertrey Ink
Stamps: With Sympathy, Green Thumb - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy - Papertrey Ink; Burnt Umber - Palette; Frost White - Colorbox
Ribbon: Dark Chocolate Twill - Papertrey Ink
Tools: Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug - Provocraft, Treading Water Border Punch - Fiskars
Other: Foam Tape - Scotch; Glitter Pen - Sakura, Thumb Tack
Monday, February 2, 2009
Crafting Vs. Hockey - Round 1
Boy: So, Chimmer and his family were in today......
Girl has already stopped listening.
Girl: Name five crafters...Go!
Boy: Uh....
Girl: I'm only asking for five.
Boy: Martha Stewart.
Girl: That doesn't count.
Boy: Yes she does. She has her own line at Michaels.
Girl is impressed that he remembers her line is at Michaels.
Girl: Fine. That's one.
Boy: Nichole Heady.
Girl: That's two.
Boy: Torm.
Girl: What's her whole name?
Boy: Torm.
Girl: First name?
Boy walks away. Thus ending the hockey for today.
Girl has already stopped listening.
Girl: Name five crafters...Go!
Boy: Uh....
Girl: I'm only asking for five.
Boy: Martha Stewart.
Girl: That doesn't count.
Boy: Yes she does. She has her own line at Michaels.
Girl is impressed that he remembers her line is at Michaels.
Girl: Fine. That's one.
Boy: Nichole Heady.
Girl: That's two.
Boy: Torm.
Girl: What's her whole name?
Boy: Torm.
Girl: First name?
Boy walks away. Thus ending the hockey for today.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Home Sweet Home
I love these Maya Road chipboard trees. I bought them months ago and have been hoarding them like my life depends on it. I'm seizing the day and using one of my beloved trees for today's card.
I randomly stamped three of the individual leaves from Papertrey's Beautiful Blooms set in Versamark ink on Fennel Martha Stewart Crafts cardstock. The Versamark gives such a lovely, subtle effect that I absolutely adore (the ink pad is getting a little dry though, so I need to get a bottle of reinker). Then, I used Landscape Palette ink to ink the edges of the tree shape to "color" the chipboard. I covered the trunk in brown cardstock and inked those edges with Burnt Umber ink.
I wanted to add something to the tree, but I wasn't sure what. Then I saw it...my little birdhouse image from the Kim Hughes Pretty Birds set. Perfect! I stamped and colored the birdhouse and attached it to the tree branch with a smidge of brown & cream baker's twine.
To make the grass I took a strip of the Fennel cardstock and fringed it. I mussed the fringe so it looks a little more realistic(ish). I also added a little ink to the fringe for a little dimension.
I attached the tree and grass to a Kraft base with inked edges and a sentiment from Papertrey's Boards & Beams. I wanted to soften the grass edge so I added a band of Pure Poppy Twill. I added a brown button tied with the baker's twine to hide the ribbon seam and add a fun detail.
I hope you enjoyed today's card!
Recipe:
Cardstock: Kraft - Papertrey Ink; Fennel - Martha Stewart Crafts; Brown - Bazzill; Ultimate White - Strathmore
Ink: Landscape, Burnt Umber - Palette; Pure Poppy - Papertrey Ink; Versamark - Tsukineko
Stamps: Boards & Beams, Beautiful Blooms - Papertrey Ink; Pretty Birds (Kim Hughes Collection) - Cornish Heritage Farms
Fibers: Pure Poppy Twill - Papertrey Ink; brown & cream baker's twine - unknown
Embellishments: Chipboard Trees - Maya Road; brown button - unknown
Other: Colored Pencils - Prismacolor; foam tape - Scotch
Crimes Against Humanity, World Peace, And Other Things I've Decided Over The Past Few Days
How's that for a title, heh? Anyway, I've been thinking and I've decided on a few things:
1. Whichever of our home's previous owners deemed it was a good idea to install laminate tile and apartment grade beige carpeting overtop of (once) gorgeous hardwood floors needs to be jailed for their crimes against humanity.
2. Macarons from Pistacia Vera could not only bring about world peace, but also cure world hunger and keep almond producers (many of whom are in California, right - now we're talking economic growth) busy until the end of time.
3. I could live forever and not get sick of the phrase "Oh, how cute are you?!"
4. I should put together an impromptu Super Bowl Party just so I have a reason to make potato skins. Who's playing? Isn't there a bird in the mix?
5. I am going to put a temporary moratorium on hockey speak in our house until my husband can name as many crafters as I can Blue Jackets players. Let's make it easy for him - he can even count company names. I'll still win (despite my valiant efforts to ignore hockey talk).
6. Of all of the poorly constructed/installed things in our house why is it that the most solid installation is the aforementioned apartment grade carpeting.
7. Anyone willing to (poorly) paint a single bedroom 5 colors (of beige) should join the flooring bandit in jail.
Well, those are my conclusions from the past couple of days. I intend to post an actual project shortly. Until then, ta ta...
1. Whichever of our home's previous owners deemed it was a good idea to install laminate tile and apartment grade beige carpeting overtop of (once) gorgeous hardwood floors needs to be jailed for their crimes against humanity.
2. Macarons from Pistacia Vera could not only bring about world peace, but also cure world hunger and keep almond producers (many of whom are in California, right - now we're talking economic growth) busy until the end of time.
3. I could live forever and not get sick of the phrase "Oh, how cute are you?!"
4. I should put together an impromptu Super Bowl Party just so I have a reason to make potato skins. Who's playing? Isn't there a bird in the mix?
5. I am going to put a temporary moratorium on hockey speak in our house until my husband can name as many crafters as I can Blue Jackets players. Let's make it easy for him - he can even count company names. I'll still win (despite my valiant efforts to ignore hockey talk).
6. Of all of the poorly constructed/installed things in our house why is it that the most solid installation is the aforementioned apartment grade carpeting.
7. Anyone willing to (poorly) paint a single bedroom 5 colors (of beige) should join the flooring bandit in jail.
Well, those are my conclusions from the past couple of days. I intend to post an actual project shortly. Until then, ta ta...