Welcome, Little One

I am a little shocked that it has been almost a whole week since I have posted. I had a SU! workshop on Tuesday, so I was busy getting ready for that and then I decided to take a little stamping break. I am re-reading "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" before the movie comes out. I only have a few pages left and now I am left feeling sad that I am done, so I guess I will re-read the 7th book as well.

Today's sketch is so fun with all of the layers and circles. I made a scrapbook page for one of my workshop projects that incorporated this paper and stamp set. As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew that that "idea" would work well for this card. Although this paper doesn't scream baby, necessarily, I like how the page and the card turned out. I will probably recreate the page, since it got sent home with one of my guests.

When I first saw the "Urban Oasis" paper, I knew it was a definite "must-have". It was on my first order when it became available, yet this week was the first time I have ever used it. Shame on me, especially since it is retiring in a few short days.

I started out by using different patten papers to build the base and then worked on the circle details. I stamped the sailboat three times; once in Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and Basic Gray. I trimmed the pieces out to create the multi-colored sailboat and raised it up with dimensionals. The star was simply stamped and then punched and mounted onto a white circle. I chose to use my 1 3/4 inch circle punch for the circles. I finished it off with a bit of Baja Breeze ribbon and a few Kiwi Kiss Courduroy Brads for a little texture.

Next week is the last week of school, so I need to get my rear in gear and get some end of school gifts put together. I will share them as I get them done!

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

Thanks for fluttering by!

Happy Father's Day!

As I mentioned yesterday, I needed to make a few more Father's Day cards. I decided to skip the cards and just create a "book box" to house the Barnes and Noble gift cards that we will be giving. When you open the box, there is a greeting inside from all of us. I really like the idea of having the gift box and the card combined. The box measures about 4 by 5 3/4 so it is relatively small. I just measure the gift card enclosure to get the measurements and went from there. I made a box similar to this back in my Dirty Dozen days, but it was larger and was made to hold a set of notecards. I actually ended up by giving that project away to the school librarian last year.

I had more fun with some of my backgrounds to create the book cover. I used the retired twill background on the Handsome Hunter cardstock and the Sanded background on the Creamy Caramel portion. I have noticed that SU! is slowly getting a smaller and smaller section of backgrounds and it makes me sad. I sponged the edges to give it a bit of depth and realism. I added some sewing to the edge of the caramel piece for some extra detail.
I didn't want to overwhelm the cover, so I kept the stamping simple. I used "Father Knows Best" by Papertrey Ink.

I stamped the compass image using white and then one of the sentiments in black.

The "title" of the book was simply stamped with the "Happy Father's Day" sentiment that is included in the set. The cover wasn't heavy enough to stay closed on it's own, so I glued two pieces of ribbon to the inside and back cover and tied it together. I left the tails long so that it wouldn't be hard to tie back together, if it ever does.

I hope that the "Dads" like their fun little gift. I sure had fun making them! Thanks for fluttering by!

Special Dad and Moments to Remember SFYTT

I decided to make two cards for today's challenge. This card is actually the second one that I made and the following one is the first. I had mentioned that I really wanted to make some more Father's Day cards, but I put all of that away and decided to work on something a little more "me". Once I sat and looked at the large circle, I decided that I wanted to try making a large accordion flower for the circle. I am so glad I did, because this was such a fun card to create. I have literally been stamping all morning! I haven't done that in ages!

I knew which papers I wanted use, which I use quite often. These are from a K & Company slab called "Bailey". They are double sided papers, so I used both the front and back and then pulled in another pattern from another piece. I think I will be giving this card to my daughter's kindergarten teacher with her end of year gift. Her teacher is older and I think she will appreciate this vintage design.

I added a touch of sewing and glitter to all of the distressed edges; something I love to do! A few buttons and ribbon completed the design. I am really excited to put together a fun ensemble to coordinate with the card for her teacher.

Also, I had mentioned that I would share my coach thank you projects, but I was in such a hurry I didn't have a chance to photograph them. The coaches really seemed appreciative, though. I am so glad that we have a break from sports until the end of July when football starts up again.

I am seriously in love with this sketch except for the fact that it gave me fits today! LOL! I am actually going to crank out a few more Father's Day cards later today with it. I ended up liking some other paper better, but had already committed to this paper from SU! It is from the Manchester collection. I will add them as I get them done. I apologize for my tardiness today. I slept in, made the kiddos breakfast and then got started; my computer then gave me fits and I wanted to smash it, but here I am! LOL!

I knew I wanted to use Papertrey Ink's "Father knows Best" set, yet I knew that the tree image wouldn't fit into the circle. I decided that the compass would work just fine. I decided to create a background with it as well to make it have a little more presence. I did cheat a bit and add the "Happy Father's Day" flag sentiment which really shouldn't be there.

I used my compass to trace the large circle since I don't have a punch or nestie large enough for that; yet as I am writing this I am realizing that I own a Coluzzle and I am kicking myself! LOL! Getting the circle trimmed out was one of the reasons I was having fits. GRRRRR.....I guess I have too much stuff and I certainly do forget what I have!

Nonetheless, Jen has come up with another amazing sketch!
You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and Ashley
Amy Rohl
Carole Burrage
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

Thanks for fluttering by!

Eleven Wonderful Years

I can't believe I have been married for 11 years today. I decided to make my husband an Anniversary card to celebrate the occasion. It is so hard for me to not make things feminine, so I hope that he doesn't mind all of the gems, bow, etc. We aren't really doing any gifts this year since we have just been to Disneyland, he just celebrated his birthday and Father's Day is Sunday. We will be going to dinner and a movie tonight, though. A date is sometimes the best present anyway!

Whenever I think of "Anniversary" I think "Wedding", too. I didn't want it to look too "Weddingy" though. I think I met somewhere in the middle! LOL! There is a lot of texture and detail on this card that was hard to photograph. I used my Ornare piercing template on the black strip to add some texture and dimension. I also ran the Sahara Sand cardstock through my cuttlebug using the Textile embossing folder. It is one of my favorites, yet I rarely use it these days.

I used three Papertrey Ink stamp sets for this card; Damask Designs, Fancy Flourishes, and Heart Prints. I think they all came together nicely fo create a cohesive design. I stamped the flourish onto white using black ink. I then stamped the hearts using Sahara Sand ink and then cut them out and popped them up. The sentiment is stamped in black onto Sahara Sand cardstock and then trimmed. The other sentiment is computer generated and just printed out and trimmed. I added some Martha Stewart gem stickers on the flourish, the sentiment and at the bottom. I finished the design off with some black satin ribbon and a button. I guess I need to go get ready for tonight! I will be back tomorrow with one of Jen's new Sketches! Thanks for fluttering by!

Background Check

Hello! I am so pleased that I am here two days in a row! Can you see me smiling? LOL! The girls (my daughter and the girl I babysit) are out of school for 3 days while they do Kindergarten testing, so I decided to stamp this morning. I haven't participated in the SCS color challenge in ages, so I decided to give it a try. I haven't used *any* background stamps for such a long time I opted to use those rather than any pattern paper. I chose to use "Bella Toile" and "En Francais". I really don't have that many backround stamps anymore that haven't retired. Once I had the background done, I didn't know what focal image I should use. As I sat there deciding, I realized that the "Bella Toile" Background stamp had a great focal image on it.

I just inked up a portion and stamped it onto my oval that I cut using my nestabilities. I had fun coloring it with re-inkers and prismacolor markers. Once I had it colored, I added a touch of crystal effects to parts of the flowers and then sprinkled it with chunky essentials glitter. I was afraid that the large glitter would distract from the flowers and all of the detail, but it worked out nicely.

I decided to add a few pearls to the corners once I had punched them with the ticket corner punch. I also added a vintage button replica threaded with linen thread and adhered it with a glue dot.

My son has his last baseball game tonight, so I will be putting together coach treats. I will share them with you when I am done! Thanks for fluttering by!

By the Sea

It has been a while since I have stamped just for me. I decided I would check out this week's Mojo Monday sketch challenge and get to work. I really liked the non-traditional size and fun details on this week's sketch. I was in the mood to make either a pretty card, or a vintage design. As you can see, vintage won. Since Summer is only a few days away, I pulled out my "By the Sea" set by TJ Designs. I have never actually used it on a completed project until today. I have wanted to use it several times, but everything ended up in the trash. I have envisioned what I have wanted, but have never achieved the right look until today. I think it helped that I paired the stamp set with the coordinating Collage Pack. You can find all of these items on theTweetyJill website.

I love combining stamped images with these wonderful vintage images from the collage pack. I added a little bit of zig-zag stitching to the bottom of the card as well as some vintage glass glitter and a sea-shell from my stash. I actually ended up sponging the seashell as well as the card to give it the same time-worn feel. It just looked too white next to all of the distressing.

I added a bit of gingham ribbon as the finishing touch.

I have quite a few teacher gifts, etc. to get ready before my kid's get out of school on July 2nd, so I will be sharing those designs with you as well. Thanks for fluttering by!

Super Son SFYTT

I was in need of a card to give to my son because he is just amazing. He has really been blowing me away with the way he keeps his room super clean, does his homework without me having to even ask; he literally walks through the door from school, washes his hands and gets to work. Yes...we still have our moments and he still torments his sister, but I wanted to let him know that I have been noticing all of these great things and that I really appreciate it. I also bought him a new shirt and a Backugon (sp?) figure thingy and left it all on his bed for him to discover. He seemed really pleased with it all.



Another thing that I noticed, is that he is really growing up fast and I don't have many "cool" stamp sets to create cards with. Lately, I have only been making him sports oriented cards, so as I dug through my stamps, I realized he has grown out of all of them. I decided to use some skulls and cross-bones paper from the Rockabilly assortment and use the old "Ahoy, Matey" set. I think this is probably the last time I can use it and get away with it. LOL! I realize that I colored the pirate in what may seem to be Christmas colors, but really I was just using the colors that are included in all of the sheets of the Rockabilly paper. In the end, I don't think he looks like a Christmas pirate.

The sentiment is actually from two different stamps from the "Star Prints" stamp set from Papertrey Ink. I just combined the "You're a Super" and "Son" onto one block. I colored the images with an assortment of copic and prismacolor markers. The poor little pirate looked too clean, so I splattered some black ink onto the image using my color spritzer tool. I added a knot of red grosgrain ribbon to mimic the head scarf and to tie in a little bit of red into the design besides the coloring. I had fun creating this for my son, even though I kept it simple. He really is a super son!

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

Thanks for fluttering by!

Card Couture *sneak peek*

As I mentioned on my last post, Lauren has come up with two *amazing* templates this month. It was fun sharing my picnic basket project with you and today I get to show you a *sneak peek* of Lauren's other template; Card Couture. You will flip when you see how fun it is. I made mine to hold coupons, since I am a coupon girl, but the possibilities are endless.

I can't wait to try it out to hold photos, cards, and more. As I mentioned before, mine was made to hold the coupons that I will be using on each particular shopping trip. I didn't want it to scream *coupon carrier*, so I just decorated with things I like; ribbon, buttons, and a little distressing. As you can see, I decided to use the same concept that I shared on my "Embellish It" post. I found *the* best button in my Aqua Mist Vintage Button stash, so I quickly put it to good use. This template as well as the Pack a Picnic template will be available for purchase on the 15th at Papertrey Ink.

I used theEveryday Blessings patterned paper and paired it with the stamp sets Simply Stationery, Heart Prints and Heart Prints Sentiments. Thanks for fluttering by!

Pack-a-Picnic

There is something about women that makes us drawn to anything that is on a miniature scale; have you noticed that? That is one of the reasons why I fell in love with the new "Pack-a-Picnic" My Timeless Template that Lauren has come up with. The neat thing about this particular template, is that it comes in two sizes. While they are both small and adorable, I chose to create the mini-size basket because it is just so darn cute! This particular template as well as another gem will be released on the 15th from Papertrey Ink. Another thing that I love about the templates is that you can make them again and again and they don't even take up any room in my stamp space because they are all on the computer; nothing to trace, keep track of, or measure.
All I did for this template, was to print it out onto Kraft cardstock, cut and fold on the printed score lines and assemble. Easy, Peasy! The only "thinking" I had to do was to create the woven piece for the front and that was easy, peasy, too! I decided to keep the stamping simple, since the basket has so many fun details in and of itself, like the moving basket handles, the fun shape and the lid. I didn't want to cover any of it up, even though in the end I covered up the most time-consuming part. LOL!
Wouldn't these make adorable party favors or place cards! I can't wait to implement them into a party or shower that I host. Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies
Stamps: Green Thumb
Paper: Kraft Cardstock, Berry Sorbet Cardstock, White Cardstock
Ink: Spring Moss, Berry Sorbet, Smokey Shadow, Vintage Photo Distress Ink by Ranger
Accessories: Linen thread by SU!, Berry Sorbet vintage button, glue dots, pinking shears, foam squares, Spring Moss satin ribbon

Congratulations...

On getting a little bit older and better than ever!

I needed to make a birthday card for my husband's birthday. I decided to use this pattern paper and found a half made card base from a previous attempt at a SFYTT card. I decided to use it and make it into something new. I haven't used "Lovely as a Tree" in a long time and I am short on masculine sets, so I thought I would ink it up. The brown ribbon really doesn't fit, but I actually liked how it looked because of the texture and stitching. I really should have added brown somewhere else in the card, but I liked it so I went with it.

I have admitted before that I don't like to add alot of bells and whistles to my husband's cards since they end up in the trash and I am usually the tosser. I only added brads and one pewter eyelet as far as hardware goes and I will probably take off the brads before I throw it away! Aren't I terrible?

I have been wanting to use this Sale-a-bration set since I have only used it once (I think). I thought it was about time. I added a bit of sponging and called it good. I will have the kids sign their names and write a nice note inside if they like. I guess I need to go make dinner! Thanks for fluttering by!

Carte Postale SFYTT

I had all of my supplies still around from making my banner, so I decided to use them for this week's SFYTT! I decided to go for a vintage design today so I reached for my "Journey to France" set by TJ Designs love this set!

I love this week's sketch and can see myself using it again and again! I did stray a bit by tilting the focal image. Shame on me! LOL! I stamped the image using Walnut Stain Distress Ink by Ranger and then sponged the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink by Ranger. Something interesting that I found out yesterday...I have been spelling accordion wrong this whole time. I have been spelling it like this: Accordian. I actually think I am pretty good at spelling so I was horrified to find out! EEk!

Of course I had to add an accordion flower to the sketch as it called for a circle. Yes...I am obsessed!

We went and saw "UP" this morning and let me tell you something...I am so glad I had those darn 3-D glasses on so the tears weren't as obvious. I was a mess. Warning: if you haven't seen this movie, bring kleenex!!!!!! I am a sap as it is, but it really got to me. I actually needed a good cry in the car afterward just to let out some of the tears I had to hold back. My 9 year old son was even crying next to me, even though he denied it when I asked about it at lunch. Enough about that!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.

Jen Del Muro and New Guest Designer
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

Carole is taking this week off! We will miss her!
Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I get a lot of people leaving comments asking for help with certain directions on some of my projects or questions in general. Often times I can't reply because it comes up as a "Non-reply comment on blogger. If you need help or a question, please email me at kellyrory1@msn.com

New Banner!

I decided I would get a head start and make a new summer banner for my blog. As many of you know, I make a banner to hang inside of my entry way and then use it for my blog banner as well. I have a bench below my banner that I decorate as well. My new *theme* is strawberries, apples and pears. I found a garland last year on clearance and never ended up by using it, so I thought I would get it out this year. I have been hoarding this Scenic Route paper for quite a while now and was thrilled to see that it was the perfect thing for this season's banner. Each triangle is 4 by 6. I then measure the center at 2 inches and mark it with a pencil. From there, I place one side onto my paper trimmer and line it up with the pencil mark to make the perfect triangles. The accordian flowers measure 1 1/2 inches by 12 inches and then I score at 1/4 inch intervals. The chipboard is SU! that has been painted with Making Memories Celery Scrapbook paint and then sprinkled with Martha Stewart's Coarse Crystal glitter. Each accordian flower is adhered with a craft glue dot and then the letters are adhered using Crystal Effects. I stapled each triangle together and then used a button adhered with craft glue dots to hide the staples. The ribbon is folded in half and then stapled as well with a button hiding the staple. I think this banner will be quite sturdy!

I had a question from my *embellish it* post about what a "baste" stitch is. A Basting stitch is a long loose stitch that you use to gather skirts, etc. So...you will want to set your stitch length on your machine to the longest length. Hope that helps!

I will be back tomorrow with one of Jen's fabulous Sketch For You To Try designs. Thanks for fluttering by!

Just Because tags and cookies

I had so much fun making my SFYTT card the other day using the Raspberry Tart DSP and the "Great Friend" stamp set that I decided to make a trio of tags. Everything was still out and I wanted to continue cutting out those butterflies. There is something really gratifying about cutting them out. I needed to drop off a few batches of cookies, so I packaged them up in cello bags and attached the tags. They were quick and easys, but I think they turned out cute. These would be a pefect idea to try for a workshop or stamp-a-stack.

I cut the tags 2 3/4 by 4 1/4. The white part is 4 by 2 1/2. I did some simple stamping and added a few strips of Raspberry tart DSP. The butterflies have three little dots of crystal stickles to the centers. I attached them with Crystal Effects like I did on my card. I really like using this method because the crystal effects gets really hard, so there is no worry about them coming detached. It is also nice to be able to bend the wings up for a great 3-D effect.

I was asked by the PTA president to make 20 notebooks to thank the current board for all of their hardwork. I used this same tag idea and just attached it to a cardstock cover I made for the individual notebooks. I had to leave the meeting early because I had to get my son to baseball, but I hope the ladies liked them. I was able to cut out 40 butterflies by hand. Let's just say I think I got the *wanting to cut out butterflies* out of my system! LOL! Since my camera was broken, I wasn't able to take any photos, but I think I will be making some more for end of year gifts for secretaries, teachers, etc. so I will post them when I get a chance.

Also, I have been feeling really bad about my blog lately. I have worked so hard with it and have had so much fun! Then I got sick and was away. I was really hoping to get back in the swing of things and then my camera broke. I finally got the new one and then on Saturday it broke. Talk about bad luck! It was working fine until it refused to turn on, even with the batteries switched. Ughh. So...my husband went out last night to get me my new one. I think things are finally going to be getting back on track; fingers crossed. I have really missed creating and posting what I have been up to. Besides the PTA notebooks, I haven't stamped a thing. It just isn't as much fun making things and not being able to share them. That is one reason why I love my blog so much. I hope this doesn't come across as a whine fest or anything. I just wanted to let you all know where I am coming from and why things have been the way they have been. I really appreciate all of you who stop by and for those of you who are so kind to leave me comments. They really do make my day!

Thanks for fluttering by!