Vintage Valentine-Be Mine!

I have been itching to use my TJ Designs stamps that are some of my favorites, but haven't been used in a while. I was visiting a couple of blogs the other day and saw that Melissa Phillips is starting a new photo inspiration challenge. I fell in love with the inspiration photo and it was the perfect springboard to start my design. I used Vintage Collage, Journey to France and a few of the fun designs from the European Collection Collage and Scrapbook Papers as well as a few different papers from K & Company.

The inspiration photo had a lot of fun elements that I like to work into my designs anyway, so it was really easy to put this together. I stamped the focal image directly onto a piece of ephemra that can be found in the TJ Designs Collage and Scrapbook papers at the back of the pack. I am in love with all of the postage stamps, labels, postcards, etc. that are so easy to use in my designs.

I stamped her crown using Pure Poppy ink and then added some bling, of course. I created the crepe paper ruffles by baste stitching a length of cream crepe paper and then gathering it, securing it with hot glue. I added some zig-zag stitching, buttons and glitter.

The final touch was a Martha Stewart label added to the top stamped with the "Be Mine" sentiment from Heart Prints. The red flower was also stamped with the "Moments to Remember" sentiment from the Vintage Collage stamp set. It is hard to see in the photograph, but it really adds a little bit more depth and detail.

Sweet little Rowan is crying for some food, so I better dash, but thanks for fluttering by!

Also, Jen is back with her SFYTT coming this weekend with some fun new changes, so look for that this Saturday!

Be Mine!

I thought I had better get my Valentine's Day banner up before February comes and goes! I snuck some time while the baby was napping and made this in record time! I hate being rushed, but it was now or never! I purchased the paper the other day at the scrapbook store along with the ribbon and letters. I didn't re-invent the wheel here, as you can see. I just kept with what I know and got it done!
The papers, minus one, are all from the Vintage Valentine line by Fancy Pants. It was the perfect paper for the look I had in mind. The chipboard letters are from Making Memories and have become a fast favorite when making my banners.

I added some buttons from my stash, including the gaudy gold button that I never thought would get used, yet it is the perfect fit! I guess the saying is true, "never say never"! LOL! I love adding the crepe paper ruffles to the top, so I took some extra time to add those. I also added some aqua glitter to the top of each panel for some added detail. The accordion medallions have all been "glittered" with Vintage Glass Glitter, which I love and will tarnish with time.

I quickly punched some heart shapes using my SU! heart punch to layer some of the letters with. Quick and easy, but it really added some extra depth and detail. I also quickly added some zig-zag stitches to each of the panels. The bows and buttons are simply attached with hot glue, after each panel is stapled together. Like I mentioned before, I really will get the tutorial put together! LOL! The gang just got home from church, so I better run and get everyone fed! Thanks for fluttering by!

You're the Best!

You are all absolutely the best! Thank you so much for all of your super sweet comments! Rowan and I are doing well! Your kind words really made me happy and many made me cry! My kids are so funny; they keep saying," Dad... Mom is crying again!" I don't think they understand that they are all tears of joy, even though I keep telling them that. I am just so happy to have my sweet baby boy here!

On that note...I have completely run out of baby thank you cards that I made before Rowan was born. I have been itching to get creating, especially with all of the darling little baby clothes that give me so much inspiration. These cards were inspired by one of the recieving blankets that I have been using and staring at for the past week. I really wanted to incorporate the 3 different embossing folders and the different colors, but the rest I just kindof made up as I went along. I kept them relatively simple so that I could get them mass produced. I went to the post office to mail out the birdie cards and found that they all needed an additonal 20 cents postage because of the thickness of the buttons, so I tried to make these cards a little slimmer! LOL!

It really does take a lot more time to get things done with a newborn in the house. My posts will probably take a little bit longer to get done, so bear with me. I did head down to the scrapbook store today and met my Mom so that I could get some supplies for a new Valentine's Day banner. I know you are all probably wondering where that tutorial I keep talking about is; well...it is going to take a bit longer than expected. I took so many darn photos that it will take some time to get it organized and written up into a blog post.





Of course I just have to add some photos of the wee one! The other day I just vegged out while the kids were at school and caught up on all of the T.V. shows that were recorded on my DVR from the last week. He just ate and slepped on me for hours so I took the opportunity to snap a few photos of him while he slept in my arms.

Of course, things aren't always this serene. His first "tub" bath last night was a real treat for him and for me! LOL! Let's just say he didn't care for it, but he did sleep from 9:00 p.m.-3:30 a.m. from working himself into a frenzy! LOL!

Thanks for fluttering by!!!

It's a Boy...

Introducing...Rowan Garrett! He is finally here and I couldn't be happier with my Bundle of Joy! He was born Wednesday, January 20th, 2010. I was in labor for 15 hours, which was completely shocking to me since he is my third and the other two didn't take that long. I was getting worried that maybe he would never show up, but you know what they say...Good things are worth waiting for!!!!

He is absolutely amazing, breathtaking, gorgeous, yummy, beautiful, joyful, precious....the list goes on and on. He is such a wonderful addition to our family. It has been such a long wait, but he fits right in and the kids are absolutely smitten with him! They are so cute and helpful! I am doing well and glad to be home. Rowan is sleeping right now, so I took some time to do a quick post. I will post more when I have time, but you all have been so sweet with all of your well wishes and prayers that I wanted to let you know that he has indeed arrived, healthy and wonderful!

I appreciate all of your support and it has been so fun to read all of your sweet posts! Thank you! I better dash, but thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I don't have any new creations since I have been at the hospital, but I did post this on Thimbles and Thread if you would like to check it out!!!!

Card Making Marathon

My friend and I were talking the other day about how much we miss the card exchange we used to have in the neighborhood. It has been years, now, but last year for her birthday, I gave her a sack full of cards. She mentioned how she needed to sit down and make some cards since the ones I gave her were all gone. I had thought about giving her cards for her birthday this year, but didn't want to do a "repeat" gift. Well...since she mentioned it, I sat down after church and got started on a full collection of cards for her. I managed to make 26 cards for her; all occasions included.

I made my life easy by re-creating many of my old card designs that I have made over the last year or so, but did manage a few new designs. I thought I would share one of the newbies here. I made it in two colors with different sentiments. As you can see, the basic elements are almost identical to the elements I used on my Birdie Thanks cards, but just layed out in a different way.

I also made my life easy by making 2 of most designs and 4 of Thinking of You and generic Birthday cards. I will package it all up in a photo storage box with envelopes and stamps tucked inside. The Tea Box and Card that I showed the other day are also for her, so I will fill the box up with some goodies as I mentioned.

You all have been so sweet with all of your well wishes with the baby! {{{{HUGS}}}} to all!!!! Thank you! I will share pictures of the little bundle as soon as he arrives and I get home to post them. Thanks for fluttering by!

Birdie Thanks Version 2

I needed a baby thank you right away since the sweet lady that I team teach with at church gave me a baby outfit last Sunday. It was totally unexpected since we had only been teaching together for two weeks. I wanted to get it sent out before I go to the hospital so I sat down and worked on a couple new prototypes. You can see the first prototype here. I really like that one, but remembered that I had the Cuttlebug bird embossing folder and wanted to try it with the bird image. I actually ended up by simplifying the card, which is always nice when you are mass producing things. As much as I like bells and whistles, I really do love a simple design as well.

While the two cards look almost identical, I realized that I had made a mistake when I made the first card; I layered the brown strip underneath the blue circle. Also, once I had layered the oval sentiment on the top of the card, I thought it would be nice to punch the larger oval through the card top and then pop up the smaller oval with foam squares on the inside.

I like the second version better and think that this is the one that I will be making. I didn't do any sponging on these two, which I actually like better than the first one I had made (see link above).





On Thursday I was able to take my kids to the local Children's museum and out to lunch. We had so much fun and I am now grateful for the extra week that I was blessed with. I was able to get the birthday gifts done that I needed to work on, sleep in, be with my kids and have fun! We have friends over right now and the kids are having fun. I am off to boil pacifiers and do some laundry! Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I posted one of the projects that I had inside the Onesie box on Thimbles and Thread for those that are interested.

Tea Pots II & more inspiration

I had so much fun making the tea pot card and I needed another birthday card as I mentioned, that I decided to make another one using different paper. I also spied a darling little "tea box" in my February issue of Martha Stewart Living that I wanted to recreate. The template is similar to some boxes I have made over the years, so it wasn't hard for me to make.

I decided that the tea pot card I made earlier will go to my daughter's friend and this one will go to my friend. She doesn't drink tea, so the box will not be filled with tea, but some other fun little goodies. The paper that I used for this project is also by Making Memories. It is called Chloe's Closet and it came out last year as well. I love using goodies and papers from my stash.

It makes me feel less "hoarderish". I used to call myself a "hoarder" quite a bit in regards to my papercrafting, but after watching the "Hoarders" show on A&E, I really don't want to use that term anymore! LOL! Have any of you watched it? It always makes me want to clean up, organize and clear out! I have organized many a closet, cupboard, etc. after watching it! Anway, I am sure you don't want to hear about that!

Of course, you can see that the layout of the card is exactly the same as the previous card, which really made life easy, but equally fun because I was using new papers and ribbon. I also had fun deciding which images to use on the box. I may have "overworked" the box a bit, but I still like it and I hope my friend will, too!

The box featured in Martha Stewart Living had the closure just like this, which is always fun and gave me an excuse to use up some eyelets, which generally sit untouched. I gave the box some interest by using different papers for each panel on the box. I also layered the stamped images for a little extra detail.


I added a large flower to the top as well as a punched butterfly as I did on the card. The handle is simply ribbon that has been threaded through holes on the side and then I added the ribbon bows with glue dots.


Again, I had a lot of fun putting this little ensemble together. I hope you enjoy it and that it is not "tea pot" overkill! LOL! Also, I decided to use up some fabric from my stash to create a fun little present for my daughter's friend, which I will share when I get it all "figured" out! I will post it to my Thimbles and Thread blog, but I will leave a link. I also have a couple other projects to share that I still need to get photographed. Thanks for fluttering by!