Happy Holidays!

Hello and Happy Holidays!  I wanted to share with you a card I made this holiday season.  If you saw my last post (and yes it was a month ago), I wanted to play off of the tag I made for the Papertrey Ink November blog hop.  This is just the bigger card version since I liked how my tag turned out!  I did use some new PTI ink in Spring Moss (the new formula) when stamping the leaf.  Well, this is short but I have many things to get done before Thursday (I work on Christmas Eve).  I will post some other holiday things I made here on the blog but it may be after Christmas!

{Merry Christmas} All products are PTI unless stated.

Stamps:  Turning a New Leaf, Background Basics: Diamonds, Signature Christmas

Ink:  Spring Moss (new formula--LOVE it), True Black, Chamomile

Cardstock:  Rustic White, Spring Moss

Pattern Paper:  Holiday Cheer

Misc:  Buttons (Hibiscus Burst, Ripe Avocado), button twine

November PTI blog hop!!

This is my first PTI blog hop!!  I may be a little late but here goes anyway!

This month was to create an inexpensive tag or wrap for a quick grab and go gift!!

Here is my tag!!  Non-traditional but cute!  I didn't have time to add buttons along the Ripe Avocado border as hubby was saying, "Let's go!" 

Thanks for stopping by and happy hopping!

{Merry Christmas tag}  All products PTI unless stated.

Stamps:  Turning a New Leaf, Background Basics Diamonds, Signature Christmas

Ink:  Versmark, Ripe Avocado, Dark Chocolate

Cardstock:  Kraft, Ripe Avocado

Pattern Paper:  Holiday Cheer

Misc:  Rasp. Fizz Twill, large eyelet

Trying Copics!

I made this card a while back and just finally sent it off the other day.  Now, I want to say that this is my FIRST attempt at using Copics!  I recently bought some Copics to "try".....OMG, do I love them or what?  I really want to buy some more but they are a little pricey.  This card uses Scarlet Jewel Copics for the flower and Ripe Avocado Copics for the leaves.  I really like how this turned out!  I can see, however, that there is certainly a learning curve when using these. 

I love this stamp set from PTI.....In Bloom.  It works well with coloring in or just stamping on colored cardstock and cut out.  I used versamark for the background flowers on Scarlet Jewel to make my own patterned paper.  This sentiment also comes from the In Bloom set.  Here is a close up of the flower cut out and popped up in different layers.  This flower is so easy to cut out.

Well, that's all for today.  Leave me a comment if you like!!

{In Bloom}  All supplies PTI unless stated

Stamps:  In Bloom

Cardstock:  Scarlet Jewel, Ripe Avacodo, Kraft, Misc white

Ink:  True Black, Scarlet Jewel, Versamark

Misc:  rhinestones, pop dots, Copics (Scarlet Jewel and Ripe Avocado), corner rounder (CM)

The rest of Halloween 2009!

Well, I thought I'd better finish posting the rest of my Halloween cards before Thanksgiving!  Now, I need to get busy making my Christmas gifties and cards!!  First up, is this cute little card....it's about a 4X4 size.  This was Payton's Halloween card this year.  I just love how this turned out!  I used True Black cardstock and stamped various Halloween words to make my own pattern!  I just lined up the 3 rows of words on a clear block and stamped in Fresh Snow ink!  This way you don't have to constantly line up the words!  I layered New Leaf and misc. orange cardstock stamped with Polka Dots stamps next.  Then I punched that cute bat border!  Next, a couple of stitched buttons on the border with button twine.

Here is a little closer up photo of the pumpkin image.  I just love how the addition of the glitter around the border gives it just a little sparkle!!  This was done using a glue pen and prisma glitter.  And dont'cha just love that pumpkin? 

Next up, is the "scary" card I made for Brett.  I used a cute little stamp set here that I bought this season.

I started out by stamping the same words across some Summer Sunrise cardstock.  Stamped and cut out the little skeleton and raised with a pop dot.  Next, came the fun part!!  The spider webs/spiders! 

Here is a closer up photo of the spiders and their legs!!  OMG, I just love this stuff on their legs...makes them so creepy!!  I used Sparkly Fluff for his legs....simply use a glue pen where you want the fluff to stick!  And I had to add a googly eye too!! 

Well, off now to go grocery shopping for Thanksgiving dinner! 

{Pumpkin card}  All supplies Papertrey Ink unless stated

Stamps:  Boo to You, Polka Dot Basics

Cardstock:  True Black, New Leaf, and Only Orange (SU)

Ink:  True Black, Fresh Snow, Orangerie

Misc:  True Black and Orange Zest buttons, button twine, Pop dot, Prisma glitter, Bat border punch (EK Success)

{Skeleton card}

Stamps:  Mr. Bones (Bo Bunny), Boo to You

Cardstock:  True Black, New Leaf, Summer Sunrise

Ink:  True Black, Fresh Snow, Summer Sunrise

Misc:  True Black buttons, DMC floss, googly eyes, Sparkly Fluff (Our Craft Lounge), pop dot

Pumpkin Decor....

How is everyone today?  I need to make this post quick as I need desperately to clean my upstairs because we leave today around 3 to go to The Zac Brown Band Concert and the Eat 'n Greet!  So, here is a little pumpkin decor that I still have out until Thanksgiving.  I made them for some gifts before Halloween.  Let me tell you.....these were soo simple and how cute?!  This idea came from Disney's Family Fun magazine....I love that magazine.  They have such cute kid-friendly craft ideas and so much other stuff.  Anyway, I bought some various shades of orange fabric "quarters" that were on sale at JoAnn's.  I then traced around several different sizes of plates/bowls on the backside of the fabric and cut out.  Then, using dental floss you just simply stitch around the outside of the circle and at the end you cinch it up so that you have a sack to fill.  Now, here's the RECYCLING part of this project (other than using up oodles of free dental floss)...you simply fill the sack with plastic grocery bags!!  If you are like us, we have tons of them but are going to switch over to the fabric reusable ones here soon.  Ok, just fill them to how "full" you want your pumpkin to be and cinch closed but before you tie it off, place a "stick" for the stem.  There you have it!!  The kids even helped stuff the sacks with the grocery bags and helped find the branches that I could break for stems.  How is that for simple decor?  Here is a close-up of my pumpkins!!  Enjoy!!

2009 Halloween treats!!

Well as promised, here are the Halloween treats that I made for my kids' Halloween parties this year.  First up, is this cute treat box using Boo to You that I made for my son's class.  I bought these little boxes from a dollar store called Deals.  They were 12/box for $1.  I found them in the wedding aisle and you just fold and embellish.  Here I used a small piece of patterned paper by Paper Studio.  The row of stars on the handle is a stamp from Boo to You.  I just curved the stamp to my block and stamped!  It was the perfect length to fit on the handle!!  The addition of a stamped 2009 Halloween tag adds that little extra something.  The tag was colored in with my ancient SU markers and layered onto a punched scallop circle and hung by some twine.  And that ghost?  Again, sooo easy to cut out/pop up!

 

  Here is a picture of all the treat boxes lined up!! It was fun to make all of these but it was fun to see them all done too!  Now, I wanted to share the treats inside the box.  My good friend, Laurie, mentioned that she was going to try these wrapped candy bars as mummies!  I used the mini Hershey bars, wrapped with crepe paper, and embellished with googly eyes!  (again supplies came from the dollar store)  They turned out so cute!  The other little treat is a Mini Tootsie Roll Pop spider.  I bought a bunch of black pipe cleaners, cut 4 of them in half, held them together, wrapped them around the stick for legs, and bent them to make joints! 

Next up, are the treats I sent with my daughter.  These were a little less "involved" as these were for 3-4 yr. olds.  I again found these cute mini Halloween ziploc treat bags at the dollar store.  I simply filled them up with some spooky candy and put a bag topper on that was made from the SU Top Note die, ghost from Boo to You, and Spooky sentiment from Spooky Sweets.  I just put one staple to attach to the bag and then placed the ghost over the top to cover the staple!

Here are all the little bags lined up!!  Now, I do wonder if anyone noticed the cute little pumpkins decorating my table.  I will post tomorrow about those!!  They were super easy and I RECYCLED! Until next time, Happy Stamping!

{2009 Halloween Treats}

Stamps:   Boo to You (PTI), 2009 Halloween Tags (PTI), Spooky Sweets (PTI)

Ink:  Truc Black (PTI)

Cardstock:  Misc. black and white, Only Orange (SU)

Misc:  Top Note Die (SU), pop dots, twine

Halloween's over???!!

Well, it's been extremely busy in our house the last couple of weeks.  How about 2 birthdays/parties, 2 Halloween parties at school, kiddo being sick, and then throw in Halloween too?  Whew, so hang on I will be posting pics of just what I've been up to these past few weeks in my "studio" and home.  To start today, here are my kids' Halloween costumes!  Brett is really "into" Legos right now and when we couldn't find a "nice" looking gorilla costume we resorted to making our own LEGO!  It really wasn't that hard......a box, plastic food containers, duck tape, and red spray paint.  (oh, and a little measuring along the way!)  I think it turned out so cute and Brett constantly heard, "Hey look!  He's a LEGO!)  :) 

I couldn't convice Payton to let me make her costume this year and was pretty adament about being a black cat.  We found the ear headband at JoAnn's and the kitty costume at a garage sale for $3.  So, I would say Halloween costumes this year probably didn't exceed $20 if that.

Now here are a couple of Halloween cards that I sent out this year.  I also made different cards for my kids and will post those later.  But here is a start!  This card uses PTI's Boo to You stamp set.  This ghost is sooo easy to cut out and you will see this cute little guy on an upcoming post about my 2009 Halloween treat goodies.  I started out with SU Only Orange cardstock layered with a start stamped panel laid next to a True Black panel embossed with the bat image in clear embossing powder.  How about that spider web border by Martha Stewart?  A few buttons stitched on added just the right touch!

Finally, here is a card that I haven't tried before.  It utilizes the Top Note die from SU as the base.  Using the die this way, makes such a cute size card and more than fits in an A2 envelope.  This little cutie was so simple!  Gotta have polka dots.....we so love them don't we Laurie?  Basically this card was made from my large scrap pile.  The orange base is a Bazzill cardstock scrap and the green horizontal panel is New Leaf color by PTI.  Don't you like the polka dotted ghost as well?  This was done using PTI's Chamomile ink.....subtle but nice. 

Here is another view of this card......I also used that same Chamomile ink to slightly darken the edges of this card.  I didn't mention that I used PTI True Black ink for the polka dots.....wow, what good coverage it has.  And it wipes off my stamps sooo easy.  Well, better get some more laundry done around here.  Till next time..Happy stamping!!

{Ghost card}

Stamps:  Boo to You (PTI), misc. set

Ink:  Versamark, True Black (PTI), Fresh Snow (PTI)

Cardstock:  New Leaf (PTI), True Black (PTI), Only Orange (SU)

Misc: clear embossing powder, Orange Zest buttons (PTI), pop dot, Spider Web border punch (MS)

{Ghost card #2} 

Stamps:  Boo to You (PTI), Polka Dot Basics 2 (PTI), 2009 Halloween Tags (PTI)

Ink:  True Black (PTI)

Cardstock:  orange Bazzill, New Leaf (PTI)

Misc:  Top Note die (SU), pop dot

Sophistication.....

is what this card is!!  I made this for a wedding couple a while back and just LOVE how it turned out.  However, I think I would have trouble mailing it in a regular envelope with that large button!  Anyway, here are the details....pretty simple really.  I started with a stamped True Black Damask Designs panel layered onto Pure Poppy cardstock with a small Pure Poppy layer on top.  This was embellished with a large white satin ribbon bow tied with a large black button with black twine.  A few rhinestones to flank its sides and a Upper Crest punched border underneath (this part is hard to see).  This is the first time I'd inked up a part of the Wishing You set too!

{Wishing You}

Stamps:  Damask Designs and Wishing You (PTI)

Cardstock:  Black (Bazzill), Pure Poppy (PTI), misc. white

Ink:  True Black (PTI)

Other:  white satin ribbon, rhinestones, True Black button (PTI), Upper Crest border punch (Fiskars), black twine, CM corner rounder

What do you think?  I love to read your comments!

 

Here we go again....

Hello all, hope you are feeling well as I think the flu bug has hit our house....however, thank goodness after birthdays.  Here is a cheery card made with On My Couch/Additions again!!  Are you all tired of this set yet?  The sentiment was simply curved on my block and stamped....love that you can do this!  How about that chair "upholstered" in Damask Designs?  So sophisticated.  Right above the punched border, I've scored some lines above it.  Again, just that little detail.  Here are a couple of other views of this card.  Sorry this is short but gotta get some rest to care for the sickies!

Please leave me a comment if you like this!!

{Chair-ish card}

Stamps:  On My Couch/Additions (PTI)

Ink:  Plum Pudding (PTI), Charcoal Palette, Noir Palette

Cardstock:  Plum Pudding (PTI), Misc. grey

Misc:  Organdy ribbon, Circle punch, clear rhinestones, MS lattice border punch, Scor-Pal, button/twine

It's been awhile!!

Well, here's what I've been up to......last weekend several of my stamping friends and I went to CKC in KC.  We just went to the CKC vendor faire (no classes).  I could have stayed there a lot longer but $$ does become an issue at these things!  We then found lunch and went shopping some more at the local scrapbook stores around KC thanks to Barb and Beverly for getting us where we needed to be!!    My friend, Laurie, found us a fab place to stay for free while we were there.... down by the Power and Light District overlooking the Sprint Center.  The view from the 18th floor was awesome especially when we turned off the lights at night!  We couldn't imagine living in a place like this (a condo) but it was wonderful for one night!!  Here's the view we had: 

I have been meaning to post this card and well, just haven't gotten around to it.  This is a favorite of mine using Star Prints and Polka Dot Basics.  I actually cut these stars out by hand before I bought my star punch by Fiskars.  Having this punch makes this set SO easy to use.  I love how you can layer the stars and the addition of the stitched button!

Here's another view of this card:

{Just for You}

Supplies:  all PTI unless stated

Stamps:  Polka Dot Basics, Star Prints, Around and About Sentiments

Ink:  Fresh Snow, Palette Noir, Palette Charcoal, Misc. pink ink

Cardstock:  Misc. paper

Other:  button, twine, EK Success Wavy Dot border punch, Fiskers Star punch, CM corner rounder, pop dot

On my Couch....again!

Ok, here is another card using On my Couch stamp set from PTI.  I really think this is one of my favorites!!  Besides that, this color combo is just to die for!!  My text background was stamped onto Kraft cardstock.  The couches were stamped in Dark Chocolate ink and the middle couch was stamped onto Bitty Box paper and then cut out and raised with a dimensional!  Oh, and don't you like that coordinating pillow?  Hehe, it really is the little things that make me smile!  I also busted out my Lemon Tart ribbon for this one too.....not alot just a little!  The border was made using the Apron Lace punch by Fiskars.  Take a look at the bottom picture for the "little" details!

What do you think about this one?  I have some other ideas for this set and now just need to sit down and play some more!

Stamps:  On my Couch/Additions (PTI), Background Basics: Textstyle (PTI)

Cardstock:  Kraft and Lemon Tart (PTI), Brown (misc.), Rustic white (PTI)

Ink:  Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Misc:  Apron Lace Punch (Fiskars), Button (PTI), Lemon Tart ribbon (PTI),

     rhinestones

Ok, why don't I just write:  all products PTI unless otherwise stated!!  :)

Adding just one more detail.....

Have you ever made a card and just wondered.....what if I just add one more detail?  Well this card was one of those times!! I had it all made and thought.....it is just missing something.  So, I simply added a punched Martha Stewart butterfly, some bling, and rounded the corner.  Making this a so so card to one I REALLY liked!!  See for yourself. 

For this card I broke out PTI's Life stamp set.  Stamped and stamped off some of the flower images in various shades of ink.  Then stamped some Background Basics:  Spots and Dots on the base card with Versamark.  I am telling you, PTI makes their background stamps SOO easy to line up time and time again.  You've just go to try it for yourself!  Added a border punch, sentiment, and button embellishment!                     

If you look close enough, the butterfly in the second photo is actually stamped with some of the Spots and Dots!

Thinking of You

Stamps:  Life (PTI), Everyday Classics (PTI)

Ink:  Ocean Tides (PTI), Kraft (PTI), Lemon Tart (PTI), Creamy Caramel (SU), Noir Palette, Versamark

Cardstock:  Ocean Tides (PTI), Kraft (PTI), Lemon Tart (PTI)

Misc:  Border Punch (EK Success), Misc. buttons, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, rhinestones, button twine, corner rounder punch (CM)

Guidelines X 2

Hello to you all!! I wanted to show 2 masculine cards I made recently. Boy I had fun stamping this background paper!! I hadn't pulled these sets out for a while and now am sorry I haven't sooner!! I LOVE these sets......the possibilities are endless. Here I paired the original Guidelines with Guidelines 2, changed up the main base colors, and whalaa.....2 different cards!

Now take a look at the other card but in brown as the base color. Wow, don't know which one I like the best!!

It's Your Day card

Stamps: Guidelines and Guidelines 2 (PTI), Star Prints (PTI)

Ink: Ripe Avocado, Vintage Cream, and Enchanted Evening (all PTI)

Cardstock: Enchanted Evening, Kraft, and Ripe Avocado (all PTI), Misc ivory

Misc: Ripe Avocado and Enchanged Evening buttons (PTI), Fiskars Upper Crest punch

Thank You card

Stamps: Guidelines and Guidelines 2 (PTI), Star Prints (PTI)

Ink: Ripe Avocado, Vintage Cream, and Enchanted Evening (all PTI)

Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Enchanted Evening, and Kraft (all PTI), misc. ivory

Misc: Rustic Wood button (PTI), Fiskars Upper Crest punch

No buttons???

Yep, here I've used my favorite new PTI stamp set.......Everyday Button Bits!! I needed to make a quick, easy card that was "mailable" and wanted to use this set again. So, instead of using buttons here on this card, I punched out 2-3/4" circles and 1-1" circle for the "tree tops". I love how this turned out! What about those yummy Dark Chocolate polka dots? This color is much darker than Burnt Umber and gives better coverage. Also used on this card was the new Vintage Labels stamp set......those double lines around the trees. This set coordinates wonderfully with the Spellbinders Labels I dies. But you don't have to use it with them.....just simply stamp them on your paper and whalaaa.....you have an instant cool border! This was my first try lining up the stamp with the die and I think it turned out pretty good.


Here is a close up of the trees. I popped the middle tree up as well as the embossed Label die. It's really hard with my less than wonderful photo taking skills to see but the smaller tree tops are stamped with Polka Dot Basics 2 in Ocean Tides ink. I think this ink is way too light and hope that this is one of the colors PTI chooses to reformulate soon. PTI has already chosen to reformulate some of their inks and from what I hear, the coverage is much better. However, this color does match and that is what the grass is stamped with as well.

PTI's Everyday Button Bits stamp set also includes 17 sentiments!!! I see myself using this set over and over again!! Everything you need in one stamp set!!

Tree card
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI), Vintage Labels (PTI), Polka Dot Basics 2 (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Ocean Tides (PTI)
Cardstock: Kraft and Ocean Tides (PTI)
Misc: Ribbon (Michaels)

Buttons anyone??

I know buttons have become a HUGE thing to use in the papercrafting world lately. Well, Papertrey Ink came out with a stamp set that you can incorporate buttons into the image!! What a fantastic idea!! I made 2 cards using 2 different images from that set. Shall we start with #1? This first one uses the bicycle stamp from Everyday Button Bits and the buttons were simply stitched onto the carstock with DMC floss. But first the base had to be stamped with Polka Dot Basics 2!! Then I layered a strip of Bitty Dots pattern paper punched with the Upper Crest border punch by Fiskars. See that thin strip of Bitty Dots paper underneath the bicycle? You can't throw scraps of it away!! This actually came from when I punched my border....it was the leftover piece. The sentiment is also from this set and I love how my "oops" turned out. I originally had it all stamped but when stamping I moved so I just stamped "the ride" on a small piece of SpringMoss cardstock and adhered over my "oops." I also utilized my scor pal for some embossed lines under the Bitty Dots paper. Here's another view:

Ok, now onto #2!!! I just had so much fun making these cards.....I don't know which one turned out to be my favorite! This one uses the cherry leaf image and uses buttons for the cherries!

I started this time with my favorite cardstock of all time......kraft. Then layered some Bitty Dots paper onto Pure Poppy cardstock. Oh that color of red!!

Now, take a look at that ruffle of ribbon!! I just followed these easy steps that I found here on this blog. Using some saddle stitched ribbon and adhere using scor-tape. Love that detail!! Again the sentiment is from this set too stamped in Fresh Snow ink. This border punch, Fiskars Apron Lace, is fast becoming my favorite to date. Oh yeah, used my scor pal again to make some embossed lines. Here's a close up of the ruffled ribbon embellishment.

Well, let me know what you think!! Have a wonderful day!

Bicycle card

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI), Polka Dot Basics 2 (PTI)

Ink: Noir Palette, Versamark, Plum Pudding (PTI)

Cardstock: Plum Pudding (PTI), Spring Moss (PTI)

Pattern Paper: Bitty Dots (PTI)

Misc: Plum Pudding buttons (PTI), Scor-Pal, popdots, Grey SU marker, DMC floss

Cherry card

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI)

Ink: Noir Palette, Fresh Snow (PTI), Ripe Avocado (PTI)

Cardstock: Kraft, Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado (all PTI)

Misc: saddle stitch ribbon (?Michaels), Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), Misc red buttons, Scor Tape, Rustic Jute Button twine (PTI)

I finally found these.....

border punches!! I have been stalking Michael's for about a month now ever since I heard about them on a message board. Well, they are the Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page punches!! Literally, I'd looked everywhere and just couldn't find them. Well, this weekend we made our usual weekend trip to Walmart and what did I find? There they were in the the fall and Halloween candy aisle!! The sets of them!! These immediately went into my cart!!

I came right home and made this card using the Spider Web punch.....now I haven't experimented with the corner punch to actually punch around a whole page but I sure had fun with this Halloween card! This card uses Inkadinkadoo's Trick or Treat clear stamp set. When I saw it at Michael's a while back, I knew that's what I was using my coupon for! I had so much fun coloring the trick or treaters using my ancient SU markers but the colors actually matched very well to the PTI cardstock. I started with stamping a star cluster from an unknown stamp set from Target (threw the package away a while back) in Versamark Dazzle champagne color. Now IRL, this background is real shimmery. Then I punched my spider web border on black carstock after adhering the middle layered section. The trick or treat sentiment and swirly flourish to the right are also from that stamp set from Target.

What do you think of this? I love to read your comments!

Stamps: Trick or Treat (Inkadinkadoo), Unknown Halloween set from Target

Ink: Palette Noir, Versamark Dazzle champagne

Cardstock: New Leaf (PTI), Plum Pudding (PTI), True Black (PTI)

Misc: SU markers, Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page spider web punch

On my Couch!!

Has anyone used this stamp set yet? Well, I am addicted to using it and you will be tired of it once I show you all that I've made with it!! You can literally "upholster" your couch with anything you want!! Here I stamped the couch stamp on some patterned paper by My Mind's Eye, cut it out, and then just matched up the paper with some cardstock from PTI. Also paired this set with the newest Polka Dot Basics II set. Love these polka dots because they are much closer together than the original set. However, you can't have one polka dot set without the other, right? The background dots are heat embossed on kraft cardstock with clear embossing powder. The mini dot "wallpaper" is also from this new set.

Do you see another of my new purchases? It is my most favorite punch yet.......the Fiskars Apron Lace border punch!!! I finally broke down and bought it with my Archiver's coupon. HAD to have it!!! Check out that bow.....Isn't it the perfect bow?? It was the easiest thing to make using Nichole's post here. This bow paired with that Aqua Mist button was just the right touch!! Oh, I have to say that I am in LOVE with the matching products.....buttons, ribbon, ink, and cardstock!!!

Hope you all have a nice day!!

Stamps: On My Couch (PTI), On My Couch Additions (PTI), Polka Dot Basics II (PTI), Everyday Button Bits (PTI)

Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye

Cardstock: Kraft, Lemon Tart, and Aqua Mist (all PTI)

Ink: Versamark, Charcoal Palette, Noir Palette

Other: Apron Lace punch (Fiskars), Aqua Mist button (PTI), Lemon Tart ribbon (PTI), clear embossing powder, heating gun, rustic jute button twine (PTI)

Coach's cards

Ok, we finally had our summer baseball party and guess what? It happened to be the same day and time that Brett's 1st Fall baseball game was!!! Well, he played his game and we rushed over there because it was a swimming party. He received his trophy, borrowed a swim suit, and had a great time. Tim and I collected $ from all the parents of the players and purchased gift cards to thank them for all their time, patience, and energy that they gave to our kids. You have to admit these people do have the patience. I don't think that I could ever be a coach!! The practices, fund-raisers, parents.....the list goes on. Anyway, Brett is absolutely loving baseball this year. He actually prefers to watch SportsCenter on TV than anything lately!! Go Royals!!

I made these cards for each of the players to sign for the 2 coaches we had. In the stamp lineup were several sets on this card including: Star Prints (PTI), Let Freedom Ring (PTI), and Grand Slam (TAC--an oldie but goodie). I LOVE how this came together. I had someone comment on how the color "grey" was making a comeback.....now for this card I didn't choose grey but rather these were The Sharks baseball team colors!! Don't you just love the font for this card? This is the font for all the words included in this set!! I created a small bit of my own patterned paper for where the stars are placed. Well, I hope you enjoyed this card......I have a VERY hard time making masculine cards but this one I like!!

Stamps: Star Prints (PTI), Let Freedom Ring (PTI), and Grand Slam (TAC)

Ink: Noir Palette, Charcoal Palette, Fresh Snow (PTI)

Cardstock: Going Gray (SU) and misc. white/black from my stash

Other: Pop dots and EK Success border punch (my favorite one)

Happy Anniversary!!

Well today was my in-laws 51st wedding anniversary! Last year was the BIG one and they took the whole family on a 7-day Royal Carribean cruise over spring break last year. Anyway, this is the card I made for them this year. It uses PTI products........go figure!! I started with Scarlet Jewel cardstock layered with Lemon Tart. This layer was stamped using the latest polka dot set from PTI....Polka Dot Basics II. Then by stamping the largest flourish over the polka dots. I love the look!! What about those hearts? I dug out Heart Prints and simply punched them out with my heart punch! Did you notice one new thing I used on this card? Hint: in general, it's one of my favorite tools lately. Yep, you guessed it....... a border punch.......specifically......the Upper Crest Fiskars border punch! I finally got my hands on one and boy do I like it! It adds just enough elegance. The sentiment came from Heart Prints too.

Here is a close up and it just shows how I stamped the inside of their card.......with a row of the smaller hearts that are included in Heart Prints too. Had to add some bling to the main heart with rhinestones that PTI is now carrying. I finally broke down and used some dotted Lemon Tart ribbon here too but just a snippet. I have been hoarding that stuff for a while now.

So, what do you think? I would love to read your comments.

Stamps: Heart Prints (PTI), Polka Dot Basics II (PTI), Fancy Flourishes (PTI)

Cardstock: Scarlet Jewell (PTI), Lemon Tart (PTI), Misc. grey

Ink: Scarlet Jewell (PTI), Charcoal Palette

Other: DMC floss, buttons from my stash, Upper Crest Fiskars Border Punch, Corner rounder, Lemon Tart ribbon (PTI), Rhinestones, EK Success heart punch, pop dot

Check out this blog candy!! A CUTTLEBUG!! Check it out!! http://prettypinkposh.blogspot.com/2009/08/cuttlebug-giveaway.html

Inspiration Avenue!!

Well, TAC has just released their NEW fall magalogue. There are 42 new stamp sets in there!! Here are all the publications shown together. If I do say so, there are some **SUPERB** samples in there!! Several of my stamping friends got the chance to design for this publication!! I am trying to figure out who made what.....I can kind of tell from their styles which is which but it is so hard but fun! Well, if you would like a copy of this new publication, Please let me know!! :) Have a great weekend!!