Decoration Day

I thought I would take time to repost a couple creations from American holidays past...

I made this card last Memorial Day (deets here).

This one I made last July 4th-ish (deets here)

These are cards my students made last year to send to soldiers via Operation Write Home.  Which leads me to the reason for our long weekend here in America.  Not to be a downer, or stand on my soap box too much, but please remember to wear your red poppy and at 3 pm take a moment to says a quiet thanks for all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this day.  It doesn't matter what your feeling about war/guns/fighting.  Those soldiers were someone's baby boy or baby girl once upon a time and dared to go in harms way because they believed in standing up for those who could not stand for themselves.  They deserve to be remembered for that courage.

Love and hugs to all of you this Monday!  Stay tuned to see what this years students are making to send to Operation Write Home.

A Day in Portland (Maine that is!)

We spent yesterday in Portland with our friends Jeff (the one who takes awesome pictures) and Erin (the one who makes awesome Olives for Dinner).  

photo taken from 2 Note

We met the most wonderful gal at 2 Note!  2 Note is a perfumery that can't be missed if you are in Portland!!!

We, of course, hit my favorite kitchen place LeRoux Kitchen.  It's the same place as I mention and was inspired by in this post.  I'm looking away from the camera as if I was saying no pictures here, but really it was just that I didn't know Jeff was taking a picture! :)

We ate at Erin's favorite vegetarian restaurant Green Elephant.  Jeff took a pic of another bracelet I made like this one, but I promise to show pics of what we ate for lunch later this week. :)  It was Yummy!!!

It was a wonderful day and we met some great independent store owners that really reinforced our appreciation of "Mom and Pop" shops.  Please support those folks wherever you are.  They are what America is all about!

Bees 'n Veggies

I'm a little addicted to making these card sets!  They make such nice presents for teachers, hostess gifts, or a special thanks for someone's kind help.

Since it's Tuesday, it's Top Tip Tuesday Challenge Day and the theme we've challenged y'all with is to use multiple stamps on your creation.  Easy-peasy!  The stamps used here are from Inkadinkadoo (bee), MFT (the frame on the envies and package), and Amuse (sentiment).

This set went home with a gal pal who was looking for a belated birthday gift. :)  It was inspired by this set I made while waiting for June-like weather to come (I'm still waiting LOL!).

The die-cuts were made using PTI dies and MFT dies.  I adore both companies stamps and dies!!!!  I Stickled the bee wings with Tim Holtz rock candy Stickles.

All packaged and ready to go.  Hope the recipient adores this as much I did making it. :)

Don't forget to get your multi-stamped creation all ready and entered in the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge.  You could win:

 Stash Books

who is offering our featured tipper an amazing book:

 

Inspired to Sew by Bari J.

By Bari Ackerman | 128 pages

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3 images of your choice from Limited Runs - USE THEIR IMAGES 

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Pizzazz Aplenty is run by Judy Bennet, and she is offering this fabulous stack of goodies..

One package Assorted Stick Pins: Leaf, Heart, Button with buttonholes
One roll Organza Ribbon, 3/8" x 25-yards, Rosy Mauve with gold stripe
One package each of 3mm and 4mm Pale Green flatback Pearls
One package each of 3mm and 4mm Lavender flatback Pearls
One package 5mm Clear Rhinestones with a subtle glitter spray
One package Assorted Brass Charms: Scalloped, Heart, Open Flower, Cross
One package, 5 yards, Pale Gold Dream String
One package each of 3x5mm and 4x6mm White flatback Teardrop Pearls
One package Cat & Mouse theme Brads
One Gel Picker
Value $15.00

So hop over to TTT to check out Maggie's fabulous "kissing technique" tutorial and don't forget to let me know if you entered the TTT challenge!  I want to check out your creations!!!

I'm buzzing by these places with this creation:
Polka Doodles- Anything but a card (the memo pad and gift box)
Wee Memories- Stamp It!
Fussy and Fancy Challenge- 3 papers, 2 embellishments, 1 ribbon

Whooo Made That?

My friend Lisa made this card for me through a secret image swap at our Stamp Club (ours 'cause we're in it, not 'cause we run it. LOL!)  She put some deets about how she "did it" on her blog.  Check it out!

Lighting the way

I'd love to say I didn't post this week because I had heard about Blogger "having a fit" and dumping posts, but really I was just being a little slacker this week. LOL!  I was kinda productive in other ways though...

I made these Father's Day cards (no worries, none of these are going to my DFIL. hee-hee!)  I used Papertrey Ink dies to cut the edged kraft circles and Papertrey Ink stamps for the lantern and sentiment.  I'm a little fuzzy on if the background stamping I did with chalk ink was from a Technique Tuesday stamp or Hero Arts.  I took my cling stamps out of their packaging and put them in CD cases.  As a result, I'm in a pickle when it comes to figuring out the manufacturers.  Yikes!

I'm pretty sure the paper is old BG paper, but I tossed out all my "garbage" before I stopped to look at the label!!!  The bakers twine is Jillybean and I, of course, used Copics and memento ink for all the stamping and coloring. 

I'm lighting the way with these cards here:
colourQ- Challenge 84 yellow, olive, navy, kraft, white
My Mum's Craft Shop- To Die For
The Spotted Chick- Kraft
Stamp Something- Anything Goes
The Shabby Nest- Frugal Friday

Hope the water will begin to recede for all the folks who have been suffering from the Mississippi floods.  My fingers are crossed and my prayers go out for all our farmers who may have to be flooded to protect Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

On a lighter note, may you all have a weekend of family, friends, and fun!

Flower Frenzy

It's Flower Frenzy time at Top Tip Tuesday!  In celebration of this I went a little nuts with flower paper in this coaster album.  It was so much fun making the last one and I still had some paper left, so sit back and enjoy the show.

Full disclosure- I'm not quite done with these pages.  I still want to add ribbons and some more bling. :)

As far as I can figure, most of the paper is either Basic Grey, Bo Bunny, or Bazzill.  A lot of the die cuts were made ages ago thanks to my in-laws.  I went through a ton of paper last year (or maybe it was before that even) and we all sat around talking and punching until all that was left were shapes and junk.  I have THE BEST IN-LAWS! :)

Oh wait, the envie and paisley paper here are Amuse!

The polka dot paper above is actually a file folder die cut, so here it is open.  Thought it might be a fun page to journal a surprise or add a fun mini pic.  For the most part, I adore surprises!

The stamps are all from the Papertrey Ink Button Bits set and they are stamped with Memento ink.

The yummy pink and green pattern paper is another file folder surprise!  Oh and the yellow flower is another one that I found like in the card I made here. :)

You're still reading?!?  Wow, you are an awesome person!!!  Seriously, one of these times I have to offer some sort of prize to the folks who actually read all the way through. LOL! :)

Last page and back cover.  I'm realizing that this polka dot paper is ridiculously old and is from Paper Source.

Okay, so I went a little nuts with this challenge, but you don't have to be quite as crazy (or you can be even crazier if you like!) to enter the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge this week.   Create something new using flowers and you could win a prize from Robin Fetish or Ooh La La Creations. :)

Catered Quickfire

 Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday!  Today I get to be a part of the Catered Crop Quickfire for FTR11. :)

So the gist of the challenge is to use this creation as a launching point.  Think of it as a Project Runway "make it work" opportunity. :)  Good news is that there is still time for you to join the challenge!!!

Gosh I'm used to getting inspired by others, but using my previous creation was tricky!  Linda typed up a recipe for folks, the Top Chefs, and yours truly.  The Cater Crop Challenge rules say that you  get to use any ingredients and then "add your own spices to cook up something uniquely yours".  How's that for easy-peasy. *big smile*

Here's your list of ingredients to choose from:

• Pattern Paper – stripes, flourishes, leaves, polka-dots
• Colors – yellow, green, white, and kraft
• Stamps and Stickers – flowers/daisies, bicycles, leaves
• Color Mediums – Brown ink, Tombow and Copic markers
• Embellishments – ribbon, stickers, glitter/Stickles
• Tools – die cuts, Bind-It-All
• Techniques – Make a matching stationery set, embellished notebook and/or matching envelopes
• Theme – "Just a Note" or all occasion cards

 

 So which ingredients did I choose? 

• Colors – yellow and green (with a few others LOL!)
• Stamps and Stickers – bicycles (PTI stamp)
• Color Mediums – Brown ink and Copic markers
• Embellishments – ribbon (PTI)
• Tools – die cuts, Bind-It-All
• Techniques – Make an embellished notebook- My spice here is a mini scrapbook instead
• Theme – "Just a Note"- I added a little seasoning with "joy" (PTI sentiment)

The book is made from a 4"x4" coasters that I covered with BG paper.  I cut 7 more sheets in coordinating plain colored paper just under 4"X4".  My Zutter got put to good use to bind everything all together.  I think that's most of the deets, if you have any questions please feel free to ask. :)

Do you think this would pass muster with Heidi?  What do you think Tim Gunn would say?  Did I "make it work"?  LOL!

Oh please head over to Catered Crop, I'd love to see what you cook up!

I've peddled over here to join the fun:
Catch the Bug- Anything Goes
Crafty Catz- Sentiment
Prairie Friday- For the Girls
Wags 'n Whiskers- Use a die cut or punch
If the shoe fits...scrap it!- Green

Thanks!

A quick thanks to all the teachers out there!  Friday is the last day of Teacher Appreciation Week and I couldn't let the week end without telling all my fellow teachers out there know how great you all are!!!!!!!

Raided the bin that holds my "to-be-completed" projects and found this flower already cut (thanks to my Cricut) and set aside with the tag, card base, and matching envie (tag and envie are from the sale bin at Target!).  All that needed doin' was assembly and focal point.  Yahoo!  I die cut the lacy scallop circle using Memory Box paper and Papertrey Ink dies, stamped the thanks from Amuse, foam taped the goods and it's ready to spread goodwill. :)

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Everyone!

Cheep Cheep and Daisy Do's!

I've got lot's of fun opportunities and eye candy for you on this post!  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the fun. :)

Remember this set from last week?  Well, guess what!?!  I won Follow-the-Recipe honors over at Catered Crop!!!  So now I have 2 challenges for you this week.  The first is to follow the recipe based on my card at Catered Crop.  Keep scrolling to find out the other challenge...

It's Tuesday ya know!  So it's time for the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge!

This week is we're giving you the uber fun theme of OPEN CHALLENGE!!!!!!!  Remember to read the rules- no back links and only 3 post offerings please, but if you play over at Catered Crop you can enter Top Tip Tuesday with the same creation!

This card uses kraft cardstock, olive Bazzill paper, Memory Box pattern paper, wicked old seam binding, and Magenta cork stickers.  Yup you read right.  Cork stickers.  Soooo cool and sooo fun to play with on this card.  Wow, now that I look at it, this card can be entered over at Catered Crop too!

C'mon come join in all the fun!