Spring Fling

I am not a girl with favorites, but I have to admit that Spring is one of my absolute favorite seasons. There is nothing better than seeing the tulips pushing their way out of the ground. It is then that I know that winter is finally saying goodbye. One of my particular favorites, are these beautiful purple tulips that continue to multiply year after year. I used to have a single tulip, but nature is working her magic and they continue to spread.

I was so thrilled to be able to work them into my design today. Nichole asked us to create a project with our favorite thing about Spring as our inspiration. My inspiration actually came from one of my past issues of Martha Stewart Living. I spied these gorgeous boxes using real flowers and knew that I wanted to try something similar. You will definitely want to check out the rest of the Spring Fling projects that the other girls have made: Lisa Johnson,Michelle Wooderson,

Becky Oehlers ,Heather Nichols, Lauren Meader. I started out with one of Papertrey ink's trendy tubes. I removed the lid and turned it upside down and used an eyelet hole punch and hammered a hole into the lid. Once I was finished with the lid, I filled the tube 3/4 full of water.

You can see from the photo how nicely the tulip fits inside the hole.

Once that is done, you can decorate your box as desired. For my box, I used the same template that I shared the other day. You can check it out at the bottom of this post. I started out making the base from Plum Pudding cardstock. I added some polka dot basics and friends til the end pattern paper. I really like the color combination. I never would have put these all together unless I had made this project. I used one of papertrey ink's must have sets "Boards and Beams". I Love all of the beautiful and useful sentiments that are included as well as all of the fun accents you can add to the houses. My space was limited, so I opted for a few topiaries and a stone path. The very top of the home is attached with foam squares so that the home will come up, but the path and topiaries will stay put. I added a tag using the "Welcome home" sentiment. I thought it was fun to add a little bit of *home* with this little gift. In order to get the blooms inside the box and down into the tube, I made a slightly larger hole in the top of the box so that the stems would fit in nicely. The directions from Martha Stewart are a little different.

You may be wondering how all of this works together. Here are the steps I used;

step one: prepare tube and add water.

step two: create box
step three: place tube in box, add candies to anchor it in place.

step four: place stems through the lid and carefully replace the lid, lowering the stems into the tube.

Wouldn't these be fun to make for party favors or place settings? I can't wait to try more! Thanks for fluttering by!

Stamps: Boards and Beams
Ink: Palette Noir, Copic and Prismacolor Markers
Paper: Plum Pudding, White, Friends til the end and bitty polka dot basics pattern paper
Accessories: Trendy Tube, Aqua Mist Buttons, Sponge, fresh flowers, eyelet hole punch, mat and hammer, water, linen thread, plum pudding satin ribbon

My Little Champion

My daughter will be starting soccer in a few days, so I thought that she was in need of her own girly sports card. She saw me working on it and all she could see was the blue pennant that I was trimming. She asked if I was making a sailboat and I told her that it was a pennant and that people use them to show team spirit. She started crying and asked why I kept making sports things for my son and not for her. She, of course, didn't know that it was actually for her, but I still wanted it to be a surprise, so she will have to wait.

I used the new Papertreyink "All Star Team" and "All Star Team Additions" to create my card. I also used today's SC over on SCS. I haven't participated in a challenge for a while. I used some My Mind's Eye scraps that I lying around. I like the mix of colors and polka dots.

I stamped the images using Walnut Stain ink and the pink sentiment is Rasberry Fizz by PTI. I added some lace, ribbon and a little stitching for some texture. I had fun with this and hope my daughter will like it and feel appreciated.

Thanks for fluttering by! P.S. Here is the link for the box template in case you missed it.



Stamps: All Star Team and All Star Team Additions

Ink: Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Ink, Rasberry Fizz by PTI
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, My Mind's Eye
Accessories: Lace, Ribbon, Aqua Mist Button by PTI, sewing machine and thread, dimensionals, sponge, 1 3/4 inch circle punch

Little Cutie

I am so glad that so many of you enjoyed my box from yesterday! Many of you requested a template, which I will post soon! ETA: I finally got the template ready. You can view it at the bottom of yesterday's post Here!!!

Today's card started out as an attempt at the Mojo Monday sketch, but didn't end up that way. I will have to give it another try later. My friend needs a baby boy card, so I jumped at the chance. I love making baby cards. I used "Nursery Necessities" which is one of my favorite baby sets. I stamped the boat three times and then cut each piece out and popped them up with dimensionals. I was thrilled to be able to use a little Pacific Point ink. For those of you who follow my blog, you know how Pacific Point challenged I am. Now I just need to start using my barely touched Tangerine Tango. Isn't it sad that these colors will soon be retiring and I haven't even used some of them?

I had already glued quite a bit of this card before I realized how much it needed a little stitching. I was too lazy to pull everything off and re-thread my machine, though!

All of the DSP is from the retired "Muirfield" collection, which I love. One of the main reasons I bought it was because it had Pacific Point in it and I thought that it would help force me to use it. I also used some buttons from my stash and Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon.

I had fun making it and hope my friend likes it. She has also asked me to make a Birthday Card, so I will be sharing that as soon as I get it made.

Thanks for fluttering by!

Stamps: Nursery Necessities
Ink: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Muirfield DSP
Accessories: Buttons, Linen Thread,
Stampin' Dimensionals
Kiwi Kiss Double Sided Satin Ribbon,
corner rounder

Blooming With Love

Yesterday after church I decided to sit down and do some stamping. I was in the mood for another 3-D project, so I made 3 *almost* identical boxes. I haven't decided what will be going in them, but probably some sort of yummy candy. There is a scrapbook store in the area that always has really fun, festive & seasonal candy in big bell jars on the counter and whatever is there will probably be just the ticket!

I haven't showed any SU! creations lately, so I thought it was time to dust my SU! stamps off. "Blooming With Love" is one of my favorite sets and it is perfect for this time of year, so I went with it. The images were stamped with Palette Noir and then colored with a blender pen and re-inkers. I usually pick out my pattern paper first and then color my images, but this time I did it in reverse. I was thrilled to see that "Bella Rose" DSP worked well with the colors I chose. The boxes are almost 100% SU! minus the ribbon, buttons and black ink, but those could be easily substituted. You can't tell in the photos, but I added crystal effects to each of the pots to create a realistic enamel coat.

I tried to make the box easy to open, so I made it so the lid slides off without having to un-tie the ribbon. Many people that I give little gifts to never want to untie the *pretty* bow, so I thought this would be a great solution.

I also decided to make the dimensions of this box so that I could get the lid and the base from one sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 cardstock. The box measures 4 inches high, 3 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches thick. The lid is just 1/16 of an inch larger at each measurement.

Thanks for fluttering by!


Stamps: Blooming With Love, Small Sayings, Fundamental Phrases
Ink: Palette Noir, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Re-inkers
Paper: Kraft, White, Bella Rose, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Buttons by The Paper Studio, Ribbon by Offray, Linen Thread, sponge, glue dots, sticky strip, paper trimmer with scoring blade






ETA: Here is the template and basic instructions for the box, as requested!!!

I wanted to first show you how you can get the box and the lid from one sheet of paper, but I would *NOT* suggest doing it this way. The next photo will show you how you should do it.





First, cut the paper on the vertical at 5 1/2 inches all the way down. Then you will have your two pieces; one for the lid and one for the base.
This is what the base should look like once is has been scored and the excess pieces removed.



This is what the top should look like once the excess pieces have been removed.

It is assembled just as you would a 2-4-6-8 box.

Isn't it time we got together?

I thought the title of today's post was fitting since I have been away so long! We spent the week in Disneyland and I am one tired girl! We got in so late last night, that I had to make my SFYTT card today. I had grand plans of arriving at a decent time so that I could have it done early, but it didn't happen! I thought an Alice in Wonderland card would be fitting since I have just been spinning in the tea-cups and slithering around in giant caterpillars! LOL! I was *very* inspired on my trip and I can't wait to share some creations using all of that inspiration!

I was glad that I had already taken a peek at Jen's sketch for this week, so that I could kindof plan my design out in my head. I knew that this image of Alice with the Mad Hatter by TJDesigns would be perfect for this sketch. My daughter just popped downstairs to see what I was working on and added that the bunny looks weird and Alice looks mad! LOL! It is true, though!

I stamped the image using Palette Noir ink and colored it with copic and prismacolor markers. All of the edges are sponged with Vintage Photo distress ink by Ranger. I added some vintage glass glitter and chunky essentials glitter for some detail and sparkle. I have been missing my glitter. I punched the star using my SU! punch and added the glitter. The button is one of the yummy Sweet Blush buttons from Papertrey ink. I added an Ocean Tides (also Papertrey ink) satin bow to the center of the ribbon! This card is now officially *unmailable*! LOL!

You won't want to miss out on the other girls creations.

Jen Del Muro and Kimberly

Amy Rohl

Carole Burrage

Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

Thanks for fluttering by!

Wishing You Sunshine!

I was finally able to play with Dawn's new "Scattered Showers" stamp set from Papertrey ink again. I have been wanting to paper piece the line-art umbrella. I decided to pull out my Guide Lines paper again and make a little box. I need a little *something* to give to one of my friends and I thought this set would make a fun presentation!

I also paired it with the "Fresh Alphabet" stamp set. I have realized that I need to get a few more PTI alphabets; one is just not enough! I added a few details, but not too many because I didn't want to overwhelm the design. I didn't end up liking the dimensions that I made my box, so I had to do add some paper here and there to trick the eyes. I think it finally turned out okay.

I used my crop-a-dile big bite to make the holes on the side for the ribbon. I simply knotted it on the inside and then tied it in a bow on the top to secure the lid! Hopefully she will know how to get inside! LOL! I guess she could just tear into it if worse came to worse!

I am taking a little stamping break until Saturday's SFYTT, so stay tuned until then! It will be a good one, like always! Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Fresh Alphabet, Scattered Showers

Ink: Palette Noir

Paper: Plum Pudding cardstock, Vintage Cream, Guidelines pattern paper

Accessories: Sweet Blush Buttons, foam squares, plum pudding satin ribbon, crop-a-dile big bite, paper piercer and mat pack

Damask Birthday SFYTT

I feel so bad that I wasn't able to participate in last week's SFYTT, but here I am this week with one of Jen's amazing sketches. I really like this week's sketch with all of the layers and focal oval. I decided to use one of my new nestabilities instead of an oval, but I think it works well with the sketch.
I needed a Birthday card to accompany the gift for the "Tea Party" my daughter is going to. Of course I needed to keep the theme consistent, so I pulled out the new PTI "Tea for Two" set and "Damask Designs". I ran out of Sweet Blush cardstock while working on my ensemble for the Papertrey Ink release, so I used SU! Blush Blossom. Can I just say that I like Sweet Blush so much better? I was pretty proud of myself that I used almost every last little scrap I had for that project.

I kept all of the details the same; swiss dot embossing folder, nestablities die, gem stickers, etc. I did however add a crown charm that I picked up from starlitstudio. I simply removed the hole at the top used for hanging by snipping it off with my craft and rubber scissors. I attached it with mini glue dots. I decided to use my ticket corner punch for some of the corners so there would be an extra place to add some more bling.

I used a marker to ink up the sentiment, leaving of the "To You" section because it made it too thick for the design.

I stamped the line art tea pot in the inside, added one of the small damask prints and then stamped the "Tea for two, Me and You" sentiment over the top. I thought it was a sweet little addition for the inside of the card, leaving enough room for my daughter's 5 year old large handwriting to fit on the inside. LOL! I am sure the party will be a hit!

You won't want to miss out on the other girls creations.
Jen Del Muro and Kimberly

Amy Rohl

Carole Burrage

Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

Thanks for fluttering by!

Mojo Violets

I was thrilled when Brandi emailed me and asked if I would like to use some of the ribbon and paper she sells in her ebay store MyLittleRibbonShop. Of course I said Yes!!! Me and Ribbon are a match made in heaven! LOL! She sent me some fabulous ribbon and some paper and other goodies. I put it to good use today on this card that *sort of* fits with this week's Mojo Monday sketch. I started off with good intentions of following it, but my design choices made me have to add something here and there. I am sure you all know what I am saying! Right?

She sent me some yummy paper from Cosmo Cricket. I think I may be mixing lines, but I liked the combo, so I went with it.


I thought the little Violet cupcake image that I picked up from Ellen was the perfect fit for the focal image. It was sitting on the shelf begging to be inked. I used a combination of Copic and Prismacolor markers to color it. The sentiment is from Papertreyink's "Heart Prints Sentiments". I had to have that set as soon as it was released and I am so glad I purchased it. It has been so versatile.

I sponged all of the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink for a vintage feel. The bottom was scalloped with the scallop edge punch by SU! It has been a bit neglected as of late, since I have been using my Martha Stewart Doily Lace Edge Punch which seems like it is almost ready to give up on me!

Thanks, Brandi, for all of the fun goodies. I can't wait to use more! Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I will be back tomorrow with one of Jen's new SFYTT!

Supplies:

Stamps: Violet Cupcake by Lockhart Stamp Co., Heart Prints Sentiments by PTI

Ink: Palette Noir, Copic and Prismacolor markers, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Paper: Vintage Cream by PTI, Cosmo Cricket

Accessories: Button from my stash, glue dots, linen thread by SU!, ribbon by May arts available at my little ribbon shop, scallop edge punch by SU!, sponge, foam squares

You are my All Star!

I was thrilled to be able to play in today's SC on SCS. It has been a while since I have done some of my favorite challenges. I realize that I may have strayed a bit with the sketch, but I had fun nontheless! I wanted to make a coordinating card for my son to go with his new "Champ" banner that I made. I used "All Star Team" and "All Star Team Additions" from PapertreyInk to create the card.
I can tell this is going to be my *go-to* sports set as I may have already mentioned. I used all of the same elements; colors, paper, etc. that I used on the banner. I hope he likes it as much as he did the banner. I will give this to him when he has his first baseball game.


One of the reasons I like this set so much is how easy everything is to use. The penant is one stamp and then you can add in an assortment of different words. It is quick to cut out, and you dont' even have to do that if you don't want to. This card came together so quickly. I had a lot of fun with it! Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. Thank you for *ALL* of your sweet comment you left on my Papertrey projects.

Papertrey Ink!!!

Well...it is finally here! I have been working very hard on my projects for this month's PapertreyInk release. I am in love with the new sets that will be available for purchase on the 15th. Each one is so unique and versatile. I am afraid you will be seeing *a lot* of them in the near future.

For the first project, I was inspired by a *Tea Party* Birthday Party that my daughter is invited to on Friday. The invitation arrived in it's pink, black and white Damask glory, so what did I do? Yes...you are right, I got to work on some fun little projects to tuck in with the birthday girl's gift. Of course "Damask Designs" and the brand-spankin new "Tea For Two" set were the perfect stamp sets to create with. I started out by creating a set of 10 thank you cards and a coordinating card box to hold all of them plus 10 envelopes. I guess this gift is more for the Mother than the birthday girl, since she is only turning 6. I figured that her Mother could use them or she could let her daughter just use them for fun. There are 5 different designs, 2 of each. I couldn't share them all since this post is going to be long enough as it is! LOL!

I started out by creating a black base for each card and then using my swiss dot embossing folder I made a sweet blush layer for each card as well. Every card has the same layout, just a different tea pot for the focal image. I used one of my Nestabilites label die sets for the focal piece. I added some bling to both ends of the label. Since I was making 10 and they needed to fit into the box, I needed to keep the layers to a minimun as well as the foam squares which you all know how much I love to use. Hopefully these will fit into an envelope nicely and not require extra postage. Fingers crossed....

I made a belly band to go around the card box so that everything would be tucked away nicely and not fall open and have the cards go spilling out.


For the final project in the series, I used a plain wooden frame that I picked up at Michael's (the ones that are $1) and dressed it up. I thought it would be fun for the birthday girl to remove the focal image and replace it with a picture from her party. I began by painting the frame with Making Memories scrapbook paint. I then stamped the Damask images with Palette Noir ink and distressed the edges. The invitation came with the crystal charm that is hanging from the ribbon, so I put it to good use on the frame. While I would never throw it away, I thought I might as well give it back to the recipient in a way that she will be able to remember her special day. I do aplogize for the bad lighting on this one. I added some buttons and bling to dress it up. I kept the elements the same as on the card and box for a cohesive feel.

Now...totally changing gears and going for an All-Boy project that I made for my son. He will be starting baseball soon, in fact the draft is tomorrow. I wanted to have something hanging in his room that will let him now how special he is and hopefully the extra boost he needs to try his hardest. I am in love with all of the quotes and words that this set comes with. It will be a go-to set for all of my sports needs from now on. Heather really went above and beyond with this set. I actually used All Star Team and All Star Team Additions for this project.



ETA: I cut each piece into a rectangle first and then marked the center so I could cut them into triangles. I cut the green pieces 3 3/4 by 5 3/4. The Chocolate felt was cut 4 inches by 6. The white was cut at 4 1/2 by 6 1/2. Each one was layered, and then the white was pinked using good fabric pinking shears. The ribbon is adhered with staples and the buttons cover the staples.
I started out by making the banner base with Easy Felt that I picked up at Michael's. I really liked using this felt because it is stiff and it was so easy to cut using my rotary cutter and quilting ruler. I created 3 layers; green, chocolate and white. I don't know what colors his new uniform will be, so I opted for the tried and true Clearfield Thunder colors from football. Oh, did I mention how much I love this set? Each layer was adhered together and then I stitched each piece with my sewing machine. There is something really satisfying about sewing through 3 layers of felt. I can't explain it, you will just have to try it. LOL! I was thrilled to see how well the Fresh Snow ink adhered to the felt as well as the Dark Chocolate ink. Hybrid ink is fantastic!!!!

I used some SU! chipboard, raw and naked, for the letters. I did add a little Vintage Photo Distress Ink to the letters as well as all of the cardstock pieces. I was going into withdrawal.

One of my favorite parts of this stamp set is the tiny pennant images and the coordinating words that fit inside. This is just the icing on the cake with this set.













I had so much fun with this project and my son *loves* it! He was so excited that I made it for him. My daughter got a little weepy that I didn't make one for her.


So...on that note. I got to work on something *just* for her. I always loved getting personalized items when I was a kid, so I thought that I would make her a personalized notebook. She loves to get a notepad and sit and write all of the letters she has learned in Kindergarten. She could sit and write for hours, unless it is homework time! LOL!


I used Dawn's scrumptious new set called "Scattered Showers". Isn't is fun? I can't wait to experiment with it some more! I used a notebook that I had on hand that I picked up from Barnes and Noble; it is a great size. I covered it with bitty dots basics paper and friends til the end paper as well. Isn't the color combo scrumptious? I added quite a few buttons...did you see Nichole's announcement about the new colors?

I had to add the wellies from the Green Thumb set because they work so well with the umbrella. My sponge was still feeling lonely, so I added a generous amount of Vintage Photo Distress Ink to all of the edges. I created the tabs for the side by using my round tab punch by SU! I stamped all of the little sentiments from "Mixed Messages. I hope my daughter is pleased with her surprise.

I had so much fun with all of these projects and I hope you enjoy them! Thanks for fluttering by!


Supplies: Tea Projects
Stamps: Tea For Two, Damask Designs
Ink: Sweet Blush, Palette Noir or True Black
Paper: True Black, White, Sweet Blush
Accessories: Cuttlebug and Swiss Dot embossing folder, wooden frame, diamond gem stickers by Martha Stewart, True Black Saddle Stitch ribbon, Making Memories rose petal scrapbook paint, nestabilities label dies, foam squares, glue dots, blush buttons,

Champ Banner
Stamps: All-Star Team and All-Star Team Additions
Ink: Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Fresh Snow, New Leaf, Dark Chocolate
Paper: Kraft
Accessories: Circle Punch, Sewing Machine and Thread, Vintage Brads by SU!, sponge, Easy Felt, Ripe Avocado Saddle Stitch Ribbon, Vintage Buttons in Dark Chocolate and New Leaf, Linen Thread by SU!, chipboard letters by SU!, foam squares, pinking shears

Emma Notebook
Stamps: Scattered Showers, Fresh Alphabet, Green Thumb, Mixed Messages
Ink: Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Paper: Vintage Cream, Bitty Dot Basics, Friends Til The End, Kraft, Spring Moss
Accessories: Vintage Buttons, Sewing Machine and Thread, sponge, Melon Berry Bitty Dot ribbon, foam squares, round tab punch, glue dots, notebook, staples