maria's craft room

Chocolate Smiles

Hi everyone!  How happy was I that my new Papertrey Ink order arrived today?  I was enjoying my final weekday of vacation (translation:  I was laying around in bed reading...and it was fantastic!) when I heard the telltale thump at the front door.  Deuce's frantic barking only served to confirm it's arrival.  Whoo hoo!  What I liked best about this month's release was the Chocolate Remix patterned paper set.  Finally there's a set of papers designed to coordinate with older Papertrey sets!  This card starts with a base of vintage cream, and I stamped the focal piece in lemon tart, summer sunrise and dark chocolate using Text Boxed and Paper Tray.  I was stumped about getting green onto the leaves until I decided to stamp the image onto spring moss stock and cut out the leaves and stem.  I just glued these on with a glue pen.  And I completely leveraged Nichole Heady's idea of adding color to the designer paper.  I added lemon tart, summer sunrise and spring moss by stamping on the paper with Text Boxed and the small leaf from Beautiful Blooms.  It needed texture so I distressed the dark chocolate layers and added the stitched ribbon and dew drops.  Fun stuff for a Friday!  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate, lemon tart, summer sunrise and spring moss

Cardstock:  Papertrey vintage cream, dark chocolate and Chocolate Remix patterned paper

Stamps:  Papertrey Text Boxed, Paper Tray and Beautiful Blooms

Other:  Robin's Nest flame dew drops, Papertrey summer sunrise stitched grosgrain, SU distressing tool

Craft Room Update

Hi everyone.  I can't believe my vacation is almost over!  Three more days and I'll be back at work.  Considering my track record with cleaning/organizing, I figure that the current state of my craft room is as good as it's going to get for a while.  I shared my messy 'during' photos on this post, so I thought I'd let you see how I've organized things so far.  I have to admit that at first I wasn't too keen on getting rid of my old craft table (a hand-me-down dining room table) and replacing it with countertop.  But oh how I'm glad we did!  This is the left side of my crafting counter.  Not much to explain.  I did re-arrange some shelves that I had so that I could prop up each end of the countertop.  I'm still saving for sets of cabinets to go underneath.  I need some doors to hide the clutter! Underneath the counter on the left side are some of my most frequently used SU stamp sets and a 2-tier plastic shelving unit to hold all of my SU cardstocks.  And on top I tucked away my glitter trays and baby wipes.  What you can't see is that I keep my Scor-pal in between the paper holder and the wooden support.  I can reach it easily from my chair and I'm thrilled it stores vertically.

This is the right side of my workspace.  I'm pleased with how I re-purposed all of my old shelves, carts and racks.  What you can't see is my trusty $20 cd player/radio that now sits behind my tools.  I love my tool bucket - my friend Liz found an ad for it in one of her crafting magazines a few years ago.  It spins!  I'm storing all of my favorite designer papers and my Papertrey cardstock in the vertical holders on the wire shelves.  Underneath the desk on this side are odds and ends like extra tape refills, glue dots, dimensionals, watercolor crayons, colored pencils, pastels, etc.  And my 12" CM paper cutter.  I love that thing!  I now only use that for patterned papers, though.  I was burning through way too many blades by cutting a lot of cardstock.

And here's where the husband made my birthday dream come true.  His version of Nichole Heady's closet!  He wants to add another shelf on the top but I won't let him yet.  I can barely reach the existing top shelf as it is.  (I have a horrible habit of falling off of step stools.  I live life close to the ground for a reason, baby!)  The closet has become my cutting/embossing/embellishment station.  And where I store my Nesties and Papertrey stamps in those CD holders.  Just looking at all of the pretty flowers and ribbon makes me happy.  I can't even tell you how much time has been spent sitting and looking at the closet lately.  That wooden shelf propped up on the left is a re-purposed cassette rack I've had since high school.  It's perfect for holding little bottles like Dew Drops, Stickles, Prima Deux flowers, etc.  As you can see I use a Big Kick.  I've been very happy with mine - I got it for a song and I've been able to use all kinds of dies and embossing tools on it without any issues.  I'm not going to show you what's in the cabinets...just lots of odds and ends from each crafting phase I've gone through.  And see the drawers at the top?  The big one on the right holds ribbons that are wound on wooden clothes pins.  I have quite a ribbon addiction.  And the drawer on the left is where I store brads and related bling.  So as I work on projects at the table I move to the closet and 'shop' for my embellishments.  I'm hoping to get through some of my stash this way!  What you can't see in the photo is that we left useable open space on the right side of the closet.  I've stored my electric sweeper and crafting totes over there.  You never know - I may clean the floor someday.

Ok - here's the computer desk/guest workstation.  When I sit at my craft table it's behind me and to my left.  It's just a cheapie student desk I salvaged from my parents' house before they moved.  It belonged to one of my sisters way back in the day.  And see that door?  It's the second closet in the room, directly across  from my embellishment station.  It's very narrow and we put shelves in there a couple of years ago so I could store my sewing and knitting supplies.  And see the dresser to the left of the chair?  It's main purpose is to hold the white storage cubes I have as well as my Sizzix storage towers, but slowly and over time I've been replacing the clothes in the dresser with crafting items.  That top drawer you can see is where I store all of my punches.  And see the black and white photo on the wall?  That is a beautiful piece from one of the English teachers at school.  I had no idea he took such wonderful photographs; this one is a view of a path over the sand dunes in Dewey Beach.  I have it hanging right over the computer station for two reasons.  One, I think it's beautiful.  And two, it is a reminder to me that people have many hidden talents.  Thanks for taking the tour with me!  I think that once I clean up the other side of the room I'll take pictures and create a gallery.  Yeah, right.  Like I'm going to clean again!

Until next time...M

Kristina's Color Challenge #16

Hello!  Kristina's thrown down another color challenge - this time we're to use certainly celery, pumpkin pie, soft sky and very vanilla.  She picked the cutest little felt booties from Martha for inspiration.

So I started with a base of Papertrey's vintage cream.  I used my Fiskars threading water punch to trim the certainly celery stock.  After that I used the tone-on-tone technique and the texture stamp from SU's Oh So Lovely set to give the scallops a little dimension.  The designer paper is from SU and I finally used my Martha Stewart butterfly punch!  I stamped the sentiment twice; once on the designer paper and another time on pumpkin pie cardstock.  I cut out the blossom and adhered it to the card with a little dab of glue.  I was still in the bling-y mood, so I colored the circles of the sentiment with my Sakura stardust glitter pen and added some Swarovski crystals to the blossom and the butterfly.  I wrapped the bottom in pumpkin pie grosgrain and called it a day.  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  SU basic black, certainly celery

Cardstock:  Papertrey vintage cream, SU certainly celery and pumpkin pie, SU soft sky designer prints

Stamps:  SU Oh So Lovely and For a Friend

Other:  SU pumpkin pie grosgrain ribbon, Swarovski crystals, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Fiskars threading water punch, Sakura stardust glitter pen

Merci...With Bling

Hello!  So yesterday I shared how I had a little too much caffeine while trying to stay awake during the latest Papertrey release party.  As I was rolling around in my craft room and watching Food Network until 5am I made a few things.  Given the feedback I'm getting (thanks girls!! your comments brighten my day!) perhaps I should stay up past my bedtime more often.  On second thought, no!  While it was fascinating to learn where blow pop lollipops and half pound cookies come from, most finished projects from that night are too crazy/awful to share.  This card is one of the few exceptions.  It's pretty simple - I layered SEI chick-a-doo paper onto the aqua mist base and added a strip of not quite navy that was trimmed into scallops with my SU slit punch.  I cut the tag with a Cuttlebug die and sponged the edges with not quite navy.  To sharpen the edges a bit I ran my clear Spica glitter marker around the edges of the tag.  Then I wrapped it in some certainly celery grosgrain and added a ton of bling!!!  This is the most bling I've used in one place in a long time.  It was fun and I think I'll just have to do it again.  (The bling...not an all-nighter!)  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:
Ink:  SU basic black, not quite navy
Cardstock:  Papertrey aqua mist and select white; SEI chick-a-doo paper
Stamps:  Papertrey Birds of a Feather
Other:  Cuttlebug tag slider die, SU certainly celery ribbon, SU slit punch, Me and  My Big Ideas fern rhinestone stickers, Copic Spica clear glitter marker

Dusting the Blog

Morning!  Just wanted to let you know I've been doing a little dusting around here this morning.  Relax - the dust in my house has not been harmed.  Like I'd voluntarily touch it anyway!  I'm just updating some links, etc. on the blog.  So I apologize if I'm setting off Google Reader/sending Feedblitz updates.  I'll be back later this morning with my bird bling post.

Until next time...M

One Flew Over My Nest

Hi there!  After staying up waaay too late last night for the Papertrey release party I started to feel a little cuckoo.  I had a bit too much caffeine.  Would you believe I couldn't fall asleep until 5am?  Ouch!  So that's how I ended up digging out a bunch of bird-themed items.  Today's card uses Papertrey's Birds of a Feather set and some SEI chick-a-doo paper and buttons.  I stamped the bird image in Versamark ink onto the aqua mist card base and used my SU slit punch to create the scalloped edge.  The sentiment was stamped onto Papertrey select white and die cut with a Cuttlebug slider tag.  (Can't wait for the ribbon slide Nesties!)  I dressed up the buttons with linen thread and wrapped the whole thing in some SU certainly celery grosgrain.  Done!  Thanks for stopping by!   Up tomorrow:  Bling!

Until next time...M

Supplies:
Ink:  SU basic black, Versamark
Cardstock:  Papertrey select white, aqua mist; SU not quite navy; SEI chick-a-doo patterned paper
Stamps:  Papertrey Birds of a Feather
Other:  SU slit punch and linen thread, Cuttlebug tag die, SEI chick-a-doo buttons, SU certainly celery grosgrain ribbon

Hang Your Stockings

Hi everyone!  Thought I'd sneak a post in while I'm having fun at the release party in the Papertrey forum.  I'm even being lazy and not going downstairs to use the light box for the picture!  For some reason today I felt like digging out some holiday papers.  I found my pack of Cosmo Cricket Wonderland and figured I'd try using one of the paper tags at the back as a focal piece.  What do you think?  I am so excited about Papertrey's new dark chocolate color that I found myself using chocolate chip as an accent.  The base of the card is Papertrey's vintage cream and I layered on the Cosmo Cricket paper and then put it through my Big Kick with the snowflake Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I've done this before a few times - - it gives a really nice, deep texture.  Well it's time to get back to the party.  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Papertrey vintage cream; SU chocolate chip; Cosmo Cricket Wonderland papers

Other:  Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder, American Crafts medium pewter brads, sewing machine, SU distressing tool, May Arts satin ribbon

You Are My Sunshine

Hi everyone!  Hope you're enjoying your Sunday afternoon.  Thought I'd jump on and share a quick post with the next batch of cards I made with my birthday ribbons.  I never in a million years would have bought this ribbon...and so I'm lucky that my sisters did!  I didn't stamp a single thing on these cards.  The sentiment was already on the ribbon and I just built the card around it.  Funny thing is that the only lullaby I remember is this song!  And so I pulled out my yellow Papertrey cardstocks and my Cuttlebug music embossing folder and put these together. 

I distressed the edges of the summer sunrise layer with my SU distressing tool and used my Crop-a-dile to punch the holes for the SU vintage black brads.  That's it!  Thanks for stopping by. 

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white, lemon tart and summer sunrise

Other:  Cuttlebug music embossing folder, SU distressing tool, SU vintage black brads, ribbon from Michael's, Crop-a-dile

Luciana, Brian, Jack, Grace and a Gift Bag

Hello again!  You know, I'm certainly very blessed with good friends and lots of family.  And every year for my birthday they do spoil me with attention.  And every year I LOVE IT!  So in my last post I shared how I went on a luncheon excursion yesterday with Liz and Fran.  Well, I followed that up with an outing with family for dinner.  My sisters wanted to treat me to dinner at a local church carnival.  It was so much fun!  It couldn't have been any better.  Both of my parents were there, as well as my sisters and their families.  We ate funnel cakes and hot dogs, listened to music, played lots of games, won lots of prizes, ran into friends and even spent time talking to a local Greyhound rescue organization.  (I'll talk more about that in a few days.)  My husband had a blast walking around with Jack because Jack couldn't get enough of the sights and sounds.  Those two kept wandering off together looking at mini-coasters and playing balloon popping games.  They bonded so well that the husband was still talking about it tonight at dinner.  And even though I asked my sisters that they not buy anything, apparently the four infants went shopping at Michaels.  Imagine that!?!  All by themselves they filled a gift bag with ribbons and Primas and a multi-tiered crystal pull chain.  As I paused to admire the chain my sisters explained that was my 'challenge item'.  Oh and a challenge it is!  That one will require some thought.  I had a blast this afternoon playing around with all of the goodies.  One of the things I made was this set of cards.  As I look at them now I can clearly see how my happiness is reflected in the colors.  And I used my Fiskars threading water punch again!  Definitely a new favorite.  Tomorrow I'll share creations made with some of the other 'wilder' ribbons.  Fun stuff!  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  SU chocolate chip

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white; SU chocolate chip; BasicGrey sultry papers

Stamps:  SU warm words, SU small sayings

Other:  Michael's ribbon, American Crafts chestnut brads, Prima mulbery paper flowers, Fiskars threading water punch

Fran's Nugget Tin Birthday Gift

Hi everyone!  Happy Saturday Night to you!  with I could have come up with a better post title for this entry.  It certainly deserves it!  This is what Fran did with a nugget tin and my birthday gift.  Isn't it pretty?  And so clever...I'll explain in a bit.  She presented it to me yesterday when she and Liz and I were out for my birthday luncheon together.  We went to the cutest old Italian restaurant in town and had so much fun!  They serve something I've never seen anywhere else:  fried hot pepper strips.  Diners should definitely not attempt to eat these unless they are in possession of a full glass of iced beverage and a basket of bread and butter.  See, some of the peppers are hot hot hot while others are simply delicious.  It's a bit of a gamble and always fun. This was what was on the bottom.  You think it's a card until you detach it and flip it over.  And once you see the flip side you can guess what was hidden inside each of the paper tubes inside the tin.  A little something to put towards cabinets for underneath my new workspace!  You'll never guess how Fran perfectly curled the papers to fit in the tin, so I'll just tell you.  See, Fran has a kitchen cart in her studio and the cart has a dowel on one side for holding a roll of paper towels.  And that's what she used to form the rolls.  Four of them fit perfectly inside the tin.  Since it was my birthday celebration we ordered dessert.  Cannolis!  Oh they were

delicious!  Real ricotta cheese, mini chocolate chips and a crunchy shell.  Liz had never had one before.  I couldn't believe it!  But I forget that not everyone is Italian and not everyone eats dessert at every possible opportunity.  Oops.  So here's your tip for the day:  try a cannoli.  And not one of those pudding-y ones.  That's not a real cannoli.  You want one made with sweetened ricotta cheese.  It's like a little piece of chocolate chip cheesecake.  But better!  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Kristina's Color Challenge #15

Kristina issued a new challenge!  This week the colors to use are chocolate chip, close to cocoa, really rust, certainly celery and whisper white.  I was inspired by the oval-ish trim on the fabric so I pulled out my oval punches and went to work!

I came up with the design while driving back from a birthday luncheon today (I'll post the story later tonight).  As you can see it's pretty basic!  I layered some spring moss cardstock on top of a white base and wrapped it in May Arts ribbon.  I punched two ovals each from chocolate chip, really rust and close to cocoa cardstock and then lined the bottom one with a scrap of white.  My Quickie glue pen was so handy for attaching these - if you don't already have a glue pen I recommend it highly!  To finish it off I added the rub on sentiment from SU's Love and Happiness set.  Done!  Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Cardstock:  SU really rust, chocolate chip, close to cocoa; Papertrey spring moss and select white

Other:  SU small and large oval punches, May Arts ribbon, SU Love and Happiness rub ons in chocolate chip

Loonie Stampers Challenge #2

Well hello!  It's time for the second Loonie Stampers Challenge.  This time it was Regan's turn to set the parameters and she went with the inspiration fabric swatch on the left and the following:  use berry sorbet, sweet blush, spring moss and chocolate chip...but no image stamping!  Hmmm.  This proved to be quite challenging!

I used a base of sweet blush and embossed the chocolate chip layer then punched it with my new Fiskars threading water punch.  Fun fun!  The flowers and 'leaves' were punched with SU punches and the sentiment comes from a SU sale-a-bration rub-on set.  Some liquid pearls and a Foof-a-la button finish the design.  Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  NONE

Cardstock:  Papertrey sweet blush, berry sorbet, spring moss; SU chocolate chip

Stamps:  NONE

Other:  SU Love and Happines rub-on, Papertrey ribbon, SU small and large flower punches, Fiskars threading water punch, liquid pearls, swiss dot Cuttlebug embossing folder, white Foof-a-la button

Step Away From The Stickles Because The Dog Ate His Glasses

So have I mentioned that we're on vacation?  We are doing one of those stay-cation things with the idea that we'd be saving money.  It's a good thing we didn't pay to go anywhere because we've had one of our most expensive weeks...ever!  Most things were necessary and should have been expected:  new computer, lots of work on my car, replaced a broken stereo receiver...my birthday present of a craft room makeover...wait - that doesn't count!  Well tonight the husband and I were minding our own business when we heard strange crunching sounds coming from the other room.  Uh huh.  Deuce was eating my husband's glasses.  And I don't mean just a little nipping, either.  They are a total loss...titanium frames in pieces and bite marks all over the lenses.  I was so upset I could have screamed.  In fact I did...several times.  Then I marched back into my craft room and finished this card.  Lessons learned:  never apply Stickles when angry and if the situation ever arises again, never ask the husband why he left the glasses in a location the dog could get to them.  Trust me on that last one!!!

And I have a question for all of you:  do you have a suggestion for free photo editing software?  The free HP program on the new computer doesn't cut it for me.

Edited to add:  Thank you for the suggestion of Google Picasa.  I've tried it out and replaced the original photo on this post.  It'll take some practice, but it's a step in the right direction!

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  SU basic black

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white, SU not quite navy; BasicGrey cupcake papers, unk green scrap

Stamps:  SU For a Friend

Other:  Marvy scalloped oval punches, stickles, white gel pen, May Arts ribbon, Cuttlebug music embossing folder

I've Been Tagged

Wow I'm having a great day.  One reason is that I've been tagged by Bridget Dickinson, a fellow Papertrey fan.  I'd noticed Bridget and her blog Rosebud Designs through the Papertrey forum.  (Remember that baby bingo game?  So clever.)  Turns out she'd seen me, too!  Be sure to go visit Bridget and enjoy her creations.

This should be fun.  I give 7 random facts about myself and then pass the game on to 7 other bloggers.  Ok...so 7 random/weird facts about me.  Hmmm...this is where family members are getting nervous.  What is this girl going to write??!!??

1.  I am 4 feet 10 and 3/4 inches tall.  I'm constantly making friends at the grocery store because I can't reach the top shelf. 

2.  My husband and I went to high school together and we were even in the same graduating class.  I think we had something like 225 total people in our class.  The interesting fact is that we never had a single class together, never spoke to each other, never met each other until six years after graduation.  And I knew within two weeks that I was going to marry him.  As a courtesy I waited until week three to tell him.  To his credit he didn't pass out...just blinked a lot.  And he made me wait 18 months just so my parents wouldn't think we were rushing into anything.  Sheesh. 

3. When stressed I either sleep or eat milk chocolate.  If things are really bad I'll eat the milk chocolate and then sleep. 

4.  Husband excluded, my best friend is Liz.  She and I have been friends for thirty years - - we met in kindergarten.  

5.  I have never been outside of the country.

6.  I am a voracious reader.  I have been known to sit down with a paperback novel and finish it at a rate of 100+ pages an hour.  Once I read three novels in a single day. 

7.  One of my secret desires is to learn how to ballroom dance.  Gracefully.  (Can you hear my family laughing?  I can.)

And now to tag others...hopefully they haven't been tagged before!

1.  Regan - StampyMcStamperson

2.  Dee - Dee's Paper Tree

3.  Charlene - Willow and Paisley

4.  Courtney - Created by Courtney

5.  Catherine - CeeCee's Creations

6.  Stephanie - Ingenious Inkling

7.  Manuela - Pepeluchos da Manu

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm having a very creative day (whoo hoo!  it's been a while!) so I suspect I'll be back later with a few things to share. 

Until next time...M

I'm Back!

Hi everyone!  I was down and out with one heck of a virus (five days!!!!  five whole days!!!!) but I'm feeling much better now.  I knew I was losing the battle when I couldn't summon the energy to play in the new craft room after I posted the other night.  But here's the major upside:  I'm down five pounds.  Fingers crossed those pounds can't find my hips again.  I'd better cross my toes, too!                                                             Here's a quick card for tonight.  Some javabellas, a sentiment from Amuse and some BasicGrey scraps I had floating around.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I can't wait to play tomorrow and share some new things with you.

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  SU basic black, chocolate chip

Cardstock:  Papertrey white, spring moss and plum pudding; BasicGrey LilyKate papers

Stamps:  Stamping Bella (javabellas), A muse sentiment

Other:  SU markers, SU ribbon, sakura stardust glitter pen, clear glaze pen

Chaos - A Craft Room Reorganization in Progress

Ok.  So we were just going to do the closet.  And then one thing led to another and chaos ensued.  Since I promised pictures tonight I'm delivering.  But instead of the pictures being of an organized closet, they're of a craft room and closet in complete disarray.  We'll call it the 'during' phase.  After putting the cabinets and countertop in the closet, the husband decided that I should get rid of the old dining room table I used as my craft table because it stuck out so far into the room.  (The room is very narrow and has closets on both ends...go figure.)  Instead, he declared, I should have eight feet of additional countertop.  Ummm.  Ok.  But we had already exhausted the birthday budget (yep...July 8th is my birthday) so we decided to lay the countertop on the existing table base and see if we could get away with it for a month or two until we can get base cabinets.  We don't want to do anything permanent because we suspect we'll be moving in the not-too-distant future.  I want to take my cabinets with me!  It's a work in progress, to be sure.  Hopefully I'm back tomorrow with updated pictures.  Thanks for stopping by! 

The countertop and the new tv.  Yes...he really did spoil me this birthday.  I have some shelves to go underneath for temporary support.

This was all of the 'stuff' that was normally on top of my craft table.  I like to have most everything within reach!  I have to put some thought as to what will go where now.

Just a general chaos shot.  That's an old kitchen island I like to use for my Scor-Pal and for when I heat emboss.  Not sure if it's staying in the room or not.

There was a time when this was organized.  Really.  We just threw things up there.  And I'm working on a window covering.  We bought one of those insulated honeycomb blinds a year ago or so and just haven't put it up. And all of the white cubes are sitting on an old dresser. 

This little desk used to hold my ribbons, Primas and Papertrey stamps.  Now it will be the home of my laptop and camera 'stuff'.  It could also be an extra workstation.  Maybe. 

Fingers crossed I finish this tomorrow! 

Until next time...M

I Want Nichole Heady's Closet

Hi everyone!  No picture to post tonight.  But I'll be back tomorrow with the long-promised-but-never-delivered pictures of my craft room.  Don't get too excited...it's nothing fancy.  Lots of re-purposed furniture and nothing quite matches.  But in honor of my upcoming birthday (ugh!) the husband is doing his best to create his version of Nichole Heady's closet for me.  And I couldn't be happier.  I've coveted her closet for what feels like forever! 

Until next time...M

Absolutely Fabulous

Hi everyone.  Happy Saturday!  Today's card was inspired by a pedicure.  There's just something about leaning back in that chair and having someone else rub your feet that is absolutely fabulous.  If you've never had a pedicure, try one.  Go to someplace reputable, of course!  I spent years saying 'no, no, I'm not high-maintenance...I do my own pedicures'.  Heck, I still don't even color my gray hair!  But my mom convinced me to get a pedicure before a family wedding a few years back and I've been hooked ever since.  Of course, I don't have a pedi Bella, but this was close enough for me!
The base is Papertrey's plum pudding, and the patterned paper is from BasicGrey's Lily Kate collection.  Bella was stamped onto Papertrey white, colored with SU and Copic markers, and sewn onto a piece of SU old olive cardstock.  If you double-click on the photo you can see the bubbles a bit better.  I tried highlighting them with a clear Spica glitter marker.  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:
Ink:  SU basic black
Cardstock:  SU old olive, Papertrey select white and plum pudding, BasicGrey Lily Kate paper
Stamps:  Stamping Bella, Papertrey's Mixed Messages
Other:  SU markers, Copic cool grey marker, clear Spica glitter marker, sewing machine, Papertrey's spring moss satin ribbon, SU tab punch

Wiped Out

Hi everyone!  Hope my fellow Americans enjoyed their Independence Day celebrations.  We had a casual family gathering at my sister's house.  It was fun, but hilarious at the same time.  With so many little ones it became like a three hour game of hot potato.  Pass this one here, pass that one there.  And the noise level!  Oh my.  Remember, I don't have children.  My back is killing me right now!  But it was fun and I took a ton of pictures.  I'm hoping to scrap some and share them with you.  Someday.

Tonight I thought I'd post the finalized design for those personalized thank you cards my sister needed.  I based my design off of Amy Rysavy's samples, and most all of the materials are from Papertrey.  Thanks so much for stopping by - I'm off to bed early!  Those kids wiped me out!

Until next time...M

Supplies:
Ink:  SU basic black
Cardstock:  Papertrey white, spring moss, aqua mist, summer sunrise, various Papertrey patterned papers
Stamps:  Papertrey Bitty Baby Blesisngs, Simple Little Things and Simple Alphabet
Other:  Sakura stardust glitter pen (snaps on onesies); SU markers for trim on onesies; small square scalloped Nestabilities; Papertrey aqua mist, spring moss and summer sunrise satin ribbons; Making Memories mini diaper pins; sewing machine

Fireworks, Anyone?

Hi there.  Do you see them in the card?  I thought I did but now I'm not certain.  I definitely hear them right now, though!  My neighbors are having their annual 4th of July illegal fireworks display a little early.  I suppose we're going to have a show two nights in a row.  Whoopee.  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE a good fireworks display.  I just prefer them at a public park when the burning embers and mis-directed rockets aren't raining down on our house and cars!
Anyhow, the BasicGrey Cupcake paper reminded me of fireworks at one point so I merely added the sentiment and some stars.  Thank goodness we're on vacation tomorrow because I know that I have some Americana items somewhere that would be perfect for an Independence Day card.  Fingers crossed I find it!  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:
Ink:  SU craft white
Cardstock:  Papertrey white, Bazzil unk blue, SU real red, BasicGrey cupcake collection paper
Stamps:  Papertrey's Piece of Cake
Other:  small and large SU star punches, unk silver brad & star brads, sewing machine