2011 - A Retrospective

I'm jumping on the 'year in review' bandwagon.  It's been so fun reading every one else's. 

I started my blog in August of this year, but prior to that, I had a gallery at Splitcoaststampers.  So, my cards from January - July are from SCS, and my cards from August - December are from my blog.  It's been fun looking back over the year to put this post together.

January

February

March

April

 

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Join in the fun!

Do you have any fun plans for tonight?  We always have a family night in, with an elaborate dinner normally cooked by my husband.  This year, he has enlisted our daughters as sous chefs.  I am always the pastry chef (and dish washer).  

Happy new year to all.  See you next year.  And,

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XOXO

This week's CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, CFC #33 is to use kraft and twine on a project.  Here is my first project:

I actually used the medium size heart die from Heart Prints to cut 30 hearts and glued them down to form the background for this card.  Please don't ask me why I didn't just wait a couple of hours for the PTI package I knew was coming that included the heart border die... Anyway, I like how this background turned out, but I am glad that I bought that border die.

I'm going to try to play along with this challenge again later on in the week, using some of my many Market Street stamps.


Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps:  Heart Prints, Think Big Favorites
Paper:  Kraft, White
Other:  Twine, Heart Prints dies

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Runway Inspired Thanks

I am still attempting to become fashionable by participating in the Runway Inspired Challenges.  It's not working yet, but I am not giving up.  For ric#2, we have this photo for inspiration:

This was a particularly challenging photo, since there were so many different elements to choose from.  I chose to focus in on:  the black stripes, the circles on the strap of the handbag, and the colors--kraft, green, purple, and mustard.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps:  Background Basics Retro, Tiny Tags, Half & Half
Paper:  White, Kraft, Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding
Other:  Eyelet, Half & Half Dies, twine

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Sending You Thanks

I just had to pop in with another quick post, my second post of the day.  I was so excited to receive this 'Thank You" set in my Papertrey package last night.  Even though I was eagerly awaiting all the items I had ordered, I just had to pull out this stamp and use it right away.  I think it looks really nice with Canyon Clay.

I think I have the beginnings of a 'thank you' set.  Here it is using Amuse Currant ink and Scarlet Jewel Paper.  This stamp looks like it was designed for the Mat Stack #5, doesn't it?

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps:  a big thank you
Paper:  Canyon Clay, Scarlet Jewel, Rustic Cream
Other:  Mat Stack #5 Die, Woodgrain IP

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Hugs & Kisses

My card today is for the ColourQ challenge, cQc #117.  The challenge is black, white, and any one color.  I have been thinking of Valentines, so picked red as my one color. I had this card completed except for the sentiment, when my PTI package arrived.  I thought this month's Think Big sentiment was a perfect fit.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps:  Stitches & Swirls, Think Big Favorites
Paper:  White, Pure Poppy, True Black
Other:  Pinking Edger Die

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Let it Snow

I promise this is my last holiday card for the year.  I've got one more card before I hit the maximum allowed entries into the St. Luke's Charity Card Challenge.  This card, plus a bunch of general occasion cards that I have culled from my stash, will be sent into St. Luke's to help them fund their operations.  I must admit, the idea that someone might actually pay money (pounds, at that) for one of my cards is kind of exciting.  And, if that money can help those in need, all the better.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps:  Friendship Jar and Holiday Fillers
Paper:  Misc Bazzil Colors
Other:  SU Punch, Friendhip Jar Lid die, Sizzix embossing folder

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December Papertrey Blog Hop: Holiday Leftovers Challenge

This month, the challenge at PTI's blog hop is "Leftovers".  Use some of the leftovers from holiday preparations or things you have received.  I love this challenge--what a 'green' idea--reuse and recycle.  I immediately thought of the sweet tag that was on the gift I received from Marybeth when we got together earlier in the month.  

Here is what I received from Marybeth that day:

It only took a few minutes to turn that tag into this card:

In keeping with the theme of recycling and reusing, I recycled this card layout, which was originally cased from this card by Elena.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas or just a happy Sunday with family and friends.  Enjoy the rest of the hop.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Tag:  Marybeth

Stamps:  Christmas Label, Hero Arts Envelope Pattern

Paper:  Holiday Flourishes & Swirls, Ripe Avocado, Fine Linen

Other:  Edgers Die

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Tags Just for Fun

I don't think it's just me that can't stop turning every die into a tag--I've seen a lot of cute tags out there...I went through my box of PTI dies, and just picked a few random cuties to turn into tags, just for fun.  I'm sure I'll find a good use for each of them sometime in the coming year.  If you haven't already seen this week's PTI Make it Monday Video #46: Any die into a folded tag, check it out for yourself and join in on the fun.

And, here is the group photo:

Dies/Stamps used:  Boy Basic Frog Hop, Its a Jungle Out There, Heart Prints, Tea for Two

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More Tags (& Sweets)

I am loving the technique for making any die a tag that was shown on this week's Make-It-Monday #46.

I've got some tags that I whipped up quickly to go along with a new recipe I tried for English Toffee.

 

 

They all open up and look like this inside:

Here they are all together:

Here is a peek at what I made the tags for:

English Toffee

This is my second batch of toffee since yesterday.  I am still fiddling around, trying to get to what I consider the perfect recipe.  This batch looks identical to the previous batch, but home taste tests say this is more delicious.  I think there is a third batch in my future, probably next week.  At any rate, it is so much easier than what I made for most of my home made gifts, which were chocolate and vanilla caramels, each one individually wrapped.  Good, but WAY too much work for more than once or twice a year.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Happy Holidays:
Stamps:  Holiday Lights
Paper:  White
Other:  Tag Sale Die

Oh Deer:
Stamps:  Tiny Treats Christmas, Tiny Treats Birthday, Mat Stack #2
Paper:  Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy
Other:  Mat Stack #2, Limitless Layers Dies

Holly Jolly:
Stamps:  Shape Up Snowman, Holiday Lights
Paper:  Pure Poppy, White, Hawaiian Shores
Other:  Shape Up Snowman, Mat Stack #4 Dies

 

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Penguin Thank You Notes

I made a quick little set of thank you notes for my daughter, Rachel, to use for her Chanukah gifts.  I am entering them into this week's CAS-Friday "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" CFC#32 challenge.  I based these note cards on this owl set I made over the summer for Sarah's birthday.  Sarah still has some of hers left, so she will use them for her Chanukah gifts.

 

I made 8 notecards, in a variety of colors.  Here is what I could fit in my photo:

Here are some of the envelopes:

Here is a note card with its envelope:

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Paper Smooches Pretty Phrases, PTI Winter Penguin, Rock On, Fillable Frames
Paper:  White
Other:  Winter Penguin Die

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