The "Berry" Best Teacher! *SFYTT*

I mentioned the other day that I had made chocolate dipped strawberries for my kid's school teachers with a tag. I decided to use the same sentiment and papers that I used for the tag, to create a card. My daughter's teacher at church gave her a really cute necklace a few months ago and I still haven't sent a thank you card. Why not celebrate all of the teachers in our lives this week? I think I will make her some chocolate strawberries as well and make something for my son's church teacher, too. We will see how much time I end up with this weekend.

The sentiment was created on my computer and then printed onto Vintage Cream cardstock from PTI. I sponged the edges using Antique Linen distress ink by Ranger. The strawberry is from one of my all-time favorite PTI stamp sets: Green Thumb. The paper is from the "Fly a Kite" collection of papers by October Afternoon.

I added some buttons, ribbon and rick-rack. There wasn't much stamping on this one since I used the sentiment as the focal image. I was lucky that the thread in my sewing machine matched the paper so well! It worked perfectly!

I do want to thank all of you who left such sweet and encouraging comments in regard to Emma. She had her eye appointment on Friday and her glasses will be coming in next week. She picked out a really cute pink pair that are absolutely adorable on her. She looks like a Mary Engelbreit illustration with them on! The eye doctor dilated her eyes so that he could get a really good idea of how hard she is working to see the words when she reads. His diagnosis was that she is working really hard and that the glasses should help out a lot. They will only be needed for reading, which is nice so that we won't have to worry about them all of the time.

Rowan is growing like a weed. I have been taking pictures of him each week on his "week" anniversary of his birth. I missed this Wednesday, so I made up for it on Friday. He has some adorable bear pajamas that he got for Easter with a bear hat. I thought that I would really "cheese" things up and add some "beary" cute pictures of him!

You won't want to miss the other designers!

Jen Del Muro and new May guest designer
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles
Amy Sheffer
Leigh O' Brien,
Jenn Diercks,
Amber Hight
Megan Lock
Sony Christoph

Jodi Collins
Thanks for fluttering by!

I'd "Chews" You!

It's Teacher Appreciation week and that means that I have an excuse to get crafty! Yesterday I made chocolate dipped strawberries for both of my kid's teachers with a cute tag. I had to go to the PTA meeting and of course I was running late, so I didn't get a chance to photograph them. I bought a bunch of Trident gum yesterday at the store because I had coupons for them, so I decided to create another little teacher gift to send to school today! The saying is pretty cheesy, but if anyone can appreciate a little cheese, it has to be elementary school teachers, right?

I have been wanting to create a little box using my Nestabilites dies and this was the perfect opportunity. Two packs of Trident gum fit nicely side by side in the little box I created and the nestabilities die fit perfectly on the top and the bottom. I really should have taken a picture with the lid off so that you could get a better idea of how I did it, but they are already on their way to school! LOL! I will probably be making some more of these boxes in the future, so I will show it then.

The base of each box is created using Kraft cardstock for a heavy duty base. I used some scraps of paper that I had laying around (October Afternoon-Thrift Shop Collection) which is always nice! I like to get things utilized and used up. I used "Baby Button Bits" again, which I promised I wouldn't, but this image looked so nice with the paper, I couldn't resist. I have been getting a lot of use out of that set besides baby projects.

I created the sentiment on my computer (ETA: I used "Castellar" and "Kunstler Script" for the fonts) and printed it out onto PTI's stampers select Vintage Cream cardstock which is my favorite! If I can come up with another fun, inexpensive idea, I will put together another little something for tomorrow. Our "Teacher Appreciaton" committee has done a great job putting together cute gifts, so I don't want to do a repeat. I also don't want to spend a lot of money since the end of the year is creeping up at the end of this month. I would rather save my money and do something nice then. Also, our Principal is leaving this year and I will want to do a nice gift for her as well.

Speaking of school, we have been having some troubles with Emma in regards to her reading, spelling and writing. I have been wondering if she has Dyslexia. I went and spoke to her teacher yesterday when I dropped off the chocolate dipped strawberries to voice my concerns. I had brought it up earlier in the year at a Parent Teacher Conference, but nothing ever came of it. When I spoke to her yesterday, she was worried and had noticed some problems. Needless to say, we are having her eyes checked today to see if that could be a factor. When I googled "Dyslexia" yesterday and read the warning signs, I was really scared and cried for hours. I believe that she does indeed have it. We have a Dr.'s appointment in June (that was the soonest they could see me) which seems like an eternity away! The information I read said that early intervention is the best and not to wait until it is too late! EEEk! I feel like we have already waited too long. I know that everything will work out, but I know that we will have a lifetime of struggle and I will have to learn the elusive art of patience.

I will be back for sure for Saturday's SFYTT!Thanks for fluttering by!

A New Little Someone

My friend had her baby yesterday! I already made a card for her, but I didn't have a chance to get or make a "coordinating" gift. I decided to quickly make her a new one to match the "Gymboree" gift box that her gift is in. I usually end up by wrapping the gift boxes, but it came with such a cute ribbon and sticker for the top, that I decided to leave it as it is.

I liked the panels from yesterday's card so much that I decided to make panels again. I stamped the three colors using white ink and Polka Dot Basics. The gift box has polka dots all over it, so I thought that I would continue with the theme.

The outfit that I am giving her has a cake or cupcake on the shirt, so I couldn't resist using the cupcake image from Baby Button Bits. I know that I promised that I would try not to use it, but it was the perfect fit. I colored the image using copic and prismacolor markers. I added some tinsel glitter for fun!

I had already made the little snail image, so I decided to add that to the inside. It is simply stamped in white and then colored using copic markers. I added all of the buttons using glue dots.

The hospital is less than five minutes away, so I am going to give her a call and see if I can come and see her new little bundle. My other friend had her baby last Monday and I was able to go see him on Thursday. It really made me realize how big my little one is getting!

I am hoping to get a new banner made this week so stay tuned for that! I am also hoping to get some Teacher Appreciation gifts done like I mentioned yesterday! Thanks for fluttering by!

Big Birthday Cake *SFYTT*

I am here! Finally! Whew! What a morning! I really should have had this ready to go last night, but I decided to go over to my friends house and chit-chat for hours! LOL! I was in such a rush that my creative juices were no where to be found, so it is what it is!

I knew that I wanted to use this K & Company paper, so I got all of the panels ready to go. Then I sat and sat and sat trying to decide what I should use for the focal image. I was *really* tempted to use a tea pot or a baby image, but restrained. I tried a couple of different options with little success. When I was almost ready to throw the whole thing away, I spotted a scrap of October Afternoon ("Fly a Kite" collection) paper. It was a collage of different vintage children doing various things. I decided that this litte vintage girl would be perfect for the focal image.

I used a variety of copic and prismacolor markers to color the image. After I was done photographing the card, I realized that I forgot to add some depth to her hair, so I went back and did that, but I didn't take any new photos. Everything else is pretty straightforward. I didn't add too many bells and whistles since I was in a rush.

I barely got my daughter to the dance studio in time for her pictures. I pride myself on being on-time, but that has seriously changed since I have had Rowan. We are late everywhere we go lately. My kids make it on time to school, but that is about it!

As far as my creative time goes, I really didn't do much this week. We switched satellite companies and I had random workers in my house two days this week, which interrupted naps and such and I thought I was going to go crazy! Rowan finally had a good afternoon nap yesterday, which was a nice change! I am hoping to have more time next week to get things done. I have said it before, but I really hate going from SFYTT to SFYTT, so I apologize! Teacher appreciation is next week, so I am hoping to get some fun things put together for my kid's teachers.

You won't want to miss the other designers! Jodi Collins is joining the SFYTT sisterhood and I couldn't be happier! I Love her work!
Jen Del Muro and new May guest designer
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles
Amy Sheffer
Leigh O' Brien,
Jenn Diercks,
Amber Hight
Megan Lock
Sony Christoph
Thanks for fluttering by!

I'll be back!

I am so sorry! I have my SFYTT card done, but I don't have time to get it photographed,etc. My daughter is having her dance pictures taken today and I am running seriously late! Ughhh ! Look for it later today!

Birthdays are the Best *SFYTT*

My daughter and I are headed to my neices "Princess" Birthday party this afternoon! I am sure we will have a wonderful time! Of course, I needed to make a card, so I used this week's SFYTT! I realized that my last three posts have been SFYTT cards and have all used Baby Button Bits! Am I stuck in a rut? LOL! Maybe I just need to clean off my desk so it isn't at arms length everytime I sit down to stamp!

Actually, the cupcake image was the perfect fit. I have been itching to use it and the wrapping paper I got has cupcakes on it. I also bought some new buttons today at the sewing store (like I needed any new buttons) and the little yellow flower button was the perfect touch.
The papers are scraps from the favors I made for the PTA brunch last week. I cut off all of the "collection" information and even the brand name, so I am sorry I can't provide that for you. I love the mix of patterns. My sweet daughter was sitting by me while I was creating and giving her creative "two cents" as I worked away. I hate to crush her spirit when she asks me to add this or that. I ended up pulling the ribbon off, but I think it works without it. It is for a newly turned 5 year old, so I am sure she will think it is the bees knees anyway!

The cupcake "cup" was stamped onto a scrap of pattern paper and then cut out. I stamped the image again onto the focal piece, popped up the cut out cup with foam squares. I then colored the image using copic markers and added the button with a glue dot. The finishing touch was some tinsel glitter from Martha Stewart Crafts.

I did a little bit of sewing on this card. My sewing machine was almost out of thread and actually completely ran out while sewing around one of the panels. I just pulled out the little bit of thread it did have and just kept the paper piercing look. This is something that I have done often...if you need to have paper piercing on a lot of cards for invitations, etc. simply unthread your machine and go to work. Quick paper piercing!!!!!

Here is this week's sketch! I hope that you all get a chance to play along!!!! Jen's was the first "Sketch Challenge" that I partcipated in besides SCS because I love her sketches. I was super happy when she asked me to join the SFYTT team last year. I think that you will all fall in love when you give them a try!

You won't want to miss the other designers!
Jen Del Muro and April Guest Designer
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles
Amy Sheffer won't be playing this week but her blog is always worth a visit!
Leigh O' Brien,
Jenn Diercks,
Amber Hight
Megan Lock
and new SFYTT sister Sony!

This is the photo I was talking about in my last post. When he gives me the pouty lip, it breaks my heart. Crying I can handle, but this little lip is just too much!

Thanks for fluttering by!

Sweet Pea

I missed out on Jen's SFYTT two weeks ago and I really wanted to give it a try. I needed to make a baby card for one of my dearest friends who is expecting any day now! The outfit that I got her said "Sweet Pea" on the front, so I knew that the pea pod image from Baby Button Bits would be perfect. I paired it with some of the new October Afternoon papers that I got last week and wanted to use.
The actual "Sweet Pea" sentiment is from the SU! set called "Little Angel". My mom got it a while ago and lent it to me, so I was excited to actually get to use it. The "Cute and Cuddly" sentiment is also from the Baby Button Bits set. I just rounded the acrylic stamp onto my block so that it would fit nicely into the circle.

I packaged it up into a Kraft box and added a tag ( I didn't have a chance to photograph it) but I used the Papertrey "Little Sweet Pea" sentiment on that. I couldn't resist adding a jar of Gerber peas along with her gift. I am *all about* working the theme! LOL!

Rowan turned 3 Months old on the 20th, so it was time for a photo shoot. Unfortunately, the day got away from me and it was getting too dark for me to use any natural light. I pulled up all the shades in my bedroom to get any light I could, but it got too dark too fast. I used my little brain and had my daughter bring up one of my OTT lights from my desk and I got to work. Rowan wasn't in any kind of smiling mood, but I really like what I captured. I love those little lips and chubby cheeks. He had finally had it by the time I was done, so I did get some adorable "sad" pictures with his little lip turned down; the one that breaks my heart, but is precious and part of him, all the same. I will have to share those later. I will be back tomorrow with a "current" SFYTT! LOL!

Thanks for fluttering by!!!