Dawn's Color Challenge

Well I guess I had one more card in me before vacation!  I could not resist Dawn's color challenge this morning!  The colors she chose were: spring moss, white, pure poppy, and berry sorbet.   My card is made with all PTI product with the exception of the ricrack which is from MM.  The shapes and letters were cut on my cricut (never use that poor thing, it was so dusty) from the All Mixed Up cartridge.  Stamp set is Polka Dot basics. Did you know you could mix those dots together like that?   Me either, until today!  Love it!  I will see you all in a week, thanks for stopping by!

Just a Little Something

I can not even tell you how much I love the new In Bloom set by PTI.  If you love to color this is the set for you.  I stamped the flower three times and then colored the different sections and cut them out.  I stacked them up using pop dots.  I made the patterned paper by stamping the small leaf and flower in enchanted evening.  I stamped the larger leaves on kraft and colored them with my copics.  The sentiment is stamped in Fresh Snow and is from the Everday Button Bits set.  All materials except for the rhinestones are PTI.  Rhinestones are from Basic Grey.

The next week will be quiet at the old Blog-o as I head to St. Louis to meet up with my wonderful girlfriends.  Lots of fun to be had, but no blogging.   I should be back to blogging sometime after August 4th!  See you then! 

One More

This is the last of the cards I made from the text paper that I put together for PTI's blog hop.  The background paper was made from stamping a bunch of different sentiments for the Birthday Basics set.  The embossed sentiment is also from Birthday Basics.  The flowers are from Everyday Button Basics.  I used some little primas and buttons for the flower portion.  Small Basic Grey rhinestones are under the sentiment.  Thanks for stopping by!

PTI Blog Hop Time!

Its blog hop time at Papertrey Ink! If you have never played before you can check out the rules here. The challenge this time was to use text. I dont have any text background stamps so I made my own! The first thing I did was make the background paper that I used on both cards. To make this I got out my Mixed Messages set, Birthday Basics Set, and Flower garden set. I took out all the Happy birthday related stamps and laid them out on a big grid block. Then I inked it up with dark chocolate and stamped all over a piece of Kraft cardstock. Next I went back and filled in any gaps with my tiny birthday stamps (mixed messages). Then I got out my tea dye ink and rubbed it all over. It was so quick and easy, you have got to try it! Now that I had the paper I went on to make some cards. (I have two here and one more I will put up tomorrow.)
In this first card I used New Leaf as the base.  I mounted my homemade background paper on a piece of Enchanted Evening.  I stamped the balloon strings from Bitty Button Basics in black noir on my background paper.  Next I added buttons from my PTI vintage button collection.  I added in three strips of twill in Enchanted Evening, Scarlet Jewel, and New Leaf.

For my second card I stamped the largest flower from In Bloom on white.  I colored with my copics (the only time consuming part), I stamped the leaves on white and colored those.  I cut out both and glued them down.  I added a ribbon in scarlet jewel twill.  I stamped a verse from Birthday Basics in Ripe Avocado on a scrap of Spring Moss.  I also stamped a small leaf from In Bloom.  The whole thing is mounted on a Scarlet Jewel base.  Thanks for stopping by!!  I hope you will come by again soon!

All Supplies PTI unless otherwise noted.

Top Ten

In an effort to be more grateful here are my top ten for this week:

10.  Nice relaxing pedicure yesterday

9.  Fun spin class with a good friend

8.  My daughter had a great time at my dad's house

7.  Got to spend some one on one time with my cute boy

6.  New stamping goodies arrived on Thursday

5.  Made it to gym 4 times this week

4.  Happy hour with my work crew

3.  Baseboards all done, furniture can be moved back in

2.  Bacon (man who isnt grateful for bacon?  best food ever!)

1.  1 week until my girls only trip to St. Louis- this time next week I will be partying!  Actually this exact time I will be sleeping I bet!

Thanks for stopping by!  BTW tonite is PTI's blog hop so I will be back with a second post.

New PTI!

The big brown truck came yesterday and delivered my goodies!  YAY!  First up we have a wonderful new set called, In Bloom!  Love this.  So easy to color, so easy to cut out!  Here I stamped on white in scarlet jewel, colored with copics, and cut it out.  I mounted it on Kraft that I had stamped with leaves from the same set.  Stamped in Avocado and colored with copics.  The whole thing is on a scarlet base with a scarlet ribbon.  Hope you like it!  Top picture shows a more true color, got a little overzealous editing the bottom one.

Same Card, New Colors

I was so in love with the original I had to make a few more.   This one uses Spring Rain, new Leaf, and Lemon Tart cardstock.  For the ink though I used palette viridian leaf, a variegated blue pad I have had forever (not sure who the maker is) and palette paris lights.  I didn't use the matching inks because I feel that new leaf ink is way too piney and doesnt match the cardstock, lemon tart is too light (can barely see it!), and spring rain doesn't show at all.  These inks have been the only time I have been unhappy with PTI quality.  The dark inks are mostly fine (the green just being to piney in my opinion), the light inks are so light they disappear.  PTI is reformulating the light inks... I will wait for reviews before I buy.  Also PTI would have refunded or exchanged the inks, but to me its too much trouble for a 6 dollar ink pad, kwim?  

In other news I did make it to the gym yesterday, an hour of torture with Stephanie... who is so brutal she makes Michele look easy.  I left with muscles quivering.  I am thinking I will take today off and go drinking with my friends (Happy Hour tonite!!!!).  Then tomorrow I will head back to the gym for another grueling work out.  Happy Thursday!

Simple Tea Card

Made this a few days ago.  A combination of tea for two and everday basics.   I used Scarlet Jewel ink and paper and buttons.  I also used hibiscus buttons and my copics to add a little pink to the mix.  

Currently I am sitting here trying to force myself to go get on my gym clothes.  Spin class at 8:15 with the dreaded Michele.   Need. To. Go.   I just need to say this.... why are all those skinny girls at the gym?  You know the ones... the ones who are very clearly skinny by nature.  They could probably eat donuts all day long and not gain an ounce.  And there they are running or biking or swimming!   If it were me, if I weren't cursed with the genetics I am, I would not set one foot in that gym.  LOL!

Super Star

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!  I have a long day ahead of me... I have to go pick up my daughter from her grandparents (3 hour drive).  It would not be so bad except I have to bring along my little guy who hates the car.  Should make for a long trip.

On to the card.  Here I used all PTI:   berry sorbet, summer sunrise, and pure poppy.  Most of the stamps are from Star Prints.  The little star is from It's a Celebration and the Polka Dots are from Polka Dot basics.  The orange ink is not PTI, its a dew drops chalk ink, mango I think.  The chalk ink showed up better on the kraft.  Thanks for looking!

Fancy Flourish Card Set

I am so proud of this! I made the little holder all by myself, out of my own head! Now I am not saying no one else has every thought of this simple holder but I came up with mine right out of my imagination. LOL. The things that make me happy. Working in 3D is not my best skill.
This is the little holder. Its made from two sheets of PTI spring moss cardstock. I stamped it with Fancy Flourishes in avocado ink. The little flower is from the Bird Watching set. The sentiment is from Vintage Picnic.
There are four cards and envies inside. There are two of these thank you cards. The flourish is from Fancy Flourishes, the stars are from Its a Celebration. The sentiment is vintage picnic.
The other two cards are happy birthday. Same stamps here as used on the holder.
And here is the whole ensemble. Now I just need a worthy recipient.

Little Birdie

The fabulous Nichole Heady, over at Papertrey ink, has a new stamp set out called Everyday Button Bits.  The idea is to use buttons to make different things.  I ordered it but it hasn't come yet so in the meantime I made my own cute little birdy with a sharpie marker and some coloring.  The stamps here are from PTI's Bird watching.  I stamped in dark chocolate on rustic cream paper then colored it all in with my copic markers.  The bird is made with a hibiscus button and turquoise rhinestone (hero arts).   The rest of him I drew.

How About a Little Hand Coloring?

I broke out my prisma pencils for this one.  Its funny, I have had these pencils since my college days- they last forever.   I stamped my card in PTI fresh snow ink on Kraft.  Then I waited very impatiently for it to dry.  When it was dry I colored with my Prismas and added some stickles.  The stamps are PTI's Garden of Life. 

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

This little guy was born six years ago today!  I can hardly believe it, my baby is six!  He was an easy baby and he is a sweet little guy now.
Here he is earlier in the month at his grandfather's house.  He is at that age where these are the only faces we see when the camera comes out.   It cracks me up everytime.
Here is the lego cake.  Not my best effort.  It was so time consuming to make but its done and he is happy so thats what matters!

Dawn's Color Challenge

I have just been feeling inspired lately!  I stopped by Dawn's blog and saw she had up a new color challenge.  Today's colors are spring moss, raspberry fizz, scarlet jewel, and cream.  When I first got them out I was thinking... ugh NO!  But I love how this turned out.  The stamp set is Star Prints with the exception of the tiny star.  The tiny one is from Its a Celebration.  Thanks for stopping by, let me know if you participated in Dawn's challenge.  I would love to come see your creation!

Stop and Smell the Flowers

How about a little more Penny Black?  Aren't these little hedgies adorable?   I stamped them on white (stampers select from PTI) and then colored with my copics.  I mounted them on some PTI bitty boxes patterned paper that I had punched with my ek success bubble bunch.  The whole thing is then mounted on spring rain cardstock and finished off with a sentiment from PTI's vintage picnic sentiments.  The ribbon is PTI satin hibiscus burst.

*** Tomorrow is my son's birthday.  He is turning 6!  Where has the time gone?  Anyway today I will be in the kitchen whipping up a lego star wars cake.  I hope it turns out!  If its not completely embarrassing I will post some pics of it tomorrow.

Kristina Werner Color Challenge

Kristina Werner's Color Challenge can be found here. I don't have Stampin Up colors so I used PTI in the colors I thought matched best.  

Card deets:  Stamps:  Women of Life  

Ink: black, spring moss  

Buttons:  doodlebug (red)  PTI all others  

Ribbon:  PTI lemon tart  

Cardstock:  select white, spring rain

Sewing On Cards

Do you sew on your cards?  I have here the first card I have ever sewn on, it will probably be the last.  I guess I just don't get it.  So much work!  I did this by hand but I do own a machine. I actually know how to sew.  Not well mind you, I wont be winning any awards, but I can put together a halloween costume from a pattern or make a patchwork quilt.  I have sewn pillows and slip covers.  But sewing, well its alot of work.  I am basically a lazy person.  I don't want to drag out my giant sewing machine to put a tiny line of stitches on a piece of paper.  My hat is off too those of you who do.  I have seen some awesome stuff with stitches out there but this lazy girl is sticking to glue dots.

Card deets:  PTI: Bird Watching, Vintage Picnic, Kraft, Rustic Cream cardstock.  Basic Grey pp. DMC embroidery floss, copic markers, dark chocolate ink. 

Spoil Yourself with Scarlet Jewel

Who loves Penny Black?  ME ME ME!!!  My first love is PTI... but close behind that I love Penny Black!  Love this little kitty and mouse in the tub.  They crack me up.  I colored them up with my copics.  They are mounted on PTI bitty boxes and PTI scarlet jewel.  Scarlet jewel saddle stitch ribbon is tied in a bow.  The sentiment is all Penny Black.  I screwed it up ... worse embossing job ever... but other than that I love the card.  

Tea for Two Owls

I am so happy that my wise owls love tea!  I used chocolate and scarlet ink.  I colored them up with my copics and then adhered them to a scarlet jewel card base.  I used some PTI black and white dp and colored it with my copics.  Tied the whole thing off with some saddle stitched scarlet ribbon.

Wise Owl Takes Tea

I think Wise Owl is one of my favorite sets from PTI.  Of course if you ask me tomorrow that could all change.  Today Mr. Owl is taking tea with the cup from Everyday Classics.  The sentiment is from Tea for Two.  He is stamped in dark chocolate and scarlet jewel.  I colored him with copics.  The patterned paper is Bitty Boxes.  Oh how I love that paper.   To round out everything we have a bit of button twine and three scarlet jewel buttons.   

This is the first card I made after getting my craft table back!  There is no other furniture in the living room or dining room.  I told my husband if he could just finish the baseboards on the craft table wall and put my table back I would not nag at all about the completion of the rest of the room.  His vacation is over and he doesnt have a day off until Thursday so it might be awhile til the room is totally finished.  He works twelve hour days with an hour commute so working on work days is out.  Anyway in honor of the new floor I took my picture there.  See how pretty?  I am in love.

My Top Ten This Week

In an effort to be more grateful....

10.  Hanging with my good friend Jen at the free waterpark with our kids.

9.  My husband used his vacation time to install our new floor.

8.  I didn't have to sleep in a sleeping bag at all this week!

7.  New haircut!

6.  New yummy salad recipe

5.  My spin instructor's kid is recovering nicely from his surgery.

4.  I scored two slipcovers for my couch at $10 each!  Thats a savings of over $300 dollars!

3. I scored a new holder for my stamps at Ikea already put together and 25% off.

2.  Good books

1.  Happy kids

Hope you all had a great week!

Basket of Birthday

Another one from my Vintage Picnic stamping frenzy. I think this is the last of them (I need my craft table back so I can make more!). I used all PTI. CS: spring rain, kraft, and white. PP: lemon tart boxes. Ink: dark chocolate. Scarlet jewel buttons, jute twine and lots of copics for coloring. Stardust stickles on the flowers. Thanks for stopping by!

Complete Randomness

Last night I made this for dinner. Oh YUM! This one is a keeper. Thanks to Mara for bringing it to my attention. A warning though, this makes a huge mess! Or maybe its just me, but all that chopping and dicing... well there was stuff everywhere. Totally worth it though.
This is my son and our newest addition, Betta Fish Pip. My son has been harassing me for a pet of his own for awhile now. Never mind that we have two cats inside and countless strays outside, the boy wanted something of his very own. So now we have this cute little fish and the boy is happy.
And this is our new floor! Its actually finished now that I am typing this. The floor is in but we still need to put down all the trim and baseboards. I painted the baseboards earlier and am hoping the hubs gets the trim in tonight... well I know it wont be done tonite but enough so that I can put in the craft table. Oh how I miss my table. Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Kitty

I made this last week. Let me tell you, I have been without my craft table two days and I am going insane!!! Please, please let the hubs work quickly! Anyway this one features a penny black stamp (acrylic). I can't remember the name of the set. The sentiment is from vintage picnic. The cardstock is PTI summer sunrise, the pp is also PTI. The little rhinestones are a mystery. We gave this card to my daughter's friend for her birthday.

*** Did you see the Bachelorette last night? I am beginning to think Jillian is not playing with a full deck. How did she miss all the signs of Wes being an a$$? And further more why was she having such a hard time believing what he was outright admitting??? She gave up Jake for this loser?? I dont think Jillian is going to be finding true love this go around.

Just Because Strawberries

I love the color on this one!  PTI's new pp is awesome, those little grid boxes are so versatile!  I stamped it up with Vintage Picnic and then colored with my copics.  I made the little flower with some scraps, a brad, and a SU  punch.  The ribbon is pure poppy saddle stitch.  The picture is a little bright because I took it outside.

Some bad news (crafting wise anyway):  My dh decided to rip up the carpet and lay down some pergo.  Now I am thrilled with this!!  However my crafting table and all my stuff had to be boxed up until he is done... probably two weeks.   I am so sad about that!  I am already itching to color... however my dining room table is also in the garage along with my craft table, coffee table and sofas- so really no where for me to work.  I do have some previously done stuff to update the old blog-o but no new stuff for awhile.  Keep your fingers crossed that he works quickly!

You've Got Mail

Made with PTI's new Vintage Picnic.  I just love this set, especially the fonts for the sentiments.  I can see this one getting lots of use.  I made the background strip with the sentiment stamped repeatedly on Kraft cardstock.  I aged it a bit with PTI's tea dye ink.  I colored the basic with copics and added some PTI buttons and twine.  

A basket of thank you

Another card using PTI's vintage picnic.  Love this set!  So much fun to color.  Everything here is PTI with the exception of the rhinestones (no clue, sorry) and the copics I used to color.  I also used the vintage tea dye ink to go around the edges of everything.   Color choice is very different then what I normally use.  These colors are opposite on the color wheel, I am more of colors that are next to each other kind of girl.   Hope you are having a great weekend!

A 4th Birthday

My dad's birthday is on the 4th of July.  Happy Birthday Dad!   He used to tease us that they only had fireworks on his birthday.  I was ok with that though, I told him it was because his birthday was at night and mine was during the day.   Hahaha, the genius of a 4  year old.   On to the card:  The stamp set is the new Vintage Picnic, I finally got to play with it!   Patterned paper is bitty boxes.  Cardstock is kraft and select white.  The blue is by Bazzill.  The buttons come from doodlebug but the twine is from PTI.  That little star stamp near the sentiment is from the Wise Owl set.  I colored the image with my copic markers.  I love to color.  Have a happy 4th this weekend!

Kraft and Hibiscus

I made this one a while ago. It uses all PTI. Stamps sets: Everyday Classics, Borders and corners, Birthday Basics, and Polka Dot Basics. Ink is Hibiscus and Fresh Snow. I have a brand new order sitting on my kitchen table but have been gone so much I havent had time to do anything with it!! Today, my friends, today I play.

We got back from camping last night. It was exhausting. My children loved it and thats why I went. When we arrived home our a/c was not working so now I have a new problem to solve. Hopefully it wont cost me an arm and a leg.

I got a call from my principal before I left and she said things were looking good although they were not a done deal. Should I go get unemployment? I am entitled... I just cant make myself do it. Of course the way Arnold is driving my state into the ground, I am fairly certain there will be no money left. sigh. Ok sorry for the rambling! Hopefully I will be back tomorrow with some new PTI goodness.