Friday, March 30, 2012

The Twinery and Nikki Sivils {Product Showcase}

Hello there!  Welcome to Day 2 of The Twinery and Nikki Sivils product showcase!  If you missed the first day....be sure to check it out. The projects are fantastic and I am so honored to be on a design team with these ladies.

For today's hop, start at The Twinery Blog for a list of blogs to visit.  Be sure to comment on all the blogs for your chance to win the Colorful Sampler pack from The Twinery !


Here are my projects.  I used the Nikki Sivils collection Messages on all of them.
The first two are cards:

For my first card, I went with a round card design and decided to highlight the circle shape with some Charcoal twine.  I wanted it to feel like a phone cord (remember those?!) so I gave it some extra loops on the right.  I added a tiny bit of  Maraschino twine on the mini clothespin that holds the HI message.  The phone was cut from one of the pieces of designer paper.  I added the little metal heart to the center of the phone.

My next card uses the same collection but I focused on the typewriter on this one:
I used some Buttercreme and Stone bakers twine to accent this card.  I added lots of layers of the beautiful patterns in the collection and then cut out the thank you section to add on top of the typewriter.

Finally, I have a little notebook I created with this collection:  Here is the front.  I used some Stone Baker's twine to wind around the binder ring. (Note: when doing this, make sure to only wind about half of the ring so that the book will still open!) And I used some Charcoal twine to wind around the borders:

Here is the book when opened.  The heart is on the inside page.. I used some Stone twine to wind around the arrow inside the heart and some Charcoal twine to accent the pages again:

Here are the next two pages---I added a bunch of ivory cardstock sheets inside for notes:

Here is the last page of the note pad:

I hope you enjoyed these projects. I certainly had fun making them!
Head on over to The Twinery blog for more inspiration. Don't forget to leave comments along the way for your chance to win! (Details on The Twinery blog!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Happy Birthday Wish...

So. My oldest sister, Rere, is turning "older" today!  Happy Birthday Re.  She asked me yesterday (thanks for the advanced notice, Re) if she could be "Blog Famous" today.  Of course I cannot say no to my elders :)

I really need to take some pictures of us.  Here is one with my brother, me, my sister in law and my sister Re (on the right) from the fall:

And here is the birthday card I made her.  I highlighted "all" because I KNOW she got at least one of her birthday wishes (this post!):
Supplies:  Stamps- Very Square Sentiments (Mint Motif, I {heart} Papers); Memento tuxedo black ink; Dies- Flower and Leaf Trio, Vintage Cameo Frame, Open scallop (My Favorite Things) scalloped circle (Spellbinders); Designer paper- Dolled Up "Living" Blooms (My Mind's Eye), Playground: Swing (Echo Park Paper); buttons ; baker's twine- Shore (The Twinery); rhinestones- Recollections, Michael's.

The fun thing about this card is that I die cut the flowers  and then also used the negative on the card.  I cut around the edges to create the flowers on the bottom left!

Happy birthday to my OLDEST sister! xoxo

Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Love Roo!

Hello there! I have a happy little card to share today that will [hopefully] bring a smile to your face on this Wednesday morning:)

While being totally constructive and not wasting any time by surfing around on some of my favorite stamp sites...I stumbled across the newest Paper Smooches Sparks challenge.  And, yep---I was inspired by this photo to play along:
Cute, ugh?  Might have to try to make some of those!  You can find all the challenge details on the Paper Smooches Sparks blog:


Here is my take on the inspiration photo:

Here is a close-up of the kangaroo. (My son told me that I did an ok job on it :) hee!

Supplies:
Stamps- A Little Lovin, Houndstooth, Geo Graphic (Paper Smooches); cardstock- white (Gina K Designs); patterned paper- Wayfarer mini print (Bazzill Basics Paper); Dies- cloud trio, fresh cut grass (Die-namics, My Favorite Things); baker's twine-blossom (The Twinery); ink-Memento tuxedo black, orchid pastel, yellow citrus, blue lagoon (Cat's Eye Chalk ink- Colorbok); Copic markers; felt- Chartruse (Papertrey Ink); sewing machine; Zapdots (Helmar); ribbon- chevron blue (May Arts).

I was inspired by the fun colors and textures in the photo and I wanted to make a spring-ish card because of the bunnies.  I decided to use the kangaroo and sentiment from A Little Lovin (cause I love them!) and built a Spring scene using them.

I incorporated some felt to get the texture in from the inspiration picture.  I stitched along the felt grass to get some stitching in there too.

I used some of the colors  from the bunny's ears on the card by stamping background designs (Geo Graphic, Houndstooth) on the die-cut clouds.

What a fun challenge!  But, don't take my word for it --------> Click on the Paper Smooches logo to play along!

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Easter Basket

Ahh...another Monday! Hope it is a great one for you!
Today I wanted to share a little Easter basket with you.  I created it using an amazing Silhouette file by Lori Whitlock called Woven Basket.  Lori has done it again---when I saw this basket in her store...I IMMEDIATELY had to have it. 

I just got it on Saturday and Saturday night I made this.  Yep....I love it. Lori thinks of everything.  The basket came to together in a snap. 

Here are a few things I did to make it look like a realistic basket---I cut the pattern using two different card stocks---cocoa and Kraft.  By doing this, it enables you to see the weave design a bit more.  And, I wanted to see it.  I did try weaving a paper basket a few years ago and was so frustrated I tossed it when it was half done---so I am loving the ease of this.

Can you tell I love this design. (Yeah for Lori!)

Sorry....back to the details---->  After I cut it with my Silhouette, I sponged the darker card stock strips with some Distress ink to give the strips I threaded through more dimension.  I printed the top piece (which helps create the sturdiness of the basket) on patterned paper.
I used Helmar Premium Craft glue to assemble this project.

Here is the completed basket--- (I popped a little stuffed bunny in there because I was NOT about to buy another dang bag of Robin's Eggs....I have been through 2 already and it isn't even Easter yet! Sigh!)

Here is the basket sans the bunny so you can see how cute it is:
 
And here is a close up of the basket weave and the tag: 

I added a little sticker tag (Jillibean Soup) and a spring sticker (SRM Stickers) and a touch of Caribbean baker's twine (The Twinery) and that was it!

What do you think? 
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Spring is in the air!

Hello! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!  I am still playing catch up but I thought I would pop on here and share a spring-y card.  Spring has hit here in PA and I am not sure if it will last but I am liking it!

I made this little thank you note using some new Jillibean Soup paper I got at CHA (Thanks Kimber!) and a stamp by Hero Arts (Thank you Messages):
 

Supplies: Ivory Cardstock (Gina K Designs); ink- Memento tuxedo black, Vintage Photo Distress ink (Ranger); button- Jillibean Soup; Stamps- Thank you Messages (Hero Arts); lace; baker's twine- Caribbean (The Twinery); Patterned paper- Coconut Lime Soup: Fresh Ginger, Cumin; Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup: Chicken Thighs; butterfly punch (Martha Stewart).

Have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Basketball Mini Album

Hello! I am back from vacation :)   We had an awesome time despite the cold/rainy weather that plagued us in San Diego!  We did manage to get a few hours of sun here and there and had a really relaxing trip.  Today, I have a mini album on the SRM blog.

I used some Bella Blvd patterned paper (Making the Team) and TONS of SRM stickers to create it.  I used Helmar Acid Free Glue to adhere the paper to the chipboard.

Here are some pictures--I added some close ups here so you can see the detail a bit easier!
 Inside cover:

Inside cover and page 1:

Close up of page 1:

Close up of page 2:

Page 2-3:

Close up of page 3:
 Page 4 and back cover:
 Close up of page 4:

Thanks for stopping by!  Off to work on the huge laundry pile :)


Friday, March 16, 2012

Baby Ensemble

Hello!  My husband and I left yesterday and are now in San Diego enjoying a quick vacation. My parents are watching the kiddos :) Wishing them lots of luck as this was one of the last little stunts my teenager hit me with before leaving:



Yes. That is my refrigerator. I am sure she wasn't talking about me----Sigh!

Just popping in to share that I have a project on the SRM Stickers blog.  Here is a peek at it but you are gonna have to head on over there to see the details and more pictures :)
ETA:  The animals were cut using my Silhouette and some Lori Whitlock animal files! Adorable:) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Cardmaker BIRTHDAY Color Challenge Hop

Hello! Before I get to the original purpose of the blog hop....I wanted to take a minute to wish a HAPPY Birthday to Brooke!  She is the managing editor of Cardmaker Magazine and the one who keeps us all organized and on track on the Cardmaker blog!

Here is the birthday card I made for her:

 Wishing you a very happy birthday, Miss Brooke! xo

Now....onto the card that I created for our monthly Cardmaker Blog team hop.  This month, Brooke challenged us to create a birthday card using the colors in this inspiration photo:


Here is my take on the challenge:

I needed a birthday card for a special young lady who will be turning 16 soon.  You can read more about her story HERE.

I used my Imaginisce i-top tool to create the coordinating brad :)  So fun!  The bottom panel is embossed with the Cuttlebug numbers folder.  I hand stitched the frame that is holding the number sentiment.  I die cut the flower from some felt and put the brad through the center.

Supplies:
white cardstock (Gina K Designs); aqua, grey cardstock
Die- By the Numbers (My Favorite Things); label Nestabilities (Spellbinders); flower trio (My Favorite Things)
felt- Smoky shadow (Papertrey Ink)
Imaginisce- i-top tool
ink-Memento tuxedo black
stamps- Sentiment sampler (Paper Smooches)
baker's twine- Caribbean (The Twinery)
clip- (Stampin' Up!)
cuttlebug numbers folder (Provocraft)
ribbon- white seam binding
sewing machine
Patterned paper- Little Girl (Echo Park)

Head on over to the rest of the team's blogs to see more color inspired cards:

Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Card Designs

Hello! Today I have some cards to share that I made with the amazing Lori Whitlock silhouette files.  I love how easy it is to create fun cards with Lori's files! 

Here are two card designs for several different occasions:

This card uses Bird on Branch and Thank You files. I used some baker's twine (The Twinery) to add some embellishing around the bird and tiny pearls to accent the branch. 


Next,  I have a masculine birthday card that I created for my brother's 50th birthday.  It uses Shirt and Tie Card file and was super simple to put together.  The sentiment stickers are by SRM stickers--
Hope you enjoyed these card designs featuring Lori Whitlock files.  You can find the files in the Silhouette Online store and there are plenty of new designs in Lori's online store!

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Spring has Sprung!

Hi there!  I am excited because today I have my very first post up on The Twinery blog!
Here is a peek at my project but you will have to go to The Twinery blog to see the whole thing:


Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Spring Cleaning Stamp Giveaway winner!

Hello!  It's time to announce the winner of my Spring Cleaning Stamp Giveaway!

Random.Cara picked #78 as the winner of the loot!  Congrats to KellyRae who said...
"What a fabulous giveaway (and all to help you clean out your shelves) - it's a win-win dealio!"
March 9, 2012 12:38 PM

KellyRae, please email me your mailing info so I can send the box to you!

Thanks to everyone for playing along and for your sweet comments :)

Friday, March 9, 2012

Spring Cleaning Stamp Giveaway!

Hello! Happy Friday!

I have been cleaning out the old stamp closets trying to make some room for the new :)  As promised, I thought I would share some of my stamps with you, my awesome faithful blog readers!  Some sets are brand new, some have a stamp or two used.

Here's what you get:


Stamp names:
Sparkle Clear Tickets and gemstones (Hero Arts) New!
Surf (Impression Obsession)
Clipboard bracket (Stampendous) New!
Changito Dos (Stampendous) New!
Patterned Birds & Bugs (Inkadinkado) New!
Fancy Frames (Pink Paislee) New!
Gem Stone Flowers (Inkadinkado) New but package has a tear.
An Apple A Day (Impression Obsession) Two stamps used.
Spring Fling (Pink Paislee) One stamp used.
Patterned Bugs (Inkadinkadoo) New!

Wood Mount stamps (most have been used but all are in good condition):
Partridge in a Pear Tree (Impression Obsession)
Manger Kisses (Stampendous)
Bird cage (Inkadinkado)
Thanks (Paper Inspirations)
Watercolor Pressed Flowers (Paper Inspirations)
Think Spring (Penny Black)
Hello Friend (Wordsworth)
Gnome Clover (Stampendous)
Changito B-day (Stampendous)
Cat Tails (Paper Inspirations)
Gilded Cage (Memory Box)
Resting Bird (Memory Box)
Jeans Pocket (JudiKins)
I'm Grateful (Impression Obsession)

If you would like to give these stamps a good home, just leave a comment on this post by Sunday, March 11 at  9 p.m. EST.  Blog subscribers* can post twice!  Random.Cara will pick a winner and he/she will have three days to contact me with their mailing address before we pick a new one.

(Blog subscribers are those who subscribe via email, feedblitz or google reader.  Please don't subscribe just to enter twice.  This is just a courtesy I provide my blog readers. Thanks for understanding!)

Have a great weekend!