Cupcakes, Cards and Kim

Make It Monday #56 - Die Cutting Partial Images

2012-03-09T09:35:00.000-08:00

I finally got around to getting my MIM card made and what a fabulous technique to try out. I tried Betsy's version several times but I guess I just don't have her magic touch, I could not get it to work. I tried a few other ways to get the partial image cut and finally had success. I have to say I would do this again, I really love the look of the finished card. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Raspberry Fizz
Printed Paper: PTI - Raspberry Fizz Patterned Paper
Dies: Heart-2-Heart and Heart Border
Stamps: Heart-2-Heart #1
Ink: VersaFine - Black and PTI - Hawaiian Shores and Raspberry Fizz

CAS-ual Fridays #42 Challenge...Hey Baby!

2012-03-06T21:16:00.001-08:00

It has been several weeks since I have participated in a CAS-ual Friday challenge and when I was checking out Joyce's blog, Cards-by-the-Sea and saw that she made several baby cards. We must think a like because just out of the blue I made a baby card today too. I had no clue that this was the theme for this weeks challenge, just decided to pull out the set and dust it off, so here it is and thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Spring Moss

Printed Paper: PTI - Polka Dot Parade

Stamps: PTI - Background Basics - Music and Bundle of Love

Ink: PTI - Spring Moss and VersaFine - Black

Ribbon: Michael's

Flower Fusion Birthday

2012-03-06T14:02:00.000-08:00

I have just about every set of the Flower Fusion series but have to admit have only used them once or twice. I decided to put them all out and dust them off and put them to good use. I saw this idea on Pinterest and fell in love with it. I knew I had all of the supplies so it would a quick and easy card. Renee from It's A Patchwork Life was sweet enough to share the window box die with me, in fact she sent me a baggie filled with those and the adorable windows too! She truly is a sweetheart! Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White
Die: Renee - Memory Box Dies
Stamps: PTI - Flower Fusion # 2,5,9 and 12
Ink: PTI - Raspberry Fizz, Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse and Memento - Cantaloupe and Tangelo, and VersaFine - Black
Buttons: PTI - Raspberry Fizz, Orange Zest and Harverst Gold

Happy Birthday Chrystle

2012-03-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! I was so happy to be able to have time this past weekend to make a few cards, in fact I got 8 made! Five of them are for my monthly "4 of a Kind" challenge and will be posted later this month. I am really looking forward to posting these cards because all five of them use supplies I do not have and it is always fun to play with new supplies and not have to spend any money for them, thanks Joyce!
Tonight's card is a birthday card for a co-worker and she loves to garden so I thought using Rosie Posie from PTI was the perfect set. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White
Stamps: PTI - Rosie Posie & Movers and Shakers Sentiments
Ink: PTI - Berry Sorbet, Raspberry Fizz and Simply Chartreuse and VersaFine - Black
Pearls: SU

The 12 Kits of Christmas - February Challenge

2012-02-28T20:01:00.003-08:00

This month was Cathy from Empty Nest Crafter's month to host our challnege. Each month there are 12 of us who recieve the same kit in the mail with all of the most wondeful supplies you can even imagine. Cathy really out did herself this month with this adorable little polar bear, in fact, my daughter Ashleigh said this was her favorite winter card I have ever made (she loves the little polar bears)! Here is a picture of the fabulous kit....

Cathy's fabulous kit!

This is the card that is Ashleigh's favorite...I think it is just too cute.

After taking a look at these cards be sure to visit the other 11 blogs and leave some sweet comments too.

Renee - It's A Patchwork Life

Joyce - Cards-by-the-Sea

Cathy - Empy Nest Crafter

Christina - Sea Glass and Sentiments

Jessica - The Paper Parade

Marybeth - Marybeth's Time for Paper

Sharron - On Papillon Wings

Suzanne - The Card Yard

Jeanne - A Kept Life

Amy - Stamp-in-Pardise

Kara - K and R Designs

Thank you so much for taking a peek!

PTI February 2012 Blog Hop - Interactive Cards

2012-02-25T07:00:00.002-08:00

It's that time again...but this month is a bit different, the challenge is to make an interactive card and I have to say this is one of the most fun cards I have made in awhile. If you have not checked out all of the new Movers & Shakers dies and stamp set at PTI, you have to and you will also be over the moon with these new wonderful goodies. I was so happy when my order arrived in time for me to play along this month and to use my new zipper dies, just so much fun and I can't wait to give away some of these fabulous cards. The first card photo is "zipped" and the second one is "unzipped". Thanks for taking a peek!

Zipped - Happiness...

Unzipped - is blue skies & sunny days with you.

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - White

Printed Paper: Echo Park - Summer Days

Dies: PTI - Clouds and Zipper

Bakers Twine: Unknown Source

Stamps: PTI - Movers & Shakers Sentiments

Ink: VersaFine - Black

Mini Blog Hop - Garden Variety and Year of Flowers

2012-02-23T00:01:00.003-08:00

I always feel so honored when I am asked to participate in a Blog Hop, thank you Joyce from
Cards-by-the-Sea for inviting me. I really wanted to join in the fun but did not own either of the PTI stamp sets that are being used, so Joyce was sweet enough to stamp off some images of both sets for me to use. I ended up only getting one card made but I am very happy with how it turned out. Both of these sets are ones that really need to be colored and that is just something I don't do...because I am not good at it. Be sure to check out all of the creations in our Mini Blog Hop, this is a very talented group of ladies. Thanks for taking a peek!

Joyce - Cards-by-the-Sea

Renee - It's A Patchwork Life

Marybeth - Marybeth's Time for Paper

Jen - Only Love is Real, Papercrafts!

Gayatri - Handmade by G3

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise and Spring Moss

Printed Paper: PTI -

Stamped Images: PTI - Garden Variety

Ribbon: PTI - Orange Zest

Bakers Twine: Unknown Source

Punch: SU - Scallop Edge

Make a Wish

2012-02-19T21:35:00.000-08:00

Last post for the night....I purchased this set from Flourishes during one of their holiday sales and it has been sitting around collecting dust and begging to be inked. Who does not like the look of silhouettes? Flourishes has so many beautiful stamps sets that have silhouette images and this set, Kids Play is one of my favorites. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Pure Poppy and White
Printed Paper: Beautiful Blooms
Stamps: Flourishes - Kids Play
Ribbon: PTI - Pure Poppy
Dies: PTI - Tiny Tags and Spellbinders - Scallop Squares
Ink: VersaFine - Black
Baker's Twine: Pure Poppy

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #85

2012-02-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

Another card for the day (I am hoping to get several more made before the day is over too), this one is for this week's Waltzingmouse sketch challenge and this is one of those cards that pretty much made itself. I know there is not much to it but I know I wanted to use these little butterflies...they have been sitting on my craft desk for quite some time and when I saw the sketch for this week's challenge I knew just what I would make. It is very sweet and simple and I needed a belated birthday too, so it all just seemed to fall into place.

Ingredients

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Eat Cake

Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Berry Sorbet

Butterflies: Jenni Bowlin

Leftovers...

2012-02-19T16:57:00.000-08:00

I spent some time today cleaning off my craft desk (it was pretty messy) and I still had all of my supplies from the 4 of a Kind kits I put together this month. So rather than just put everything away I decided to make a few more cards. I always pin the cards that the other 3 from our group makes so I used their cards for inspiration today...did not have to do much thinking at all.

The first card I made is for my daughter, Ashleigh...she turns 20 this coming Friday. I case'd Cathy from Empty Nest Crafter for her card, but mine is just a bit smaller but the same design. I really love having the numbers for their age on the side of the card, such a smart way to do it.

The other three cards are just birthday cards to add to my stash, you can never have too many birthday cards. Thank you Cathy, Joyce and Renee for all of your wonderful inspiration! Thank you for taking a peek!

Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party - Spring - February 2012

2012-02-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

Wow, this month is just flying by and it is already the 17th, time to post my card for the Waltzingmouse Blog Party. The theme this month is Spring...Looking Forward to Spring and I am really looking forward to having a bit warmer weather, seeing all the blooms on the trees and most of all baseball season to start! My card this month uses the Afternoon Tea set (one of my favorite sets that WMS makes) and the Quatrefoil die from PTI, the perfect combination. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - Aqua Mist, White and Melon Berry

Stamps: WMS - Afternoon Tea

Ribbon: Michael's

Felt: PTI - Aqua Mist and Melon Berry

Dies: PTI - Beautiful Blooms #2 and Quatrefoil

Ink: PTI - Aqua Mist and VersaFine - Black

Happy Birthday Cathy Blog Hop

2012-02-16T17:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Cathy, happy birthday to you!
I hope you enjoy all of the birthday cards that all of us have on our blogs wishing you a fabulous day. This was so much fun to for Cathy and I am looking forward to seeing all of the beautiful and creative birthday cards you receive.

Here is a list of all the other wonderful ladies who are sending birthday wishes to Cathy...

Joyce - Cards-by-the-Sea
Renee - It's a Patchwork Life
Kim - You are here!
Marybeth - Marybeth's Time for Paper
Jeanne - A Kept Life
Sharron - On Papillon Wings
Jessica - The Paper Parade
Kara - K and R Designs

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Kraft, Aqua Mist, White and Royal Velvet
Stamps: PTI - Tea for Two and Tea for Two additions
Ink: PTI - Kraft, Aqua Mist and Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Dusty Concord
Dies: Tea for Two and Medium Scallop Border
Twine: Unknown source
Bling: SU

4 of a Kind - Happy Birthday

2012-02-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Can you believe February is already here? It seems like we just were celebrating the holidays...oh well, I think the older I get the faster time seems to fly by. Well, it is time for our 4 of a Kind Challenge and this is my month to send out the kits. Each month one of us is host and put kits together, send out and make at least one card using at least 4 of the elements.

It took a bit to come up with the theme but then I realized I know so many people with birthdays this month that Happy Birthday was the perfect idea! I started looking for printed paper and came across the wonderful little 6x6 pad of paper from "simple stories" called Happy Day and fell in love with the colors and knew right then this would work. Went online and ordered solid card stock and the By the Numbers impression plate from PTI...I was so worried they would not arrive in time but they and I got right to work, put my kits together and wrapped them up to look like birthday presents...too much fun! They were complete with balloons and candles, can't have a party without those.

I was so excited about the kits that I forgot to take pictures for this post, so Joyce was just too sweet and sent a couple my way but unfortunately I deleted them...sorry about that.

So here are my cards, I was able to get 3 made. I was planning to try for at least one more but with so many other card challenges going on it did not happen...Thanks for taking a peek.

This was the first card I made

Had to figure out a way to incorporate the candle

Be sure to check out the card that the rest of the creative group made too.
Joyce Cards-by-the-Sea
Cathy Empty Nest Crafter
Renee It's a Patchwork Life

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - Dark Chocolate, Rustic White, Simply Chartreuse, Burgundy - Unknown Source

Printed Paper: simple stories - Happy Day

Dies: Bloom Builders, By The Numbers, Limitless Layers, Double Ended Banners, Mat Stack 1, Tiny Tags, Block Alphabet Upper Case and Button Boutique

Buttons: PTI - Simply Chartreuse

Baker's Twine: PTI - Dark Chocolate

Ribbon: PTI - Kraft

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #84 - by Jen Cuthbertson

2012-02-11T15:45:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have made a card for the Waltzingmouse weekly challenge, but this sketch is so nice I could not pass up the chance to make another card. I know I have said this before, but I only have a few WM stamp sets, so my cards are a bit limited in theme but there are so many stamps that come in each set and that makes it easy to change up your cards a bit. Here is the sketch...

and then my take on it...thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Ivory, Dark Chocolate and Melon Berry
Bakers Twine: PTI - Dark Chocolate
Buttons: PTI - Melon Berry
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Afternoon Tea
Charm: eBay
Ink: VersaFine - Vintage Sepia

PTI Anniversary...Day 7

2012-02-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

Today's contest is in honor of Valentine's Day and Melissa Bickford's new stamp series called Heart-2-Heart and the first set is just so much fun. I love both coffee and tea and this new set is just so perfect for those how love either one. The adorable to go cup with the cozy around it is just so sweet, can't wait to get this set in my hot little hands! So our card challenge for the day is to create a card using hearts in any way you can imagine.

Here is a card by Nichole Heady using parts of the new set, too cute, right!

Here is my take on the challenge...thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Raspberry Fizz

Ribbon: PTI- Pure Poppy

Printed Paper: Simple Valentine

Stamps: Verve - 100 Hearts

Ink: SU- Real Red

Impression Plate: Cuttlebug - Swiss Dot

Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge - February 2012

2012-02-10T22:36:00.000-08:00

Well it is that time again...time for the Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge and I have to say this card pretty much just made it's self, love when that happens. For this month there are two different color schemes, one traditional and the other a bit more modern. I just couldn't do the modern one, just not me. To me Christmas is the traditional colors of red and green...They both are nice but red and green are my choice.

Here is my take on the WMCCC, thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - Pure Poppy and White

Printed Paper: PTI - Candy Cane Prints

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Santa's Coming to Town

Jingle Bells: Michael's

Seam Binding: Renee Lynch

Ink: SU - Real Red

Bakers Twine: PTI - Pure Poppy

PTI Anniversary...Day 6

2012-02-10T17:17:00.001-08:00

Today's contest is to make a card using one of PTI's new card sketches. I choose the first of the five sketches and put together another card using the Simply Jane stamp set. I really love the look of aqua mist and Lemon Tart together, just so soft and sweet. Here is the sketch that I choose to use...

And here is the card that I made using this sketch as inspiration...thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - White, Aqua Mist and Lemon Tart

Stamps: PTI - Simply Jane and Rosie Posie

Dies: PTI - Half & Half, Mat Stack 1 and Mat Stack 1 Layerz

Impression Plate: PTI - Damask

Ink: PTI - Aqua Mist, VersaFine - Black and Memento - Thatched Straw

PTI Anniversary...Day 5

2012-02-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Today is day 5 and the contest for today is to take an inspiration piece from one of the design teams pins on Pinterest...I don;t know about you, but I love pinning! I have to admit I spend way too much time both pinning and search other's boards. There are just so many wonderful pieces of inspiration that it is hard to break away from the computer screen. Here is what I choose for my inspiration piece...it is from Nichole Heady and she uses the new Simply Jane stamp set...

Here is my take on her card...thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - Canyon Clay, Rustic White and Dark Chocolate

Printed Paper: PTI - Simply Jane

Stamps: PTI - Simply Jane

Ribbon: PTI - Canyon Clay

Button: PTI - Canyon Clay

Bakers Twine: Dark Chocolate

PTI Anniversary...Day 4

2012-02-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

Today's card was to be inspired by one of the design teams color combinations...and while they all are great colors, I had to go with one that I had paper to make a card for. I was a bit short on time today too so I was trying to think of something that would really just make itself, so I used one of the design team images from day 2 of the anniversary festivities.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Berry Sorbet, Ripe Avocado and Raspberry Fizz and White
Buttons: PTI Berry Sorbet
Die: Spellbinders - Scallop Squares

PTI Anniversary...Day 2

2012-02-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

There are 10 great design team images on the free download, so rather than make just one card to enter into today's contest, why not two!

So for this card I was inspired by my friend Renee from It's a Patchwork Life and just fell in "love" with her version and decided to case it, but change it up a bit. What I loved most about her card was that postmark across the image. I knew that I had to have one in my stamp stash that my sister gave me (I think I must have a stamp for everything between what I got from her and Paula). So now I needed a sentiment to go with it and remembered that I had the perfect stamp, this one from Paula...thanks you two to helping out with this card, could not have made it without you!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI White and Summer Sunrise
Stamps: Robyn and Paula
Die: Spellbinders Scallop Square
Ink: VersaFine - Black

PTI Anniversary...Day 2

2012-02-06T18:34:00.000-08:00

Another day of fun cards to make...today there was a wonderful sheet of images created by the design team and the challenge was to select one and make a card with it. I choose the cassette tape, boy do these bring back lots of memories! My daughter and I love going to rock concerts so I thought this would make the perfect card.

Thanks Erin for this wonderful image and it really was so much fun to create a card around it...I love her style, so clean and crisp.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - Pure Poppy and white

Ink: VersaFine - Black and SU Real Red

Stamps: PTI Grunge Me and Rock On

Casing Joyce

2012-02-05T19:40:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is having a great weekend...I have had a blast, spent Saturday at AT&T Park for the San Francisco Giant's FanFest, it felt so good to be back at the ball park. It was a beautiful day, the garlic fries were perfect and what better place to be than with the San Francisco Giants!

I have also had a good chunk of free time and have been busy making cards, lots of cards. Last week I saw this card on Joyce's blog, Cards-by-the-Sea and just fell in love with it and was doing the happy dance because I had just about all of the supplies! Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Black, White, Pure Poppy and Kraft
Stamps: PTI - Grunge Me and Rock On
Punch: SU
Ink: SU - Real Red, VersaFine - Black and PTI - Kraft

PTI 5 year anniversary...day 1

2012-02-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary PTI! They have so many fun daily challenges and sneak peeks to celebrate 5 years of amazing products, design team inspiration and ideas!

For today's challenge we were asked to make a card that was inspired by on of the design team members. Michelle Wooderson always inspires me...her cards seem to just make themselves and always look so quick and easy to put together. Her list of favorites are pretty close to mine and I just love her style.

Here is my inspiration idea...

Here is my card and thank you for taking a peek!

Ingredients - All PTI (other than flowers)

Solid Card Stock: White, Orange Zest, Lemon Tart and New Leaf

Printed Paper: Polka Dot Parade

Ribbon: Orange Zest - Satin

Buttons: Orange Zest, New Leaf and Harvest Gold

Dies: Tiny Tags, Filigree Border and Button Boutique

Stamps: Button Boutique

Flowers: Creative Memories

Make It Monday #51 Dimensional Sentiment Banner

2012-01-31T21:15:00.000-08:00

This weeks card was learning how to make a dimensional banner and I love how quick and easy this was and gives your card a wonderful element. I used printed paper for my background instead of stamping my own (only so much time in the day) and my new stamp set, Warm Happiness for the cup of coffee and sentiment. I have been wanting this set for a while but always seems to get bumped off my wish list but then I saw another forum member was selling both Warm Happiness sets and the die, too good of a deal to pass up! Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - Ivory and Orange Zest

Printed Paper: PTI - Autumn Abundance

Dies: PTI - Warm Happiness, Mat Stack 1 and Mat Stack 1 Layerz

Ink: VersaFine - Vintage Sepia and Memento - Tangelo

Stamps: PTI - Warm Happiness and Polka Dot Basics

The 12 Kits of Chrismas - January Challenge

2012-01-29T21:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's another Christmas card and each month there will be more. I am doing this monthly Christmas challenge called The 12 Kits of Christmas with 11 other incredibly talented ladies and I am really excited to see what they have all come up with this month. We are each assigned a month to put together card kits to send to all 11 other ladies and January was Renee's month and oh my goodness did she spoil us! There were enough ingredients in this kit to make so many cards....I made only 3 but I am so happy with what I ended up with.
There is also some wonderful Blog Candy to one lucky person who comments on all of the blogs. Maybe this will temp you into leaving those wonderful remarks....a die from Memory Box and a few other fabulous goodies too.
Thanks for taking a peek!

January Kit

Here is the list of blogs to visit and leave comments...

Joyce - Cards-by-the-Sea

Renee - It's a Patchwork Life

Cathy - Empty Nest Crafter

Kara - KandRDesigns

Jeanne - A Kept Life

Amy - Stamp-n-Paradise

Jessica - The Paper Parade

Marybeth - Marybeth's Time for Paper

Sharron - On Papillion Wings

Suzanne - thecardyard

Christina - Sea Glass & Sentiments

Ingredients

Dies: Memory Box - Star of Wonder, Poppystamps - Grand Madison Window and Cheery Lynn - O Tannenbaum Tree

Cardstock: PTI - Pure Poppy, Stamper's Select, Rustic White and Enchanted Evening

Velvet Ribbon: Simplicity

Glitter: Martha Stewart

January 2012 Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

2012-01-25T16:11:00.000-08:00

Usually there is a inspiration photo for each month's Blog Hop challenge but this month the inspiration was to go back and find your favorite project and use that as inspiration for a new version of the card. My favorite project/card from last year was one I made for a monthly challenge I do with some other PTI forum friends called "4 of a Kind". Each month one of us is the host and sends out kits and we all make at least one card using 4 of the elements. So here is my favorite card from 2011...

Here is my take on a new and inspired version of it...on this card I am using a homemade button made by my friend Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea...she is so talented and creative. I changed up the color scheme too to make it more of a spring time card and the soft pink button that Joyce made are just perfect for it.

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White, Spring Moss and Sweet blush
Printed Paper: PTI Polka Dot Parade
Stamps: PTI - Button Boutique and Beyond Basic Borders
Ink: SU - Regal Rose and VersaFine - Black
Doily: Michael's

Make It Monday #50 Shaker Card

2012-01-24T09:37:00.000-08:00

I haven't made a shaker card or embellishment in so long...this really brought back some fun memories for me. Several years ago when I was scarpbooking and this was the new trend, my friends and I would try and come up with some pretty wild ideas for shaker boxes and what a mess did they make! Glitter, sparkles and confetti everywhere but it was fun...so night before last I could not sleep so I was up at 3:30am and working on my card and this is what I ended up making. So instead of using glitter or confetti I oped for buttons and I am very happy with the way it turned out. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Pure Poppy and White
Printed Paper: PTI - Simple Valentine
Dies: PTI - Filigree Border, Doilies, Heart and Spiral Notebook
Stamps: PTI - Love and Marriage and Think Big Favorites #11
Embossing Powder
Buttons: PTI - Pure Poppy and Hibiscus Burst
Rose: Prima

Love it the Best Gift - CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #36

2012-01-22T18:37:00.000-08:00

It seems as if it has been forever since I posted a card to my blog... Today's card was inspired by CAS-ual Friday's weekly challenge and Ted from the PTI forum. Ted posted the most beautiful Valentine's Day card on his blog and linked it the the forum and I just fell in love with it, so this is my version and it goes with the Penguin Suit theme for the challenge. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI White
Printed Paper: PTI - Black and White Basics
Dies" PTI - Heart Dies
Ribbon: PTI - Black
Stamps: A Muse and Verve - Hundred Hearts

WaltzingMouse Stamps Blog Party - Sweet Things - January 2012

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have been having so much fun playing the Afternoon Tea stamp set from WaltzingMouse, so for this month's challenge we have to use a stamp set to make a card with the theme of Sweet Things. Once I completed the card I really felt like it was missing something, a tea charm. I thought I had a bunch of these but could not find one single charm, so on eBay I went and found these adorable little silver tea bags, just too darn cute. Going to tea and having sweet scones along with a nice hot cup of Ceylon tea is at the top of my list of "sweet" things to do. So this is my take on the challenge this month, thanks for taking a peek

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Scarlet jewel
Charm: eBay
Baker's Twine: PTI - Pure Poppy
Die: Spellbinders - Fancy Tags
Pearls: SU
Edge Punch: Martha Stewart
Printed Paper: Echo Park - Yours Truly
Ribbon: PTI - White
Stamps: WaltzingMouse - Afternoon Tea
Ink: VersaFine - Black

Clean & Simple Day 6 - Simple Embellishments

2012-01-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

It was so nice to have the day off today and be able to get a few cards made. This one was very different from anything I have done before...and I really love the end results. The flower is made from 6 one inch circle punches and then fold two sides just a bit. I don't have any large back round stamps so I just used what I had and turned the PTI set Background Basics - Sheet Music into one. I added the three little red hearts on the front so it would look more like a Valentine's Day card. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Rustic White
Ink: SU - Real Red
Bakers Twine: PTI - Pure Poppy
Printed Paper: Echo Park - Yours Truly
Stamps: PTI - Background Basics - Sheet Music, WPlus9 - Love You More and Avocado Arts - Hello Friend

WaltzingMouse Sketch Challenge #80

2012-01-16T10:30:00.000-08:00

I don't have too many WaltzingMouse stamp sets, so my cards are pretty much limited to Christmas, tea or cakes. I received this set as a gift and have played with it a bit but never very happy with the end results, so I thought I would give it another try today. So happy that I did and thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet and Spring Moss
Printed Paper: PTI- Polka Dot Parade
Ribbon: Michael's
Dies: PTI - Edgers #2 Collection
Stamps: WaltzingMouse - Eat Cake
Pearls: SU
Ink: SU - Regal Rose and VersaFine - Black
Punches: SU

4 of a Kind - Beautiful and Elegant

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

This is our 5th month of doing our 4 of a Kind challenge and Cathy Weber's turn to be hostess...each month one of us sends "kits" to the other three and then we have a few weeks to be creative with all of the supplies and if you are anything like Joyce, your cards will "Self Assemble". Our challenge group consists of some pretty creative and talented ladies and it is a real honor to be part of this group.

Joyce Cards-by-the-Sea

Cathy Empty Nest Crafter

Renee It's A Patchwork Life

This month's kits were just breath taking beautiful...the color combinations that Cathy Weber choose are just so incredible and such fun to play with. Cathy included so many wonderful elements to the kit and some I had never used before so that was a real treat.

Kit Ingredients

Finished Cards and Projects

Note Pad and Post-it Pad

Thank You

Friends

One card, Two challenges...

2012-01-15T16:25:00.000-08:00

I have to say doing these card challenges are so much fun and I have seen so many others make one card to post to two or more challenges. The colors for this weeks Play Date Cafe are not colors I would use together or even alone for that matter, but the sketch from 52 Card Pick up was a fun one, so this was a very difficult card to make with regard to the colors. I decided to keep it pretty easy and use one of my favorite sets from PTI, Mehndi Medallion. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: Unknown Source
Stamp: PTI - Mehndi Medallion
Ink: Versa Color - Amethyst
Pearls: SU
Ribbon: Wrights Hem Tape - White
Tag: My Sweet Sister

Clean & Simple Day 4 - 1 Stamp, 3 Ways

2012-01-12T07:21:00.000-08:00

Today is day 4 for the Clean & Simple online card class and it's also the 4th day of making a card with a technique I have never done before. Today the lesson was to take a background stamp and use it in a different way so I used number dies in a solid color, stamped them with VersaMark and used white embossing powder. I had these butterflies forever and was so happy that they matched the color on the card, I think it turned out to be a nice finishing touch. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Spring Moss, Sweet Blush and Berry Sorbet
Printed Paper: PTI - Polka Dot Parade
Dies: PTI - By the Numbers
Stamps: PTI - Big Birthday Wishes and Background Basics: Newsprint
Bakers Twine: Unknown Source
Butterfly: Jenni Bowlin Studio
Doily: Wilton
Embossing Powder: Stampendous - White
Ink: VersaFine - Black

January 2012 Waltzting Mouse Christmas Card Challenge

2012-01-11T20:33:00.000-08:00

I know, I know more Christmas cards and it's only January...well Waltzing Mouse has a year long Christmas card challenge where you make one card per month and follow their theme. This is the first month and the theme is to have either day or night time sky. I choose night time and was able to use some leftovers from another annual challenge, 12 Kits of Christmas (more on that to follow at a later date and post). This card was lots of fun to make and uses plenty of glitter, sort of hard to see from the photo but trust me if you saw my craft table you would think Tinker Bell lived here. My favorite thing about the card are the adorable little red birds perched on the tree.Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Black and White
Dies: Renee (thanks)
Glitter: Martha Stewart
Stamps: WM 2011 Holiday Ornaments

Clean and Simple Day 3 - Tone on Tone Dimensional

2012-01-11T14:07:00.000-08:00

So today's card was a little bit more work, but well worth when you see the end results. For my card, I used PTI heart dies...I cut out six of each in white and then glued them all together and placed the final raspberry fizz heart on top. It really gives the card a dimensional look that is pretty easy to do. My sentiment is stamped in VersaMark with white embossing powder over the top. So, like the class title, it is pretty clean and simple! Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Raspberry Fizz
Stamps: PTI - Think Big Favorites #11
Dies: PTI - Hearts
Embossing Powder: Stamp Stuff - White

Clean & Simple Day 2 - Flat Cards

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well...it is day 2 of the Clean & Simple online class and the lesson for the day is to make a flat card. After I completed the card I had to share with Ashleigh to get her opinion and she just smiled when I told her it was flat card day...she always comments when I make a card that has a a bunch of jingle bells on it, how are you going to mail that one? Well I have to admit this card was a lot more fun to make than I initially thought. I will be making more of these, but need stamps with bigger images. I used some of the flowers from the PTI Rosie Posie set and they seemed to work out just perfect. I choose the orange and yellow inks to go with the sentiment, Wishing you brighter days...really love the end result. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White
Stamps: PTI - Rosie Posie and Think Big Favorites #10
Ink: VersaFine - Black, Memento - Dandelion and Tangelo

Clean & Simple Day 1

2012-01-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

My friend Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea told me about this online class-Clean & Simple Card Making, so we decided to take it together. Today is the first day and this here is my card...clean and simple Halloween. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Orange Zest and Black
Stamps: Tim Holtz - Trick-or-Treat and PTI - Been Boo'd
Spider Die: Cricut - October 31
Buttons: Joann's
Embossing Powder: Stamp Stuff - Detail Black
Ink: VersaFine - Black and VersaMark

Afternoon Tea - A Cordail Invitation

2012-01-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

Last card for the weekend. This card is for the Waltzing Mouse Challenge #79. I don't have too many WMS sets and one used in this card is one that I won. I have a girlfriend that is hard to buy for and her birthday is coming up so I thought why not take her to tea and this is the perfect set to make a card inviting her for a relaxing afternoon of tea and treats. Thanks for taking a peek.

Ingredient
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Pure Poppy
Printed Paper: PTI - Beautiful Blooms
Ribbon: PTI - Pure Poppy
Ink: SU - Real Red
Stamps: Afternoon Tea
Edge Punch: Martha Stewart
Tag: Unknown Source

Happy Birthday

2012-01-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

I finished two more cards last night but it was just way too dark to get good pictures of either of them. I case'd both cards, Happy Birthday from LimeDoodle and Make it Count from Maile Belles and just changed them up a bit. Both were quick, simple and fun to make and added a couple more cards to my birthday card stash. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Happy Birthday
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Hawaiian Shores
Stamps: PTI Birthday by the Numbers
Ink: PTI - Hawaiian Shores and Aqua Mist, VersaFine - Black, Memento - Cantaloupe and SU - Real Red

Make it Count
Solid Card Stock: PTI White and Royal Velvet
Ink: Distress -Dusty Concord, PTI - Aqua Mist and Spring Moss and VersaFine - Black
Buttons: PTI
Stamps: CTMH - Make it Count (thank you Miss Paula)

Rosie Posie - Oh My!

2012-01-07T20:07:00.000-08:00

Ever since I got this stamp set I have been wanting to use the dies to match. They were so easy and quick to stamp and the filigree die is at the top of my favorites list. I cased another card by Debbie Olsen, wow is she talented! My birthday card stash has been getting low so tonight I am going to attempt to get enough made to last me for the next month or two. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI White
Printed Paper: Echo Park - Summer Days
Ribbon: PTI - White
Dies: PTI - Rosie Posie and Filigree
Stamps: PTI - Rosie Posie and A Muse - Oh my! (thanks Miss Paula)
Tag: Unknown source
Doily: Wilton

ColourQ Challenge #118

2012-01-07T17:36:00.000-08:00

My card for this week's challenge was inspired by Joyce from Card-by-the-Sea, it was simple yet so beautiful but I did not have the stamps set that Joyce had so I had to make due with what I already had. After flipping through all of my sets I found PTI Mehndi Medallion and thought it would be a perfect fit. Since I love glitter, I decided to add a few strips of that too in the coordinating colors. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI White
Inks: PTI - Aqua Mist and Spring Moss, SU - Real Red and Distress Ink - Spun Sugar
Pearls: SU
Glitter: Martha Stewart
Stamps: PTI - Mehndi Medallion and A Muse - Kiss Kiss (Thank you Miss Paula)

Play Date Cafe Challenge #113 - Sending You Thanks

2012-01-05T21:25:00.000-08:00

Another card challenge for the week and this one is for Play Date Cafe. I just love the color combinations this week, Juniper, Mint and Vanilla. I cased this card from Debbie Olsen and just changed it up a bit. I am over the moon with this stamp set from PTI and it always stamps so clean and clear. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: Unknown Source
Printer Paper: PTI - Holiday Flourishes and Swirls
Dies: PTI - Filigree Border
Tag: Cricut - Winter Frolic
Pearls: SU
Ink: VersaFine - Vintage Sepia
Rose: Michaels
Lace: SU - Chantilly

Runway Inspired Challenge #3

2012-01-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

What a great blog if you love fashion. I was so excited when I saw my friend Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea make a card for the Runway Inspired Challenge's last challenge and decided I had to play along. After looking at all of the Design Team cards I really felt like I was getting in over my head and started rummaging through my stamps and dies and then came up with this idea, hope you like it. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - White and Black
Dies: PTI - Eyelet Border, Mat Stack 1 and Layerz Mat Stack 1
Stamps: PTI - Mat Stack 1 Collection and Signature Series: Dress Form Stamp Set
Ink: VersaFine - Black
Ribbon: PTI - Black

Magical Moments - Mini Blog Hop

2012-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

I have been so excited about doing this mini blog hop since I bought the stamp set from WPlus9 on their Black Friday sale...just too good of a deal to pass up. I shared my choice of sets with Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea and she purchased the set as well. We started chatting about doing a mini blog hop and found another PTI forum member from Australia, Gayatri from Handmade by G3. So the card making began...I tried to use the major stamps but fell in love the the peacock and the floral border square and seemed to only come up ideas for these stamps. I'm guessing that after the holidays my brain was just not what it should be, but none the less I did get 4 cards made and very happy with the way they all turned out. So be sure to check out both Joyce and Gayatri's blogs for their beautiful creations too.

Joyce M. - Cards-by-the-Sea

Gayatri - Handmade by G3

WPlus9 - Magical Moments Stamps

Fall Peacock

Magical Day

Beautiful Thing

Hugs & Kisses (this card was already posted to my blog)

Ingredients

Fall Peacock

Solid Card Stock: PTI Canyon Clay, Ivory and Black

Printed Paper: Making Memory's - Halloween

Bling: SU and unknown source

Ink: PTI - Canyon Clay

Dies: Spellbinders - Floral Doily

Magical Day

Solid Card Stock: PTI - Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist and Rustic White

Dies: PTI - Filigree Border and Photo Finisher

Ink: PTI - Aqua Mist and Versa Fine - Black

Pearls: SU

Beautiful Thing

Solid Card Stock: PTI - White

Ink: PTI -Spring Moss and VersaColor - Amethyst

Bling: SU

Hugs & Kisses

Solid Card Stock: PTI - White

Bling: Martha Stewart

Ink: SU - Real Red and Regal Rose

Papertrey Ink "Make It Monday" #47 2011 A la Carte

2012-01-02T17:28:00.000-08:00

I have had so much being off work for the holiday break and it has given me the chance to make lots of cards and do more challenges. This card is for PTI's Make It Monday and this weeks challenge is to any of the weekly challenges they had for 2011. I love glitter so it was an easy decision for me to make. I even was able to ink up the new Love & Marriage stamp set. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI Black and White
Dies: PTI - Cover Plate: Quatrefoil
Bling: Martha Stewart
Printed Paper: Black and White Basics
Stamps: PTI - Love & Marriage and Verve - Hundred Hearts
Ink: VersaFine - Black and SU - Real Red
Glitter: Martha Stewart

CR84FN Challenge #45 Medium Blue, Yellow and Orange

2012-01-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

What a bunch of fun colors! I am usually not a big fan of blue but love the orange and yellow do I instantly knew what I wanted to do for this card. I love the look of bright and cheery too. One of my favorite PTI stamp sets is Button Boutique and I just don't use it as often as I should, it has so many possibilities. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: Creative Memories
Printed Paper: Yellow Polka Dot - Echo Park Summer Days and Blue Paper - Unknown Source
Dies: PTI Button Boutique , Beautiful Blooms #3, Pinking Edge and Photo Finisher
Buttons: PTI - Orange Zest
Stamps: PTI - Button Boutique and Tea For Two Additions

My Valentine - CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #33

2012-01-01T00:25:00.000-08:00

It has been several weeks since I have participated in a CAS-ual Friday challenge so I was excited to make this card tonight. One of my resolutions for the new year is to participate in more card challenges and this is my second one so far this year! Thanks for taking a peek...

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Kraft and White
Printed Paper: PTI - Simple Valentine
Bakers Twine: PTI - Pure Poppy
Clothes Pins: Unknown Source
Button: PTI - Hibiscus Burst
Stamps: Avocado Arts - Hello Friend and WPlus9 - Love You More
Ink: VersaFine Black and SU Real Red
Markers: Zig

Congrats on Your New Home

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I thought I would start the new year off with a card for one of my close friends. She has had a difficult year and just moved into a new home; what a great way to start off the new year, a new beginning for her and her daughter. This is the first card I have made where I used one of my Cricut cartridges. It was so much fun, I'm going to have to take a closer look at what I have for future cards.
This is also my first card for the CASE Study card challenge, challenge #71. Thanks for taking a peek!

This is the inspiration card...just beautiful

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI
Printed Paper: Polka Dots PTI Polka Dot Parade, other paper unknown source
Dies: PTI Mat Stack 1, Layerz Mat Stack 1 and Christmas Labels
Stamps: Congrats All Ways
Cricut Cartridge: Winter Frolic

2011 - A Year in Review

2011-12-31T12:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone! 2011 was a great year and I am really looking forward to 2012, my resolution for this coming year it to post more and do more card challenges. They make me think outside the box and increase my card stash too.
We don't usually do much to celebrate the new year. I will prepare a nice dinner and stay up to midnight but that is most likely it. Since Ashleigh will be at a party this year I will most likely be sitting here in my newly cleaned and organized craft room working on more cards to post in the coming year.
I have only been blogging since August this year but have been making cards for several years. When Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea told me about this I thought what a great idea to go back a select your favorites. Thanks to Karin for hosting the blog hop too. You are truly a great inspiration.

http://karin-withaniforpaper.blogspot.com/2011/12/year-in-review.html

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

This did not take as long as I thought it would, thanks Joyce for letting me know about doing the year in review.
Happy New Year and thanks for taking a peek!

Be Mine Forever

2011-12-29T22:10:00.000-08:00

One last card for the day and it's another Valentine's Day card. I have had so much fun playing with these stamps and this card reminds me of my sister, she loves just about all hearts and has a big heart herself. I cased this card from Kara, a PTI forum member who does incredible work. I did change it up a bit but I really like the way it turned out. Thanks for taking a peek!

Solid Card Stock: PTI White and Raspberry Fizz
Printed Paper: PTI Simple Valentine
Dies: PTI Mat Stack 1, Heart Border, Double Ended Banner and Wonderful Words
Stamps: WPlus9 Love You More
Ink: SU Real Red

Hugs & Kisses

2011-12-29T13:59:00.000-08:00

Here is another Valentine's Day card using both PTI's Think Big Favorites #11 and WPlus9's Love You More sets. I actually cased this card from Joyce at Cards-by-the-Sea. I think my favorite thing about this card is the embossed lines above and below the stamped images. Such a fun and quick card to make, providing you pay attention to what you are doing. This one took me 4 trys to get it right!
Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI White
Ink: SU Real Red and Regal Rose
Stamps: PTI Think Big Favorites #11 and WPlus9 Love You More
Bling: Martha Stewart

Love...

2011-12-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

Here is one more card using the new Love You More set from WPlus9 and Holiday Lights from PTI. This was a quick and easy card to make. When PTI came out with Holiday Lights, you can use the string of lights for just about any holiday, not just Christmas. Use pastel for Easter, orange for Halloween, the possibilities are endless! Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI Pure Poppy and White
Printed Paper: PTI Simple Valentine
Ink: SU Real Red
Dies: Spellbinders Squares
Bling: Martha Stewart
Stamps: PTI Holiday Lights and WPlus9 Love You More

I love You More....

2011-12-28T20:23:00.000-08:00

I have been really wanting to play with this new set from WPlus9 since I received it and now that I am off for Christmas break I got a chance to play around with it. It is just a great set with so many wonderful stamps. While cleaning my craft room this week I came across this fun Valentine's Day paper from PTI. This was the very first thing I ever ordered from PTI and I have been hooked since. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI Pure Poppy and White
Printed Paper: PTI Simple Valentine
Stamps: WPlus9 Love You More
Ink: SU Real Red
Bling: SU

Rosie Posie colourQ Challenge #117

2011-12-27T19:40:00.000-08:00

I have had this lime green card base forever (another goodie from my sister) and when I saw this weeks colourQ challenge knew I could finally put it to good use. I love the new Rosie Posie set from PTI and thought it was a good match for the Bible verse I added. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Card Base: My Sweet Sister
Ink: SU -Certainly Celery and VersaFine - Black
Solid Card Stock: PTI
Stamps: PTI -Beautiful Blessings and Rosie Posie

Thank You

2011-12-27T18:39:00.000-08:00

This card was so much fun to make and I used my new Thank You stamp from PTI. It was such a treat to open my box from this month's release and find that extra surprise inside, better than a box of Cracker Jacks! I needed to make a few thank you cards for gifts I received from students this Christmas and came across this box of embossed cards from the stash I got from my sister. I decided to play around with some of the new PTI inks too and masked off the outer edge of the card so all of the stamping would be in the center square. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Card Stock: My sweet sister
Ink: PTI - Canyon Clay and Spring Moss, VersaFine - Vintage Sepia
Stamps: PTI - Rosie Posie and Sending you a big Thank You

PTI December Blog Hop - Leftovers

2011-12-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

What a fun blog hop this was...and so easy too! I was lucky enough to get some homemade caramels from Joyce, Cards-by-the-Sea and the packaging was just so adorable and made for the perfect leftover card. I used the PTI snow bank dies with just a touch of Martha Stewart glitter to match and there you have it, a fun and festive card! What I really like about this card is that after I stamped the sentiment and then added glitter to the edge of the snow, I did not realize that ink had not dried so the top portion of Holly Jolly Holiday has just a smidgen of glitter too. Now had I planned that it would have never happened. I love when these kinds of fun things happen to my cards. Joyce, thank you so much for the leftovers too!

Ingredients
Card Stock: PTI
Glitter: Martha Stewart
Dies: PTI - In the Meadow
Stamps: Christmas Labels and In the Meadow
Ink: Versa Magic - Aquatic Splash

ColourQ Challenge #115

2011-12-17T12:46:00.000-08:00

When I saw the color combination for this week's challenge, I just fell in love them them. They just scream Christmas to me! Only a week to go to finish up last minute gifts and shopping and since I am finished with all of mine, I finally had the chance to sit down and make a card for this challenge. I have really missed sitting at my craft desk making cards...Thank you so much for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: Unknown Source
Printed Paper: Echo Park - Holly Jolly Christmas
Roses: BoBunny
Bling: Prima
Stamps: PTI - Christmas Labels
Die: PTI - Wonderful Words Holiday Die Collection
Ink: SU - Real Red

Sweet Treats

2011-12-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

Wow...it has been forever since I have added a post to my blog. Between having a family that was sick and playing Santa's elf in getting gifts finished up and wrapped, just to time to do something for me. My sister asked me to make her some little sweet treats for some of her co-workers, and this is what I made. They were lots of fun and quick and easy to put together. Each one is filled with a piece of Ghirardelli's Peppermint Bark and finished off with a cute little jingle bell. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Dies: PTI Doily, Limitless Layers and Lunch Box Note
Card Stock: Bazzill
Bakers Twine: PTI - Pure Poppy
Jingle Bells: Michael's
Stamps: PTI Everyday Treats
Ink: SU- Real Red

First Quilt Top

2011-12-04T20:35:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy playing Santa's elf...decorating our tree and home, baking, making cards, aprons and a few quilts too. Here is a picture of my first quilt (well actually my second quilt, the first quilt I made was a birthday gift for my sister and it was a Twilight quilt), but just the top. I have two more to make for Christmas gifts and will enclose a note asking for the quilt top back and return it after the new year when I have more time to machine quilt it. This quilt pattern is called Hopscotch Pips and I used Tinkerbell fabric. I am making it for one of Ashleigh's friends mom. Thanks for taking a peek!

ColourQ Challenge #113

2011-12-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

Isn't this Jim Shore angel just beautiful? What an inspiration piece for this weeks challenge! After seeing the angel, it made it very easy for me to decide on what type of card to make. I have the alpha block dies from PTI and have been wanted to take them for a spin on my Big Shot, so tonight was the night. I cased this card from one of the PTI forum members but changed it up a bit and I am really happy with the way it came out. Let me know what you think. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Card Stock: All colors CM
Mirror Paper: Joann's
Dies: PTI - Alpha Blocks
Punch: Paper Shapers Snowflake
Foam Tape: 3M

Christmas Thank-you card

2011-11-30T20:33:00.000-08:00

I had no intentions of making any cards until the weekend, but my sister emailed me this morning with a special request. She needed a Christmas Thank-you card to give to the caterer for her work at their Tree-Trimming party and since Ashleigh is planning to attend, she will make my special delivery. The theme they have this year is snowmen and blue, this is what I came up with, hope she likes it as much as I do. It is fun to try and put together a card at the spur of the moment, I think sometimes the less I think about what I want to make I am much more productive. I'm always happy to help out my sister (considering when she went digital for paper crafts, I got all of her supplies). Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients - All PTI unless noted
Solid card stock: Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist and White
Printed Paper: Candy Cane Prints
Dies: Doily, Limitless Layers and Damask Snowflake (from Joyce)
Bakers Twine: Pure Poppy
Jingle Bells: Unknown Source
Stamps: Tag-it's #8

PTI November Blog Hop Challenge

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

I think this is only my second time participating in a PTI Blog Hop, by the time it's here I'm too busy to find time to make a card. This time I planned ahead so I am ready to go! I love the inspiration photo, it is just so beautiful and I had no problem coming up with a card. It was fun to make and I finally got to ink up my Stylish Sentiments Christmas stamp set. I had to have this set...it has my favorite line from the movie Elf.
When my card was finished my daughter said, "good luck mailing that!", well that thought never crossed my mind when I put the jingle bells on it. They are just too cute to take off, so they stayed on. Thanks for taking a peek!

Inspiration Photo

Ingredients

Solid Card Stock: PTI - Pure Poppy and Fresh Snow

Patterned Paper: PTI - Candy Cane Prints

Dies: PTI - Half & Half

Ink: SU- Real Red

Bakers Twine: PTI - Pure Poppy

Stamps: PTI - Stylish Sentiments Christmas

Ribbon: PTI - Pure Poppy

PTI Make It Monday #42:Layered Background with Sentiment Stamps

2011-11-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

It's Monday again and that means another Make It Monday challenge. After watching the video that Betsy provided for this weeks MIM, I decided to the plunge and make one of my own. I decided to continue on with the holiday theme and ink up my set of PTI Holiday Lights stamp set. This set has so many possibilities and I am really looking forward to using it for Valentine's Day cards as well.

This card uses a few different techniques that were fun to do. First I inked the edges in spring moss and then stamped off twice before stamping the sentiments on the fillable frames to give a subtle look. I stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment in red and centered it on a beautiful snowflake die that my friend Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea was sweet enough to share with me.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Pure Poppy, White and Simply Chartreuse
Stamps: PTI - Holiday Lights
Dies: Fillable Frames #3 and Damask Snowflakes
Ink: PTI - Spring Moss, SU Real Red and VersaFine Black

in the meadow we can build a snowman....

2011-11-20T18:48:00.000-08:00

This snowman has to be one of my top favorite stamp and die sets from Papertrey Ink. He is so cute and has so many possibilities. I stood him in a soft ivory snow bank (love this die set) and he is holding a nice warm cup of hot cocoa with a yummy peppermint stick. I wanted to give the illusion that it was snowing so I used my versamark stamps pad and three different size snowflakes on the soft pink background. My friend Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea was sweet enough to stamp off images from her Tremendous Treats set and that is where the adorable cup comes from. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Dark Chocolate, Sweet Blush and Ivory
Printed Paper: KI Memories
Stamps: PTI -In The Meadow, Shape Up Snowman Accessories & Tremendous Treats
Ink: VersaFine - Vintage Sepia and VersaMark
Dies: PTI - In the Meadow and Shape Up Snowman

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #74 & CAS-ual Fridays #29

2011-11-20T15:25:00.000-08:00

I am pretty new to WMS but have fallen head over heels in love with them. This will be my fourth card made for one of their challenges, this one is a sketch challenge. I only own two WM stamp sets, one Christmas and the other is a background set. Both are just beautiful but really limit the cards I can make for these challenges. Good thing it is Christmas season, so I am safe for a little while.
My favorite stamp from Santa's Coming to Town is the Santa cameo and I have used it every chance I could. I also love glitter and made my own red sparkle letters using Quikutz dies and then ran them through my little Xyron, sprinkled them with glitter and there you have it! It makes a bit of a mess but well worth it in my opinion. So here is my Santa card...thanks for taking a peek!

This card is serving two different challenges, Waltzingmouse and CAS-ual Fridays. I love it when I am able to get one card made for two challenges, such a fun bonus.

Ingredients
Card Stock: PTI - Pure Poppy and Fresh Snow
Printed Paper: PTI - Candy Cane Prints
Ink: VeraFine - Onyx Black
Dies: PTI - Doilies and Quikutz - Chocolate ABC's
Glitter: Martha Stewart
Bling: Martha Stewart

First Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz -

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

I have been so excited to join the rest of you in my first blog waltz! My card was almost one of those "self assembling" cards that my friend Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea always talks about, you just leave the supplies on you desk...walk away and your card is complete! My card was inspried from one that I made for a challenge that is called "4 of a Kind" and this months kit (Renee sent out stamped images from the Sewing Box - Christmas set) was sent out by Renee from "It's A Patchwork Life". I made my first card for the our challenge and then had plenty of supplies left over and like I said, the card pretty much made itself! Thanks for taking a peek!

4 of a Kind Challenge - Take 4

2011-11-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

It's that time again for the 4 of a Kind Challenge! This month's kit was so festive and so much fun and I got to use some new stamps too. Renee from It's A Patchwork Life sent out the kits and since she is a Mischief Maker for Waltzingmouse stamps she sent enough supplies to create lot os mischeif on my craft desk. There were enough supplies to make several cards but I am only posting one for this challenge and will post the second one fr the my Blog Waltz with WMS a few days later.
Renee has a very cool prize for one lucky person who leaves a comment. The prize is a set of Waltzingmouse Stamps! So please check out the other three blogs and leave comments and one of you will be choosen at random.

Renee - It's A Patchwork Life

Joyce - Cards-by-the-Sea

Cathy - Empty Nest Crafter

This is a picture of the wonderful kit Renee sent...

and this is my take on the kit...

I fell in love with the mittens the second I saw them in the kit and knew they had to be the centerpiece of my card. The snowflakes are the cutest buttons you have ever seen and then I added the little red pearls on top to brighten them up. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Card Stock: PTI Ocean Tides, Pure Poppy and Fresh Snow

Stamps: Waltzmouse

Buttons: PTI - Ocean Tides and Pure Poppy

Pearls & Snowflakes: Unknown Source

Cards that Care

2011-11-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

I decided to make some Christmas cards to donate to Cards that Care and wanted to make something that would be fairly quick and easy to assemble. These cards will go to the elderly who are in nursing homes. I cased my own card, one I made to Halloween that I used Waltzingmouse stamps for. I love the idea of the cameo and this one of Santa is just too sweet. Thank you for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Santa's Coming to Town and Off Beat Backgrounds
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black
Buttons: PTI
Card Stock: CM - Red
Printed Paper: Christmas Prints
Bling: unknown source
Ribbon: PTI - Fresh Snow

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #27 Over the Edge

2011-11-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have been dying to use my Shape-up Snowman dies and stamps since I got them last month, so here is my card for the Over the Edge challenge. It was so much fun to make once I got into it. At first I just had the snowman on the card...it still needed something, just not sure what it was. So my little snowman sat on my desk over night while I thought what could I do to bring him to life. So today he got a little sparkle around the edges (it is a bit hard to see it, but it is there) and some snowflakes as well to finish him off. Hope you like him as much as I do...thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Card Stock: PTI - Ocean Tides and Fresh Snow
Buttons: PTI - Ocean Tides
Felt: PTI - Ocean Tides and Pure Poppy
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black and SU - White
Stamps: In the Meadow, Shape up Snowman Accessories and Christmas Labels
Dies: Snowman Shape UP set
Glitter: Martha Stewart - Crystal Fine

First Waltzing Mouse Challenge

2011-11-02T19:59:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to finally own a set of stamps from Waltzing Mouse and get to participate in one of their challenges. Their designs are so elegant and beautiful, it made it so easy to put the card together. I was lucky enough to have the Hocus Pocus set on loan from Cathy Weber - The Empty Nest Crafter. She is just too sweet! I did purchase one set and that one is Off Beat Backgrounds. I know Halloween has already past, but now I will be ahead of the game next year. I love the witch's silhouette, and that nose is just too cute! Just the way I would picture a witch in real life. Thank you so much for taking a peek at my very first Waltzing Mouse card!

Ingredients
Stamps: WM - Off Beat Backgrounds and Hocus Pocus
Card Stock: PTI Fresh Snow, Orange Zest and True Black
Printed Paper: PTI - Halloween Prints
Dies: Spellbinders Scalloped Squares
Ribbon: PTI - True Black
Bling: Kaiser
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black
Buttons: PTI - Orange Zest and True Black

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #26 Laura's Sketch

2011-10-31T20:35:00.000-07:00

I finally found some time to make a few cards so I made one for this week's challenge for CAS-ual Fridays. But before I could get my card made I had to make a last minute treat for Ashleigh to take the Halloween party she was going to tonight. Oreo mummies are pretty quick and easy to make, so I headed off to Target first thing this morning to pick up the supplies and this is how they turned out.

Now on to the card...I bought the stamp about a year ago when an online stamps store was going out of business. I spent about an hour going through all of the stamps and found a lot of Impression Obsession stamps that I just could not pass up and the Thanksgiving one is my favorite. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Stamp: Impression Obsession
Ink: VersaFine - Vintage Sepia
Buttons: PTI - Autumn Mix
Dies: PTI - Simple Circles and Nestabilities - Scalloped Squares
Printed Paper: PTI - Fall Prints and Patterns
Card Stock: PTI - Rustic White
Pearls: Kaiser

Have a Sweet Birthday

2011-10-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

It seems like it has been forever since I made a card to post. Last week was so busy with trying to get ready for Halloween. I finished Ashleigh's costume today and it turned out just way too cute! I baked cupcakes today and turned them into little monsters to celebrate Halloween tomorrow at school. What do you think?

Here is a close up of the little guys...

They were so much fun to make. I used my cupcake and frosting recipes from the TeaCake Bake Shop. I colored the frosting and coconut with some food color and then put some Dots candy on a toothpick and added the edible eye ball with a dab of frosting. Hope the little muchkins like them.

Now on to the card I made today. I love the PTI Sweet as Can Be stamp set and love pairing it with Funky Town paper, such a great combination. I have collecting felt for awhile and decided this would be the perfect card to use a bit of it on...it really makes the best scoop of ice cream and then a red button to take the place of the cherry. Thanks for taking a peek.

Ingredients - All PTI

Printed Paper: Funky Town

Card Stock: Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores and Ripe Avocado

Felt: Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores and Fine Linen

Dies: Sweet as Can Be and Half & Half

Stamps: Sweet as Can Be and Half & Half

Buttons: Fresh Snow and Pure Poppy

Bakers Twine

Week of Rock and Roll!

2011-10-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

Did not get much crafting done with weekend but did take in a bit of music. My daughter, Ashleigh gave my husband and I tickets to see the Foo Fighters for our 20th anniversary and I had a blast (Ashleigh went too and got the set list)! My husband is more into jazz and does not like what he calls "yelling", but I do have to say it was one of the best concerts I have been to! We went last Wednesday and rocked the night away for 4 and 1/2 hours. I have a secret crush on the drummer, Taylor Hawkins, he is just too adorable.

Taylor Hawkins

Dave Grohl

Then on Sunday Ashleigh and I went to Shoreline in Mt. View for another concert. We went to the 25th Annual Bridge School Benefit and what a show! The concert started at 2pm and ended at 11pm and was non-stop big music stars from start to finish. We saw the Foo Fighters again, Arcade Fire, Tony Bennet, Mumford and Sons, Carlos Santana, Beck, Nora Jones, Neil Young and many more. This was an early Christmas gift from Ashleigh to me and it was so much fun and for a great cause too.

The Bridge School is a special school started by Neil Young and his wife Pegi for children with special needs and they have this concert every year as a fund raiser. 100% of the proceeds for the show go right to the school so how can you miss, great music for a wonderful group of children. Here are a few pictures from the night.

Bridge School Children

Beck

Foo Fighters

Mumford and Sons

Neil Young

Thanks for taking a peek into my week of music.

CAS-ual Fridays #25 Just Add Color

2011-10-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

Last card to post tonight...As all of my stamping friends know, I DO NOT color! But I thought just for this challenge I would give it a try. I used some stamps that I have never used before. When my sister went 100% digital, she gave me just about everything she had. I fell in love with the stamps she had from The Stamps of Life, so I decided to use one of their sets. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Stamps: The Stamps of Life - flowers2share set #15
Card Stock: PTI & CM
Buttons: PTI
Markers: Zig Writers

MIM #37 Layered Mats and Frames

2011-10-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

I finally got my card done for MIM and since I was lucky enough to get my PTI release order so quickly I wanted to use some of my new toys. The card was so much fun to make and like my friend Joyce would say, it practially made itself! Really, the card just seemed to fall into place and I am really happy with the way it turned out and plan to make a few more using the same technique of the layered mats and frames. Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!

Ingredients - All PTI

Card Stock: Rustic White, Spring Moss and Dark Chocolate

Stamps: In the Meadow and Background Basics-Sheet Music

Ink: Spring Moss and VersaFine Vintage Sepia

Felt: Spring Moss

Dies: In the Meadow, Limitless Layers and Layerz Mat Stack 1

Bakers Twine: Dark Chocolate

Another Christmas Card

2011-10-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week and now that Saturday is here I have a littel bit of time to put a few cards together and post to my blog. I cased this card from No Time To Stamp, Sharon is very creative and I just fell in love with the tree stamp with all of the blue bling floating through the air. I don't usually buy wood mounted stamps but as you can see, this one was just too beautiful to pass up. Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Card Stock: PTI - Black and White, CM - Light Blue
Stamps: Penny Black - Snow Dust and PTI - Stylish Sentiments - Holiday
Ribbon: PTI - Fresh Snow
Bling: Kaiser
Brad: MM

4 of a Kind Challenge with Up, Up and Away

2011-10-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is month 3 of our 4 of a Kind Challenge with Cathy, Joyce and Renee and this month will take you away...

Since I don't have this set, it was such a treat to put these cards together using stamps and papers that are new to me and I just fell in love with the polka dots. Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea did an amazing job of putting these kits together...here is what I recieved in the mail,

There was so much to choose from that I was able to make 2 cards and still have plenty left over for at least one more. She even inclued black stamped images that can be hand colored and since I don't color I opted to use the hot air balloons that did not require this. One of my favorite pieces of this kit were the clouds dies cut out of felt, they are just too sweet and really gave the look of floating in the sky!

Thanks for taking a peek! And be sure to check out the cards from the other three "4 of a Kind" ladies,

Jocye - Cards-by-the-Sea

Cathy - Empty Nest Crafter

Renee - It's A Patchwork Life

ColorQ Challenge #106

2011-10-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

I am sooooo excited, I was named a colourQueen Courtiers from their last challenge for the card I submitted. What an honor! This was only the second card I have posted a card on their site.

I fell in love with this weeks colors too and decided to make a Halloween card using some stamps from a muse that my sister and I bought a while back to share. I love their little stamps, they are so cute, it is hard to pass them up. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Black and White Check Ribbon: Michaels
Inks: VersaFine - Black and Ranger Adirondack Brights - Sunset Orange
Card Stock: PTI - White, Orange Zest, Smokey Shadow and True Black
Stamps: a muse - Parage, Bat Trio, Lampost and Tiny Pumpkin
Circle and Oval stamps unknown

Fa la la and Merry & Bright

2011-10-11T20:25:00.000-07:00

Here are two more cards that I made on Saturday and I just love them. My sweet friend Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea sent me these adorable snowflakes and she was kind enough to send me lots of them and all in beautiful colors. I added a bit of glitter to both of them by painting on some Martha Stewart Glitter Glue and then dusted each with her crystal fine glitter. I also did a bit of sewing on them. They were so much fun to make and Joyce is always so nice to share her dies with me. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients

Glitter & Glitter Glue: Martha Stewart

Card Stock: PTI -Whtie and Pure Poppy

Printed Paper: PTI -Christmas Prints

Stamps: PTI -Tag-It's #8

Ink: SU - Real Red and VersaFine - Black

Dies: PTI - Limitless Layers

Fleet Week and the Blue Angels

2011-10-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Did not get any crafting done on Sunday like I had planned. We spent the entire day in San Francisco for Fleet Week and to celebrate my friend Christina's birthday. We surprised her with a day in the city. We hit Pier 39 at 10:00am, did a bit of shopping and then headed to Bubba Gumps for a wonderful lunch.

Ashleigh, Kathy, Dwight and Christina

After lunch we headed to the very end of the pier to get a good spot for watching the air show. The jets were so loud I thought I was going to jump out of my skin! Here are a few picutres of the jets.

The show with the Blue Angels was canceled due to the fog so we did not get to see them this time. We will try again nect year. We still had a blast and headed back down the pier for some ice cream, donuts and to see if we could find some men in uniform to take pictures of with the Birthday Girl, Christina!

Kathy and Christina

We all had a great time...thanks for taking a peek at our day in the city.

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #23 & a Hop

2011-10-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

The card I made for this challenge was inspired by my friend Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea. She purchased this really cool pinwheel die and was sweet enought to send me enough to make 2 pinwheels, one large and one small. Once I got the hang of it, they were very easy to make. To top off this fun little surprise, she packaged it in this fabulous seed packet! This really made putting this card together very easy...I just added the pink card stock and a little bling. Thanks for taking a peek.

Ingredients
Card Stock: PTI - White and Raspberry Fizz
Seed packet & Pinwheel: Joyce
Brad: unkown
Bling: Hero Arts

Joy & Happiness

2011-10-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

I made this card to play along with colourQ Challenge #105. When I saw the color combination I was in love! I cased a card that was used for last months PTI Blog Hop, it was simple yet beautiful. I would have never put these colors together on my own but plan to use them over and over again. It is the perfect combination for Thanksgiving cards too. Thanks for taking a peek.

Ingredients
White and Black Card Stock: PTI
Green, Brown and Purple Card Stock: SU
Stamps: PTI - Half & Half
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black
Brads: unknown

Trick or Treat

2011-10-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

I made these today for a few of my co-workers. They were so much fun and so easy too! I recycled clear plastic boxes that the PTI stamps come in (my boxes will never hit the recycle bin again). I even put out a search on the PTI forum for extras to use at school for a craft project for my kids, should be lots of fun.
Thanks for taking a peek!

I used scor-tape on the outside of the boxes and then placed the ribbon over the top and back around to create a handle. Cut some Halloween paper to line the front, back and bottoms and then filled with candy. I added some decorations on both sides that I found in Target's scrap booking isle on clearance and then a card in each. The candy keeps the paper in place so no need to add any more adhesive. Can't wait to make the deliveries tomorrow!

Ingredients
Printed Paper: PTI - Hocus Pocus
Ribbon: PTI and Michael's
Embellishments: K&Company - Spooktaclar
Adhesive: Scor-Tape
Clear Boxes: PTI

Homemade Buttons

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

I really loved what my friend Joyce, from Cards-by-the-Sea did with the ingredients from last months "4 of a Kind" challenge. With so many of the supplies left over from making my own card I decided to case the card that Joyce made with just a few little changes. A while back Joyce made the beautiful buttons and whenever I make a card that needs buttons I pull out the little bag that she sent me to see if any will match and this time it was the perfect match! What a talented lady she is! Be sure to check out her blog too. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients - All PTI
Solid Paper: Royal Velvet and Rustic White
Printed Paper: Pacific Vineyard
Stamps: Button Boutique
Dies: Button Boutique and Dress Form
Ink: Distress - peeled paint
Buttons: Joyce

Well it has been a long week...

2011-10-01T18:10:00.000-07:00

I had intended to make this a very productive week with some card making but by Monday afternoon I could feel a migraine starting and it lasted for about 4 1/2 days. I had made a few cards to post but just never really felt up to it. So finally headache free and after a fun day at our school/church rummage sale I am ready to post the cards I made last week.

The first card is one for a girlfriend of mine who turned 62 this past friday. I had planned to post it to the CAS-ual Fridays challenge but that never happened. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Paper: SU - white
Printed Paper: Cosmo Criket Mini Deck - DeLovely
Dies: PTI - By the Numbers
Stamps: PTI - Big Birthday Wishes
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black
Flower: Prime Fairytale Roses - Buttercup

The next card is one I made for Christmas and just love how fun it is. Last Christmas my mom had used these little santa hats on gifts, so I made sure to save them all. I knew at some point I would find a use for them and here it it. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Solid Paper: Creative Memories
Printed Paper: Doodlebug - Christmas Pack
Santa Hats: My mom
Dies: PTI - Dress Form and Fiskars - Snowflake
Stamps: PTI - Signature Christmas and It's Offical
Ribbon and Lace: Britex Fabrics
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black and SU- Real Red

Make It Monday #33 Frosted Images

2011-09-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

This weeks topic is "frosted images" and I thought and thought about what images and colors to use and then it hit...Halloween. What better than to have a witch flying across the foggy sky on Halloween night and it only took me two attempts to get it right! This is my first time doing the MIM and making frosted images and I have to say both process were fun and I plan to do it again.

Ingredients - all PTI
Stamps: Spooky Sweets
Buttons: Autumn Mix
Printed Paper: Hocus Pocus
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black and SU - White Pigment

Two More Birthdays!

2011-09-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

It has been nice having a good chunk of the day to be creative. I have all of my supplies spread out everywhere and my desk really looks more like a big mess rather than a place to make cards. I made two more birthday cards today, one is a bit more retro using PTI's Ad Sense stamps and dies and the second using the By the Numbers dies. I love the My Minds Eye paper pad, most of the papers already have a retro feel to them and they pair very well with the Ad Sense stamps. Thanks again for taking a peek!

The first card it also one for the Card Patterns Sketch #133...I made the card but did not realize that I could use it for this callenge until one of my PTI forum friends pointed it out...too much fun. I love making cards for challenges, makes me think outside the box a bit more.

Ingredients for Retro Birthday
Solids Paper: PTI - New Leaf
Printed Paper: My Minds Eye - lime twist
Stamps: PTI - Ad Sense
Dies: PTI - Ad Sense
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black

Ingredients for 13th Birthday
Solid Paper: PTI New Leaf
Buttons: PTI
Die: PTI - By the Numbers
Printed Paper: My Minds Eye - lime twist
Stamps: Big Birthday Wishes
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black

Happy Birthday...CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #20

2011-09-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

Today's card is for another CAS-ual Fridays Challenge and this week's challenge is mini cards, no bigger than 4in by 4 in, so that is just what I did. I have had the By the Numbers dies from PTI for months and have never pulled them out to play with so when I saw this weeks challenge I thought they would be just perfect for a "mini" birthday card. The printed paper is from My Minds Eye, lime twist 6x6 pad. I loved the designs in the set, but the trains were just too cute and knew they would make a great children's birthday card. I loved the way the card turned out that I had to make a "big"one as well. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients
Dies: PTI By the Numbers
Printed Paper: My Minds Eye - lime twist
Solid Paper: PTI - Summer Sunrise
Stamps: Big Birthday Wishes
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black

4 of a Kind...Take Two

2011-09-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Edit...Terri is the winner of the PTI blog candy! Thanks so much for the sweet comments.
Please send me your email address so I can send you your prize.

Welcome back to the second round of 4 of a Kind! This is my month to host and I have been so excited to do this post. I thought for a long while about what I would be doing, went through all of my stamps, dies, paper, and embellishments and still was at a loss, and then it hit me...a sewing theme. I have been sewing since 7th grade (so for about 40+ years), so why not a card using elements of sewing. Buttons, button cards, thread, dress forms and patterned paper just to start with. I spent an entire day cutting and stamping and figuring out how to mail everything out so that nothing was lost or bent. Before I started cutting and packaging I wanted to get a picture of all the ingredients.

Here is picture of the little goodie bags I sent the rest of the ladies...too cute!

This is a picture of my finished card...I did a little bit of sewing on my card to go along with the theme. I used 7 of my ingredients on the card and added some seam binding too. I really had a blast making this card and hope that you will enjoy hopping over to each of the other blogs and leaving kind words.

Card Ingredients...All PTI
Stamps: Button Boutique
Dies: Dress Form, Double Ended Banner and Button Card
Printed Paper: Pacific Vineyard
Solid Paper: Rustic White and Ripe Avocado
Seam Binding: Coats & Clark
Ink: Distress Ink - peeled paint
Bakers Twine: Chocolate
Buttons: Ripe Avocado, Royal Velvet and Fine Linen
Impression Plate: Damask Designs

So now for the fun part of this challenge...below are the links to my PTI forum friends who will be making cards all using the same ingredients.

I will be offering some blog candy in honor of this months challenge...a $10.00 PTI Gift Certificate and all you need to do to win is:

1. Become a Follower of all FOUR Blogs if you aren't already.

2. Leave a comment on all four blogs telling us what you think of the cards we made and how it may inspire you.

I will randomly choose a winner on Wednesday, September 21st, so be sure to check back to see if you are the lucky winner!

Cathy Weber - Empty Nest Crafter

Joyce Mehrberg - Cards-by-the-Sea

Renee Lynch - It's A Patchwrok Life

Thanks for taking a peek at all of our cards.

Love this time of year!

2011-09-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

We are getting a bit cooler weather and even had a thunder and lightening show last night...this time of year is my favorite. You can almost smell it in the air and I am really looking forward to much cooler days, fires in the fireplace and pulling out all of my fall clothes, especailly the Halloween t-shirts from Target to layer with long sleeve t's. I even went as far as lighting a mulled cider candle and baking an apple pie. The pie is actually a birthday gift for one of my daughters friends, so we will not be cutting into it tonight, maybe I should have made two to them...

To keep with the fall theme today, I made a few Halloween treat holders for a PTI forum friend and some of my co-workers too. The tall orange package with the band holds a Hershey bar and the stripe package is holding a Reeses PeanutButter Cup. They were so fun and easy to put together that by the end of the day I had made a dozen of each.

Ingredients
Solid Paper: SU
Printed Paper: Creative Memories
Stickers: Creative Memories
Ribbon: Michaels
Stamps: Close to my Heart - Creepy Cobwebs and Michaels Recollections - Halloween
Dies: PTI Limitless Layers
Crimper: Fiskars

Tea for Three

2011-09-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday!
I have been busy making cards today and was inspired by a card made by Lynn from The Queen's Scene Blog (she is an incredibly talented lady and I could not help casing one of her cards). After seeing what she did I decided to use the same stamped image and make three different cards. I love the yellow on the cards, it's so bright and cheerful, can't help but smile when I look at them. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients...
Solid Paper: Stampin Up
Printed Paper: DCWV - Lemon Flower and PTI - 2008 Bitty Dots
Paper Flowers: Prima Flowers - Fairytale Roses Buttercup
Buttons: PTI - Harvest Mix
Ribbon: Britex Fabrics Velvet Ribbon
Stamps: PTI - Tea For Two and Tea For Two Additions
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black and Memento - Dandelion
Bling: Kaiser Rhinestones
Dies: PTI - Tea Pot
Foam Tape: 3M

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2011-09-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Here is another card for CAS-ual Fridays weekly challenge. This weeks the theme is What's Black and White and Read all over? Part of the challenge is that the card needs to a representaion of a book as well, but other than a song title, Oh Christmas Tree, can't find a book, so I am hoping that this will work too (I'm sure the song is in a book). As soon as I saw the theme I knew exactly what I wanted to make. I have had this Christmas Tree stamp for about a year and just love it! I stamp it in black and then add some colored bling, ribbon, or paper flowers. Since CAS-ual Fridays always wants clean and simple cards, that's what I did, sweet, simple and fast to make.
I'm also doing this weeks Play Date Cafe Challenge, it incorpoates the same color scheme, one of my favorites, Black, White and Red, reminds me of Twilight and Disney!
Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients...
Solid Paper: Stampin Up
Bling: doodlebug jewels - ladybug
Stamps: Penny Black - Starlit and PTI - Signature Christmas
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black

Boo!

2011-08-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

Halloween is my favorite holiday and when I saw the CAS-ual Fridays challenge this week (a card made using stickers), I knew I would make my card a Halloween one. I love stickers almost as much as I love Halloween, and with both the card making and scrapbooking industry trends have moved away from using them, I still try and squeeze a few in now and again. This card was so quick and easy to make that I think I will be pulling out a few more stickers from my stash. Thanks for taking a peek!

Ingredients...
Paper: Club Scrap - Wheel & Sprocket
Stickers: Creative Memories
Alphabet Stickers: Creative Memories
Foam Tape: 3M

My Craft Room

2011-08-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

I have to say I really LOVE my crafting space! It is my favorite room in the house and always makes me smile when I walk in...I am very blessed to have a room all to myself for my crafts, but occasionally make space for my husband while he is working on the crossword puzzles.

I am a major Disney/Mickey Mouse and I Love Lucy fan and as soon as you walk in you can figure that out. Most of the room, say 90% is Disney and rest is my Lucy corner. My husband was sweet enough to help me paint or should I say set up the laser level for the Mickey stripes (they had to be as perfect as I could get). My mom helped me decorate the walls, knowing just where to place everything. I do add new things and put old ones away at times. I have so much Disney/Mickey Mouse stuff, I just don't have enough room to display all of it and my craft supplies.

I Love Lucy corner...love the Barbie dolls!

My desk is from Ikea, it's large enough for me to really spread out and since I'm the only using the room, I can just leave what ever I am working on out.

The white folding table is my cutting table. I do a fair amount of sewing and both sides fold up and give me a very large space. It also doubles as a space of extra supplies while working on projects.

Before I started making cards and found PTI, I scrapbooked and one of the book cases is filled wtih albums of our family from when I got married to Ashleigh graduating high school. Seems like the older they get the less pictures are taken (I think that is because they are doing more with their friends rather than family). The second book case is filled with stamps, paper, Cricut, paper trimmers and all kinds of supplies for being creative.

Last photo...this is the door to my favorite spot in the house. I made the Christmas wreath from McDonalds Happy Meal toys when Disneyland was celebrating it's 50th Anniversary. Behind the door are all of my edge punches, love that they are all in one spot.

Thanks for taking a peek into where play whenever I get the extra time!

One more card...

2011-08-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

I have another entry to CAS-ual Fridays Embossing challenge this time using snowflakes as my theme. I haven't used embossing powder in awhile and forgot how much fun it is to use. Hope you enjoy the card.

Supplies Used
Solid and Printed Paper: Creavite Memories
Ink: VersaMark
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug - Snowflakes
Stamps: PTI - 2008 Holiday Tag Collection and Signature Christmas
Embossing Powder: Stampendous - White

Back to School...

2011-08-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year again, back to school and back to work. I won't complain too much with having most of the summer off (taught summer school the month of July, but no stress, just lots of fun). I love making goodies and treats for my coworkers, so here's a card that I made to hand out to a few of my favorite buddies. I cased this card from one of the PTI blogs, but for the life of me can't remember who so that I can give them credit. What I love most about this card is the use of the VersaMark ink with the alphabet background stamp. Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used - All PTI unless otherwise stated
Solid Paper: Kraft, White, New Leaf and True Black
Ink: VersaMark, VersaFine-Onyx Black, SU-Real Red and SU-Green Galore
Ribbon: Saddle Stitch-Pure Poppy
Die: Spiral Notebook Page, Circle Punch
Stamps: School Time and It's Offical

Sympathy Card

2011-08-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

I made this card for a very dear friend who's dog, Adios passed away. I did not have anything pet related stamp or paper wise, so I went with something sweet and simple. I used the vine die that my forum friend Joyce was sweet enough to cut for me since I don't own that die yet. Not sure what color paper she used to cut the die out with but it was close enough to PTI Lemon Tart that you really don't notice the slight difference. Thank you for taking a peek.

Supplies Used - All PTI unless otherwise stated
Solid Paper: Lemon Tart and Berry Sorbet
Printed Paper: Cosmo Cricket - Pixie-licious
Ink: VersaFine - Onyx Black
Felt: Harvest Gold
Die: Leafy Vine Border and Beautiful Blooms II #3
Button: Fine Linen
Stamps: Simple Sentiments

CAS-ual Fridays Embossing Challenge

2011-08-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

This is my second card challenge with CAS-ual Friday. It is always nice to be inspired to try something different. I have several embossing mats from Cuttlebug and I finally got tempted to pull them out and give them a try and I love the way my card turned out...kind of fairy tale looking. Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used
Paper: SU White
Printed Paper: KI Memories
Bling: Kaiser Rhinestones
Die: PTI Limitless Layers
Embossing Mat: Cuttlebug Swirls

4 of a Kind - Cupcake Card Challenge

2011-08-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

I was invited to join 3 incredibly talented ladies, Cathy, Joyce and Renee to showcase cards that we make, all of us using the same supplies but with different finished products. I am so excited and honored to be a part of this group and have been looking forward to posting my card for several weeks. Please check out their blogs to see what they have created and leave a comment on each one. Cathy will choose a winner at random for a PTI Gift Certificate. Here is my card ...