Mr. and Mrs. {Wedding Wishes}

 One of my dear friend's daughters is getting married tomorrow...well almost today. It is late here. I should be in bed, but I get so much done when the kiddos are asleep.  I have a busy day tomorrow so I knew I had to get her card made tonight. The colors she chose for her wedding are red, gray, black and white, which I just HAD to use for her card. Not very springy, but classic and elegant, so that is where I tried to head with this card.  I helped her mom get some last minute things done today and they were working on the bouquet, which had a butterfly incorporated in it...I guess it is their "thing". Well....that means I had to use some butterflies, too! It's not like I don't like butterflies as well. Ha Ha!

 I chose to keep it simple. For weddings I seem to keep things that way.  Actually, I think what it comes down to is that I don't own a SINGLE wedding set; NOT A ONE! I know you are probably thinking I am fibbing, but I'm not! I generally just grab my "go to" wedding set, Heart Prints from PTI. I actually rummaged around in some storage to conjure up the little SU! sentiment.

The silver piece is a metallic Bazzill cardstock which I ran through my cuttlebug with and embossing folder. I really like the effect of using the already textured paper and then adding the embossing. It also has a great sheen which is perfect for weddings.  The heart was stamped and then punched. The butterflies are also punches, which have never been used until tonight. It was one I just "had" to have....ummmmm. Yes....hoarder here! I tied the ribbon up in the corner but it just seemed plain and well....just plain. I added the flower with a corsage pin; very bridal, I thought.  Sequins finish it off for an extra splash of shine, as if we didn't have enough. Anyway, from what glimpses I saw of the dresses, shoes, etc. this card will be perfect. I hope she likes it. Thanks for butterflying by...I mean fluttering by!

P.S. My baby is 7 month old today!

Wish Big!

 My cute niece is having her Birthday party on Monday and I am geared up for a crazy weekend so I thought I would get a head start on getting her gift ready! This is a very simple design, but I added some fun details that take "simple" up a notch.

 For starters, simply using an embossing folder for the background gives it some texture and dimension! I particularly like the ones with words because they give it a graphic quality that I like as well.  The set that I used for this card is "Stylish Sentiments: Birthday" from PTI and it is one of my favorites. I really like the stamp that I used to make the candles; It could also be used to make a border, a layered cake, a conversation bubble, etc.  I have used it a few times as a candle and I think it turns out nicely.

 It might be hard to see in the photos (I used my phone) but each star representing the flame on the candles has a touch of stickles for shine. I also used my color spritzing tool to spritz on some yellow ink around the stars to mimic the glow of the candle. The purple panel was supposed to look like a gift all tied up with a tag. The sentiment is also from the same set as well as the one I used on the inside. I didn't take a photo, though.  I brushed the edges with white ink for a little more dimension. Finally, I added some sequins because....well, what little girl doesn't like a little sparkle?  The sentiments are stamped using Smokey Shadow ink.

You can see her gift all ready to go. If you visit here frequently, you might have read this post where I was buying all kinds of gift bags at the dollar store and challenging myself to create a matching card. This was one of those "challenges". It is not quite what I normally make, but I like stepping out of my "norm". Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up in May and you know what that means....lots of fun teacher ideas for you! I am actually putting together gifts for every teacher at school this year for the PTA, so I will get those finished and get working on my own!

Best Wishes today and always!

 One of my friends in the neighborhood celebrated her birthday last week and I wanted to give her a little something.  I love putting together gift ensembles, no matter how small they are. This particular card is only 3 by 3 so that will give you a better idea on the size.  If you are interested in how to make this type of box, I have a tutorial here if you are interested. I think I made this box a little taller, but once you figure out how to make them, you can try all kinds of sizes.

 Both of the stamp sets are from PTI. I Love the little sentiment series that they have. They are perfect for all kinds of projects, but especially tiny ones. The flowers are from the Rosie Posie and Rosie Posie 2 sets. I didn't "have" to have Rosie Posie until they came out with the #2 set. I really love the dimension it gives the flowers. I especially love using it to achieve a "Shabby Chic" look that I have created here.

It is a lot harder for me just to zip to the store these days and I didn't have anything to fill the box with, so I quickly made up a batch of my Christmas caramels. It felt weird to be making them in April, but I don't think SHE will mind! LOL! I put the extras in the eggs I hid for the kid's Easter egg hunt! Less for me to eat!




Speaking of Easter, I hope you all had a wonderful day! We sure did and it was so much fun to have little ones to enjoy all of the fun! I just love this time of year! Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. Here is a little photo of my baby! He just got a haircut and is looking so grown up!

Beautiful New Baby

 Two posts in one week? I know....it is crazy! I so wish my life was in a place where I could post more. However, that would mean I wouldn't have my delicious babies and I wouldn't trade them for anything!  I can't believe I used to post EVERY SINGLE day. Speaking of babies....that is the whole reason for this post.  One of my friends in my new neighborhood had a baby almost 2 weeks ago. She is precious and I was so glad to be able to make dinner for her and take a gift over. I have actually had the gift done for quite some time, but I didn't photograph it until it was the last minute. It was gray and raining so the pictures aren't the best, but you can check it out HERE.

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 I used a mojo monday sketch, but it has been a while now since I made it. The stamps are all from PTI. I love using this little carriage and paper piecing it. I added just a touch of bling for some shine.

 I love incorporating the little calendar ticket stamp on birthday and baby cards. I really, really wanted to circle March on it, but new that I would mess up and just couldn't risk it. (she had her baby in march) It still looks cute, though.

I realized I didn't photograph the inside, which is usually the case, until I go to write in it. Yes....that is what happened so I quickly snapped a picture. You have to love the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book in the background! I wanted to show it because I used the same die-cut on the onesie I made her. I added some glossy accents to the word "baby" and I Love it! Thanks for fluttering by!

Welcome Spring and Simple Thoughts

 I was working on my Easter/Spring Mantel and decided it needed a new banner. I have my pastel one in my entry way but I was having a hard time incorporating all of the "traditional" spring colors in my family room. Instead of having something I wasn't completely happy with, I made a new banner!It is simple and I was really pressed for time and to be completely honest, I actually didn't want to put too much detail into the banner since it is higher up and the details would get lost anyway. The one detail which I had fun with is the addition of thespring green spanish moss. I have been going wild with it on quite a few of my Easter displays, so I added it here. I simply wadded some up in a ball, added hot glue and pressed it onto the accordion medallions. I then gave the chipboard letters a good amount of hot glue as well and pressed them on.

 You can see the entire display here. I am actually impressed with myself how long I have been able to incorporate the blue chevron fabric in the frame into my seasonal displays on my mantel. In the fall, I used fall foliage to accent the blue and of course in the winter it was a perfect backdrop with my snowflakes, etc. And here you see it looking just as nice for Spring!  I was tickled pink to find the little oval frame with the pressed flowers at the local thrift store for 50 or 75 cents. There is a handwritten sticker on the back boasting they are from the Hill Cummorah, but I don't know if it is true. For 75 cents, who cares? I am also obsessed with the new vintage (is that an oxymoron) Ball canning jars you can buy now. I have them here and there in my home.

 I was also in need of a "thinking of you" card so as I sat down to make it, I just decided to use the scraps from my banner. Again, I wanted to keep things simple, but ended up adding more than I planned on. Still simple, though.  Maybe before it gets mailed, I will have to add some moss.....Just kidding........hmmmmmmmmm.....

I really like these cute little frame stamp sets from PTI as well.  I also made a mini banner to stretch across the width of the card using tiny scraps. I tied bows on the ends using some button twine from PTI. The felt flowers were made with spring moss felt and I added a tiny gem to the center of each flower. It just didn't seem balanced so I added two buttons as well. The bottom needed something, too, so I added a line of zig-zag stitching and some striped paper.

I have a baby card and handmade gift to share with you as well. I have had it photographed for a while, just not uploaded so I will get going on that and get it on here as well as Thimbles and Thread. Happy Spring, Happy April and thanks for fluttering by!!!