March PTI GSS Submission

So I set out to scrapbook today, not create a submission, but it turned out to be a happy coincidence. These pictures of Reanne are from her 5th birthday last year. This is the 2nd page I've created with them because the portrait studio had so many great shots I of course had to purchase them.

PTI stamps used are Journaling Lines (I LOVE THIS SET!) and Sppoky Sweets II. The colored cardstock and inks are CTMH.

CPS, PTI & ShortCuts

This weeks sketch over at CPS is sponsored by PTI, so I thought i'd use one of my new sets! I love the flowers in thie set!!! I also used a Frosted Card Blank from ShortCuts. The combination of CPS, PTI & ShortCuts..... how can a girl go wrong. ;)

Have you checked out the February issue of SheetLoad of Cards yet?! If not head on over there!! This month's issue is sponsored by Unity Stamp Company and features samples from guest artist, Joy Stagg. Make sure to check out the Show Us Your SheetLoad and Shout Out to SheetLoad challenges. There are prizes to be won!!

Valentines Day & Heart Cookies on a Stick

So I had this idea that it would be really cool to make heart shape cookies on a stick. I used Wilton sucker sticks and inserted them into the dough after the shape was cut out. Note to those who want to replicate.... Don't forget that the dough will really spread when you bake!

I had these perfect sucker bags, that regrettably didn't get used because the cookies were too big!

I am happy to report that they were a big hit at the kindergarten party!

A few hours

Look at what you can do with just a few hours! This is such a cute purse AND when Reanne saw it she asked,

1. If it was for her and
2. Would i make her one!!

Alicia cut all the fabric (which was awesome!) and we took turns using the sewing machine. It's amazing what you can do with just a few hours!

Bitty Dot Challenge

Another challenge from Nichole's blog. This was a fun one! A connect the dot print out that revealed a sketch!! I even managed to incorporate some of those bitty dots, Polka Dot Basics, and one of my all time favorites - Out on a Limb. I've also used my new Score-it Pal, which I also totally love!

Over The Rainbow Challenge

Here's my take on the Over The Rainbow Challenge at Nichole's celebration of Papertrey's 2nd Anniversary. It's based on the color combination below.

I think my DVD gift box for my hubby's valentine's gift turned out pretty good. I used a copic marker that I HAD to buy so it would match my aqua mist cardstock & ribbon. *wink* I used Pure Poppy Ink & Cardstock, Summer Sunrise Ink & equivalent cardstock, Aqua Mist ribbon & copic marker & Ripe Avocado equivlent cardstock.

Stamp sets used: Wise Owl, Trajan Alphabet, Wedding Day, Polka Dot Basics & Fresh Alphabet (I used the i to make the + sign)

I am so in love with this new Fiskars punch!!

Show Us your SheetLoad - February

It's that time again.... go check out SheetLoad for February's Show Us Your SheetLoad for a chance to win FREE stamps!

For my little brother

Ok, so he's not so little because he's coming up on his 28th birthday. He requested a gift card and I thought what a great opportunity to use a ShortCuts Gift Card Holder Folder. I couldn't resist the opportunity to use this cute Basic Grey paper. I also used some of my new very favorite ink - Close To My Heart Cocoa. This is the best deep dark brown ever!

Even my husband commented that the dinosaur sticker had teeth!

Sorry the inside picture is so blurry.

February SheetLoad

Ok it's that time again! The February issue of SheetLoad is ready for download. This months issue is sponsored by Unity Stamps. They have the cutest stamps, so be sure to go check it out.

Here's a closer look at my creations this month.

I pulled out an oldy but goody on this one....mulberry paper!

I'm really starting to get the hang of my Copic markers!

I love how this layout came together. It's so simple, with just a few elements. I used my Copic markers to place a hint of pink in the leaves of the tree.

What a fabulous weekend!

Yesterday Reanne and I went to a Mommy & Me Valentine class at The Paper Source. We had so much fun! I broke down and bought her some more ink and some hearts to create her own valentines. Then we walked around the Plaza and shopped a bit. Really we just bought her a couple things at Gymboree because they were a great buy. But boy did Reanne shop hard. I have never seen this before from a 5 year old! Reanne was in hog heaven. It was just a great time. After we got home she got to crafting and even put on her "Hard Core Cropper" shirt.

So until I really started reading others blogs did I think that the good old JCPenny catalog could be inspiration for crafting! This comforter set really just spoke to me. I thought it was so unusual to combine this blue/augua color with splashes of orange.

Here is my creation. I used Aqua Mist (my go to color!) cardstock, ribbon & ink as well as the new With Sympathy stamp set from Papertrey. I also colored in the leaves with a Copic marker.

Blog Hop & Shout Out to Sheet Load

Today's Blog Hop for Papertrey Ink is focused on birthday cards. I made this card with the new Making Memories Sabrina collection I found at Michael's. I also used the April 2008 SheetLoad scketch.

Supplies: Papertrey Ink (Simply Stationary, Birthday Basics, Polka Dot Basics); Pallet (Black Ink); Making Memories (Sabrina paper collection); Cuttlebug (Houndstooth Embossing Folder); Michael's (Pink Gem), Cardstock (Coordinations-Black/Pink, Ivory Linen).

Time flies

So I thought things were supposed to calm down after the holiday's??? Things seem crazier than ever!!!

So for this month's Guest Star Stamper at Papertrey Ink I have entered the two projects below. I am going to start with my favorite!

There's a story behind this card. So over the holiday's I joined Facebook as a way to reconnect with friends from High School. One of my classmates happens to now live in Kansas City as well. She was gracious enough to invite me to her home for lunch. We had such a great time! We could have talked for days. We weren't close in school, but I can tell we will be fast friends. She is a paper artist as well and had some treats for me....scraps of beautiful expensive papers. The beautiful pattern paper below is one of them. I love the color combo here!

Supplies: Stamps Papertrey Ink (Out on a Limb, Heartfelt Basics); Paper: Papertrey Ink (Pure Poppy Cardstock), Cougar 80# White, Japenese Paper; Ink: CMTH (Cocoa); Papertrey Ink (Pure Poppy), Whisper (Whisper Pink); Ribbon: Papertrey Ink (Pure Poppy Luxe Satin)

This next project was a set of 7 DVD tins I created to hold note pads with a matching pen. Each set was unique, but this was one of my favorites because of the color scheme.

On the inside of the tin I created a pocket out of cardstock. It has a decorative pattern created using Guidelines. I have rolled up some pattern paper inside the pen so that it coordinates with the rest of the set.

Supplies: Stamps Papertrey Ink (Everyday Blessings, Guidelines); Paper: DCWV, Cardstock: Stash;Ink: CMTH (Cocoa); Other: Prima Paper Flowers, DVD Tin, Pen, Note pad (with .5" trimmed off the bottom)

Happy New Year with SheetLoad

Ok the first issue of the year is ready! This is sure to be an exciting year!

The January issue of SheetLoad of Cards is ready to download!!This issue features a sketch by Ann Seleshanko and C.C. Designs Rubber Stamps from All That Scraps!Make sure to check out the samples that utilize their new digital stamp lines. I just love that you can print these directly from your computer, in almost any size you want!!Do you see a set you like and want to buy it? Just click on the sample card in the PDF and be taken directly to C.C. Designs' online store to make your purchase.In the back of the issue are 3 great ideas on how to move this sketch "Beyond the Card".Make sure to check back later in the month to find out how you can win a set of C.C. Designs stamps!!

Merry Christmas!

Ok so I had to share these couple of pictures......

The first is of a girl and her new pink, very soft and comfy, Bronco's pj's!

Next is every little girl's dream.... getting the Barbie Dream House! You should have seen her tearing into it!

Now she's lost in play........................................

Catching Up.......

I know it's been awhile, but December is a busy month! So I'm sharing several things I have created this month.First up is this cute mini composition book. I was playing with my Nestabilities and absolutely love that you can cut out different sizes and even the middles out of larger pieces!

My next card is made from pp that I picked up at the CK Convention. I just love the colors in this card.

Last, but not least, is a notebook and magenet I created for my secret sis at church. I stamped on the front of the manet with one of my CTMH stamps and white stazon.

The picture doesn't show this very well, but I put some Bella's Baubles in the flower centers. All the paper is from CTMH Boo-di-ada collection.

Honorable Mention!

I just had to share with you a project I submitted for Papertrey Ink's Guest Star Stamper for this month. I am very excited to report that I recieved an honorable mention!!! (go check out Nichole's Blog)

I found a pillow box template online and simply enlarged it to fit an 8.5x11 piece of cardstock. I also created a cute little magnet from a stamp block.

Christmas Popcorn Box

Ok, when I saw these little popcorn boxes in the $1 bins a Joann my creative juices went crazy!! You get 4 boxes for a $1; you just can't beat that!

The first round of boxes I made using a Snow Flake Cuttlebug folder on green cardstock. I just love how this turned out. I made some carmel popcorn and took some boxes up to the teachers and secretaries at the kids school on Friday.

I also needed to make a quick box for my secret sis at church and put this box together tonight.

Christmas Countdown Calendar Tutorial

First off a big thank you to Amy Sheffer for allowing me to create a tutorial of her fabulous countdown calendar! I got my inspiration from her creation here.

Ok so on with it. You'll first want to gather some supplies:

• 2 4" square costers
• Pattern paper (2-3 coordinating patterns)
• Cardstock
• Alphabet stamps or stickers
• Number stamps or stickers
• 12" ribbon
• Decorative scissors/dieCircle punch
• Crop-a-dile
• Plastic coil (if you don't have this, check a local Children's Museum for a recycle store or wire from your craft stash will work as well)

Cut 4 pieces of pattern paper 4" square, apply adhesive and adhere to the front and back of your coasters.

After you adhere your paper to the coaters you'll nee to round the corners.

Next you'll punch a circle and stamp "Days Unitl Christmas".

Here's mine (sorry a bit blurry) as I am not fortunate enough to have a JustRite stamper like Amy, but I was able to make due with stamps in my collection. :)

Next you'll cut a strip of paper about 4"x 1" creating a decorative edge on one side. Here I used a Nestability to create a scalloped edge.

You'll also cut a piece of paper 4" x 1.5". You'll adhere this piece, the decorative edge piece from above and your 12" piece of ribbon. Top this off with your "Days Until Christmas" circle.

Next you'll cut 1"x 1.5" pieces of cardstock or paper for your calendar. For this calendar I choose 0-3 & 0-9 for my numbers. I used a snow flake stamp with Close to My Heart Daisy White (THE best white ink ever!) and number stickers from my stash.

Now the fun part! You'll place about .25" of your coaster under a ruler and mark off every .25". This will create the guides for punching holes for the plastic coil.

After you punch holes in the first coaster use this as a template for the second coaster as well as your numbers.

After you get your coasters and numbers punched it's time to bind. Be sure you have your numbers in the correct order before binding!

Here's the finished product with one final step. So the coasters don't collapse on each other cut a .5" x 3" strip of cardstock, score .5" from both ends, adhere .5" on the back coaster, slip the other .5" behind the ribbon. (If you adhered your ribbon already, don't worry. Take an exacto knife under the ribbon to lossen the adhesive and slip in the other scored end.)

My daughter gets a kick every day out of changing the date. Just so we're sure to get the right count I bookmarked this site. She checks it every day and thinks she's big stuff for using the computer!