Best Friend

My friend Barb is one of those best friends who'd do just anything for you and your family. She's also a dog lover to the core, so this one's for you, Barb! I'm actually home with George today because he's on the mend from a case of tonsilitis, and wouldn't you know, Barb offered to pick up George's birthday cake for me--see, I told she's like that!

I used this week's SCS Wednesday sketch challenge (#245) along with a sweet lil' dog stamp I've had for ages (Stamp Craft). I stamped and layered him three times for added dimension, and so he wouldn't get lost among all the yummy colors and patterns of this CTMH Perfect Day paper. Sentiment is a combo of Amazing to Zany (best) and Mega Mixed Messages (friend).

Gotta run, birthday preparations to do and hubby's home, so I'm sure he's wondering how in the heck I have time to be stamping!

Early Bird Heaven!

I am so smitten with Cosmo Cricket's Early Bird Collection! I have a few projects to share using them, including today's sketch challenge over at SCS. Let's get going, eh?! The first one (above) is my sketch challenge card using the papers along with cute stamps from My Cute Stamps and an alpha from CTMH. I embellished the main panel with a ribbon/flower/button cluster tied with button twine from PTI.

Next up is a name banner and tag using the papers, chipboard, button and stamps. Everything was created for our niece and goddaughter, Brea's 1st birthday this past weekend. I have to take the opportunity to brag a bit about DH because he made the pictured dollhouse/bookcase for Brea from an idea we'd seen online (trendy home furnishing catalog)--isn't it the bees knees?! I thought it would be fun to do something paper-crafty with the dollhouse/bookcase, so I channeled my good friend, Kelly Lunceford's cool banners. Keep scrolling down for a close up of the banner and the tag that accompanied Brea's other gifts (books, of course!)...

Thanks for stopping by today!

Sisters!

Our neighbor girls, Payton and Shelby, couldn't be more different, so when it comes to making birthday cards for the girls, it's fun to try and fit their personalities into each. Shelby is a tomboy, is turning 5 today(!) and her favorite color is blue; Payton is a girly-girly who actually turned six in January. I think it's great that they each are such little individuals. And guess what?! They have a new girl in town--baby Ada, so it will be fun to watch her personality develop as well!

Oh, and here's a fun picture of the girls with George taken last month on the same day their little sis' was born! Can you tell how much George loves these two?!

Card deets
Stamps: Birthday sentiment (CTMH); Little Gal (CHF Kim Hughes); Small Sayings (SU!)
Paper: pink (DCWV); Pacific Point, Cool Caribbean (SU!); patterned paper (Oct Afternoon)
Ink: PP, CC, Citrine & Razberry (Colorbox)
Accessories: scallop & notebook edge punches, black grosgrain, Basic Black & Green Galore mini brads

A {royal} thank you, part deux!

Yesterday I posted this card made for my blog contest winner, Michelle. The vertical position of the Top Note die was inspired by Lori Craig and while I was on her blog for a link to her original card, I came across this really cool set of note cards she'd just posted. So, of course I had to make a matching set to go with the card I was sending out to Michelle, and I even did the matchy-matchy envie thing too! I've decided it's high time I quit "waiting" to use up my designer paper, so I splurged making fancy-schmancy envelopes and I quite like the results. What a great way to use all those coordinated papers, eh?

Thanks for your inspiration, Lori! I had a great time stamping yesterday and I hope you got that jello finally nailed to the wall {snort, snort}!

A {royal} thank you!

This is my version of a {royal} thank you using what else--a crown, from Heidi Swapp's Crown set. I had a vision of this card in my head this morning and I've been wanting to use the Top Note die in the vertical position ever since seeing this card of Lori Craig's. Speaking of Lori Craig, I just popped over to get the link for the card I referenced and she's got a darling set of one panel note cards posted today, so be sure to check 'em out--they're darling! Oh, and they just gave me an idea...be back later if it comes to fruition! Click here to see them.

The designer paper is SU!'s Raspberry Tart and it is mmm...delicious, although it gave me a bit of a fit trying to match the crown to the paper. The matching colors listed in the catty are: Real Red, Cameo Coral, Rose Red & Kiwi Kiss, so I originally stamped the crown in Rose Red but it just wasn't dark enough, so I tried again in Purely Pomegranate and like the match more so than Rose Red.

The vast whiteness of the die cut layer was a little too much, so I took a little dot from PTI's Text Boxed set and added mini polka dots in Cameo Coral. I think along with the Kiwi Kiss layer, the dots just pull all the colors together nicely. A couple of buttons to solidify the color mix and it's ready to hit the post office along with a few other goodies for Michelle, my blog winner from this post last week!

Card details
Stamps: Crowns (Heidi Swapp), Say It In Style (CTMH), Text Boxed (PTI)
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral
Paper: Raspberry Tart DSP, Cameo Coral, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Top Note Bigz die, Big Shot, buttons

Top Note Lucky!

A quick post on the eve of St. Patrick's Day to show you another Top Note bag that I made for George to give to his daycare provider and my dear friend, Mary, filled with one of her favorite treats, Lindt Lindor balls. We are so lucky to have Mary because she not only provides a wonderful place for George Monday-Friday, she's just an all-around warm and caring person!

I printed the sentiment from my computer, changing a few of the letters to different sizes to create a bit of a wonky look, and the shamrock is made from three punched folk hearts centered with a button from SU!'s Button Bouquet collection. The stem of the shamrock was made by cutting a thin strip of designer paper to the right length and width. Speaking of the designer paper, it's all from a collection from Close To My Heart called Boom-Di-Ada and it's a great pack! For the original design of these fun Top Note bags, click here!

Thanks for stopping by!

It's your {meow, meow} birthday!

Anyone remember Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood of Make-Believe, specifically Henrietta Pussycat? I always loved her {meow} laden dialogue...let's face it, I just loved that whole sketch! Ah, just give me a moment to reminisce...ok, I'm back! This cute little pussycat is from The Cat's Pajamas Clearly Swanky stamp line made me think of Miss Henrietta, so I aptly chose to use her for my SIL's upcoming birthday on January 1st because she is a cat-lover.

As much as I love TCP images, I always have such a hard time with them and I'm not sure what the reason is. Anyway, after spending way too much time on this card, I'm pleased with the end result. The sketch was inspired by this SFYTT of Jen del Muro's, and the layered snowflake embellishment was inspired by all the cool "layered" snowflakes I recently spied on Sweet Miss Daisy/Anna Wight's blog which can been seen here (she recently added more cool layered snowflakes too!).

Thanks for stopping by today!

Card deets
Stamps: CTMH Happy Birthday; TCP Clearly Swanky Stamps
Paper: Basic Grey patterned paper, SU! Shimmery White
Ink: Ranger Distress Ink Walnut Stain, reinkers--Cool Caribbean, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive
Accessories: felt snowflake, button, linen thread, RHR taffeta, Spica glitter gel pen, Birds & Blooms flower die

for niece & nephew...

I quickly put these two gift card holders together using papers from The Angel Co. and Close To My Heart along with some of my favorite Cornish Heritage Farms stamps, one for my nephew and the other being for my husband's niece. I'd seen similar gift card holders made by Alli Miles and then Val Stangle. Click on their names to see the inspiration they provided me! The cards measure 6.5 inches squared, folded in half. Inside is a 4.25x2.25 piece of cardstock adhered on the bottom and one side with a rounded corner to hold the gift card.

We had a great time at a Christmas party for my husband's side of the family last night, and today is my family gathering hosted by us, aaaack! So, I'm going to keep this short and sweet! See the list below for all the deets and have a great day.

Joyeux Noel
Stamps: CHF Joyeux Noel, Christmas Critters
Paper: CTMH Life Delights paper pack
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Celery grosgrain, sponge

Cardinal
Stamps: CHF The Landing Pad, Christmas Critters (Kim Hughes Collection)
Paper: TAC Reese paper pack
Ink: Ranger Distress Ink Walnut Stain, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: American Crafts brads, sponge

Seriously...

...do you love this paper, or what?! I'm in hog heaven! It's some new Scenic Route paper--Sonoma Collection, and this particular card uses the Scrap Strip 1, my Top Note die (big surprise), yummy Regal Rose grosgrain and a birthday sentiment from CTMH's Happy Birthday set. The matching envelope is layered with a narrow strip from the same piece of patterned paper and a row of dots using PTI's Faux Ribbon set in Kiwi Kiss ink.

This little ensemble was for SCS's WT195 challenge to use an envelope in your design. I obviously took the easy route with my simply decorated and now matchy-matchy envie. I hope my SIL loves it as much as I do when she receives it in the mail this week!

Thanks for peeking in tonight and be sure to scroll down for one more card featuring Mr. Top Note that I posted earlier this evening!

Noel

I don't know how she does it every week, but Jen just keeps coming up with one great sketch after another, and this week is no exception! I really enjoy being part of the SFYTT team because it really forces me to think outside the box and get out of old sketch habits. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to have a "go-to sketch", actually that's a good thing, but to improve your stamping skills (or as Napolean Dynamite would say: skillzzz), I really feel that you need to try new sketches, new technics, new bellies! 'Nuf said.

With the long skinny rectangle as the focal layer, I once again went to my American Art Stamp stash and decided on this image from their cling mount set called Holiday Fun. The other stamping includes the sentiment from CTMH's Say It With Style set, and the snowflakes from CHF's Joyeux Noel. All stamping is done in Ranger Walnut Ink (love that stuff) with the exception of the snowflakes which are stamped in Versamark and embossed with Irridescent Ice embossing powder. Paper is Kraft, True Thyme, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White and Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding 6x6 pad. As for the embellishments, or as I like to call 'em--bellies: Felt Flurries snowflake, Basic Grey buttons and that yumm-O ribbon from SU! found in the holiday mini catalog.

Ok...here's your chance to stretch yourself: play along with Jen's sketch today and if you decide to upload your creation to SCS, just use the keyword SFYTT; and/or if you have a blog, leave a link to your blog in the comment section of Jen's blog entry for today. Last but not least, don't forget to check out the SFYTT team, including Jen and her super-duper October guest designer Nancy Riley.

Shannan
Susan
Carole
Amy

Have a great weekend!

Sketch Challenge 198

For yesterday's SC198 over at Splitcoast, I used some yum-O designer paper from Close To My Heart (CTMH) called Boom-Di-Ada--ain't it purdy?! The only stamping, sad to say, is the sentiment in Ranger Walnut Ink. I also used that same ink for a bit of sponging on all adges. The flower is cut from a piece of the designer paper, smooshed in Versamark and then embossed with Glassy Glaze ep. Sentiment is also from CTMH.

Thanks for stopping by today, and if you'd like to play along with SC198, click here for all the deets!

Cammie's Cause, Part II

Please read the post below for the details of Carolyn King/Cammie's (SCS name) ginormous blog candy giveaway in honor of World Alzheimer's Day. Cammie is doing so many wonderful things to increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease in honor of her Grandmother.

In order to eligible to win Cammie's splendiforous blog candy giveaway, she's asking that you send a card to a caretaker of someone with Alzheimer's disease. My card uses my new CTMH Perfect Day designer paper along with a retired SU! set, Botanicals. The main image is watercolored in Kiwi Kiss, Groovy Guava and Riding Hood Red with a combo of blender pen and aquapainter. I chose this set because of the person's family I'll be sending this to. This particular woman who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's earlier this summer always had the prettiest flowers that could be seen by the roadside whenever we'd drive past their farm. The poppy from Botanicals along with the sentiment seemed the perfect fit.

Hello, Saturday!

For Jen's Saturday SFYTT...can't believe another week has flown by and another fun sketch to try (I'm a poet and I didn't know-it, ha!). I used some new goodies I recently purchased from Close To My Heart (patterned paper) and Cornish Heritage Farms (Kim Hughes' Mocha Chica set), and I love the combo of the two! There actually wasn't a whole lotta stampin' goin' on here...a little paper piecing and a sentiment stamped right over the brocade design of the CTMH designer paper and that's about it. I just love paper packs because everything is all matchy-matchy, easy-peasy!

Here's Jen's sketch:

Last but not least...be sure to take a look-see at what the other chicas have done with the sketch today:

Jen
Susan
Shannan
Amy
Carole

Happy weekend Ü

Ed's Birthday!

I'm going to show you two cards are for my DH's birthday (today!) and I worked on them this morning during George's naptime. I'll start off with the card I gave DH followed by George's card for his *da-da*!

The reason for the *fishing* themed card is that DH is going fishing next weekend, sort of a belated birthday *thing*...you all understand, right?! Ü

This is George's card to his Daddy...two pictures of the two of them. I think their favorite thing is spending time with each other.



Here's George's signature...

Happy Birthday Ed!

A Sketch For You To Try!

Wow, can you believe it's already Saturday?! That means it's time for another round of Jen's Saturday SFYTT. Remember to use the keyword SFYTT when uploading to SCS, so we can see what y'all have done each week. Believe it or not, I got an early start on this week's sketch and came up with 2 cards; one Christmas and the other school-themed.

Be sure to check out the SFYTT gang's creations as well.
Just click on their names below:

Jen & Bonnie
Carole
Susan
Amy S.
Shannan
*********************************************
Supplies
Paper: TAC patterned paper, Crate Paper 5th Ave., So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Vanilla, BB
Stamps: Lined Paper & Making the Grade CHF, The Snowflake Spot, Holidays & Wishes
Ink: Bordering Blue, Versamark, RHR, Palette Noir Black
Accessories: gold ep, ivory taffeta, sewing machine, circle punches, sponge, mini library clip, notebook edge punch, color spritzer tool, photo corner punch

Jen's Saturday SFYTT

Good morning! When I first looked at Jen's sketch for today, I thought, "...no problem, easy peasy!"...uh-huh. So, what I was thinking would take me oh, 30 minutes to accomplish turned into 2 hours and a margarita (or two...cuz they bring on the creative juices, don't you know?!). Well, long story short--I had fun and got a quick start on the weekend with Jose (Quervo)! Dear hubby even liked the end-result...or is that because he {hearts} fishing....hmm...one must wonder???! Who can resist Riley, fishing for croppies' sake?! Take Riley's advice to slow down this weekend...enjoy your family and your summer cuz we're headed toward the end of it!

Just a couple notes about Riley: his had and boat (don't know the make and model, so don't bother asking) are paper pieced and his honey hole and blue sky are water colored using reinkers and an aqua painter.

Ok, enough about me and Riley...go forth and click on the names below to see what the rest of the team has created with Jen's fabuloso sketch today! (Note: the Carole Burrage/Mother's Little Helper/TruCarma is on a little vacation with her family, so she is MIA this weekend. Hi Carole!)

Jen & Bonnie (Aug. Guest Designer...welcome, Bonnie!)
Shannan
Susan
Amy S.

Supplies
Paper: Blue Bayou, Wild Wasabi, SU! water color paper, K&Co. Margo dp
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber, various reinkers (including Margarita sweat!)
Stamps: Riley fishing (Hannah Stamps!), CTMH Hook, Line & Sinker
Accessories: Vintage Brads, aqua painter

Inspired by MARTHA!

While flipping through the August issue of my Martha Stewart LIVING magazine, I spied a really fun color combo which I've identified as: Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss and Marigold Morning (In Color '07). Here are three cards I created using the color combo.

Supplies

Stamps: Carte Postale; PTI Text Boxed; CTMH Say It In Style

Paper: Bella Rose, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Marigold Morning, Whisper White

Ink: Marigold, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, Craft White

Accessories: circle punch, sewing machine, chipboard letters, ribbon, scallop row punch

hello!

I just love this *hello* stamp from CTMH's set, Say It In Style, so of course, I keep using it over and over and over! The freshly cut grass was inspired by a placecard featured in the March 2008 issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine, page 54 to be exact. I added a felt flower, a strip of Offray microspool felt ric rac and a few buttons to finish it off and it's ready to be mailed!

One little *oops*: I was so excited about the grass that I attached it to the card base before stamping my stem, so you can see that my flower stem is growing in front of the grass!

Have a great day!

Color Challenge 170: Adorable Ava!

See, I told you if I put down in *ink* the list of cards I need to make, I'd be more likely to get them done, and I did! Actually, after posting my *Little Guy* card this morning, I popped over to Splitcoaststampers to see about the Tuesday Color Challenge. Well, lo and behold, it was a perfect color combo for a baby girl card: Real Red, Regal Rose & So Saffon--whoo hoo! Thus being said, here's my adorable baby girl card. One of the Occupational Therapists at school/work just had a baby girl and named her Ava, so I thought a glittery red chipboard *a* would be perfect, plus the fact that I've been wanting to make a glittery chipboard monogram for some time now!

Have a glittery day Ü

Supplies: SU! Warm Words; Basic Grey chipboard; CTMH buttons; Provo Craft designer paper; SU! So Saffron, Regal Rose and Real Red ink and paper; SU! red glitter.