Doing the Damask (and this time, I'm actually "with" the times)!...

Hello, Hello to the few and the brave that check in from time to time! :)

I finally got my latest Paper Trey Ink goodies in the mail the other day and couldn't wait to try it all out. I hadn't gotten my PTI fix in a few months, but a couple of the sets this month really caught my eye. PTI has been all the rage in the stamping/crafting world (or at least the world that I follow!) ever since it debuted a couple of years ago. I have been a fan of most things PTI, and have slowly been adding them to my crafty collection.

I must to admit, I didn't realize how lucky I was to get my hands on the Damask set, until I saw the e-mail alerts that it had sold out soon after the 2/15 release. :) Like I've said before, I love all things stamping and crafty, but I tend to not be on the cutting edge of trends (definitely not one of the cool kids - LOL!) - most times I will finally catch on to stuff after most of the stamping famous have moved on to the next new thing. But this time, I'm not the last person to try something new.

I was definitely drawn to this set - I actually hadn't bought a PTI set in a while until I saw this one. I can see myself using it a lot - every card can't be a kiddie card for one of my boys, right? ;) On another thought, I also happen to visit (silently) this set's designer, Dawn, as regularly as I can. I thought it was pretty neat when I read that she was starting to design sets. I like her stamping style - love the colors she uses and her fun clean style. Obviously her first set was a success... and to think that I have one of them - LOL. Oh it's the little things... this is so why I love this hobby...

Have a great evening... I'm home from work today, so I'm off to start dinner (what a novelty during the week!) and spend some quality time with the fam. See ya.

P.S. Margot - I tried to e-mail you back, but your link doesn't show an e-mail addy. So if you happened to be back visiting my blog again... I just curved the PP with the sentiment between my fingers and then secured the part of the curve that touches the card base with an SU dimensional. It keeps it pretty secure. Hope that helps (woo hoo - I think that was my first question EVER from a reader! :) )

Deets:

Stamps: PTI Damask Designs; CS: Melon Berry, BG Two Scoops (green PP); Ink: PTI Melon Berry, Memento Rich Cocoa; Other: Sewing machine and thread, PTI buttons (LOVE this addition to tthe PTI line-up)

Shaken, Not Stirred...

Checking in before heading to bed tonight!

I'm winding down from a busy and very fun Saturday with the fam. Lots of basketball, a birthday party (to be exact, my littlest was a guest - but I don't quite feel confident enough to leave him for the 1 1/2 hours!) and more moving/cleaning of the basement. You know, it's funny how you always look so forward to the weekend, and before you know it's more than half over. Oh well. Good thing that we are enjoying the time - even if it seems to be flying by.

So onto things stamping... I often shop for my crafting stuff at eclectic Paperie. Definitely one of my hands-down favorite places. There is always lots of fun stuff to choose from, and while I have never met the owners, Joy and Daisy - they seem like the sweetest people. Anyways, they have been running this promotion that if you spend $50 or more, "...you are going to get some extra eclectic Love in your order. No complicated forms. No special coupons. Just know if you spend 50 bucks or more, your gonna get some fun free stuff. It could be stamps, papers, and/or other embellishments...just a fun surprise of goodies."

My last order qualified for the promotion so I was interested to see what I would get. I never know with these "mystery" gifts - I mean, would I even like the stuff or use it? Who knew?... So when I received my order, I was kinda surprised to see what I got. First off, there was quite a bit of stuff - stamps and a pink Cat's Eye chalk ink pad as well as the re-inker for it. My first thought was that "This was pretty good!" - pretty generous and definitely more than just a token (which is honestly what I thought it would be). But I also have to admit, most of the stamps were not images that I would have naturally gravitated towards. I didn't know how I would use the images, which often dooms them to the amount of actual usage. So I pretty much put the stuff away, not really having a plan with them.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks later... I happened to be looking through the eP stamps and again realizing that I don't have many stamps like them, but this time for whatever reason, starting to think more about how I can use them and how they really do add/broaden my stamp collection (I must have been feeling the creative vibe more than usual, I guess!). On that particular day, which was actually a week ago - I wanted to make a card for my SIL's birthday. She is not the cutesy type and was certainly NOT looking forward to her upcoming birthday, as it basically just marks that she is 1 year older (LOL). But she LOVES her pomegranate martinis and that's when it hit me. This card was made using 2 stamps that I received in my $50 eP bonus. I know it is just a easy-peasy 1 layer card, but I thought it worked out ok. So thank you eP (Joy and Daisy) for knowing what my stamping stash needed. Keeps me coming back! I'm a green apple martini girl (and only with Grey Goose, of course), myself... so next time, I'll be busting out the green prismas for my drink! :) Better yet, I should make a point of enjoying the real McCoy while I make the card!

I've also made a few more cards with the stamps I received, and will have to get them off my camera and on here soon!

Deets:
Stamps: Rubber Romance; Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Other: Primas and Gamsol, Stickles (on the dress, earrings and cherry), ribbon from Costco.

Gift for Teacher

My middle guy came home with a note in his folder late last week from his teacher telling us that she is expecting. She shared the news with the kids that day and also wanted to let the parents know too. She is such a wonderful teacher - really kind and energetic, and I see my middle guy learning in leaps and bounds with her this year. So I wanted to whip up a congratulations card. She doesn't know what she is having so I kept it all neutral. I used a stamp I got quite awhile ago, and was quite the rage of SCS then. This layout, in terms of substituting the pregger for the "i" in the word "Big," is definitely cased from someone on SCS, but I really liked it and it is obviously perfect for the occasion. I paper pieced her dress and hat and used Basic Grey Two Scoops PP for the background, dress and hat. I also had to hand write the words "Congrats on your" because I didn't have that sentiment, or at least couldn't find it since all of my stuff is mostly under drop cloths. I gave her a little teddy bear (wrapping some matching ribbon around his neck. Now that I am thinking about, it seem to be on a teddy bear kick lately. Anyway, I hope that she likes it. She is not due until August, so I hope that she makes it until the end of the school year.

I actually made this card this past Monday, but only have had the time to share it now. I've been on a business trip since Monday night and it is sooo good to be home. I've been travelling a bit more recently, and this week's trip took me to Munich, Germany. The trip was short (which is great because I hate to be away from my family for too long, but bad because I usually don't get to really experience where I am), but we did get a chance to see at least a few sights around the city and enjoy some authentic Bavarian cooking both nights we were there. It was brutally cold which made walking around a little tough, but I enjoyed visiting anyway. I'd been to Germany before, but it's been YEARS.

My flight arrived in the afternoon so I was able to pick up the kiddos from afterschool today. My older guy is a basketball practice with my husband and I am home with the other two just relaxing. I was able to take care of homework duty early so now we are just hanging out.

Stamps: $1 Michaels stamps, SU So Big; Paper: BG Two Scoops, PTI Lemon Tart and Stamper's Select White; Ink: SU Kiwi Kiss; Memento Tuxedo Black; Other: PTI Lemon Tart ribbon, Two Scoops brad; Black pen.

Post-Valentine's...

Happy Day after Valentines Day {LOL}!

Since is it no longer Valentines (and I am still recovering from all the Valentines made this week), here is a birthday card I made for my FIL. I actually made this a couple of months ago during my blog-free holidays, so I figured I'd share now. I haven't gotten a chance to stamp in the last few days, but I am not complaining this time at all. All of my stamping stuff is currently under big drop cloths because.... we're finishing our basement. Sooooo excited. We have been using our basement a lot as the boys get bigger. It is pseudo done (ie: we have pieces of carpet laid and there is heat pumping into it), but it is not quite the same as a finished basement. All the boys' toys and my stamping stuff are downstairs, and that's where the Wii is set up, so it'll be great when it is all done. It is going to take a couple of months, so my plan today is to go and selectively pick out stuff that I use the most and bring it upstairs to the guest room. {GULP} This is quite a task for me (it was actually my goal to get this done yesterday... but somehow the day got away from me, so I'm trying again today). I better get on it. I have a few cards I have to make before the end of the weekend! Luckily I still have tomorrow too, since I have the off from work. {Look at me already hedging... LOL}

Have a great one!

Stamps: CHF; CS: PTI Kraft and Stamper's Select White; SU Baja Breeze; Ink: Brilliance Rich Cocoa; Other: Sewing machine/thread, dimensionals, Prismas and Gamsol, paper piercer

Ready (and AHEAD OF SCHEDULE!), Get Set, Go!

Hello, hello.

For once I am on time... actually better than on time - I am ahead of schedule AND did everything that I wanted to do for the kids' Valentine's school parties. :) Wahoo.

Last night I finished making all of the kids' Valentines for their classmates and teachers. For my oldest guy who is 3rd grade, I made sour cream containers (the blue ones in the pic) and put Hershey Kisses in each one. He wanted a sports theme, with no hearts or the word, Valentine. So funny, but I was happy to oblige (no need for mushiness at his age yet - I'm not mentally ready for that next stage.

My middle guy opted for the pre-made (the horror! - just kidding) so I just made teacher Valentines for him (the red sour cream holders).

And my littlest guy was giving out fruit snacks, so I sorta concocted a folded card of sorts to hold his treats. I went with a robot/alien/out of this world theme. I was pretty pleased that I came up with the combination all of my own! My little scene combined 2 different stamps sets, but I think it went together well.

The valentines all got the stamp of approval and were a hit and all the boys are excited to give their Valentines out in the morning. Final count made... 24 for the oldest, 37 for my middle guy (he actually has 2 classes that were doing Valentines) and 27 for the littlest. Whew - lots of love to go around!

And tonight I made mini heart shaped brownies for my oldest son's after school counselors. I work our of the house full-time and all the of boys stay the full day of school. We take advantage of all that our school programs. ;) I wanted to make sure that I sent something in to let them know that we really appreciate all that they do for us.

So while it has been a late night for the last two days, I am ready for tomorrow. It's been fun and I really have had a such a blast creating.

I'm offically ready for tomorrow (well, actually later this morning!). The only bummer is that I can only go to one my kids' class parties since they are all basically at the same time tomorrow morning - being in more than 1 place at a time is still on my list of things to accomplish - LOL. But not today. Oh well.

Oh Baby {Pink}!

It's a beautiful day today - the temps are soaring their way to the 50s. That practically makes for a balmy day here on the east coast. I am definitely heading out for a run today - just waiting for my hubby to get out of the shower. The kids are getting bigger, but are definitely not of the age where I'd leave the house when he can't easily get to them if need be.

Anyway, since I probably will not make it down to the basement today... lots of errands and things to do, I thought I'd share the card that I worked on at the end of last week. This is the girly version using the same stamps and layout as this card. I thought the paper piecing came out really nicely on this one. I hope I'll have a reason to give this one out soon... :)

Enjoy the day!

Stamps: Elzybells and Inky Antics (sentiment); CS: PTI - Berry, Basic Grey PP, PTI Stampers Select White; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Other: PTI Light Pink (I'm blanking on the PTI color names right now and am not in the basement to check!), twine (maybe SU?), dimensionals, prismas and gamsol, paper snips, SU scallop edge punch, Nesties (both circles and the tag)

16 Candles...

Loved that movie (what an 80s classic!)

Ah to be sweet 16 again... for me, that was ages ago! But we did have a blast celebrating a very close family friend's sweet 16 last night. She's basically the youngest of our generation of kids in our close-knit extended family. It was a wonderful evening - the theme was Oscar Night (lots of glitz and glamour) and the color scheme was black and red. Everyone looked great all dressed up - especially all of her friends. Oh how time has flown...I remember when she was born - heck i remember when her mom was still single. Her mom tells me that she even baby-sat me when I was still an infant.

This was the card that I made to hold her gift. I went with a card that I hope a 16 year old would like - sparkly and nothing too kid-ish. I chose to use a rose for the main image, because I knew from talking to her mom that she was going to have a traditional rose dance. 16 special guys in her life...cousins, family friends - like my brother (who represented our family... each take turns coming up to her to hand her a rose for a quick twirl on the dance floor. The last guy was of course, her father. It was so sweet.

Stamps: SU In Full Bloom (so fun to pull out this oldie!), Big Deal Numbers and So Very (the word "Sweet"), CS: PTI Stamper's Select White; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Other: Prismas and Gamsol and Stickles

Swirly and Circly Birthday

Quick post for the day... this is birthday card that went out in the mail just yesterday morning for my cousin who is just 6 weeks older than me. He's a guy, so I'm hoping this has an adult-guy feel to it {hopefully!?}.

So I got the card out in time, but it is still probably going to be one day late... {sigh} You'd think that someone who likes to make cards would at least get them to the recipients in a timely fashion. But at least I sent it out and even BEFORE the actual birthday - sadly that is improvement. ;) I REALLY have to work on this. {Ask me if I made the card yet for the SIL's birthday which is TOMORROW!} Maybe I should get some kind of a more organized system. I am fabulous about this kind of stuff using Outlook for everything - but it hasn't really made its way over to my cardmaking. I might have to try and set up a tickler system at home. I'm sure that if I google it on SCS, someone will have a fabulous idea for me. No doubt a papercrafter has already come up with something...

Played with an SU set that might have been a hostess set from last year? I can never remember when sets come out... most of the time I get my stuff later than everyone else does anyway (I'm always so behind the times in everything it seems). In any case the image and sentiment come from the same set. I mimic'd the swirly circles by cutting out an imperfect circle in SU Pacific Point CS and topping it off with a button. Tried to tie it all together... Hope he likes it when he finally gets it - it is going coast to coast to sunny Cali!

Stamps: SU Birthday Whimsy; Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze (can't seem to put these 2 colors down!), Pacific Point, PTI Stamper's Select White, Scenic Route PP; Ink: SU Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point; Other: Dimensionals, Nestibilities, button, twine, paper piercer

Oh Baby {Blue}!

Hope that you had a great rest of your weekend. We had another snowy day today, but not enough to stay home from work (oh well). I've started to work on my kids' Valentines - I have a ton to make this year - my kids have multiple "classes" since they are in school for the full-day, including after school programs. I'm just about done with my littlest guy's cards, so I will be sure to share when I am.

In the meanwhile, here is a baby card I made with another Elzybells image - how adorable is this bear holding his duckie under a blanket??!! Love him. And guess what, if you visit again, you'll see that I made a girl version (seriously...don't be shocked). I had fun paper piecing the blanket (it was perfect for that) and the rest of the card, as always, came together pretty easily. Into my card stash it goes... now all I need is for a friend or family member to have a baby LOL!

And speaking of Elzybells - I was actually showcased this past weekend on the Elzybells blog. Mind you, it's not like I was picked or anything - Elizabeth (of Elzybells stamping fame) showcases any cards she receives during the week. And in an effort to get out there more with my cards, I sent a couple to her (she writes on her blogs that she welcomes e-mails of cards using her images so she can see them-which I think is really great of her), but not knowing that she would actually put them on my blog. In any case, I thought it was a fun thing to see my name on someone else's blog...

Stamps: Elzybells and Inky Antics (sentiment); CS: Baja Breeze, Chatterbox (another scrap - I used both sides too), PTI Stampers Select White; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Other: PTI Spring Moss ribbon, twine (maybe SU?), dimensionals, prismas and gamsol, paper snips, SU scallop edge punch, Nesties (both circles and the tag)