Way to Go, Kiddo

It's sad to say that although I make a ton of cards, I rarely give them to my husband or kids. As I started trying to create a card with Way to Go, Kiddo, I realized that the timing was perfect for my son to get a card. He loves getting them and saves every single one. I cased this card by Nichole. I didn't add the caterpillar and moved the lines, but I like the way it came out. In hindsight, I should not have taken a picture with a yellow background. It makes the card look yellow. 

A little background: My son has had issues in school since he was very young (3). Last year, he was diagnosed with ADHD. We put him on medication and saw his grades go up and his behavior improve. It's been a long road. He's almost 9 now, and it's going on one year of medication soon. 

Last week, he had his first high stakes state assessment and passed the math portion...on the first try, and it's only the middle of the year. He also tested for a private school, which he was very excited about. In addition to all of those successes, he's been dealing better with problems that come up. Where he used to get very upset, he's learning to let things go. I want him to know that I see a lot of growth and couldn't be prouder of him.  

Card Details: (All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.)
Stamps:Way to Go, Kiddo
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU), Aqua Mist
Paper: SS White, Kraft, Aqua Mist, New Leaf
Other:Mat Stack 3 Die
Size: 4.25" x 5"

January PTI Blog Hop

The theme for the blog hop was to use a set that had yet to see ink or that was collecting dust. A few orders ago, I got All-Star Team and All-Star Team Additions. I broke out both sets to do a little decorating on some snack bags. Since it was my turn to bring snacks for my daughter's team, and it was their first game, I thought I'd create a special brown paper sack. Even though it's very simple, I like the way it turned out. Maybe when they get their uniforms, I can add some color. 

Bag Details: (All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.)
Stamps: All-Star Team, All-Star Team Additions, Have a Ball
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Fresh Snow
Paper: brown paper sack (brand unknown)

PPD Challenge #4

First of all, I love being a part of this wonderful Papertrey PaperDolls group. It's inspiring, yet I don't feel pressure. It's a supportive group, this one, and I am proud to call myself a Papertrey Paper Doll. Enough gushiness...

The challenge this week was...dare I say it...the MOST challenging challenge so far. Argh, my brain hurt. I really, really tried to come up with something very similar in style, but it ended up not working as well as I would have liked. In the end, I realized that I should not have scalloped the edge of the masculine card. I was hoping the patterned paper differences would be strong enough, but in the end, I thought my cards were not masculine and feminine enough. I tried though. :)

Card #1 Details: (All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.)    
Stamps: Daily Designs, Daily Designs Sentiments 
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU), Fresh Snow 
Paper: Vintage Cream, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, Turning a New Leaf 
Other: 1 3/4" circle punch (EK Success) 
Size: 4.25" x 5"

Card #2 Details: (All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.)    
Stamps: Daily Designs, Delightful Dahlias 
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU), Fresh Snow 
Paper: Vintage Cream, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, Turning a New Leaf 
Other: 1 3/4" circle punch (EK Success) 
Size: 4.25" x 5"

Mother's Day Gifties for the Special Women in My Life

Made some gifties for the special women in my life. I wanted to give them something small but not too involved. My mom had 3 sisters, and her brother's ex-wife is still very much a part of our lives, thankfully, so I made enough for them and my Grams. I made a special one for my baby sister, who's not a baby...she's 31 already! Basketball is such a huge part of her life. She plays in several leagues: women's, men's, co-ed, and she coaches. I'm sure she'd prefer basketball stamps over butterflies. Lol. 

Post-It Details: (All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Butterfly Dreams, Fillable Frames #3, Signature Greetings, Have a Ball 
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Fresh Snow, Pumpkin Pie (SU) 
Paper: Kraft, Hibiscus Burst, Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise, Hawaiian Shores 
Other: Fillable Frame #3 die cut, pens Walmart
Modified measurements from Dawn's Stamping Thoughts Tutorial

PPD Challenge #3

This is for the Papertrey Paper Dolls Challenge #3

This card was inspired by two other Papertrey Paper Dolls. Thanks, Jen Carter, for the color inspiration. Thanks, Laurie, for the background paper idea. I loved the color combo Jen used. As I've mentioned numerous times, I'm slowly trying to use more color in my creations. When I saw Jen's card, I knew I had to try pairing Aqua Mist and Hibiscus Burst. I had to include Kraft because, c'mon, it's me. I include Kraft in almost all of my creations. When I saw Laurie's card, I loved the way she used In Bloom to create a background. I pulled out that set and at the last minute decided to try using Delightful Dahlias, since the sentiment came from that set. 

This card will be given to my MIL on Sunday when we take her to brunch. I have to admit, I hate Mother's Day. My own mom passed away from lung cancer in October of 2005, less than two months after being diagnosed. The pain is still very, very fresh. I try to put on a bright face for my own two babies, but suffice it to say I still feel empty on Mother's Day. I haven't found anyone who can hold a candle to my mom or even help fill the void in her absence. I miss her every day.  

Card Details: (All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.)    
Stamps: Delightful Dahlias  
Ink: Fresh Snow, Chocolate Chip (SU)  
Paper: Aqua Mist, Hibiscus Burst, Kraft    
Other: flowers (MM)
Size: 5" x 5"

Mojo Monday #137

It feels like I haven't participated in Mojo Monday for a while. It's been at least two weeks, maybe three. But now the school card swap is over, planning is coming to an end, and I feel like I can breathe a little. I had a fun time with this sketch. I always have some difficulty with proportion of the elements/pieces, so what I plan never ends up working. This time though, it feels like the card came together better than I expected. 


I love the way the fresh snow stamps on Summer Sunrise. I like it on Lemon Tart as well, but I thought it was a little too difficult to see in pictures. 


In the end, it's a simple, neutral colored card. I really like Copic colored butterflies, so I think I just might color more of them. :)

 
Card Details: (All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.)  
Stamps: Butterfly Dreams 
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Fresh Snow
Paper: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise, Vintage Cream    
Other: Copic markers, butterfly die cut, circle punch
Size: 4.25" x 5"

Hip, Hip Hooray!

I'm super bummed that my photography skills suck. You can't see that I stamped BB: Woodgrain in the background of the fillable frame. It looks so neat IRL. Oh, well... I stamped Dot Spot in Fresh Snow and used clear embossing powder. I cut a butterfly out of HS felt and added a button to keep it from being too plain. It's a simple card, but I'm digging the colors. :)

Card Details: (All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.)  
Stamps: Dot Spot, BB: Woodgrain, Fillable Frames #3 
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Fresh Snow, Raspberry Fizz
Paper: True Black, Raspberry Fizz  
Other: HS Felt, True Black Vintage Button, Fillable Frame #3 die cut, bling (brand unknown), clear embossing powder, butterfly die
Size: 4.25" x 5"

Birthday and Thank You

I made these two yesterday. The first is really, really simple, but I like the colors.

Stamps: Butterfly Dreams (sentiment)

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Paper: Kraft, Pretty Pastels, In Bloom

Other: oval scallop punch (Marvy), oval punch (Marvy)

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

The second card is more my style. Red, black, kraft, buttons. I'm loving Polka Dot Basics II. Seriously.

Stamps: Daily Designs (sentiment), Take Note (circle), Polka Dot Basics II

Ink: Fresh Snow

Paper: Pure Poppy, Kraft, Black and White Basics

Other: circle scallop punch (EK Success), circle punch (EK Success), pure poppy buttons, MM floss

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Art in Our Family

I've been scrapbooking ever since the kids can remember. We always do art projects, together and separately. The office is chock full of art supplies for them. It's no wonder they love art. Kawai's thing recently has been making me stamp images for her to color. Now, if it were up to her, she'd be all up in my Copics. Not happening. She's been told to stay out of the Copics and use the Marvy LePlumes, which are...like 8 years old. Lol. Yesterday, when she walked into the office, she saw my Love card. She asked me to stamp her an Ian and Anya, and because I didn't want to have to pull everything out again, I stamped her a whole page of the images she wanted.

And she was off. She kept asking me what color I used for this and what color I used for that...so I ended up putting the card right in front of her. She's been grumbling for a while about not having "skin colors." I keep telling her to use the crayons or color pencils, and she keeps resisting. This time though, when I plopped the twistables (with peach) in front of her, she used it. She said, "Mommy, I want my Ian and Anya to look like yours." Wow, she's only 5 and she's already CASE"ing". I'm a proud mommy. 

Interestingly enough, Kahia had to write an essay today about what his favorite subject is. He wrote about art, saying "It calms me down in tough situations." I love that art is an outlet for both of them. 

After the little princess was done with her coloring, I got a chance to make some cards without interruptions. Here's what I made, and as Sara has noticed, I am kinda getting into the Smokey Shadow.

 

I cased Mish's sketch found here. 

Stamps: Butterfly Dreams

Ink: Fresh Snow, Smokey Shadow, Black(Versafine)

Paper: Kraft, Vintage Cream, Pretty Pastels

Other: Lace Ribbon, Fiskars Treading Water Border Punch

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

The second card I made was after checking out PTI's gallery and deciding that I really need to practice using my background stamps. I saw Niki Este's card and knew I needed to try Damask Designs again...with SU's chocolate chip ink on Aqua mist cardstock. I wasted some cardstock, but I did get a big enough piece to use.

 

Stamps: Damask Designs

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Paper: Dark Chocolate, Aqua Mist, Kraft

Other: Chiffon ribbon

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

 I was also able to take some better pictures using my cardstock back drop and new flower frogs. The light was semi-decent today, but I know that if I'm going to continue this blog, I need to figure out something a little more permanent for taking card and layout pictures. 

Thanks for visiting today.

Dot Spot and Fillable Frames

 

Notice something new in this picture? 

I used Dot Spot and Fillable Frames. I did use Nichole Heady's trick with the post it notes to make sure I stamped straight on the frame. I also used contrasting colored ink...pure poppy and smokey shadow. It was Mrs. Enabler's idea to use two colors, and I love it.

Mojo Monday and PTI Spring Color Challenge Entry #2

Here's my kill-two-birds-with-one-stone card. I used the Mojo Monday sketch (128) AND I used Heather Nichols' spring colors.

All supplies PTI unless otherwise specified

Stamps: Daily Designs and Daily Designs Sentiments

Ink: Smokey Shadow

Paper: Spring Moss, Lemon Tart, Pretty Pastels

Other: American Crafts Ribbon

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Sigh...

Due to the tsunami threat yesterday, I was stuck at home with nowhere to go or be. Bliss, I tell you. I created cards the entire day. I experimented with colors and really tried to step or at least dip my toes outside my comfort zone. Here are my efforts.

 

I tried Smokey Shadow ink for the first time. Not sure if I love it yet. I'm trying to design a thank you card for the swap at school, but I'm getting nothing. Grrrr. Thank goodness I have until March 22.  The colors are growing on me.

The second card was made after I explored Baby Button Bits a bit more. A friend just had her baby, and her favorite color is purple. She named her baby Brynna, so I thought the bee with the sentiment would be more appropriate than the card I made for the Poppy Seed challenge. "welcome, little baby bee." Get it? "Baby B." 

I continued the button theme inside. I ended up being pretty pleased with this one.












Card 1
Stamps used: Damask Designs
Paper: Pretty Pastels (PTI), Kraft (PTI)
Punches: Marvy Oval and Scallop Oval, Fiskars Treading Water Border Punch

Card 2
Stamps used: Baby Button Bits
Paper: Plum Pudding Cardstock (PTI), Vintage Cream Cardstock (PTI)
Buttons: Plum Pudding (PTI)

Poppy Seed Challenge #1

 

I saw Lisa Johnson's challenge on the PTI forum and decided to stretch myself and go for it. Boy, am I glad I did. I got to break in the Baby Button Bits. I also decided to use this card for a friend who gave birth yesterday. 

I used a dark chocolate base and stamped my image on PTI's Stamper's Select White Cardstock.  I used SU's chocolate chip ink and PTI's orange zest buttons. I matted that with PTI's lemon tart cardstock. Then, I cut a butterfly using PTI's new dies out of lemon tart. I added three jewels down the middle of the butterfly.

This is the inside of the card.

 

Cardstock: PTI
Stamps: PTI's Baby Button Bits and Daily Designs Sentiments (sweet baby)
Buttons: PTI's orange zest

PTI Blog Hop

 I'm participating in my first ever PTI blog hop, and it's soooo exciting.

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

 

I love the colors she used. I also liked the stark contrast of the polka dots. The design is so clean.

 

I wanted to use both of the main images in the set, so stamped the button jar in black for the background. I colored the ribbon image with Copics and popped it up, which is really difficult to see because of my horrible photography. I used a raspberry fizz button, and the "Thank You, Crafty Friend!" sentiment. 

My second card was inspired by Niki Estes and her use of butterfly dreams. I loved the way she used Background Basics: Text Style II behind the Butterfly Dreams background. I thought layering 2 background stamps was really cool!

 

My card doesn't look distressed the way hers does because...well, because I'm chicken and my inking edges NEVER comes out the way it's supposed to.  I used vintage cream as my base and added kraft and some raspberry fizz. I stamped the butterfly and colored it in with Copics. At the very last minute, I added some crocheted ribbon at the bottom to give it some texture. I'm still not really sure I like ALL that white space at the top of my card, but when I tried buttons, it looked off. So white it will stay.

Dots and Spots, Butterfly Dreams, and Studio Style

Here are three cards I made with my new goodies. I love PTI!

  

All supplies PTI except for black ink, which is Memento.

PTI Dot Spot

I am loving PTI's Dot Spot. Yes, it does make my eyes a little wonky after a while, but it's such a fun stamp to use for a background. Three cards later, I'm even more in love. I used it with black ink on PTI's Kraft and PTI's white. It was so striking on the white.

I also finally figured out how to use the dies with the Sidekick. It took 6 pieces of cardstock and a layer of fun foam before I saw any cutting action. But cut it did. I had beautiful frames and butterflies cut out with the swirl of my wrist. Yay!

I used my Raspberry Fizz copics to color the butterflies...

Pictures to come tomorrow, when there's more light.

CPS- Sketch 155

Totally had fun with this card.

Cardstock: PTI dark chocolate
PP: Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg
Stamps: Hero Arts "Sweet Wonderful You"
Markers: Copics
Flowers: Prima
Button: PTI dark chocolate
Ribbon: American Crafts

LOAD DAY 19

 

PTI buttons, of course.

PTI Goodies, Enablers, and More...

Today I received my box of PTI goodies. It came while I was out.

I got Butterfly Dreams, the butterfly die, Fillable Frames, the Fillable Frames die, a couple of different inks, two paper packs, Studio Style, and Dot Spot.

Speaking of being out... You know how they say that addicts shouldn't hang out together. Yeah, I think it's for a reason. Mrs. Enabler and I were chatting on FB...about crafting, Copics, Prismas, and coloring, and I end up asking her if she wants to head into town to check out some art stores.

Bad mistake.

C2F

J's Knickknacks

Hawaiian Graphics

Yikes! The company was awesome. The convos were delightful. But the wallet is waaaay lighter.

Lots of goodies to play with. Cards to come...

Excuse: Haven't done much in the card dept. because of LOAD, which is kicking my butt!

LOAD DAY 17

 

Tried a photo grouping. I wish I felt inspired to spend more time on the journaling and title, but oh, well! I like all of these pictures, so it'll have to do. 

I wanted to spend some time coloring tonight, but I'm tired. The little man has a field trip tomorrow and has asked for SPAM musubi, so I have to wake up extra early. BRAT! 

Hopefully, this weekend, I'll have a lot of crafting time. Maybe my PTI goodies will be in by then as well.