Lucky Banner

I normally don't decorate for St. Patrick's Day, but since Easter isn't until the end of April, I decided to whip something up! Making banners is kindof an addiction for me and since I pretty much have every other holiday/season, it was the perfect excuse. I don't know about you, but really cute and classy St. Patrick's Day decor is kindof hard to find; at least around here. Everything seems to be made out of shiny metallic cellophane or tinsel and just isn't my taste. Since I love green so much anyway, I just used a few things I already had with some new purchases to put together a cute little ensemble on my bench under the banner.


The paper is all from Graphic 45, but from different collections. I just grabbed the patterns that I liked in green and called it good. The little image under the letter "c" is from Crafty Secrets. I was wishing that I hadn't gotten rid of all of the horseshoes I bought for one of my kid's Cowboy/Cowgirl birthday parties. I noticed how cute the little horshoe tied up with ribbon looked next to the Leprochaun in the little image.

Everything else is pretty straightforward and standard on my banners. It whipped up quite quickly since it only used 5 letters. It is shorter than most of my banners so it doesn't span the entire length of the board. I found something green to hang on the last handle to fill things up!

Everyone loved their little Valentine's treats when I passed them out at school. I ended up making chocolate dippped strawberries for the teachers. I put them on silver platters that I found at the dollar store and tied them up with cellophane. I gave the principal the stacked boxes from my last post which she absolutely loved. She confessed to me this week when I dropped into the office to tell me that she had re-gifted. I guess her son needed something quick for his girlfriend and wanted to give her that. I thought that was cute!

Alot has been going on here; throw-up, diarrhea, more throw up (thank goodness none of those for me, I am actually feeling quite good these days), going forward with some construction (Rowan threw up all over the floor when the workmen were here), a fender-bender, weening Rowan onto a sippy cup, tantrums, we are most likely expecting another boy, homework,etc. February has almost come and gone. I will be back tomorrow with my second design for this month's SFYTT! Thanks for fluttering by!

Language of Love

One of my favorite projects that I have ever made was for PTI when I was on the template team. It was for the "Shaker Style Stacker" boxes. It sits in my kitchen and I look at it every day. One of the reasons I like it so much is because of the words that I used around the lids. I wanted to make something similar for Valentine's day. I needed it quick and easy so that I would be willing to part with it and not keep it for myself. LOL! I used old SU! supplies, as far as the paper is concerned, but I paired it with PTI's "Heart Prints". Can you tell I really like this set?

Since the papers all came from the same collection, it was easy to keep things cohesive. I was worried that it might seem too busy using that many different prints, but I think it turned out quite well. The boxes each share the same height for the base as well as the same lid length for the top. I didn't keep track of measurements or anything. I just winged it and used a ruler as I went. I did wonder if it would have been cute to try different heights, etc. I may be giving it a try later. I still need a few more little gifty things to give to teachers, etc.

"Heart Prints" was the ideal set for this particular project since it has so many fun sentiments. They were perfect for all of the stamping I did on the lids.One thing you will want to remember if you want to make something like this, is to stamp all of your sentiments before you assemble the boxes. Everything is really quite simple. I did stamp some sentiments on the inside of each box using "Heart Prints Sentiments" as well as a popped heart on the middle box. I thought that it would be a fun surprise for the recipient as they took out the goodies inside. Of course a few little rhinestones were in order, but other than that the paper really does all of the work. I should be back this week with some more fun Valentine's projects. Emma needs to take some things to dance for all of her friends there. Thanks for fluttering by!

Love You Forever *SFYTT*

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and it is one of my favorite holidays! I love putting together little gifts and treats to celebrate the people I love. Today's SFYTT card is in honor of someone I love very much; little miss Emma! I thought this little girl from SU's "Greeting Card Kids" was just too sweet and so perfect for Emma! I paired it with PTI's "Heart Prints" and "Just the Ticket". I bought the coordinating die for the ticket set and I have had fun messing around with it, but nothing has ever made it onto a card until today!

This month's sponsor is Antita Be Stampin! I didn't get any stamps, but she sure has some darling images you will definitely want to check out! You can view her things here and here! The other gals have used her stuff as well so you won't want to miss seeing their creations.

For my card, I decided to stamp my focal image, cut it out and mount it onto a pattern paper background. I really like how it turned out. I glittered her little heart with some red chunky glitter from SU! It just seemed to be begging for it. If any holiday calls for glitter, it has to be Valentine's Day! I remember doing all kinds of Valentine's projects growing up and they all seemed to include glitter. I just couldn't resist adding this sweet little sentiment to the side, even though I strayed from the sketch a bit. The tickets were the perfect touch and gave it just the feel I was looking for. I hope Emma enjoys her card as well as the fun little presents I have picked up for her.

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
Jodi Collins
CAROLE

Kerry Johnson

Thanks for fluttering by!

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!