From the Desk Of...

As promised, here is a complete project using the second template that will be included in the April release. There was a question asked about yesterday's post wondering where the templates can be purchased. The template from yesterday and the one shown today will be available for purchase on the Papertrey Ink website starting on the night of the 14th at Midnight.

Today's "My Timeless Template" is called "From the Desk of". Isn't it cute? I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. Of course I was a little selfish with this one; I tailored and personalized it for myself. Everything I make is usually for someone else, I decided to make something I could keep. I recently purchased the Simple Stationery and the Fresh Alphabet sets, so I put them to good use on this one. I also used Heart Prints and Heart Prints Sentiments. I will also admit that I am a hoarder of all things Papertrey. It came in handy on this project, because I had a full pad of "Guidelines" pattern paper that I was able to use on this. I also had an unopened spool of Plum Pudding satin ribbon that was begging to be cut into.

This template is perfect for organizing mail or creating a stationery set for yourself or a friend. I love the two sections that make it easy to organize outgoing and incoming mail. I was tempted to make mine specifically for mail, but opted instead for something I could put in my bedroom for organization. I may be making another one in the near future for my mail.

The thing I love about these templates is how easy they are to put together. If you haven't ever purchased one before, they are really user friendly. Everything is marked where you need to cut and score. I knew if Lauren had anything to do with it, they would be amazing. I was right!

I will be sharing the rest of my Papertrey Ink projects using the brand new images on the 13th, so stay tuned. The new sets are darling and I can't wait to share my projects. I hope you all have a Happy Easter! Thanks for fluttering by!

All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless noted.

Stamps: Heart Prints, Simple Stationery, Heart Prints Sentiments, Fresh Alphabet

Ink: True Black, Plum Pudding, Fresh Snow

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

Accessories: From the Desk Of Timeless Template, Labels 4 Nestabilities Dies, Blush and Cream & White Vintage Buttons, Linen Thread by SU!, Plum Pudding satin ribbon, glue dots and mini glue dots by glue dots international, gem stickers by martha stewart

Get a Handle on It

I was excited to see that Nichole mentioned in her post that I would be a permanent fixture on the "My Timeless Template" design team for Papertrey Ink. You can check out previous month's templates here. I wasn't sure if I could let the cat out of the bag yet, so I didn't say a word. I was equally excited to accept this position and can I just say I am in love? Lauren does such an amazing job each month with her amazing templates. This month isn't any different. One of the two templates this month is called "Get a Handle on It". I can only show you a *teaser*, but if you purchase the template this month, you can see my complete project, inside and out!

Don't fret that I am holding out on you! Tomorrow I will be showing you a full, detailed project with the second template that is equally amazing. Of course for my first *official* project, I had to use one of my picks, Green Thumb! This was one of those sets that was an immediate must have when it was released. It has made it's way onto many projects.


This month's "Get a Handle On It" template is so versatile. The size is perfect for so many things. I can see myself turning to it again and again. I really like the *play on words* with this template as well. I only showed a tiny bit of "the handle" but it is so fun and it is a great way to use those punches! You can check out what Lauren has done here. My mind has been racing with different ideas for using this template; cookies, candles, baby bibs, candy, cupcakes, etc. You all know how much I love to throw a party, so I have been thinking this template would be great for party favors. Remember my nests with chocolate eggs? This would be perfect! Stay tuned for my next post with the second template from this month's release! Thanks for fluttering by!

And the prize goes to...

Congratulations, June! You are the winner of the Papetrey Ink Giveaway! Enjoy your new goodies!

Can I just say WOW! I was surprised and excited to see all of those wonderful comments! Thank you to *ALL* of you played along and left such kind comments! I have been enjoying reading them! You really know how to make a girl feel welcome! I will be sharing my *first* sneak peek for one of Lauren's new Timeless Templates tonight at midnight EST. I can't wait!

Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. *squeal* I just found out that one of my projects is on Moxie Fab World today! You can check it out here!

Bursting at the Seams!

Oh my word! I have been so excited to tell you some exciting and amazing news! I am the April/May Distinguished Guest Designer for Papertrey Ink!!!! Of course I have been *bursting at the seams* to tell all of you! You can check out more info on Nichole's blog here! Since Papertrey Ink began it's journey a few years back, I was in love. I have been amazed month after month with the amazing stamp releases, color releases, ribbon selections, etc, etc! I couldn't have been more thrilled to be a guest designer for such a company! This is all part of the 2nd Anniversary Celebration that began in February!

When there is exciting news, there is an exciting give-away! I personally picked out the following Papertrey deliciousness for one of my lucky visitors to win! Simply leave a comment and you will be entered to win!

I picked out three of my favorite sets...can I just say how hard it was to narrow it down? I also picked two of the yummiest ribbon selections, clearly creative card boxes, and of course buttons! You *know* how much I love buttons! It wouldn't be complete without some cardstock and scrumptious bitty dot pattern paper to boot!
I can't wait to share the projects I have been working on using the new images! You are all going to fall in love!

This contest ends at 8am EST, Friday, April 10th.

The winner will be announced shortly thereafter at noon EST.

Winner will be listed on the official prize winner page and here on my blog.

Please play fair, only one entry per person.







Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. Can you tell I am excited? I think every sentence ended with an exclamation point! LOL!
Which is hilarious because the Seinfeld that was on last night was the one with Elaine complaining that her boyfriend didn't leave an exclamation point on her phone message he jotted down, so she edited his book with tons of exclamation points!!!!

Spring Joy

Tomorrow is the last day of school for quite some time. The kids won't go back until May 5th, so I decided to throw together some last minute Easter treats to send to their teachers. I decided to take the easy route and use some of my Crafty Secrets Vintage images rather than stamps. They are so charming and they created the perfect feel I was going for. Once I had chosen the two images I was using, I headed straight for my K & Company paper slab and found the perfect paper; totally un-conventional, but perfect non-the-less.

Everything is distressed using Vintage Photo Distress Ink (surprise, surprise). The images are mounted onto Kraft cardstock and then sugared with crystal glitter. A few buttons threaded with the retrieved linen thread are the perfect embellishment! Everything is better with buttons! LOL! I was also able to add some of the delicious ribbon I spied in the dollar bin at Michael's! Who knew such a luscious roll would be housed in such a shabby place? I must go get more!

I let my daughter pick first since my son wasn't home at the time and she chose Mr. Bunny headed on an Easter Outing. I guess my son gets Spring Joy! I thought for sure she would pick the one with the babies and bunnies! Oh well!

These were so easy to make. I just scored an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of Kraft cardstock at 2 inches on the long side. I then scored at 2, 5 1/4, 7 1/4, and 10 1/2 with a half inch tab to adhere it together. The height is 4 1/2. The handles are a one inch strip secured to the inside with glue dots. I added a strip of ribbon across the handle with sticky strip and then added the two bows with glue dots on either side! So super quick! Thanks for fluttering by!

Heartwarming Vintage Booklets by Crafty Secrets
Kraft cardstock, K & Company pattern paper, buttons, linen thread, ribbon, sponge, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Glue Dots, Sticky Strip

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I sure did! It was nice to be able to relax and spend time with my family. I feel refreshed and ready to face the week! It is going to be crazy! I am warning you now, just in case you wonder if I disappear! LOL! I thought I would start the week off with a soft, spring design. Today is a beautiful day, but the weather isn't going to last, so I am going to savor it! Pink and green are one of my *all-time* favorite color combinations so I thought I would work with that. I had originally put the card together without the pattern paper, but added it after I chose the ribbon because it pulled in some of the raspbery color. I am glad I added it!

The image is from the Level 1 hostess set "Dear Friend". I am really liking this set and have now used all of the images. I guess I shouldn't be patting myself on the back since there are only 4...LOL! I stamped the image with Palette Noir ink and colored it with Copic and Prismacolor markers. Once I was done coloring, I added some crystal effects to the flower petals. I sponged all of the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink for a soft look. I used a few nestabilities on this; scallop oval, oval and labels 3. When I first saw the shape of the Label 3 dies, it looked like and oval would fit nicely in the center and it did!

I punched a lace edge on the bottom of the pattern paper to continue with the elegant, vintage feel. I added a few buttons, naked and needing thread, but I was too lazy today. My linen thread fell behind my desk and I didn't want to fish it out! Shame on me! Maybe when I retrieve it I will thread the buttons.

I used two embossing folders on this design; swiss dot and a floral one that I can't remember the name. It was one of the first ones I got and I haven't used it in a while. This card is for my friend and also the Mom of the little girl I babysit. She took me for a pedicure on Saturday and I wanted to send a Thank You! She is actually a teacher at my kid's school, so I think I will be getting her a shirt like I bought for my son's teacher.

Well, I am off to tackle my list! Thanks for fluttering by!

Stamps: Dear Friend
Ink: Palette Noir, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Copic and Prismacolor Markers
Paper: PTI White, My Mind's Eye, Celery, Blush
Accessories: Satin ribbon, oval, scallop oval and labels 3 nestabilities, vintage button replicas by Jesse James, cuttlebug, swiss dot and floral embossing folder, paper piercer and mat pack, foam squares, sponge, doily lace edge punch by Martha Stewart, crystal effects

One of a Kind SFYTT

Well...I did it again! I procrastinated and ended up making this card quickly this morning! I am so sorry for the delay! My beloved "Wizard of Oz" card was sold last night in the auction, so I decided that I would use the same paper and elements to make a new card; obviously not the same, but the same in materials! I really like this sketch and want to give it another try when I am not in such a rush! Jen always amazes me with her creativity! I don't know how she does it each week!

I really let the pattern paper do all of the work in the background using the "Sweet Slumber" DSP...I think I was calling it "Slumber Party" before! LOL! I guess it helps to read what is says in the catty! LOL! Anyway, I also used one of my favorite sets, One of a Kind for all of the images and sentiment. I punched out the flowers using the Boho Blossoms punch! Can I tell you how much I love that punch? I stamped the flowers twice in Riding Hood Red and twice in Baja Breeze and then punched them out. I adhered them with dimensionals. I added red glitter to the blue flowers and a few white buttons to some of the red flowers.

I finished it off with a bow of Baja Breeze satin ribbon. It is my favorite from the new catalog. All in all, this card was really easy to put together since the flowers were all punched out! I had fun with this even though I was in a rush!

You won't want to miss out on the other girls creations. Jen has a new guest designer for the month of April!



Jen Del Muro and the New April Designer!!!!

Amy Rohl

Carole Burrage

Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

Thanks for fluttering by!