Love Potion #9

Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments on my last post! I decided that I better get started on some Valentine's Day projects or it will come and go and I won't have anything done. My daughter picked out her Valentine cards and her treat, but my son is still dragging his feet about the whole thing. I guess it loses it's charm in 5th grade! Anyway, I am much more inclined to give out little Valentine's Day treats than give out cards, so I thought I would get started on a little box/basket.
I have made similar things in the past, but not for Valentine's Day. I wanted a vintage feel because of the focal image I was using. I decided to pull out some Graphic 45 scraps from my America banner. I also used a piece of sheet music paper from "The Paper Studio". The focal image is from Waltzing Mouse stamps. In November I ordered a couple of sets; two Christmas and one Halloween. Shipping got really behind so I only recieved them last week. I was kindof bummed because I was so excited to use them for my Christmas projects, but noticed that one of the labels in the Halloween set had this cute "Love Potion #9" image in it. It is made to be used in conjuction with Nestabilities. I can't remember which label number, though. The polka dot heart is from PTI as well as the XOXO sentiment on the bottom as well as the sentiments on the tag.

I mentioned in my last SFYTT post that I was out of the clock charms that I used on that card, so of course I had to make an order over at Starlit Studios. While I was shopping, I had to pick up some of this delicious May Arts lace ribbon. I bought the whole spool so I wouldn't hoard it. I will be tucking a Valentine treat inside. Now I just have to decide who to give it to.

On Wednesday, I am putting together a PTA brunch for our monthly meeting. We decided on a Valentine's theme, so I want to make some favors for each place setting. I will share them when I get them done! Thanks for fluttering by!

Sharing some *BIG* news!!!!

I have been keeping a secret for quite a while now, not only from you all, but from everybody! It is true...I am expecting! We are all so excited. My kids have been so good not to spill the beans to ANYONE! I finally had my first appointment yesterday where I got to see my sweet little one kicking and squirming (the photo got a tad bent in my purse) and to hear the hearbeat for the first time. Let me tell you I have been on pins and needles waiting so long for my appointment. My OB/GYN was out of town and this was as soon as they could get me in. It has been torture! It was such a relief to finally see him/her for the first time. I have taken like 10 tests just to be sure. We are all over-the-moon excited.
Needless to say, it hasn't been easy taking care of a baby and being sick, tired and all the other fun stuff that comes along with early pregnancy. I also got a really big calling at church a couple of weeks ago. I am still trying to get that under control, plus all of the other things that I have to do. I am sure you are all having one of those A-ha moments right now. It is probably all clicking into place as to why I haven't been around much. It has been REALLY hard...I am not going to lie. I am counting down the days to when the sickness, nausea, tiredness all goes away. I start my second Trimester on Tuesday and that is when most people begin to perk up. With Rowan it took me until about 16 weeks to feel normal again. Wish me luck that it will be sooner! I will keep you posted with any and all baby news. I am hoping that we may be able to find out what we are having by my next appointment, but that is just wishful thinking.
Thanks to all of you who stick by even when I disappear! Thanks for fluttering by!

Isn't it time we got together? *SFYTT*

I thought this was a fitting title, seeing that I haven't been here for a while. Shame on me! I forgot to mention in my last post that my kids have been out of school since before Christmas and finally went back today! It made me sad to send them back, but it was time. Time for them to get back to structure, learning, recess, etc. Meanwhile, I haven't done a single crafty, creative thing! So here I am! I am sorry I was gone so long and because of my absence, I am really behind in getting thank-you cards made, etc. I had a friend call me yesterday saying that she needed a card and another friend needs me to make a couple of cards that I will be teaching at her SIL's church function. My vacation is officially over! LOL!

Today's card uses January's SFYTT sketch. We watched "Alice in Wonderland" while my kids were out of school and it really made me want to get my Alice stamps out. This will be going to a special friend who I haven't seen for quite a while.

The image was colored with Prismacolor and Copic markers. I decided to make the focal image a tag so that I would have a nice place to add some ribbon. The clock embellishment was the perfect touch. It is my last one, so I think a shopping trip over at StarLit Studio is in order.

I was proud of myself that I actually put "the last one" onto a project without replenishing first. I am making so much progress these days! The paper is from my box of K & Co. that I love. I tried to use some patterns that I haven't used before. The color combo seemed fitting for Mr. Rabbit in his little coat and vest. I added some glass glitter to the accordion medallion for some sparkle. The stitching was the finishing touch. I have to head to the post office today to get some bills out, so I will send this off.

It felt good, but weird to sit down and stamp. I really didn't know where to begin and just sat there for a minute or two. I shouldn't take such long breaks. They aren't good for the mojo.

Rowan will be one year old on Thursday. I just sat and held him this morning while he had his bottle and cried. I can't believe he is already one. It seemed like yesterday I was anticipating his arrival. It has been fun seeing him grow and develop and his sweet personality is priceless. I love him so much!

P.S. Remember, this month's sketch is sponsored by The Cat's Pajamas. Also, if you have forgotten the details of the new "revamped" SFYTT program, you can find out all about it on Jen's Blog. Thanks for fluttering by!

A new little someone *SFYTT*

Happy New Year! Can you even believe that it is 2011? Time goes by way too fast! It's a new year and that means a new SFYTT format. Before I say anything, I am going to send you all over to Jen's Blog for all of the new deets! Today's sketch is sponsored by The Cat's Pajamas, which is one of my favorite stamp companies, but I needed a baby card so I opted out of using their stamps since I don't own any baby girl TCP stamps. They have fabulous stuff, so you will defintely want to take a trip over there to do some drooling and maybe even some buying, if you are a lucky stamper! LOL!

Today's card is for one of the gals in the neighborhood who just had her first baby girl! Baby cards are some of my most favorite cards to make! I bought some fabric to make her a quilt and now I have all of the squares cut, but it isn't even sewn yet. I bought it in the middle of Christmas festivities, so I knew that it would sit untouched for a couple of weeks. Anyway, the fabric is pink and brown, polka dots and damask! Of course, the card has to match, so I used some My Mind's Eye pattern paper. The damask on the back panel is flocked, which I absolutely love. The other two patterns are not, but are from the same line.

I have been feeling like I use "Baby Button Bits" from PTI for every baby card, so I switched things up and used "Buggies and Booties" from SU!. I thought it worked nicely with the patterns also. I don't know if she even likes vintage, but that is what she is getting! LOL! The sentiment is from "Baby Button Bits", however. The focal image is one of my favorite images and I am sure it really should stay white, but I didn't want to make it a christening/blessing card, so I decided to add some hints of pink. After I was done coloring it, I thought the focal image seemed a little too stark and plain, so I stamped the sentiment which is included in the set which says, "Babies are bits of stardust blown from the hand of God" very lightly with "Antique Linen" distress ink by Ranger. It gave it the perfect touch.

I actually did quite a bit of tinkering to the card; adding and removing, changing and re-changing. I really hope she doesn't look to close at the card, because she may just discover a little rip or tear where something was removed. Eeek! Oh well!

The lace flower was made by baste-stitching a length of lace and then gathering it and adhereing it with some glue dots. I really like the vintage detail that it added. You can't really tell in these photos, but I also cut some felt ric-rac using the ric-rac die from PTI. I thought it gave it some extra detail as well.

You won't want to miss the other designers!
Jen Del Muro and New Guest Designer
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles
Amy Sheffer
Leigh O' Brien,
Amber Hight
Megan Lock
Sony Christoph ( will be back next month)
Jodi Collins
CAROLE ( will be back next month)

Kerry Johnson

Thanks for fluttering by!
It is always fun to see what the other gals have done! Here is the sketch! Have fun!

P.S. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a safe New Year's Eve! Thanks for visiting me this year here at Flutter by Atomicbutterfly and here's to another great year in 2011!