Hi-ya Peeps

Sometimes you never know how good you've got it until you leave. I thought I was doing what was best for me by leaving a job I've held for seven years because it was time...time to grow, time to do what I went to school for, time for a change. So I left. And it was ok. Just ok. The new gig wasn't for me. I had the opportunity to obtain my old job again and I didn't let it pass up. I was welcomed with open arms by the ladies I left and by the ladies who covered for me for two months. Thank you, peeps at work, thank you for welcoming me back. Thank you for bringing me back to the land of normal.

Peeps. Those marshmallowy, much too sweet, brightly colored sugar-coated candies that emerge for the Easter holiday. After noticing some Peeps peeking out in the corner of the inspiration board at Off the Wall Craftiness and staring at Critters in the 'Burbs, my only critter set that I could use for The Lawnscaping Challenge, Calling All Critters, I knew what I wanted to do! I know it's an unconventional Easter card, and a non-cutesy Critter card, but I liked that I found another way to use my stamps.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) OfficeMax, (Teal) SU
Patterned Paper: (Papyrus) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Critters in the Burbs) Lawn Fawn, (Fillable Frames #2) PTI
Ink: (Bashful Blue Pigment) SU, (Onyx Black) Versafine, (Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain Distress) Ranger
Other: (Teal Marker) SU, (Black Pen) Pilot, (Natural Twine) May Arts, (Rubon Letters) Making Memories

Scallops

It's the little things that really matter in life.

Today I took my youngest (4) to his first day of school. (He was evaluated for Speech Therapy for next year and the teachers offered to start him a bit early to get a grasp on improving his speech during the summer.) He was so excited. So excited! Grinning from ear to ear as he placed that backpack in his very own cubbie, chest out, strutting around his new room, happiness spreading through his body as he noticed the lego table, and... giving me a hug with all his might around my legs and saying "Have a good day Mama" as I left him, and his brain, in the care of someone new.

Are you up for a challenge? Design a card with scallops based off the below sketch at Limelight Papercrafts and link it up to Mandy's blog by Monday for a chance to win a Pink Cat Studio stamp set of your choice. Did you hear? Limelight Papercrafts is also offering an extra discount at their store, enter APRIL at checkout for a 10% savings!

I received some much needed color assistance for this card from the challenge at Off the Wall Craftiness, as well as trying to replicate the femininity and delicacy of the inspiration board. Congratulations Kim and team, on 50 challenges!

To My Dear Baby Nephew

For my TiffanyDoodles Blog Hop post, please click here!

Tapping feet. Clicking fingernails. Sighing...Waiting patiently.
My dear baby nephew, I am patiently waiting for your mama to call me up and say she's going to the hospital. My dear baby nephew, I'm patiently waiting for your proud father to call and say how you and your mama are doing fine... I can't wait for you to arrive.
In the meantime, I will continue to be inspired by your impending arrival. The colors were inspired by the challenge over at Off the Wall Craftiness. Loved that umbrella in the corner, which reminded me to pull out some decorative tape. I lined the tape in rows for a unique and graphic pattern, which was oh so much more quick then cutting and gluing strips of paper. Thanks to Moxie Fab World and their challenge to Get Daring with Decorative Tape. I cute-enized the card up with the sentiment and some buttons.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White, Teal
Embellishments: (Sticker Sentiment) SRM, (Decorative Tape) 7Gypsies, (Buttons), Floss)

Balloons

It jumped out at me. It literally jumped out and said, make me! The colors. The design. The angles. The shapes. Every little thing about that picture spoke to me. And I wanted to recreate it.

Do you see it? Can you spot the picture amid the amazing lot of photos from the inspirational challenge piece at Off the Wall Craftiness?

My colors are *slightly* off but was super excited that my card came out somewhat like the picture.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Tempting Turquoise) SU, (Velum)
Stamps: (Sophie's Sentiments) Lawn Fawn
Ink: (Pixie Pink, Only Orange, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise Pigment) SU
Other: (Thread)
Tools: (Circle Punch) Creative Memories

Say, Karen...

"Say Karen, can you make me..." The gal from work started out a bit frantic, she was in quite a hurry and it was hard to distinguish her words. I heard "Valentine's Day card...not too girly...no frills..need to give it to...send it in the mail...tomorrow" She left for the meeting and I didn't get a chance to see her for the rest of day.

So yesterday I presented this Valentine's Day card and she said it was perfect. Good thing I can still hear a bit. Good thing I have one valentine's day stamp in my stash. Good thing that clean and simple is the way I roll. I used the color inspiration from Off the Wall Craftiness as a base for the card.

Last night someone that I have never met in person but I know through blog land did something so nice and sweet for me, something that I will never forget. Thank you, friend. The friendships I've gained in world of crafting, separate from the daily grind of normal life, will be one I never forget. Ever.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max
Stamps: (Happy Days) Inkadinkadoo
Ink: (Pretty in Pink Pigment) SU, (Lipstick Red Chalk) Colorbox
Embellishments: (Epoxy Hearts) Cloud 9
Tools: (Corner Round Punch) SU

Cranberries & Cake

Cranberries, the glossy shiny gems of burgundy red become a focal point for her winter wedding decor. A few days before the big event, she convinced her future husband to trek through the long driveway of the marsh, full of snow, with her to pick up a crate of fresh berries to adorn their reception tables. Thousands of glorious, elegant, unmarred burgundy red beads held together by rustic, worn wooden slabs of wood...what a perfect couple.

Oh, the colors of Off the Wall Craftiness brought back so many tucked away memories of my very own wedding. I started by stamping a series of patterned circles from Schlosser Design's Circle-A-Thon repeatedly in burgundy shades of chalk ink onto kraft paper and then added white enamel accents (these are so awesome, by the way!).

I liked the design and concept so much that I decided to take on the Winter White Tuesday Trigger Challenge at Moxie Fab World, this time using the stamping-off technique of brown ink onto cream paper. White enamel accents were also added, although the photograph does not show it well.

Supplies:
Cranberry Celebrate:
Cardstock: (Kraft) PTI
Stamps: (Circle-A-Thon, Furnishing Fun) Schlosser Designs
Ink: (Chalk Ink) Colorbox
Other: (White Enamel Accents) Ranger
Tools: (Corner Chomper) WR Memory Keepers


Cream Celebrate:
Cardstock: (Ivory) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Circle-A-Thon, Furnishing Fun) Schlosser Designs
Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Other: (White Enamel Accents) Ranger
Tools: (Corner Chomper) WR Memory Keepers

Ring Around the Rosie

She grabbed the hands across from her and gripped them tight. They both gave full trust in each other and closed their eyes as they started to move around and around. Slowly at first, then quicker...then fast, faster! "Ring around the rosie, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down!"

Hmm, I remember one time someone telling me the meaning behind this nursery rhyme, perhaps I subconsciously made it a get welI card! I combined two challenges for the basis of my card. The soft color palette comes from the beautiful inspiration picture at Off the Wall Craftiness and the CAS layout from Artful Delight's Challenge (ASC 2). I love the versatile round designs from Schlosser Design's new stamp set, Circle-A-Thon.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI, (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Circle-A-Thon) Schlosser Designs, (sentiment from Teeny Trees) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: (Pretty in Pink Pigment) Stampin' Up!, (Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress) Ranger, (Watermark) Versamark
Embellishments: (Rustic Twine) PTI, (Rhinestones) Michaels
Other: (Honey Dew and Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels, (Clear Embossing Powder) Stampin' Up
Tools: (Circle Punch) Creative Memories

Tiled Sympathy

Her eyes scanned across the room gilted with gold accents and fine furniture. She stopped and stood in front of the victorian walnut chair upholstered in velvet but it wasn't the chair that intrigued her. Rather, the wallpaper on the wall behind the chair. Delicate. Old. Intricate. Everything beautiful.

Off the Wall Craftiness has the best color challenge which reminded me of my visit to the historic mansion here in town. Sympathy cards are always difficult for me to make, but I used my last one and needed another. I kept the design fairly simple and embellishments to a minimal so that the stamps design and message shine. It was fun to see if I could recreate the vintage wallpaper.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI
Patterned Paper: (White Collection) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Poinsettia Patterns) Wplus9
Ink: (Old Olive Pigment) SU, (Vintage Photo Disress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Pearls in Sunflower) Queen & Co., (Rustic Twine) PTI
Tools: (Labels 4 Nestabilities) Spellbinders

In the Limelight at 30

I think I've figured it out. Being in your thirties is all about meeting and exceeding your dreams that most of us had when we were five. My dreams were all about being married to the most handsome man, have a little one running at my feet while pushing another in a stroller, all the while eating bon bons in my two story house with a huge smile on my face. (Well, three out of the five isn't bad for me!)

I'm not quite sure of the fairytale dreams you had when you were little, Mandy, but here's to hoping that you've met and exceeded them! Happy Birthday! I hope that your day is full of relaxation and fun!

Hop on over to Lisa's blog next and JenMarie and Lynn have some to share as well!

A little bit about the card: I love (and love and love some more) the colors over at Off the Wall Craftiness and wanted to also incorporate offset scallops for Moxie Fab World's Offset Scallop Gallop Contest. I got a little help from the Mojo Monday Sketch (rotated 180 degrees) and the idea to use alternative shapes for the scallops from Courtney's card in Paper Craft's Holiday Cards and More, available from Paper Crafts Magazine.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Vanilla Creme) PTI
Patterned Paper: (Pyrus) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Look Up!) Practicing Creativity Designs, (Communique Curves) PTI
Ink: (Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress) Ranger, (Buckaroo Blue Pigment) SU
Embellishments: (Jute)
Tools: (Labels 4 Nestabilities) Spellbiners, (Corner Chomper) WR Memory Keepers

Off the Wall

Off the Wall. Outside of the Box. That's is how I roll, that's how the cookie crumbles. I was inspired by the inspiration photo from Off the Wall Craftiness to create this much needed Thank You. Still practicing my misting skills....Here I misted the paper first, embossed the white flourishes (which are really peacock feathers!) and adhered a sentiment panel misted in another color.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Magical Moments) Wplus9
Ink: (Watermark) Versamark
Embellishments: (Sticker Sentiment) SRM Stickers
Other: (Dragonfly and Sugar Maple Mist) Tattered Angels, available at Practicing Creativity Designs, (White Embossing Powder) Stampin' Up!, Black Thread

Decorative Tapes

I've got a few younger cousins that are just about at the marrying stage and this card would be for one of them. Lots of patterns that are fresh, funky and fun. Not a lot of fuss, to the point.

The colors for this card came from the inspiration photo collection at the Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge.

I've been loving decorative tapes lately. Actually, a few things I've used lately that I thought I'd share quickly with you, if you are interested in knowing.
1. Decorative Tapes: Straight lines every time, no adhesive required. Bold or petite patterns.
2. Glimmer Mists: Love the effect. Still working hard at mastering it. A bit of a mess but cool results.
3. Rustic Twine: Love the color. Love the thickness. Not too crazy about the little hairy things all over it.
4. Ranger Craft Mat: This thing is what they say it is. You can ink, heat, glue, drool on it if you want too. Anything wipes off.
5. Antique Linen Distress Ink: Possibly thee best distress color-not too light, not to dark.
6. Uniball Signo White Gel Pen: Hands down the best white pen. Nice thick coverage. Not too thick of a line. Need about ten more of these.
7. Birds: Digital birds, stamped birds. Graphic birds. Realistic birds. Just anything birds. I think they are cool.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific Patterned Paper: (Green Hills from Earth Love Collection) Cosmo Cricket (Pink Polka Dots from Just Chillin Girls Collection) Making Memories Stamps: (Mega Mixed Messages) PTI Ink: (Antique Linen, Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger Other: (Striped Decorative Tape) 7Gypsies Tools: (Labels 4 Nestabilities) Spellbinders (Cirlce Punch) McGill

A Pound of Thanks

I'm always up for a challenge, but I do believe the Moxie Fab World's Shabby and Vintage Card Style Challenge has topped them all. I don't know what happens. I just sit and stare when it comes to this style. Perhaps I think too much about it. Does that ever happen to you?

After close to twenty minutes of staring at a white card base, I remembered that I had won some wonderful blog candy from here, and I pulled out everything vintage-y that I had. Doing so, I found a pre-printed old world postcard with the pink hue that geared the color combo towards that of the latest Off the Wall Craftiness (oh gorgeousness!). I inked edges, stitched, distressed, added a doily, some hand-made pin embellishments and luscious satin ribbon. I think the card weighs close to a pound.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific (Grey) Recollections Stamps: (Mehndi Medallions) Wplus9 Ink: (Basic Grey) Stampin' Up! Embellishments: (Rose Plaque) Melissa Frances (Basic Grey Satin Ribbon) Stampin' Up!, (Doily) Wilton, (Postcard from Passport Collection) Making Memories, Decorative Pins, Thread Tools: (Multi-tag Punch) McGill

Balloons and Blogger

The sun was just setting, giving each of the balloons a slight glow. Simultaneously the captains lit their fires, spots of intense orange and blue dotting the horizon under the colorful array of the fabrics. One by one they released their strings and up, up, up they went. Each and every hot air balloon, each and every spectator was there at the ralley for a purpose, to support the local children's hospital. What an amazing site.


The colors for the latest Off the Wall Craftiness are absolutely beautiful, right? Although I wanted to do something frilly and girly as the images in the inspiration refer too, I was in much need of some masculine cards for my grandma's gift. I used a sketch from challenge at Practicing Creativity Designs. The balloon has been covered in glossy accents for added interest and dimension.

A while back during the midst of the Papercraft's Gallery Idol Competition, I was given a blog award by the very talented Jess from Playing With Paper. Part of the award asks you to list 10 things about yourself (I'm sharing random crafty things), so here goes!
1. I craft in a closet. A small closet.
2. Ikea is my favorite place to shop for crafty goods, and inspiration. Good thing the closest location is 4 hours away.
3. I love it when my boys want to stamp or scrapbook with me. I've learned, though, to have them wash their hands before starting.
4. Bridge Mix is my scrapbooking indulgence. Especially bags with not many chocolate covered raisins.
5. My boys find it entertaining to pick up buttons, scraps etc. on the floor. I let them believe it's fun.
6. Staying up way too late doing crafty things isn't the best habit to acquire, even though I enjoy it.
7. Baker's twine is the best string, and not just because of the name.
8. Rarely do I send out cards that I make...trying to figure out why that is.
9. I read your posts, and like it when they make me chuckle, think or offer great advice.
10. Almost every one of my cards have a story behind them, really.
The second part of the award asks you to pass it on to ten people. I'm going to break the rules (sorry Jess!) as I can't list just ten people, so anyone that wants to play, let me know-I'd love to read ten things about you (great movie by the way!)  


Supplies Used: Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific (Teal) Recollections Patterned Paper: (Salsa Chunky Stripe from Essentials Paperz) Junkitz Stamps: (Rays from You're Dandy) (Balloon from Look Up!) Practicing Creativity Designs Ink: (Taken with Teal) Stampin Up (Onyx Black) Versafine Other: (Sticker Sentiment) SRM Stickers (Silver Rhinestones) Michaels

Painted Flower

Paint. She used to paint all the time in high school. She painted some in college. She felt rusty as she pulled out the paints in the bright colors. She timidly dipped the paint brush in the first color and let the bristles touch the paper. The creativity came back through her fingertips and she continued on with the other colors. Paint.

This card brought me back to the time when art was fun! I don't usually combine so many challenges, but the card kind of fell together with them in mind. I knew I wanted to use paint for Teri Anderson's Playing with Paint Challenge... and the colors of the paint were to be the bright and fun hues at Off the Wall Craftiness-not to mention that I loved the flowers in the corner, which brought me to... the tissue paper medium to fit with the 365 Cards Challenge... and the sentiment Mr. & Mrs. for the Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab World. The layout of the card is derived from the sketch at 2S4Y.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific) Taken with Teal (Stampin Up) Ink: Taken with Teal Marker (Stampin Up) Embellishments: Sticker Sentiment (SRM Stickers) Rhinestone (Oriental Trading Company) Teal Twine (May Arts from Practicing Creativity Designs) Tools: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Flower Dies (Provo Craft), Acrylic Paint (Apple Barrel), Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Lemon Sunshine

{Wouldn't Lemon Sunshine be the perfect name for a new ink color? Or if its out there, I want some!}

Shhh... I'll let you in on a little secret... I was going for a lemon, but it ended up looking like the sun. The wedges/rays need to be wider, I reckon. Sometimes you just have to roll with it, right? Especially when you are a late night crafteress and time is limited. Gives me a new goal to work towards. Mission: Make lemons.

This colors and general summery vibe of the card were inspired by the uber awesome photo inspiration at Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge. The sketch from 2 Sketch for You- a clean and simple approach to it. To make the lemon, err, sun, I stamped a ray with yellow chalk ink and then kissed off some of that ink with the lace stamp. I also used a circle punch on the sticker sentiment to separate it from the dots around the lemon, err, sun.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Naturals White, Barely Banana (Stampin Up) Blue (Reminisce) Stamps: You're Dandy and For the Love of Dots (Practicing Creativity Designs) Ink: French Blue, Yellow Citris and Creamy Brown Chalk (Colorbox) Embellishments: Sticker Sentiment (SRM Stickers) Gold Hemp Cord (Elements from The Beadery)

Peacock Banners

One of the duties of my day job working with hospital insurance billing is to open mail. Lots and lots of mail. After reading a post from Sideoats & Scribbles a while back, I never realized the beauty in the patterns of security lined envelopes until Lisa pointed it out. Red ones. Blue ones. A ton of black ones.

Everything but the Kitchen Sink's latest household challenge is to use envelopes. Off the Wall Craftiness has a lovely peacock image for her color challange of turquoise, lime and black. I pulled out a vast number of the black patterned lined envelopes and created a fresh and funky background for the fun banners. All the pennants in the banners are covered with Glossy Accents for a real flashy shine, just the nature of a peacock! The colors just felt like there should be a celebration somewhere, so I made it into a birthday card for the SRM Sticker Challenge.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific) Taken with Teal (SU) Stamps: Look Up (Practicing Creativity Designs) Ink: Jet Black (Stazon) Aquamarine, Lime Pastel Chalk (Colorbox) Embellishments: Sticker (SRM Stickers) Teal Twin (May Arts, Practicing Creativity Designs) Black Brad (SU) Other: Glossy Accents (Ranger) Envelopes