FS112: JustPaintingAround

I loved this Iris card by Michelle.....aka JustPaintingAround. It was STUNNING, and although I had the same stamp, I decided to go with a Papertrey Ink stamp set (With Sympathy) for my case card. You see, I had to create a sympathy card for the husband of a classmate of mine from high school. (I also have to make some for her parents and siblings). My friend Debbie died this week. She was only 40 years old. That is much too early to lose anyone -- and sadly, her final few years, Debbie fought the good fight against ALS. It's a dreadful disease that robbed Debbie of her strength, but not her spirit. My friend, Susan went to visit her last month. She said that Debbie had amazing resolve. The disease took its toll and Debbie was unable to go on. I am sad that Debbie passed away. I know she is up in Heaven and her body, mind and spirit are all strong again...in peace. Rest in Peace my friend.
changes from the original card:

* flipped card on it's side
* used buttons instead of brads
* used the edge of the curly label punch instead of the punch Michelle used.
* changed stamp set

I used an eggplant base. I stamped the main image with moss ink and eggplant ink on vanilla shimmer paper. I used an aquapainter to add some moss ink to the stem area on the card. Sentiment on moss paper, used the edge of the curly label punch to create the edge -- threading the cardstock inside the punch and trimming off the edge. Setiment on dimensionals. I used three PTI buttons on the top corner. I had to find them, because my bag-o-buttons tipped over and fell all over the ground. GRRRR! OMW - how frustrating! LOL!

Check out Michelle's gallery and then play along.

stamps: With Sympathy (Papertrey Ink)
paper: eggplant, moss, shimmer vanilla
ink: eggplant, moss
misc: curly label punch, dimensionals, buttons (papertrey)

Got Wood?

Okay - so I got the wood from my neighbor Al (see the thank you note I made him). Little did I know that my neighbor Lisa was also eyeing the wood pile! You see, Lisa has this amazing backyard, with a waterfall, pond and a beautiful outdoor fireplace on her patio. Lisa wanted the wood, but I asked first. I felt horrible (however she was able to grab some of the ice storm wood from another neighbor!). Here is a little card I made for her - I think we will split a load of seasoned firewood -- since we have a new fire pit that we are going to use a LOT this spring and summer!

This card is on a regal rose base. I used the cuttlebug with love folder for the mustard layer. The velvet flower is from Papertrey ink. I used a PTI button as well, but colored it with a copic to make it more "mustard". The sentiment is printed on the computer, then punched with the small oval Stampin' Up! punch. Main image, flower and sentiment all mounted on dimensionals (since I am hand delivering it!). May arts ribbon.



stamps: timber riley
paper: regal, white, mustard, designer paper
misc: Cuttlebug (with love), ribbon, velvet flower (papertrey), button (papertrey), oval punch, sentiment (computer)

Timber Riley Thank you!!!

Do you remember our ice storm? We had quite a large amount of damage in our area, and now that it is spring, people are piling up their wood and the damaged branches for spring pick up. Our neighbor had a pile of wood which he cut and stacked neatly in the front yard. I spied it and quickly shot off an email and asked him if we could have the wood for our fire pit in the backyard. S'more season will be approaching soon, and it sure is nice to have some nice dry wood for burning in the fire pit. I got Todd and the wheel barrow and we snagged the wood. I made this thank you note for him! The background is the traffic jam A2 embossing folder. I had some mulberry paper (I had quite the stash of mulberry paper at one time - during my torn mulberry phase). That was so *1999*. (snicker). I had some designer paper scraps that I threw on the card too. Gonna go stick this in his mailbox! What do you think?





Stamp: Timber Riley, Everyday Sentiments (Hanna Stamps!)
ink: ranger black, copics
paper: close to cocoa, pumpkin pie, whisper white, designer paper (target), mulberry paper (green)
misc: cuttlebug embossing folder (traffic jam), sewing

Craft Critique!

I have some exciting news! I applied for the position of a reporter for CraftCritique and was selected as one of their new staff members. I hope to be a valuable contributor and help you sort out some of the decisions you may have with your craft purchases! If you think of anything you want me to review - just leave me a note in my blog comment section!

SCS Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009

Once again, the papercrafting community is coming together to help the Red Cross with a disaster. You can {click here} to read more information about this special "non-raffle". It is a wonderful project and I am honored to be participating in this event. I created the logos for the event and have donated four $25 Gift Certificates for Graphic Design Services! The prize gallery is amazing - check it out {HERE}.

FS111: It's Beate-FUL!!!!

I just adore Beate and I am totally kicking myself for not featuring her until now. (KICK SELF) {OW!} WHAT WAS I THINKIN?

I created this cute little square card based on Beate's Card: Drake Likes Flowers. I flipped the card on it's side. I cuttlebugged the celery layer with the d'vine swirl cuttlebug folder. I used the spiral punch from SU! on the edge of the designer paper. The paper is DCWV - it's a celery, regal paper with embossed mini cherries on it...so cute and springy! The regal rose layer is cut with the nestabilities scalloped edge rectangle. I stamped the main image from Pea-Nut Bunny {Our Craft Lounge} on white paper, then colored it in with copics. The sentiment is on the curly label punch -- and is from the same Pea-Nut Bunny stamp set. This is a birthday card for Bella's friend.





Stamps: Pea-Nut Bunny {Our Craft Lounge}
paper: Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, White, DCWV (designer paper)
ink: black, Copics, SU! punch (curly label, spiral), nestabilites, Celery ribbon, may arts ribbon, cuttlebug (swirls)



Here is my brush with fame -- today while shopping at the Clifton Park Target - I ran into newly Ousted Chef from Hell's Kitchen {J Maxwell}. He was in line at the check out. Of course, being a fan of the show (I was totally rooting for J this season until his untimely departure during this week's episode). I spied him from afar and then went up and said "J?". He turned and looked bewildered, as if he isn't recognized much. I told him "We were hopin' you would go far!" to which he smiled and said "Thank you!" and shook my hand. I got in another line because it was shorter, but I was smirking the whole time thinking I *WANTED* to shout (in my best Chef Ramsay voice, "SHUT IT DOWN!!!!"! I didn't do it though, I maintained my composure, but I had the biggest *you know what* grin on my face.

HSC61: Spaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!

Some days - don't you just want to be pampered! Sophie G. sometimes *DRIVES* me to want a spa day. (My Sophie G. not the moose stamps). She is a PILL! 3 going on 23 - with such a fun attitude, but completely and thoroughly exahusting. Wouldn't I love a pedi today! Gotta get my toes ready for Spring. Todays Hanna Stamps Challenge (#61) is dry or heat embossing. I used dry pressure embossing on the background. Some old SU! designer paper - lots of pink here - I am in a pink mood!

Sentiment is printed on the computer. Nestabilites were used for the main image and the sentiment.







stamps: Spa Sophie G.
ink: black
paper: SU! designer paper, regal rose, pretty in pink, rose red, white
misc: ribbon, flowers, brad, crystal bling, nesties, SU! scalloped edge punch, copics, embossing folder.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling!

Today was a beautiful day in New York. We nearly hit the 60* mark -- so after school, I took the little ones outside to take some photos. You can really see the Irish in them!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

When the SAINTS go Marching in!!!! (to the big dance)

The Siena Saints are heading back to the Big Dance after winning the MAAC tourney! YAY! I combined Good Luck Riley with a Happy St. Patrick's Day sentiment for a card which I will send (albeit late) to my parents. My dad is a Siena Grad and a huge fan of the basketball team. I created this 4.5x4.5 card out of a white base, then adhered some textured Wasabi. There is some designer paper (SU! and My Minds Eye) with the MME paper getting the Scalloped edge treatment. Main image cut with a nestie scalloped edge rectangle die. Three cute shamrocks in the bottom corner (I found them at Joanne's WAY back -- they were in my stash!. The main image is stamped on white - mounted with dimensionals. Riley is colored with copics. I added a shirt on Riley - He is a huge Saints fan!

What do you think of a Number 9 seed in the Big Dance! GO SAINTS!

And Happy St. Patrick's day to all me Irish friends!


Stamps: Good Luck Riley (Hanna Stamps!)
paper: Wasabi, Celery, SU! Dp, MME dp, white
ink: black ranger
misc: nesties, scallop edge punch (SU), buttons (Joanne's Shamrock shapes), ribbon (Mayarts), copics, black gel pen

Riley - Good Luck!

This was a fun card to make today. It's St. Patrick's Day! WOOOHOOO! I saw a sign in Boston last week - "Drink until you are Irish!" LOL! I am already Irish - so I am not drinking today - it may have something to do with the Scorpion bowls I drank in Boston last Wednesday after the Fleetwood Mac concert. Oh MYLANTA! Did I suffer Thursday! {nods}

This card is a 4.75x4.75 white base with a layer of black, then a layer of some fun DCWV pattern paper. I sewed haphazzardly around the edge of the card - that was fun - I was flying around the edges with my janome sew mini! I ran out of bobbin thread mid-sew, so I had to start over....

Riley is stamped on white cardstock with black ranger ink - then colored with copics. I used the green stardust sakura on the rivets in the horseshoe. The Good Luck sentiment is printed on the computer (curlez font) and trimmed with my scissors in a V-cut. Papertrey button, which has gold specks in it - those buttons are great - threaded the button with some Mayarts ribbon so it isn't naked (although Riley is - gasp!). Main image on dimensionals.

Think this will make a great card to send to a friend taking on new life challenges. What do you think?


stamps: Good Luck Riley {Hanna Stamps!}
paper: white, black, designer paper (DCWV)
ink: black, copics
misc: dimensionals, sakura green stardust, button (PTI), ribbon (mayarts), sewing machine

CC209: Celebrate

Can you tell that I cannot clean up my desk without stamping. I cannot seem to put this damask designs stamp set away. I saw today's color challenge on SCS and decided to give it a whirl damask style!

I started with a white base (although with the photo, you can hardly see it!). I stamped the black layer with white craft ink. There is an artichoke layer, then a white layer (cuttlebug folder: textile). The main image is a black layer, white layer and then the rose red. I stamped the main image in white craft, then used black ink for the sentiment.

Rose buttons are from my stash and the artichoke one is from my PTI button stash. Green rick rack and in the top corner - some black stitched ribbon tied in a bow. Not sure how I feel about the black ribbon. I may lose it! :) The ribbon, not my mind!

Yes, my buttons are naked! I just didn't feel like dressing them today! What do you think?

stamp: Papertrey Ink {Damask Designs}
paper: white, black, artichoke, rose red
ink: white craft, black ranger
misc: ribbon & rickrack (mayarts), buttons (PTI - green, my stash - rose), dimensionals, cuttlebug (textile)

CAS04: Damask Birthday

I just love these colors - they remind me of Spring. I am trying to WILL the weather to be more springlike! It's snowing for crying out loud!

Simple card - white base with some BEEEEEE-UUUU-te-ful designer paper from Basic Grey. Love it. I added a layer of regal rose (sponged the edges with some white craft ink), then stamped the damask on the banana and celery layer with white craft ink. I stamped the sentiment with PTI chocolate ink. Sentiment is also from Dawn's beautiful Damask Designs set. Love it Dawn! Two thumbs up!

I used my white gel pen from Stampin' Up! to make dots on the scallops around the main image. I am frustrated with my SU! white gel pens. They do NOT work. I have 4 in my stash -- each one of them was giving me trouble. Grrr!

This card is going out for a very special friend!

You say it's your birthday, It's my birthday too - yeah

They say it's your birthday We're gonna have a good time

I'm glad it's your birthday, Happy birthday to you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEBBIE!!

stamps: Damask Designs {Papertrey Ink}
ink: white, chocolate {Papertrey Ink}
paper: celery, banana, regal rose, white (SU!), Basic Grey designer paper
misc: scalloped punch, scalloped edge punch, ribbon (SU!)

Big 'ol Prize!

Check out the {Big Prize} that my friend Sarah is giving away on Craft Critique!

CAS04, CAS05: Without you?

Over the weekend, we ended up with the sickies (Karen & Todd have strep throat, Sophie has Coxackie virus). I think the time change did us in too! Today we are having a lazy day - Xavier slept until 10:30 am so I didn't send him to school (just in case he has a bug -- I would hate to share it with his class). I am spending the day watching the SNOW (yes - it is still snowing here) and cleaning. I did get a few minutes to stamp in one of my new favorite challenges (Clean & Simple on SCS). This week I got the CAS04 (dots) and CAS05 (blue & green) challenges done in one card!

I started with a white base - used white craft ink on the bashful with the flower and leaf from Papertrey's new stamp set (Friends 'til the end). Button and ribbon in the center. This button is from the bag which Papertrey sent me (well, I ordered the buttons - but let me tell you - the bag 'o buttons is AMAZINGLY HUGE!). Sentiment from the same set done in celery and bashful. I love this color combo. Let's hope the spring colors force the weather to cooperate soon! COME ON SUNSHINE! What do you think? Clean, simple?

And a big SHOUT OUT to my BFF Debbie - it is her birthday TODAY! Stop by {her blog} and wish her happy birthday!




stamps: Friends 'til the end {Papertrey Ink}
paper: white, bashful, celery
ink: white, bashful, celery
misc: paper piercer & mat pack, button (papertrey ink), ribbon (mayarts)

FS109: StampingQueenJAR

Judy is one of my favorite stampers! I cased Judy's card {here}. I made this card for Megan's 5th birthday. I never use apricot anymore - but pulled out a "half slice" of it because it is so *Megan*. I paired it with some celery and basic grey. I stamped using my new papertrey stamps {Friends 'till the end, Handwritten notes}. I used white craft ink for the flower and black ranger for the sentiment. I used a new papertrey button (HOLY WOW THERE ARE A TON OF BUTTONS). I tied some sheer white ribbon in the button, used some wide celery grossgrain on the bottom with a sheer white tied in a knot. Simple and elegant.

Changes from Judy's card:
colors, stamp set - added a button






stamps: {Papertrey Ink} Friends Till the End, Handwritten Notes
paper: Basic grey, apricot, white, celery
ink: white, black
misc: button (PTI), ribbon, punch, nestabilties