Thanks so Much *SFYTT*

I decided to use up the small amount of scraps I have from this retired SU! DSP for this week's *Sketch For You To Try* design. I haven't used this image in a while and it was perfect for this week's sketch. Everything on the card is SU! except for the sewing, obviously and white PTI cardstock which I cannot live without. I haven't done a SU! only design in a while, so I thought I would go ahead. I still haven't placed an order from the new catalog, so I am trying to use what I have.

I colored the image using re-inkers and a blender pen. I decided that the focal piece needed a little something extra, so I used my color-spritzing tool to splatter some chocolate chip ink. Before I did that, I added a bit of crystal effects to each flower. I embossed each scallop on the side using the crop-a-dile. The sentiment is from "Pocket Silhouettes" and I cut it and popped it up on the focal piece. I am still working on my thank you cards for all of my birthday gifts. I am so behind. My goal was to at least get them all done before September, but I don't see that happening.

Last night, after football practice, Emma and I went baby shopping. We picked out a cute new outfit and Yes...I kept my receipt. LOL! I am still bummed that we don't have a for sure answer. I guess it will keep me from going wild with shopping for another few weeks! LOL!

We have another football game today. I hope the team does well.

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and Megan
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer

Carole and Susan won't be playing this week.
I hope you all get a chance to play along this week! Thanks for fluttering by !!!

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Friends {24-7}
Ink: Palette Noir, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Paper: PTI White, SU! White, Parisian Breeze DSP
Accessories: Button Bouquet Button, Linen Thread, 1 3/4 inch circle punch, foam squares, sewing machine and thread, crystal effects, color spritzer tool, sponge, crop-a-dile, chocolate taffeta ribbon

16, Rue Marie-Stuart

ETA: I just got back from my Doctor's Appointment. I think I know what the baby is, but my Doctor told me if I go shopping to keep my receipts. Hmmmmm....I think I will be postponing my blog candy give-away until we have a more "concrete" answer. I have my "Big" 3-D Ultrasound on the 22nd of September, so I will keep you posted.

I needed a card to give to my babysitter that watched Emma on Sunday. Her Mom didn't want me to pay her since it was Sunday, but she said that she would love a handmade card. So...I sat down today and got started. She is only 15, so I hope that this "vintage" look doesn't get lost on her. Hopefully she will appreciate it. I have zero teeny-bopper stamps and she isn't really your typical teeny-bopper anyway. She seems to have a bit of a gothic flair, hence the black. I am crossing my fingers that I didn't cross the line by adding pink. LOL!

I started by using several images from my Paris stamp set by Cavallini Papers & Co. to stamp the focal tag. The stamp container inspired me to use the label shape in the background since they have the same shape to highlight the stamp name. I added some sewing around the edges for detail, glitter, lace and a big, fat bow threaded with a silver regiment button. I had fun making this, so I am hoping she likes it. I will be creating a matching tag to accompany a bag of cookies I will be making her as well. It will probably end up looking just like the focal tag, so I will skip sharing it.

I will be going shopping later today to pick up a few blog candy items for a "guess the baby gender" contest that I will hold tomorrow. My appointment is in the morning, so when I find out, I will post the contest rules, etc. Let's just hope the baby cooperates this time! LOL! Thanks for fluttering by!


Stamps: Paris by Cavallini Papers & Co.
Ink: Palette Noir, Smokey Shadow by PTI, Vintage Photo by Ranger
Paper: Vintage Cream by PTI, Blush Blossom by SU!, Pattern Paper by K & Co.
Accessories: Sewing Machine and Thread, button from Hobby Lobby, Lace from Local Scrapbook store, sticky strip, dimensionals, sponge, vintage glass glitter, Martha Stewart Liquid Glue, Labels 2 by Nestabilities, corner rounder, tag corner punch, 1/2 inch circle punch, 1/4 inch hole punch

A note of thanks color challenge

I wouldn't even want to venture a guess at how long it has been since I have participated in a color challenge. I just know it has been a really long time. I decided to change up my daily routine a bit and sit down and stamp as soon as the kids left for school. I usually feel this impending need to get the house all put together for the day and such, but I have found that this, in all reality, could and does take me all day and then I never get a chance to do the things that I really want to do. I think laundry, dishes, bed making, etc. is the Stay At Home Mom's version of "Going Postal"! I always think to myself, "didn't I just do this?". LOL! I guess it is every woman's version whether you stay home or not, because it needs to be done regardless.

So...the colors for today are Chocolate Chip, Real Red, and Kraft. Easy peasy. I chose to use a retired "Simply Sent" kit for my images; simple delights. I used a different sentiment even though I love the ones that come with that set. I am in serious need of some thank you cards to send out since my birthday. I am a little behind. While I was at Michael's the other day picking up some adhesive, I spied these silver gem stickers that ended up in my basket. I thought they were a nice addition to give it some shine. In the end I think this card wound up looking a little like a western burlesque girl; soooooo not the look I was going for. Oh well.... I had fun anyway.

As I mentioned last week, my son had his first football game of the season on Saturday. I felt bad for the team since it was so stinking hot. This Saturday is looking to be 95 degrees, which is cooler than last, but still hot to be wearing all of those heavy pads, uniform and helmet. My computer ate the photos I had with my son in them, but I still thought that this picture of the partial line up was cute. I think my son as well as all the players pictured would probably die if they knew I just used the word "cute" to describe them. Anyway, they ended up winning 33-0. My son had a fumble recovery and ran about 8 yards before he was tackled. He said that he was so nervous he was running the wrong way. LOL!

My daughter had her first day of dance yesterday. She gave me this totally cheeser smile, but is such a cutie, I guess I can forgive her. I took Ballet growing up and it has been my desire for her to try it as well. I finally found the perfect studio that caters to Classical Ballet and so I know she will get good training. Anyway...I guess I have been rambling. Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments on yesterday's post. Thanks for fluttering by!

9 months and counting...

I made this pregnancy journal almost a month ago, but haven't taken the time to share it with you. For those of you who visit regularly, you may have read about my sad time with my miscarriage. I am overjoyed to be pregnant again, but each day is also filled with fear and anxiety if all will turn out okay. I decided about a month ago, that it really wasn't fair to this baby, that I wasn't whole-heartedly "celebrating" my pregnancy. So...I decided to sit down and create a pregnancy journal so that I could document my growing belly, feelings, excitement and photos.( I am now going to need to ask my DR. to print me some pictures at each ultrasound, since they put it all on DVD.) I have loved being pregnant with my last two and want to feel the same way now.

I created the journal trying to use gender neutral colors, etc. If the baby turns out to be a girl, I will change the ribbon to pink. I added the "fortunes" that we got around the time I found out I was pregnant. I also included the only printed ultrasound picture as well as some fun stickers. I really liked the calendar sticker, because my due date is the 19th and it really will be a Tuesday. I thought that was fun.

I used Thickers for the numbers to represent each month. I didn't do any stamping, just paper, stickers and ribbon. I have a huge tote filled with assorted stickers and things that I use to scrapbook. I generally don't stamp my on my scrapbook pages, which seems weird.

I go to the Doctor on Friday and will hopefully be able to see if this is a boy or a girl. I was thinking some fun baby blog candy was in order, so I may be putting together some kind of "guess the gender" contest. I am off to go volunteer in my daughter's class. Thanks for fluttering by!

School Days #2 SFYTT

For those of you who visited yesterday, you may be doing a double take on today's card. It is indeed a different card, but using all of the same elements. Since I have two teachers to think about, I thought it would be beneficial to make a second card using this week's SFYTT, since all of the supplies were already out. Everything worked out really nicely to fit the same elements on to the card, but mixing it up a bit. Emma saw me working on today's card and said how cute it was and that she would like to give it to her teacher. Yay for me!
I am a little late getting this done. Saturday is my only day to sleep in so I took advantage today. The sad thing is that I go to bed early every night and still want more sleep. This baby must need it. My husband was cute, too. He told the kids to let me sleep and not disturb me. He is usually the one begging me to get up to get the kids their breakfast so they will stop whining.

Today is my son's first football game of the season. I am such a nervous nellie on game days. I don't know why. Basketball games....no worries; Baseball games...no worries; Football games...whole different story! I hope they will do well. I will share photos and such later!


You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and Megan
Amy Rohl
Carole Burrage
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

I hope you all get a chance to play along this week! Thanks for fluttering by!

School Days

My kids have been in school for over a month now, but it seems the rest of the world is gearing up for the anticipated "Back to School". I thought I would make a card in honor of this fun time. I actually love getting ready for school; new pencils, notepads, backpacks and especially taking a whiff of a new box of crayons. My daughter loves it when we lay on the floor and color together. I hope she hasn't caught on that I only do it when her crayons are sharp! LOL! I actually bought quite a few boxes since they are dirt cheap right now, so she should be getting lots of Mommy/Emma coloring time.

I chose my papers first; I picked up a new pack of yummy K&Co. paper. They are some of my favorites and I am anticipating lots of fun designs and projects made with them. September is on it's way which means leaves turning and cooler weather, so I chose some papers that seemed like the end of summer/ early fall. I used the Vintage School Days stamp set by TJ Designs. I mixed the design up with stamps and an image from the Vintage School Days Collage Pack. I originally spent time coloring in the "ABC" image, but in the end liked it better black and cream. I added a few other details to finish it off.

I couldn't be more happy with both of my kids teachers this year, so this will probably be sent off to school accompanied by a small treat or something.

I will be back tomorrow morning with a new SFYTT design. I know it will all shock you; two designs in two days! I really don't mean to have such long breaks between designs.

Thanks for fluttering by!

Sweet Baby SFYTT

I decided for this week's SFYTT card, I would make a coordinating card for the box in my last post. I still had everything out, so it was super easy. I really liked the different panels on this sketch. For the embellishment portion, I simply tied a bow and added a button as I did on the box. You can check it out the supplies I used on the previous post. I have all of the stamp sets and supplies linked!
I know this is super quick, but it is my daugther's birthday party today and I still have a lot to get done!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and Megan
Amy Rohl
Carole Burrage
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

I hope you all get a chance to play along this week!

Tucked In

As promised, here is a peek at the 2nd My Timeless Template that will be released from Papertrey Ink on the 15th. It is called "Tucked In"; isn't that a cute name? I chose to create the smaller of the two sizes...isn't that great that you get two for one? I think I forgot to mention on yesterday's post that you get two sizes with that one as well.
I thought it would be the perfect size to hold a small piece of jewelry and since another friend of mine just had a baby girl, I decided to create a little something for her. I didn't just want to "throw" the bracelet in there or even wrap it in tissue, so I decided to make a tiny, tufted pillow to tie the bracelet to; kindof like what you might see a ringbearer holding.

Once I had assembled the box and decorated it, I got to work on the pillow. I just cut a tiny piece of fabric; actually a remnant of some that I had used to make some baby bibs, so she will probably get one of those as well. I sewed it just as you would a pillow, stuffed it with polyfiberfill and then stitched up the open end. I threaded the ribbon through two of the 4 holes on the button, and then stitched the other two holes through the pillow to create the "tuft". I then threaded the ribbon through the bracelet and secured it with a bow. I crumpled a tiny piece of typing paper and added it to the bottom of the box as well as the extra links for the bracelet and then placed the pillow on top for height.
I let the Pattern Paper do all the work and only added a few details and minimal stamping. Since the box is so tiny, I didn't want to overwhelm the design. I used the circle image from Simply Stationery and a tiny sentiment from Mixed Messages. I punched it out using a 1 1/4 inch circle punch and then matted it with a 1 3/8 inch circle punch. I finished it off with some ribbon and a button.



I had so much fun with this one and I can't wait to present my friend with her gift! Thanks for fluttering by!

Fold N' Go *Sneak Peek*

It is that time again; time to share a brand spankin' new template from Lauren! It will be available for purchase from Papetrey Ink on the 15th of this month. I always hate when my *sneak peek* is the first template because I feel like I am *cheating* you all! You can view my entire project when you purchase the template. I will be able to show you the entire project for the next template, though!

I had a lot of fun putting this template together. It was easy peasy and I can see myself using it again and again. I actually have a few gift ideas already in mind. I will share them when I get them all done! I created this for my darling little nephew who turns 10 in a few days. I always have more fun creating things with the recipient in mind!

I combined quite a few Papertrey Ink sets for this project all of which can be viewed Here! They include: Polka Dot Basics, Background Basics: Text Style, Birthday Basics, Fresh Alphabet & Star Prints. It looks like I went "back to basics" on this one! LOL! I didn't use any pattern paper, but opted to create my own backgrounds and details. Stay tuned for the next template debuting on the 11th! Thanks for fluttering by!

Paris in the Springtime

I was in the mood for a vintage design today and ran across this Paris set I haven't used in a while. I have been using the one from TJ Designs most often, but I love this one from Cavallini Papers & Co., too! I wanted a fresh, light design and knew that I could find the perfect papers in my Collage Pack from TweetyJill Publications. I love this week's sketch because it has a lot of different layers. I opted to add the bow to the top rather than a strip of paper or something else.

For the focal layer, I did some collage stamping using a few of the different stamps included in the set. I used Momento London Fog Ink, PTI Smokey Shadow and Antique Linen by Ranger. Of course I had to add the small clock charm because it says Paris on it. I thought it was the perfect fit. I also used one of the crochet flowers that my Mom made me a while back. I realized that I am only down to two. Eek! I tried using one of my SU! retired fleurettes, but the pink was too soft and clashed. Darn it! I haven't even used one of those, yet!

Of course I had to sponge, distress, sew and glitter to make it complete! LOL! I am proud that I resisted adding an accordion flower! I had a lot of fun with this sketch! I know I say that every week, but Jen does such a fabulous job!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and Megan
Amy Rohl
Carole Burrage
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

I hope you all get a chance to play along this week!
Thanks for fluttering by!!!

A Little Someone

My friend had a new baby at the beginning of July and I have had her gift sitting here without a card to go with it. I decided to clear the remnants of the last 2-3 projects off of my desk and start with a clean space. I have been wanting to stamp, but every time I saw my desk, I decided against it. I thought it was high time to get things cleaned up.

I wrapped the gift in some Classic Pooh paper, so I decided to make her a "Honey the Pooh" (as my daughter calls him) card. Each time I correct her and tell her that it is Winnie the Pooh, it makes me sad to know that one day she won't call him "Honey the Pooh" anymore, so maybe I should just stop. She used to call "Cinderella", just La-La, then it graduated to Cinder La-La, and now it is just plain old "Cinderella". I still call her Cinder La-La just for fun and she corrects me and says, "NO, Mom, it's Cinderella!". Okay...back to the card.

I have had some rolls of stickers that I bought years ago on clearance at a local scrapbook store in my garage in a box. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to use one. Maybe I shouldn't have let the cat out of the bag and you could go on believing that I can color that nicely! LOL! There is actually some stamping on this card. I stamped the scripted circle background at the top and the sentiment on the side and bottom. I added a few buttons, ribbon and cuttlebugged the background. I rubbed all of the edges using a Basic Brown inkpad for definition and detail.

This card actually was the start of this week's sketch challenge on SCS, but took a different turn.

My son started football again this year, so life will officially get crazy. I am off to start dinner so that he can be fed before practice! Thanks for fluttering by!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes...today is my Birthday! When I went to my Doctor's appointment yesterday, they needed to know my age for a form I was filling out. I asked her if I should put down yesterday's age or the age I would be today. I was so hoping I could leave it at the age I was yesterday, but she said no! LOL! I don't have any "baby" pictures to show you today, since they put my ultrasound on a DVD that I take each time I go. It was so fun to have a few minutes of "baby" to watch and show the family yesterday. What a sweetie is growing! I love seeing the little arms and little legs kicking. It was quite a wiggly little thing and it was impossible to detect the gender. I will go back on the 28th and they will be able to see then, I hope.

My SFYTT card is not for me, obviously, but for my darling nephew who just turned 8. We will be celebrating his birthday today and so I needed to make a card. I loved this week's sketch: simple and straightforward. I wish that my execution could have been "simple and straightforward". I was having fits with this card and I was tempted to not even post today, but I kept going.

I don't have any "current" SU! stuff that works for a boy, so I had to use retired paper. It is some of my favorite, anyway. The funny part is that we are Broncos fans here and my Nephew's family are all Cowboys fans. Do you think they might not like the Orange and Blue color combo? LOL!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and New August Guest Designer
Amy Rohl
Carole Burrage
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

I hope you all get a chance to play along this week!
Thanks for fluttering by!!!