Cards-by-the-Sea

Make it Monday and a Wonderful Honor

2012-02-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

In the past few days, I have been selected by three different blogging friends to receive this honor:

Liebster' is German for 'dearest'. The award is a 'share-the-love' arrangement, given to inspirational bloggers with less than 200 followers.

Here's the to-do list of any Liebster award recipient:

Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
Reveal your five blogger picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog
Copy and paste the award on your blog (see above)
Hope that those you award forward it to their favourite bloggers

Below are five favorite bloggers who have different styles but always inspire me with their work. I love having this chance to let them know how lucky I have been to meet them through this shared stamping adventure!

First, I'd like to thank JJ Bolton of Ribbon Girls who first gave me this honor. I was so surprised and pleased when I heard this. JJ is a super sweet and talented crafter, and I have practically worn out my "Pin it" button while viewing her blog.

Next, I heard from Jen W. of JENerally Speaking, who passed the award on to me as well. I have only been following Jen for a short time, but I have found so much inspiration on her blog. I look forward to getting to know Jen better and to seeing more of her creations. Thanks, Jen, for thinking of me.

Then, this morning, my dear friend Renee of Its a Patchwork Life honored me again. Thank you, Renee. I am in several blogging groups with Renee, and she has become a good friend as well. She has the incredible ability to create a stunning CAS card with 3 elements one day, and then the next day, something so elaborate, I could look at it for a week and still not see everything.

Now, it's my turn to pass the love. There are so many inspirational bloggers out there, but I am going to try to name some of my favorite blogs that have not been mentioned recently. All of these blogs are written by super nice women and talented crafters, and I would encourage you to stop by and check them out:

Carol of Crafty "Magra"

Jess of Card Designs by Jess

Kristin of Creative Syzgy

Marybeth of Marybeth's Time for Paper

Tracey of In My Creative Opinion

And now, for something crafty (and yummy)...

My daughter recently made a little something to give to a friend for her birthday. Of course, we had to package it with a loopsy daisy bow and a glitter button, using this week's MIM #54 technique. I don't know that I'll ever use another button without glitter again!

In case you were wondering what was in the box, here is a peek:

I found this recipe when I was reading Mara's blog, Love Your Mother. She posted pictures and a link to a recipe for Chocolate Chip Caramel Cookie Bars that had me rushing into the kitchen. My 12 year old daughter was able to make these pretty much on her own, and they are as delicious as they look. Click here for better pictures on Mara's blog, and here for the recipe at Two Peas & Their Pod.

Well, this was a pretty long post. If you've gotten to the end, I owe you a Chocolate Chip Caramel Cookie Bar next time I see you.

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Papertrey February 2012 Blog Hop

2012-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

This month's Papertrey blog hop is all about interactive cards. I was lucky enough to get my February order in time to break into my goodies and use them on a card. I made a birthday card for my daughter's good friend, and used three interactive elements.

I used Its a Jungle stamp set and die to create my spinning creature. My daughter wanted a tiger, rather than a cheetah, so she drew in some stripes. I used the curved die from Spinners to create the track, and the straight die for my sentiment.

My second interactive feature is the glow in the dark embossing powder I used to emboss those harvest berries branches that make up this tiger's jungle.

For my third interactive feature, I put a message inside the card, using the zipper dies and Movers and Shakers sentiments.

Here is what it looked like before I put it together:

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Its a Jungle, Movers and Shakers Sentiments, Harvest Berries, Paper Source Owl
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Simply Chartreuse, Spring Moss
Other: Spinners & Zippers dies, Its a Jungle Dies, Fiskars Grass Punch, SU Square Lattice Embossing Folder

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Spotlight On: Garden Variety and Year of Flowers Mini

2012-02-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today a few friends and I are hosting a mini blog hop, spotlighting two Papertrey stamp sets: Garden Variety and Year of Flowers Mini. Turns out we all had one or both of these sets, and they weren't seeing as much love as we expected when we bought them. Or, in my case, no love at all. So, we all agreed to pull these sets out, play around with them, and all post on the same day.

I started out how I normally start with a new or challenging stamp set. I find an expert and CASE!

My first card was inspired by this card by Maile Belles:

This next card was inspired by this card by Dawn McVey and is also my submission for this weeks CR84FN84 challenge to use Chartreuse, Gray and Lavender.

This card was inspired by this card by Erin Lincoln:

After CASE-ing three cards, I felt like I could fly solo, and created the following two cards. Lucky for me, my daughter was around, so she colored the flowers on these cards with Copics.

I'm eager to see what my friends have created with these sets. I must say that I was going to put them up for sale if I couldn't come up with any good ideas after really trying to use these sets. I am happy to report that I think I'll keep them. And, after I see what the others have created, I will probably have even more ideas about how to use these sets. Please hop on over to these blogs, and see what they have done with Year of Flowers Mini and Garden Variety. And, if you have either of these sets, and want to join in the fun, please do so. Just post a card, and let us know in the comments, so we can come visit you.

Kim

Renee

Marybeth

Gayatri

Jen

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Big News and One Layer Wednesday

2012-02-22T13:47:00.000-08:00

I have some exciting news to announce: I am a Paper Doll!!! I have been asked to join a really fabulous group of women paper crafters, and I am just so thrilled and honored to be a part of their group. We will be hosting challenges starting in March, and I don't know what else, but I am ready and willing. You can see the other members of this group on my new sidebar to the left. Click here to go to our Paper Dolls website.

I have a card for this week's One Layer Wednesday OLW80 which is to use two colors, two images, and masking. Sentiments are optional but must be in one of the two colors, just to make the whole thing more ~~diabolical~~, um, challenging. (Susan's words, not mine). I found the challenge fun and interesting. I may try to do some more if I have time.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps: Background Basics Circles, Hero Arts Thank You Messages

Paper: White

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Hello

2012-02-21T15:45:00.000-08:00

I've got a quick card for this week's Play Date Cafe PDCC119, black, white and a splash of hot pink. I think I am getting this card in almost at the last possible moment, but better late than never.

I used Hero Arts Dictionary Greetings, and then highlighted parts with a hot pink highlighter pen. The quotes were cut with Papertrey numbers dies, which also come with lots of symbols, too. A bit of hot pink twine from the Twinery finishes off this simple card.

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Make it Monday #2

2012-02-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

I'm back with another card for this week's Make it Monday #54: Glitter Buttons. This time I used several buttons I made myself using these flower and these button molds and polymer clay. I used stickles Diamond to add the glitter.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Gingham, Background Basics Newsprint, Tag-it's
Paper: Spring Moss, Vintage Cream
Other: Buttons, Stickles, Quickutz Scallop die, Twine

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Waltzingmouse and Papertrey Challenges

2012-02-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

I'm playing along with this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge WMSC85. This is the sketch:

WM Birthday Card

I'm also playing along with this week's Papertrey Make it Monday #54: Glitter Buttons. I really wanted to use one of the Memory Box window dies Renee sent to me, and was inspired by this card by Kara. I had spray adhesive at home, so I used that technique.

PTI Missing You

Supplies Used:
WM Birthday Card
Stamps: WM Eat Cake, Cameo to Go
Paper: Vintage Cream, Berry Sorbet, Studio Calico Autumn Press
Other: PTI Take Three Die, Circle Punch, Ribbon, Button, Stickles

PTI Missing You

Stamps: Tree Tops, Fillable Frames, Gingham

Paper: Kraft, Rustic Cream, Canyon Clay, Distressed Dots, Fall Prints

Other: Memory Box Window Die, Fiskars Grass Punch, Double Sided Banner Die, Linen IP, Kraft Ribbon, Martha Stewart Glitter

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Happy Birthday

2012-02-19T18:24:00.000-08:00

I got a brand new die in the mail today, and when I saw that die and this card by my friend Cathy, I knew I needed to play along with this week's Card Patterns Sketch #153. I've never played with Card Patterns Sketches before, but today seemed as good a day as any to start. I'm also playing along with this week's Less is More Challenge #55 to use punches or die cuts, and this week's CAS-ual Friday's CFC#40: Tie one On.

The other 'Joyce' on the PTI forum has suggested that we take a moment today to honor Nicole, Jenn and all the other folks behind the scenes at Papertrey. This card is dedicated them, as they are responsible for every single element on this card except the die cut. Now that I am thinking about it, I probably should have made this a 'thank you' card. Oh, well--they all have birthdays, too--right?

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Think Big Favorites
Paper: White, Simply Chartreuse, Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores
Other: Memory Box Piestra Die, Hawaiian Shores Button, Raspberry Fizz Saddle Stitch Ribbon

Two Cards for Five Challenges

2012-02-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun playing with Enjoy the Ride and my coaster car that I decided to play again. This card also uses a coaster for the car and is for this week's MIM#53 Creative Coasters, CAS-Friday's CFC#40 Tie One On and A Passion for Papertrey Stripes challenge. I was inspired to make my card out of patterned paper by this card I saw recently on Ginger Pie Designs.

Party Car

My next card is for this week's One Layer Wednesday challenge, OLW79: Stamp, Stamp, Stamp, where the challenge is to use as many stamps as possible on a one layer card, with the minimum being at least three. I used the colors from this week's CR84FN48, which were Chartreuse, Gray and Lavender. My card uses 8 different stamps.

Thoughtful Flowers

Supplies Used (PTI):
Party Car
Stamps: Enjoy the Ride, Just the Ticket
Paper: Summer Sunrise, White, Echo Park Splah
Other: Dies: Enjoy the Ride, Just the Ticket, Mat Stack #3 & Layerz 3, Saddle Stitch Ribbon, Button

Thoughtful Flowers
Stamps: Flower Fusion, Daydreamer, Fillable Frames
Paper: White

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Bicycle Note Card Set

2012-02-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

I recently participated in a Spin-a-thon fundraiser to help my local Y raise money to send low income kids in the community to camp. I have done this every year, and it is the biggest spinning party around. It is such a fun party. If you are a regular reader, you know how addicted I am to spinning, and how many great card ideas I get when I'm just sittin' and spinnin'.

I made this card set for the gal who organized the entire event. I was inspired by these cards by my friend Kristin.

Here is what the set looked like all packaged up:

Here is a picture of me on my bike. We had crazy hats and all sorts of other stuff to decorate our bikes and ourselves:

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Hero Arts Joy Ride, Paper Smooches Pretty Phrases, PTI Background Basics Gingham, Homemade Hodgepodge, Clear Dollar Bicycle
Paper: PTI White, Kraft
Other: Dies: Celebrations, Limitless Layers Ovals

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College Bound

2012-02-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

This is my second post of the day. For my Waltzingmouse Blog Party card, please click here.

This week's Make Monday #53 is all about Creative Coasters. I used a coaster to cut out the adorable car from Enjoy the Ride. Then, I cut some Aqua Mist paper, adhered the two together and then completely saturated it in Perfect Pearls mist. In real life, this car is VERY shiny. This card is going to my niece, who is eagerly awaiting the remainder of her college acceptances. She's gotten enough so she knows she will be going somewhere, not enough to make a final decision.

Supplies Used (PTI);
Stamps: Enjoy the Ride, Background Basics Circles, Polka Dot Basics, Think Big Favorites
Paper: Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Pure Poppy
Other: Dies: Enjoy the Ride, Mat Stack 4 Layerz, Pinking Edger

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Waltzingmouse February Blog Party: Welcome Spring

2012-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today I have a card for the February Waltzingmouse Blog Party. The theme is spring. This was easy for me. I live in San Diego, and almost every winter day feels like spring. I think I will send this card to someone who lives where it is cold (like below 65 degrees).

I don't have too many Waltzingmouse sets yet, but I have generous friends who have sent me images and even lent me stamps so I could play along. Cathy from Empty Nest Crafter sent me these adorable birds, and Kim from Cupcakes, Cards and Kim lent me her Off Beat Background set. Aren't they the best?

Supplies Used
Stamps: Sewing Box Hugs, Off Beat Backgrounds, PTI Wreath for all Seasons
Paper: PTI Bitty Dot, White

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Happy Birthday Cathy

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATHY

SURPRISE!!!!!

Now, you can open your present from me, and hop along to see who else is at your surprise party.

Joyce (that's me)
Renee
Kim
Marybeth
Jeanne
Sharron
Jessica
Kara

My card was inspired by this card that I saw on My Simple Escape during the January PTI blog hop.

If you would like to stop by Cathy's blog and leave her some birthday love, click here.

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Four-of-a-Kind #6

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

It's time for our February Four-of-a-Kind. This is the sixth in a series of monthly posts where Cathy, Kim, Renee and I challenge ourselves to make a card out of a kit sent to us by the hostess of the month. The hostess for the month makes four kits and sends them out to each of us. We work secretly to create a card using at least 4 items from the kit. No other rules or restrictions. We are allowed to use anything else we have on hand. We get to see each others cards today, on each of our blog posts. We are scheduling our posts to go live at the same time. I can't wait to see what everyone has created.

Earlier this month, my daughter offered to make us a logo. So now, whenever you see this logo, you will know it's time for the four of us to have some fun and make something special.

Kim is the hostess this month, and she sent us a wonderful package full of goodies, all wrapped up like a present.

When I opened the present, this is what I found:

I had to stop myself at 4 cards....

The other three members of Four-of-a-Kind are:

Cathy Weber: Empty Nest Crafter

Kim Heggins: Cupcakes, Cards and Kim

Renee Lynch: It's a Patchwork Life

Please stop by their blogs, if you haven't been there already, and see what they have created for our sixth Four-of-a-Kind post.

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Spinner Cards

2012-02-14T18:26:00.000-08:00

Today's challenge was to make an interactive card. I think that the challenge was probably designed to make me see how fun an interactive card could be, and how much I need those new dies. I am totally convinced. I used this tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers to make a couple of spinner cards using Frog Hop and Its a Jungle Out There. I used a SU Word Window punch to create the path for these spinner cards. It worked pretty well, but my placement was limited to where the punch could reach. Dies are much better, because I could put them anywhere on the paper. My mind is spinning (ha ha) with all the possibilities the new PTI dies would create.

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Get Well Soon

2012-02-13T17:03:00.000-08:00

I was able to sneak off and make one more card for today's butterfly and leaves challenge, since DH is in charge of dinner tonight. I was inspired by this card by Ribbon Girls that I saw on Day 7 of the Anniversary festivities.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Turning a New Leaf, BB: Text Style, Communique Sentiments
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Melon Berry, Sweet Blush
Other: Butterfly Die, Nestie Postage die

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Hi there

2012-02-13T14:02:00.000-08:00

Today, we were challenged to use both butterflies and leaves in our project. I used the butterfly from Happy Trails, and stamped the die cut butterflies with patterns from Bitty Background Blocks . The leaves are from Little Bitty Bird as well as Turning a New Leaf. The colors are off on my photo--the background is berry sorbet and the butterflies are sweet blush with berry sorbet ink.

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Valentine and Wedding Cards

2012-02-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

This is my last post for today's challenge, which is to use hearts on a project. I really liked this card that I made earlier in the week, and decided to make a few more variations today.

My husband asked if he needed to buy me a Valentine's Day card. Gotta love the romance of that guy! I told him I didn't believe in paying for cards anymore--but I would make him a Valentine he could give to me, and I would sell it to him for $100. He has no idea what a good deal that is. Here is the Valentine I made for DH to give to me:

Here is a peek at the inside (still unsigned):

Here's another Valentine for next year's stash:

I think these next two would be good Wedding or possibly Anniversary cards:

Stamps used are Background Basics Circles, Heart Prints, and Love & Marriage.

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Valentine Treats

2012-02-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

I'm back with another post for Papertrey's Anniversary celebration. I've got some sweet treat holders to show. My friend, Kim from Cupcakes, Cards and Kim sent me the cutest treat holder, amongst other goodies. The treat holders are called 'Sour Cream Containers' and here is a tutorial on SCS.

Here is one for my youngest daughter. The stamped owl was kindly sent to me by Marybeth, and my daughter, Rachel, did the coloring.

Rachel also colored this cute little dog, also sent to me by Marybeth. She does not know that she colored her own treat holder. Mom is tricky.

One more treat holder--this one for Sarah's homeroom teacher.

This is what it looks like along with the note card set I made and showed here. I just love that Loopsy Daisy die. The button on top is one I made with polymer clay.

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Valentines

2012-02-11T12:55:00.000-08:00

Today's Anniversary celebration challenge is to create a project that incorporates hearts. I decided to use up some of the patterned papers I bought this year, and get a jump on next year's Valentines stash. I used variations on the same overall layout that my friend, Janelle, has been using a lot. It's super simple, and really highlights the paper. All the stamping is done with PTI Heart Prints.

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Birthday Words

2012-02-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

I'm back with a card based on Sketch #2.

I was inspired by this card from Betsy Veldman today, and decided to use some bright cheery colors and my Think Big birthday set to create some patterned paper.

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Birthday Cards

2012-02-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

We were given 5 sketches to choose from for today's contest. I started with the first sketch:

I made two birthday cards using this sketch:

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Happy Birthday

2012-02-09T18:24:00.000-08:00

I believe that this will be my last card of the day. Three posts in one day is probably a record for me. But, I had a bit of time, the DT posts were so inspirational, and hey--who wouldn't want to try to win 5 free stamp sets.

I used Maile as my inspiration for this card. Here are her Pinterest photo and card:

I loved how she mixed different patterned papers together for a happy and cheery card. I pulled out my Lime Twist Life of the Party pack from my hoard, I mean stash, and just pulled a few random sheets out. I was trying to keep my card flat, so used two bitty birds and a rhinestone as my 'rule of three' for the embellishments.

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Joy and Happiness

2012-02-09T18:15:00.000-08:00

For my second card for today's contest, I used Jess Witty's Pinterest photo and card. Here is the photo she used:

And, here is her card:

I like how she used different heights and widths of paper strips to highlight a sentiment, so I did the same thing, using various PTI oranges and yellows. I used Scor tape and MS glitter on my card. This reminds me of the old game of telephone, because my card bears absolutely no relationship to the original photo.

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Owl Valentine

2012-02-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

Today's challenge is all about Pinterest. We were challenged to create a card inspired by a Pinterest photo. As soon as I saw Erin Lincoln's Pinterest photo and card, I knew I was going to make my youngest daughter's valentine.

Here is Erin's Pinterest photo:

And here is Erin's card:

I loved the jumblee alphabet and the owl tucked away on the card. I die cut letters out of some Valentines paper that had NO PINK in it and used them to spell the word LOVE. Sarah loves to find typos in books, so I had the letters all jumbled up, until the bottom, where they are properly arranged in order. I used a Tremendous Treats owl that my friend Marybeth was kind enough to stamp and send to me, since she knew I didn't have the set and I always need owls.

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Hugs and Kisses and Circles

2012-02-08T21:48:00.000-08:00

My Background Basics Circles set arrived in the mail today--it is the set I chose when I was the randomly chosen winner in the December PTI Blog hop--and I immediately broke it open and started to play. Now, I know I should have chosen one of the many beautiful color schemes given to us this morning as part of Papertrey's 5th Anniversary celebration and made another card to enter that challenge.

But a card popped into my head for this week's One Layer Wednesday, OLW#78, Circles, Circles Everywhere, and so I had to go with that. I used Aqua as my main (and only color) for this week's Less is More Week #53 challenge "Aqua".

After many botched attempts, generating lots of scrap paper, I was finally able to get my stamping and die cutting all to work together for this card. It's really true that these one layer cards leave no room for error and no place to hide mistakes. Good thing I was able to remind myself that "it's only paper".

Here is what it looks like opened up:

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Background Basics: Circles, Heart Prints
Paper: White
Other: Heart die

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Get Well with Dawn's Favorite Colors

2012-02-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

Today's contest for Papertrey's 5th Anniversary celebration is a color challenge. I chose to work with Dawn's color scheme, since I thought it would make a bright and cheery get well card. My mom, who has always been super active and young at heart, suddenly took gravely ill 2 weeks ago. She is on the mend now, but I think it will be a long road back to health. She has moved from the hospital to a rehab facility, and I think my cards really cheer her up.

I repeatedly stamped the 'Get Well Soon' sentiment from Sending You in berry sorbet ink, and layered a berry sorbet quatrefoil die cut over the text. I tried the prisma color shading technique on my Berry Sorbet sunflower that I have been seeing others use on their Rosie Posie flowers. It's a bit hard to see colors in this picture, but the button in the center of the flower is Raspberry Fizz. No, I did not mean to keep that one little piece in the quatrefoil die cut, but it wouldn't come out, and I decided to go with it. At least it is in the middle.

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Inspired by Maile

2012-02-06T15:33:00.000-08:00

I'm back with another card for day 2 of PTI's anniversary festivities. Click here to learn more and join the party. Now, as a mom, I know it's not nice to pick favorites. But, I must confess that if someone told me that I could only visit one PTI designer's blog ever, that designer would be Maile Belles. I admire everything about her style, and I would say her clean and simple stamping style has had the greatest impact on my own style. I've only been at this card-making gig for about a year and a half, and I feel like Maile has taught me almost everything I know.

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Inspired by Heather

2012-02-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

For day 2 of PTI's 5th anniversary celebration, we were provided with loads of free downloaded images to play with. I chose to use this sweet Little Bitty Bird image by Heather Nichols. Click here to get your free images and play along.

Little Bitty Bird is one of my favorite guys, and when I saw him in Ocean Tides, with all those polka dots, I knew that he was the one for me today. I am just in awe of Heather Nichol's design talent. Her style is one I struggle to emulate--it's just so unique and appealing. I'm still working on it. She also seems like such a nice, genuine person, and I really enjoy learning more about her family through her blog posts and scrapbook pages.

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Inspired by Dawn

2012-02-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

What an exciting week at Papertrey. Our day one challenge is to pick one of the team members favorite projects to use as inspiration for your very own creation. You can find out more about this challenge and all the anniversary festivities here. I chose this project and these favorites from Dawn.

I used 4 out of her 5 favorites--so easy to do, as I love all those things, too. And, with a nod and a wink to Maile Belles, I made my background out of Chevron Stripes. I can't believe I managed to make a card without Rosie Posie today, but instead used Dawn's latest stamp set, Congratulations.

Personally, I have found Dawn to be a fabulous source of inspiration, and I am grateful to her for sharing her creativity and positive spirit every day. She has taken me out of my comfort zone many times. Whenever I think of Raspberry Fizz and layered die cuts, I think of Dawn.

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Boy Birthday

2012-02-03T07:45:00.000-08:00

I made this card a while back, and realized I never posted it! I drew inspiration from Leigh's card here and Karen's card here to come up with this birthday card for my nephew's 7th birthday.

Here is a peek at the inside. The Toys R Us giftcard that is tucked into the library card pocket will probably be the most interesting part of the card for him.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps: Grunge Me, Boy Basic Circles, Rock On, IO Cover a Card Distressed Corduroy, Big Birthday Wishes

Paper: Kraft, White, Pure Poppy, True Black

Other: Library Card Pocket Die, EK Success Edger punch, Circle Punch

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Clean and Simple Card Making Class: Card Sets

2012-02-02T09:39:00.000-08:00

It seems like it's been forever since I posted an assignment for this class. The class is technically over, but we actually have the rest of eternity to finish our homework. Now that's my kind of class. My post today is for Day 10--Simple Card Sets. I made two card sets that I will use as teacher gifts. The first set is based on this card that I made for the Perfectly Flat lesson on Day 2. I used Year of Flower: Mums and various sentiments. The envelopes were stamped on the front and then lined.

This next set follows the same formula, and uses Dot Spot in two different color schemes. Each card set has a variety of sentiments, which include 2 birthday, two thank you, one get well and one 'just a note'.

I used the free download template from Papertrey which can be found here to print out the envelope liner onto regular computer paper. Then, I just cut it out, flipped it over, stamped it, and adhered it to the inside of the envelope with a single line of adhesive from a glue stick, right at the top. That is how I was taught at Paper Source. It works great, and allows the paper to move up a bit, as the envelope is opened.

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Two cards--Four Challenges

2012-02-01T13:37:00.000-08:00

I had some time to craft this morning, and made a few cards that popped into my head while I was at spin class.

This first card is for this week's CAS-ual Friday's CFC37 and ColourQ cQc#122 challenges. On the suggestion of a helpful commenter, I am also going to enter this card in The Shabby Tea Room Week #99 challenge: Love is in the Air. This is a brand new challenge for me. How fun.

Are you sick of Rosie Posie yet? I hope not. I keep putting it away, and taking it back out again. It seems to be the perfect set for almost everything lately.

Just a Note

This next card is for this week's One Layer Wednesday OLW77 challenge, which is to make a one layer birthday card incorporating a bird or birds. Well, I just could not resist pulling out my favorite little owl stamp for this challenge. I won't confess as to how many owl stamps I own, but I have to say this this was my very first, and probably still gets used the most, even though it is wooden and, therefore, a real pain to use. Oh, what I would do to get this guy as a clear stamp...

Owl Birthday

The colors are a bit off in this photo--this is Orange Zest and Summer Sunrise ink from Papertrey--I am LOVING having all the right ink colors. And, Turquoise by Versacolor, which has been working for me as my go-to match for Hawaiian Shores.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Just a Note

Stamps: Rosie Posie, Postmarks

Paper: White, Kraft, Pure Poppy, True Black

Other: Rosie Posie Die, Sunshine IP, Postage Stamps Nesties

Owl Birthday

Stamps: Paper Source Owl, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler

Paper: White

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For Cath (sans CHA) with Love Blog Hop

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Many of the blogs I follow are participating in a blog hop to send get well wishes to a super nice lady. I am always up for a party, especially if it will bring cheer to a worthy cause, so here I am, too.

I whipped up this card this evening, after seeing this card by Jen at Jenerally Speaking earlier in the day. I generally try to visit every one who comments on my blog, and I have discovered some real treasures that way. That is how I discovered my inspiration card for today.

It's super simple, but that is how I like many of my cards. I love this Tea for Two set for get well cards. There is something soothing about tea, in my opinion.

Supplies Used (PTI);
Stamps: Tea for Two Additions, Think Big Favorites
Paper: Rustic White

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday and Giveaway Winner Announced

2012-01-31T15:23:00.000-08:00

This is my second post today. For my "12 Kits of Christmas", please scroll down or click here.

We learned how to make a Dimensional Sentiment Banner in this week's MIM #51. Since I was set to make a Bat Mitzvah card for a party my daughter will be going to this weekend, I used this technique for my card today. The colors are a bit unusual for this type of card, but I tried to match the invitation. I created my own background paper by repeatedly stamping the Torah scroll image from the Mazel Tov set in Summer Sunrise ink on Summer Sunrise paper.

Here is a peek at the inside, where I will be putting a gift card.

On another note, the winner of the giveaway for my extra thank you set is Pauline who said:

Oh Joyce, this is wonderful! I love the aqua colours, and the beautiful butterfly shape, just stunning!
And I am only just starting on my PTI collecting lol! So Yes I would love to be included in your fab draw!

Pauline, please check your mailbox in a couple of days/weeks/months...however long it takes to get from San Diego to the UK.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps: Mazel Tov, Background Basics Twinkle, Tranquility Trilogy, Paper Source Mazel Tov wood stamp

Paper: Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, Harvest Gold
Other: Library Card die, Buttons, twine

Thanks for Visiting

The 12 Kits of Christmas: January 2012

2012-01-30T21:01:00.000-08:00

I was so thrilled and flattered when my friend, Renee, invited me to be part of a new paper crafting group she was starting. The group is called "The 12 Kits of Christmas", and is kind of a spin-off of our Four-of-A-Kind group. The idea is that each month, one of the 12 of us send holiday card making kits to everyone in the group. We post simultaneously at the end of each month. At the end of the year, not only will we have had lots of crafty fun, but we should have a huge jump start on our Christmas card stash.

Renee started us off with this load of crafty loot:

I did not come anywhere near using up all the contents of the kit when I made these three cards:

Do you like candy? Blog candy, that is? Renee has some goodies she is giving away on her blog. All you need to do is to visit all 12 of us and leave a comment on each blog by Friday.

Here is a list of the other members of The 12 Kits of Christmas:

Renee of It's a Patchwork Life

Cathy of Empty Nest Crafter

Suzanne of The Card Yard

Marybeth of Marybeth's Time for Paper

Joyce of Cards-by-the-Sea (that's me!)

Amy of Stamp-n-Paradise

Christina of Sea Glass and Sentiments

Kim of Cupcakes, Cards and Kim

Kara of KandR Designs

Jessica of The Paper Parade

Jeanne of A Kept Life

Sharron of On Papillon Wings

Can you believe this line up of talent? I am still pinching myself that I have been included in this group.

Thanks for Visiting

A Card for a Book Lover

2012-01-28T17:04:00.000-08:00

I whipped up this card in no time today, inspired by the sketch at Less is More, the theme of this week's Passion for Papertrey: Inspired by a Book, and my desire to use my new 'Dearest Jane' paper.

Here is the LIM sketch:

I'd like to thank the gals at A Passion for Papertrey for selecting this card of mine as one of their top three Passionistas. I was so excited to be chosen, and will proudly display their blinkie once I figure out how to do it.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: All Booked Up, Hero Arts Envelope Pattern
Paper: Dearest Jane, Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy
Other: Bloom Builders die

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday and a Giveaway

2012-01-27T14:20:00.000-08:00

This is my second attempt this week at making a shaker card, using the process explained in this week's MIM #50. We won't talk about the poor soccer/owl shaker card that didn't shake....I tried a different adhesive approach this time (Thermoweb Sticky Dots), and had a better result.

It is a little hard to see in this photo, but I created a background paper using a faint stamping of Background Basics Newsprint using Amuse Pebble ink, and then a brighter pattern over that using Butterfly Kisses. I got this idea this morning from this card by my friend Gayatri.

On to another subject....THE GIVEAWAY.....

I am fortunate to have received an extra 'thank you' set from PTI, and I would like to give it to one of my blogging friends who has not yet received this set yet. I will ship anywhere, so if you live overseas, don't be shy to let me know that you would like this set. In your comment, please let me know if you are in need of this stamp set, and I will pick a lucky winner and announce it in the next few days.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Butterfly Kisses, Background Basics Text Style, Background Basics Newsprint
Paper: White, Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores
Other: Butterfly, Mat Stack #1, Mat Stack #1 Layerz dies

Thanks for Visiting

Papertrey January 2012 Blog Hop Challenge

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

This month's PTI blog hop challenges us to share a favorite project from 2011 and also create something new based on that project. What a fun challenge. Since I had already gone through all my projects for the 2011 Retrospective post, this challenge was not as daunting as it might seem at first. I chose this project from December:

December 2011

I wanted to create a card set using this basic idea, while removing one of the layers to simplify the look. I need a card set for my 'homework' from my Clean & Simple Card Making Class, and I have been creating several sets to use as teacher gifts.

Here is a (not so great) photo of the entire set. I will either think of a cute way to package it up, or put it in a clear notecard box before I give it away. The set has 2 birthday-type greetings, two thank you-type cards, one get-well card and one 'hello' card.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Background Basics Vines, Think Big Favorites
Paper: Stampers Select White
Other Copic markers

Thanks for Visiting

With Sympathy

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've had the time to play along with CAS-ual Fridays, and I've missed it. I'm so glad I could play CFC #36 in honor of Penguin Awareness Day, since I am a big fan of penguins. I see them at Seaworld every chance I get, and even spent the night in the penguin exhibit (along with a whole troop of Girl Scouts) a couple of years back.

For some reason, this particular card popped into my head, and insisted on being made. I had lots of other ideas, but didn't have time to work them out. This idea came fully formed, and the card made itself, so this is what I'm going with this week.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: PTI Peaceful Garden
Paper: PTI White
Other: Sizzix Embossing Folder, Memory Box Arboscello Tree Die

Thanks for Visiting

Valentine's Card Drive for Children's Hospitals

2012-01-22T21:21:00.000-08:00

I spent most of my Sunday in a marathon crafting session to benefit a very worthy cause. My goal was to make as many Valentines Day cards as possible to send to Winter Sim's 2012 Valentine's Day Card Drive. These cards will be delivered to children in the hospital, to brighten up their Valentine's Day. If you would like to participate, there's still a little time. Check out Winter's blog here to see the card requirements and deadlines. There are prizes, too!

In order to create so many cards today, I had to rely on a little 'help' from my friends. There is no way that I could have thought of that many original card ideas, so almost all of my cards are CASED. No two are alike, but many are variations on a design.

Here are the cards inspired by this and this card from Laurie of Soabbox Creations:

These cards were inspired by this beautiful framed picture by Gayatri of Handmade by G3:

These cards were inspired by this and this card by Kim of Cupcakes, Cards and Kim:

I fell in love with this card by Tracey from In My Creative Opinion, and knew I had to make some of my own:

Finally, I did come up with a couple of original ideas, and was lucky enough to enlist my daughter's help with the coloring:

Stamps are a variety from PTI, WPlus9 and Verve. Let me know if you have questions. There's too much to list.

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple One Stamp Three Ways

2012-01-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

For Day 9, One Stamp Three Ways, I chose the technique of using white ink to stamp on black cardstock, and then coloring over the white with Prismacolor pencils. I tried this twice, once using Colorbox Frost White and once using PTI Fresh Snow, and felt like the Fresh Snow gave a clearer result.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps: Hero Arts Slanted Tree, Asian Fusion

Paper: True Black, Kraft, Pure Poppy

Other: Prismacolor pencils, Stickles

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple Plainly White

2012-01-19T13:34:00.000-08:00

Officially, it is Day 9 of the Clean & Simple Card Making class, but in my house, it is Day 7: Plainly White cards. This was a fun one for me. I have more ideas than time. Here are three cards that I was able to make this morning.

happy birthday

I had some fun with this card, using my scoreboard to create that diagonal panel on the bottom. Turns out it was quite helpful in guiding the placement of my little birds. I am also going to post this for this week's One-Layer Wednesday OLW75 challenge for a masculine birthday card--I think this would be sweet for a little boy, and I was very careful NOT to use any pink at all.

the sky is the limit

It doesn't get much simpler than this. I cased one of the sample cards from the class--masked, stamped, colored with Prismacolor pencils--done. I think this will go to one of my nieces who is in the process of selecting a college for next year.

XOXO

This final card will be part of a collection of valentine cards I will be sending in support of Winter Sim's valentines card drive to support Children's Hospital. Click here to find out more--there's still time to get some valentines card to support the cause.

My friend, Monica, from the PTI forum is having a great giveaway on her blog, Simply Sunshine. Check it out--you could win a gift certificate for some great A-Muse products.

Supplies Used (PTI):
happy birthday
Stamps: Tiny Treats Birthday, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler

Paper: White

Other: Prismacolor pencils

the sky is the limit

Stamps: Up, Up and Away

Paper: White

Other Prismacolor pencils

XOXO

Stamps: Tree Tops, WPlus9 Love You More

Paper: White, True Black, Hibiscus Burst

Other: Mat Stack & Layerz Mat Stack 3 dies, Tiny Tags die, twine

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday--Thanks

2012-01-18T22:17:00.000-08:00

I set a goal for myself to try to do all the Make it Monday's this year. So far, so good. This week's Make it Monday #49 is about a technique called Ghost Masking. I had never heard of it before, but it is a pretty cool effect.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Label Basics, Daydreamer, Flower Fusion, Background Basics Text
Paper: White, Plum Pudding
Other: Angled Labels die, pure poppy ribbon, plum pudding button

Thanks for Visiting

Masculine Birthday

2012-01-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

This week's One Layer Wednesday challenge is to make a masculine birthday card. This is a great challenge, since I often think simpler is best when it comes to masculine cards. I have so many ideas for this challenge, and was able to knock out my first two cards quickly. I hope I have time this week to try some more of my ideas.

I used my new PTI Enchanted Evening ink on Soft Stone cardstock, and I was so happy at how those colors work together. I'm definitely going to use them together again. I was concerned that the font on the sentiment was possibly not 'manly' enough, so I tried again, with another sentiment--from an old set I got at Michaels. What do you think?

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Harvest Berries, Communique Curves, unknown for sentiment on 2nd card
Paper: Soft Stone, Rustic Cream

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple: Simple Embellishments

2012-01-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

Day six is all about creating simple embellishments. On my first card I created a cute little hot air balloon out of three punched circles. I first saw this technique here on Gayatri's card, and I pinned it because I wanted to try it some day.

Soaring By

Here is a peek at the inside of the card:

I had an idea for a CAS masculine get well card, using just one die cut:

Get Well

Supplies Used (PTI):

Soaring By

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Hero Arts Dictionary Greetings, Paper Smooches Chit Chat

Paper: White, Bitty Dot

Other: Nestie circle, Twinery twine

Get Well

Stamps: Fillable Frames, Communique Curves, Background Basics Woodgrain

Paper: Rustic Cream, Ripe Avocado, Canyon Clay

Other Memory Box Arboscello Tree die

Thanks for Visiting

Waltzingmouse January Blog Hop: Birthday Wishes

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

It seems like forever since I've been able to play along with Waltzingmouse, but here I am with a card for the January WMS Blog Hop and WMSC80. The theme of this month's blog hop is "Sweet Things", and I thought my Eat Cake stamp set would be perfect for this challenge. In person, this card, although still bright, is not nearly as jarring as I think it is in this photo. Well, don't have time to change it, so here it is:

Supplies Used:
Stamps: WM Eat Cake, Offbeat Backgrounds
Paper: PTI Raspberry Fizz, Funky Town
Other: Stickles, Sweet Blush Twill, Rhinestones

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple Watercolor Blocking

2012-01-16T14:52:00.000-08:00

All my house guests are gone, and I had a chance today to make a card for Friday's class. The official topic was watercolor blocking, but I had to modify that a bit, given the supplies I had on hand. I have quite a few colors of Distress Ink, but have never used them for anything other than normal stamping. The simple technique outlined in today's lesson showed me how to use those inks with water.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps: Turning a New Leaf, a big thank you

Paper: Strathmore Watercolor

Other: Embossing Powder, Distress Inks--Peeled Paint, Dusty Concord, Fired Brick, sponge

Thanks for Visiting

Four-of-a-Kind #5

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

After a break for the December holidays, Four-of-a-Kind is back with our fifth post. This a series of monthly posts where Cathy, Kim, Renee and I challenge ourselves to make a card out of a kit sent to us by the hostess of the month. You can see the other challenges here, here, here, and here.

The hostess for the month makes four kits and sends them out to each of us. We work secretly to create a card using at least 4 items from the kit. No other rules or restrictions. We are allowed to use anything else we have on hand. We get to see each others cards today, on each of our blog posts. We are scheduling our posts to go live at the same time. I can't wait to see what everyone has created.

Cathy is the host this month, and she sent us a huge package full of goodies. The stamps are from Take Note and Flutterby Friend, and the papers are Uncommon by Authentique and PTI.

Cathy sent us materials to make both a note pad holder and a post it note holder. I've been meaning to make something like that for quite a while, and I'm keeping both for myself. She sent so many things, I couldn't stop myself, and also made three cards. Finally, I ran out of time, but I still have lots of goodies left over.

The other three members of Four-of-a-Kind are:

Cathy Weber: Empty Nest Crafter

Kim Heggins: Cupcakes, Cards and Kim

Renee Lynch: It's a Patchwork Life

Please stop by their blogs, if you haven't been there already, and see what they have created for our fifth Four-of-a-Kind post.

Thanks for Visiting

XOXO

2012-01-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have a super quick card for this week's One Layer Wednesday, OLW74 where the challenge was to use only red and pink on a white card base. I used Distress Worn Lipstick and SU Real Red. I did a bit of scoring and masking to come up with this card, using PTI Heart Prints. I'm also entering this card into the Valentine challenge over at A Passion for Papertrey.

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday: Fly Away With Me

2012-01-13T13:10:00.000-08:00

While I was in spin class yesterday, I had this idea for a card. Sounds funny, but I get some of my best card ideas in spin class. So, here is my second card for this week's Make it Monday MIM#48: Creating Backgrounds with Border Dies.

Warning: This card may cause blindness--put on your shades...

I think this might be the Valentine DH gets this year, unless I get another idea between now and February 14th. Which is very possible, since I will be going to a lot of spin classes between now and then. I'm going to enter this into the A Passion for Papertrey Valentine challenge as well as MIM.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Up, Up, and Away
Paper: Pure Poppy, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, New Leaf, Blueberry Sky, Plum Pudding, Royal Velvet
Other: Heart Border, Up, Up, and Away Dies, Copic Markers

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday: Just the Ticket

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

I was able to take a quick break from all the homework assigned by my card making class in order to play along with this week's Make it Monday MIM#48: Creating Backgrounds with Border Dies.

I used my Ticket Border Die to create this card:

We are going to see my daughter's good friend in the upcoming school musical, and I will see if Rachel wants to give her this card. Otherwise, I will give it to my mom the next time she is in one of her community theatre productions. One of my goals this year is to use more of my cards, so this card will definitely be given to someone. I will use the ticket in the bottom right corner to add the date of the performance of whoever receives this card.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Just the Ticket, Say it with Style, Distressed Stripes, Background Basics Diamonds
Paper: Orange Zest, Harvest Gold, True Black
Other: Just the Ticket, Happy Day, Mat Stack 4 Dies

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple One Stamp, Three Ways

2012-01-12T11:59:00.000-08:00

Today is Day 4 of Clean & Simple Card Making. Wow--I am exhausted already. But, there is really a lot of good content in this course, and I think the only way I'll get through it all is if I keep up every day. I chose to use a sentiment stamp to make a background, and selected 'Celebrate' from PTI's Say it With Style. I really love the font on these sentiments, and thought it would make a fun background.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Say it With Style, Tag-it's, Everyday Button Bits
Paper: White
Other: Hibiscus Burst Buttons

Thanks for Visiting

Spotlight on Dot Spot

2012-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last week, inspired by the Papertrey design team revisit of All Booked Up, I pulled out my All Booked up and Dot Spot and started playing around making bookmarks. It was my intention to make matching cards for each color combination. I showed one of them here.

Here is another set, using the colors for this week's CR84FN45 challenge. I interpreted the colors to be Canyon Clay, Summer Sunrise and SU Brocade Blue.

Birthday Wishes

Here is the last card/bookmark set. One of my PTI Forum friends, Rhonda of Stamp n Piece started a new challenge called Thankful Thursday. She asked me to be her first guest blogger. I've never been a guest blogger before, but was happy to comply, as it sounds so very important!

Here is my thank you card for this week's Thankful Thursday.

Thanks

Please stop by Rhonda's blog and check out her Thankful Thursday post. Leave her some love and help her achieve her goal by linking up a Thank You card of your own.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Birthday Wishes
Stamps: Dot Spot, All Booked Up
Paper: White, Canyon Clay
Other: Filligree Border Die

Thanks
Stamps: Dot Spot, All Booked Up
Paper: White, Raspberry Fizz
Other: Sunshine IP

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple: Tone on Tone Dimensional

2012-01-11T12:08:00.000-08:00

I've got a card for Day 3 of the Clean & Simple Card Making class. Today's lesson was on making tone on tone dimensional cards. I used a technique we were shown last year, using die cuts with chipboard.

Since we are all friends and classmates, I'll tell you that this is not my favorite card. Perhaps other die cuts would have worked better, but I didn't have time to start over. My top layer is a very pretty butterfly made with a MS punch. I almost broke my hand trying to cut PTI card stock in that punch for the three butterflies, and just couldn't make any more, so I used one of my PTI butterfly dies for the bottom layers. Two of the butterflies are on three layers of coasters. The third is just adhered in the middle and folded up. I think I like that one the best.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps: Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler

Paper: Harvest Gold

Other: MS butterfly punch, Butterfly die, Coasters

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple Mixed Background

2012-01-10T16:03:00.001-08:00

Here is the third card from today's class: Perfectly Flat Cards. I'm not sure if I cheated here or not. I was attempting to case one of the instructors cards, and couldn't get the stamping to work with all the masking required. So, I stamped everything in strips and then adhered them to the card base. It's still pretty flat, and one of the other examples today had a strip of patterned paper glued on, so I'm going to figure this is 'legal'.

A big thank you shout out to my friend Kim from Cupcakes, Cards, and Kim, for lending me her brand new Waltzingmouse Off Beat Background set to play with, and for taking this class with me.

Click here and here for the other cards from today's class.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: WM Offbeat Backgrounds, PTI Simple Sentiments
Paper: White

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple Sympathy

2012-01-10T16:03:00.000-08:00

Here is my second card from today's class: Perfectly Flat Cards.

Click here and here for my other cards from today's class.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps: Year of Flowers: Mums, Think Big Favorites

Paper: Ocean Tides

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple Thanks So Much

2012-01-10T16:02:00.000-08:00

I've got three cards to post for today's class: Perfectly Flat Cards, so I'll be brief.

Click here and here for my other cards from today's class.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps: Year of Flowers: Mums, Think Big Favorites

Paper: White

Thanks for Visiting

Clean and Simple Birthday

2012-01-09T21:54:00.000-08:00

I was able to get one more card made for my class today. I had quite a few false starts with this one, and I'm still not sure I like it, but it is done, and I am ready to begin again tomorrow. I am now remembering that homework used to be that way sometimes. I used a Sizzix Branch w/Leaves die that I got a while back.

Here is the sketch:

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Ad Sense
Paper: Vintage Cream, Ripe Avocado, Fine Linen, Turning a New Leaf
Other: Sizzix Branch w/Leaves die

Thanks for Visiting

Get Well Cards

2012-01-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

I 'took' (watched) my first class for the Clean & Simple Card Making course.

I chose this sketch:

And made this card, using this week's Play Date Cafe PDCC#113 challenge colors, which I interpreted as Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist and Spring Moss.

Get Well Soon

I have another get well card I made the other day:

Take Care

Supplies Used (PTI):

Get Well Soon

Stamps: Stitches & Swirls, Fillable Frames

Paper: Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist, Spring Moss

Other: Tiny Butterfly punch from my stash

Take Care

Stamps: Think Big Favorites, Hero Arts Envelope Background

Paper: Vintage Cream, EP Splash

Other: Victorian Lace die

Thanks for Visiting

A Trio of Owls and Cupcakes

2012-01-08T17:03:00.000-08:00

I pulled out my Jillibean Soup Spotted Owl Soup 6X6 paper pad the other day, and made some cards my youngest daughter could have on hand to use for her friends' birthdays. With her, everything needs to have an owl (but it can't be pink).

This last card was cased from this card by Laurie Willison.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Wonderfully Whimsical, WM Eat Cake
Paper: Jillibean Soup Spotted Owl Soup, Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Blueberry Sky, Rustic Cream
Other: Shape Up Cupcake Die, Fillable Frame Die, Tiny Tags Die

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday: Rosie Posie

2012-01-07T16:45:00.000-08:00

I have another post for Make it Monday #47: 2011 A la Carte. This one is using MIM #2: Vellum Sentiment Strip. I can't seem to put away my new Rosie Posie stamp set. When I received my latest PTI package with Autumn Rose ink, I just started stamping away.

I saw a card this morning on Stephanie's blog, I'd Rather be Stamping, and it gave me the idea for my next card.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Rosie Posie, Think Big Favorites
Paper: Sweet Blush, Autumn Rose, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores
Other: Vellum, Hawaiian Shores Ribbon

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday: Frogs

2012-01-06T18:18:00.000-08:00

I have a quick post to show how I wrapped a baby gift, using die cuts from Frog Hop. I used MIM #46 to turn one of the frogs into a tag. I had actually done a project with this MIM when it was first released, but had to re-do the frog for this gift wrapping, since I didn't want him to be a hanging tag and my original frog had a hole in his head. However, I am counting this as playing along with this week's MIM #74: 2011 A la Carte, since I am trying to either do, redo, or at least watch them all.

I was inspired by this post from the Simplicity blog, where Susan explains her philosophy of wrapping gifts using plain white paper, dressed up with ribbons or tags. I took a stack of board books, wrapped them in plain white paper (a big roll at Staples in the teaching section cost about $7) and made a belly band of kraft and some patterned paper. I die cut a Mat Stack 5, ran it through the numbers impression plate, and then adhered the frogs. The middle frog opens to a tag.

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Make it Monday: Steep, Stir, Enjoy

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have a card for this week's Make it Monday #47: 2011 a La Carte. This time, I am trying MIM #14: Selective Inking. I took a sentiment from Tea for Two, and broke up the different words to space them along with the teacups. The filligree border is stamped using Amuse Slate at the top of the card, and using Versamark at the bottom.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Tea for Two, Tea for Two Additions, Love & Marriage
Paper: Vintage Cream, Scarlet Jewel
Other: Tea for Two dies, SU pearls

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday: Thank You

2012-01-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

I took out my new Rosie Posie stamp set to play along with Make it Monday #47. This time I used the 'Rock and Roll' technique from MIM #19, which was a video I had missed the first time around. I also took a quick refresher on 'Creating Backgrounds with Non-background Stamps' from MIM #31.

I was inspired by this card by Ashley Cannon Newell and this card by Elena. I used Amuse Bubblegum and Versafine Opera Pink inks on the roses, then added a bit of glitter with the Sakura pen.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Rosie Posie, Tranquility Trilogy, Background Basics Newsprint
Paper: White, True Black
Other: Rosie Posie Dies, SU Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Black Embossing powder, Twine

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday: All Booked Up Birthday

2012-01-05T00:00:00.001-08:00

This week's Make-it Monday #47: 2011 A La Carte provides a summary of all the Make-it Monday videos and techniques of the past year. I am playing along, trying to get to some of the ones I may have missed. Today, I have a card for MIM #3: Glitter Strips with Scor Tape. I am using the color scheme of this week's cQc #118. I was inspired by the PTI Senior Design team revisit of All Booked Up to make a card and matching bookmark for a friend from my book club whose birthday is next week.

This was the first time I inked up Dot Spot. I don't know why I waited so long. This set will definitely get more use in the future.

Here are a couple of the bookmarks I made using this color scheme. I liked the one that emphasized the red the best, so I made the card to coordinate with that one.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: All Booked Up, Dot Spot, Verve Circular Sayings
Paper: White, Pure Poppy
Other: Bookmark Die, Scor Tape, MS Glitter, Misc Ribbons

Thanks for Visiting

Magical Moments: Mini Blog Hop

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

Kim, from Cupcakes, Cards and Kim, Gayatri from Handmade by G3, and I are hosting a mini blog hop today. We all have the WPlus9 set Magical Moments, and thought it would be fun to inspire each other by creating and posting card from this set on the same day.

Here is what the set looks like:

Although I bought the set for the beautiful peacock images, the first image that I ended up playing with was the image with the four little squares.

I've already posted the first card I made with that image here. Here are some more cards I made, as I experimented with layouts and ink colors:

Sentiments are from Peaceful Garden (PTI), Magical Moments (WPlus9), and Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches).

Here is what the set looks like:

Do you have a favorite?

On to the peacocks....

This last card was inspired by this card by Gayatri, which got the ball rolling for the mini blog hop idea. I loved how she sponged the ink around the embossed peacock.

Sentiments are from Tranquility Trilogy, Asian Fusion, and Botanical Silhouettes.

Please join us on this mini blog hop by visiting Kim and Gayatri:

Kim

Gayatri

Do you have this stamp set? If so, please join us! Create something and leave a link in the comments section, and we'll come and visit you. Or, if you have something already made and posted, link that.

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Valentines

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

I threw the heart border die into my cart on impulse during my last release order. What a great idea that turned out to be. I have been having such fun with it.

The first two cards were inspired by this card Maile Belles showed during the count down.

Rainbow Hearts

Color Blocked Hearts

Be Mine


Hugs & Kisses

I whipped up this last card super quick, after seeing this card from my friend Kim at Cupcakes, Cards and Kim. I loved how she used patterned paper and Button Boutique, and just had to try it myself with one of my new Valentine paper pads. The paper is double sided, so I cut one piece, and used both sides for the card. That is the only way I know that these two patterns match.

Made with Love

Supplies Used (PTI):
Rainbow Hearts
Stamps: WPlus9 Love You More
Paper: White, Pure Poppy, Orange Zest, Harvest Gold, New Leaf, Blueberry Sky, Plum Pudding, Royal Velvet
Other: Heart Border Die

Color Blocked Hearts
Stamps: WPlus9 Love You More, SU XOXO
Paper: White, Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, Sweet Blush
Other: Heart Border Die

Be Mine
Stamps: Verve Wild Thing
Paper: White, Pure Poppy, Echo Park Yours Truly
Other: Heart Border Die

Hugs & Kisses
Stamps: Think Big Favorites
Paper: White, Smoky Shadow, Echo Park Yours Truly
Other: Filligree Border Die

Made with Love
Stamps: Button Boutique, Heart Prints, WPlus9 Love You More
Paper: Rustic Cream, Smokey Shadow, My Mind's Eye Love Me
Other: Pinking, Button Card, Heart Prints Dies

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A Rosie Posie Thanks

2012-01-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

Here is my second card for this week's Less is More challenge. This week's challenge is "JUST ONE WORD". I made two cards, and you can see my first card here. Both of my cards were inspired by this card by Danielle Flanders.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Rosie Posie, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler
Paper: White, Terracotta Tile

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A Rosie Posie Congrats

2012-01-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

New Year--New Challenge! I have been meaning to participate in this challenge for a while, and finally had a chance to try it out over the winter break. The Challenge is Less is More, and this week's challenge is "JUST ONE WORD". I made two cards, and you can see my second card here. Both of my cards were inspired by this card by Danielle Flanders.

In the spirit of one of my crafting new years resolutions to get more of my cards out the door, this card has already been sent to my sweet friend Cathy from Empty Nest Crafter to congratulate her on her son getting engaged over Christmas.

Here is a peek at the inside:

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Rosie Posie, Think Big Favorites, SU So Happy for You
Paper: White

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Love U Forever

2012-01-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have a card for this week's CASE study Challenge #71. Here is the beautiful card we were given to case:

I focused on the red felt heart, the kraft 'u' and the general theme of love. Here is my take on the challenge:

I stamped several rows of the word 'forever' from the new Love & Marriage set, and used a pen (gasp) to put a little dot in between each word. I used Memento London Fog ink for all the 'Forever's except for one that I stamped in black. The 'LOVE' sentiment is from a Hero Arts Owl Christmas set.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps: Love & Marriage, Hero Arts Owl Christmas
Paper: White, Kraft
Other: Pure Poppy Felt, Heart Print & Alphabet Dies

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Let Your Heart be Your Guide

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

Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a nice New Year's Eve. Let's not talk about resolutions, but jump right into the cards.

I'm back with my second project for CAS-ual Friday's CFC #33. This time my project is also for the Market Street Stamps Block Party. If I understand the challenge correctly, the project should use kraft, twine and Market Street Stamps. Well, I hope so, because that is what I did.

The challenge to use Market Street Stamps was a pretty easy one for me, as I have been building up quite a collection of their background stamps. I love them--they are so easy to use because they are clear AND they cover the entire card in one stamp. Doesn't get much easier than that.

This card uses two stamps from Market Street--Vintage Notepad and Compass. When I was buying the Vintage Notepad stamp, there was a teeny tiny discrepancy with the pricing of my order. When I pointed it out to MSS in the comments section of my order, I received an immediate apology, as well as two free stamp sets with my order. Compass was one of those free sets. I think it works well as a masculine Valentine. It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but I colored the heart with red copic marker, and then used Paper Glaze to give it a bit of a shine.

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2011 - A Retrospective

2011-12-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

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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