Friday, April 30, 2010

I'm so happy for you! (TSOL)


Sneaking this card in at the last second, this month, using the April set from The {Stamps} of Life! I had the layout for this card in my head, and I really wanted the large semi-circle in the background. I must have moved everything else around about a thousand times, before I finally said "WHATEVER. I AM STICKING THIS THING TOGETHER!!!" I think I like it. . . I think. What I know I love is all the piercing. It's my go-to technique lately. Simple, and seems to match everything. It's a nice little easy detail when you just dont know what to add. I used stamps to create the white background pattern. Not a bit of patterned paper on this one! Who needs patterned paper with cute little stamps!? And I'm not sure where this ribbon came from, but I think it added a nice big POP to tie everything together.

Can you believe tomorrow is MAY!? May means the end of my little man's year of preschool (and we won't think about the end of summer bringing KINDERGARTEN!) It also brings a trip to Orlando in a few weeks (Scrapbook Expo at the Gaylord Palms!! The Gaylord in Kissimmee FL is seriously THE most AMAAAZING hotel! We have SUCH fun there every year!) And May also brings NEW stamps from The Stamps of Life! I'll be back tomorrow to share the new goods!
XOXO

card goodies: cardstock - WorldWin, (dark pink) Bazzill (light pink) CTMH (blue), stamps - TSOL, circle punches - Marvy Uchida,

Thursday, April 29, 2010

it's MY day!


It's MY day. . .mine all mine!
It's my birthday,
and it's my anniversary!
Some people thought I was crazy to get married on my birthday, but I loved it!!! I had a wedding cake and a big fat chocolate birthday cake all on the same day, and everyone sang happy birthday to me at our wedding reception. It was AMAZING. Being surrounded by so many of my most loved people, all in one room, singing to me took my breath away. (Not to mention I got to wear a fabulously gorgeous dress and marry the boy of my dreams!)
But back to the craftiness - I created this card based on Tami's sketch #160, at Card Positioning Systems. I used some of my precious Scenic Route paper (who's closing I am still mourning!) and a stamp from Stamping Bella.
Hope your day is as happy as mine!!
XOXO
(oh, and I'm blogging at my mom's Close To My Heart blog today too! Be sure to pop on over and see my card!)

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

hello!!!! a square challenge (TSOL)

Some say it's impossible to fit a square peg in a round hole. . . .but I managed to punch a round shape from a square stamp!!! Remember the cute set at The {Stamps} of Life that was released last month with the squares? I happened to have a circle punch just slightly smaller, and punched out the circles for this card. Layered along with some larger circles and scallops, I whipped this little card up. My two favorite things about it - the colors (Prism cardstock) and the pierced scallops. Sweet simple, and striking.

It also happens to fit the bill for this week's challenge at The {Stamps} of Life. . .to create a SQUARE card. Care to join us??????

If you are playing along with The {Stamps} of Life stamps or digital images please upload to the gallery on the site –> HERE <— with the keyword TSOLDT09.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

CPS 164 Just My Style!

I turned Tami's CPS sketch sideways this week. And i LOVE it! I LOVE this patterned paper from October Afternoon (the main image is part of the patterned paper too. So fun!) I added a sentiment stamp from Gina K, a bit of ribbon (Bazzill) and some buttons (PaperTrey Ink) and this card came together quite simply. I love the mixture of bold colors with a vintage feel. (And of course i adore ANYTHING with black and white polka dots!!!)

Although I really like this card, I must admit, I am feeling like I am in a card-making funk right now. I hit this point every so often that I am just not happy with my work. . .it just doesn't feel quite THERE. Or not quite where I want it to be - but I just can't figure out how to step it up. So I am spending some time pouring over cards that I love, and "studying" some of my favorite cardmakers to gain some inspiration and direction. I am hoping to get back on track QUICKLY, because deadlines always approach as the end of the month comes around!

Have a terrific week!! Thanks for stopping by!
XOXO

Friday, April 23, 2010

Apron Strings - Life is goooood!


Life IS good, isn't it? And with the super cute piece of ribbon on this card, how could you NOT smile!? Isn't it adorable!? You can find it in the Apron Strings Designs April card kit! The sentiment is a rub-on that I applied to cardstock, and punched it out with a circle punch. I LOVE it when circle punches line up perfectly what I need to punch out! This card was also based on one of our CPS sketches from a few weeks ago . . .number 160 I think. It's one of my favorite sketches! Sweet and simple. You'll see me using it a lot! (In fact I think I have another card to share with it next week!)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Oh Boy!

My sweet friend Tami Mayberry designs stamps for Gina K Designs, and this evening is the Release Party!!! (You can join in HERE) Tami sent me the new stamp set to play with, and share some projects with you!


The stamp set is called Oh Boy! and it has the most fun and paper-pieceable (is that a word?) images in it - and we all know I LOVE LOVE LOVE to paper-piece!!!! There's a super sweet sailboat, a truck, helicopter, and a rocket! And lots of fun phrases. (I think my favorite is "I love you to the moon and back." This is a great set for Little Boy cards and scrapbook layouts, baby cards, Father's Day cards and layouts, and I am thinking about even a "We're Moving" card with the truck.

I hope you'll go and check out Tami's new stamp set, plus some other fun new releases at Gina K tonight! (I can't wait to see them all, based upon the sneak peeks, there are some GREAT new stamps coming out!) The details for the release party are HERE.
card goodies:
*Ahoy - patterned paper (October Afternoon) cardstock (WorldWin) ribbon/button (PaperTrey Ink)
*Just Like Dad - patterned paper (October Afternoon) cardstock (Couture Cardstock) dotted line rub-on (Doodlebug Designs)
*I Love You.. - cardstock (Close To My Heart)

just a quick note!

I will have an extra blog post going up tonight, sharing goodies from my dear friend Tami's new stamp set being released at Gina K Designs tonight!!!! There's going to be a big release party at Gina K . .. .the details are all HERE

Check back here tonight to see my cards, and stop by the party at Gina K!!!!

CTMH Thursday . . .and the boys!

Enjoying the sunshine of Spring with my boys this week! The little-little is sitting up now, which should make picture taking much easier! The big one has had his eye on these stamps, from Close To My Heart . . .he loves to sit and play with my stamps! (When I'm willing to share my stash!)
And since it's Thursday, I'm blogging over at my mom's CTMH blog today . . .want to see the full card? Join me over there!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Happy Birthday circles (TSOL)


Layer, layer, layer. . .lots of layers on this baby!Scalloped punches, circle punches, and cute cute stamps from The {Stamps} of Life's April set! I stamped the background too! I love this color combo of red and light blue.
(card goodies: cardstock, ink - Close To My Heart, stamps - TSOL)

Monday, April 19, 2010

Happy Happy Happy (about coupons and cards!)


I created this card using The {Stamps} of Life's April stamp set!
Did you know that they offer their stamps as clear stamps OR digital? (Or you can get both!)
Check out the stamps HERE, and lots of beautiful samples from the design team girls, here in the gallery!
To create this card, I punched out patterned paper for the background circles, stamped the dotted circles around them, and then attached the brown strip across. The "happy" circles were stamped in Sunflower ink, and attached with foam tape. Then I added the pearls in between! The "brads" in the four corners are actually stamps too - flat, quick and SIMPLE!
So have I raved to you all about my couponing endeavors? When I'm not thinking about cards, I am thinking about COUPONS. I added some links to the sidebar recently, that are seriously making a HUGE difference in my shopping!! I am actually finding it FUN to go grocery shopping now, because watching my total go DOWN DOWN DOWN as they subtract all the coupons, makes me GIDDY!!! Today I spent $42.34, and I saved $45.90!!!! (A combination of sales, and coupons. I had about $20 in coupons!!!) I think my biggest bargain of the day today was Mueller's pasta that averaged out about .30 cents a box!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!! How amazing is THAT!? So - do you coupon? It seems to be all the rage lately, but it sort of seems to good to be true!!! On a few of my "purchases" today, I actually MADE money. Not just FREE items, but items that actually MADE ME MONEY. How can this be!!?? (Yes, I am a little obsessed!) So - if you coupon, let me know!!! And tell me what your favorite sites are! :)
card goodies: patterned paper - Sassafras Lass, stamps - TSOL, cardstock - WorldWin, pearls - K&Company

Friday, April 16, 2010

Apron Strings - simple and elegant butterflies


Sometimes I really like the cards I throw together with a few scraps of cardstock. It's like a happy little accident, created from scraps that happen to be laying together on my desk. I added this little strip of butterflies, and some adhesive pearls. This card was created with the Apron Strings Designs April kit. There is always a ton of cardstock in these kits . . . I think I created 8 cards with the kit, and still had paper and goodies left over! Gotta love that!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

CTMH Thursday - Live Fast and Stay Pretty!

Sometimes I get stuck using the same sketch, or the same color combo. This past week I came up with this color combo (a similar combo seen on my last card too,) and I just couldn't stop! When ya got a good thing going, keep on going with it! My TSOL card, seen below this post was using Bazzill cardstock, but this card features Close To My Heart stamps and cardstock. (Outdoor Denim, Kiwi, Bubblegum) Kiwi isn't actually available anymore. . .why oh WHY they discontinued that color is beyond me - it is only one of my ALLTIME favorite colors. So I have a huge stash of it, and just can't stop using it!!! You can find this card, as well as another one (using the same color combo and stamp set. . .plus some BLING!) over on my mom's blog!
XOXO

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Hi, How Are You? (a TSOL challenge!)

It's challenge day at The {Stamps} of Life! The challenge (should you choose to accept it) is to create a card where a phrase is the focal point. I used stamps from Hello2You to create my little sentiment. I hope you'll play along!!!

If you are playing along with The {Stamps} of Life stamps or digital images please upload to the gallery on the site –> HERE <— with the keyword TSOLDT08. Please link to one of our blogs so we can see your stuff! And now, go visit some of the other TSOL chickies and see what they've created!
Jeanne
Deb
Joana

(And because somehow it became a two-post day, scroll down to see my CPS card for this week!)

Sand Cakes (CPS 162)


We are READY for Spring and Summer around here. (Well, maybe not Summer so much . .. but we are enjoying SPRING!) I packed up all the winter clothes this weekend, and most of whatever it is that drops from the oak trees (seeds? pollen? sneeze-inducing messy stuff whatever it is) seems to have dropped from the trees - so I have HOPE that our allergies will settle down soon!
This card features cute cute papers from October Afternoon! I love the triangle pinwheel pattern on the yellow paper - it's so fun to cut out! I am a sucker for papers that I can cut out shapes and pictures from!
I shipped the kiddo back to school this week. We had a terrific Spring Break, but I am happy to have some time to get things done now!!! Have a terrific week!!!
XOXO

Sunday, April 11, 2010

flowery hello squares (TSOL)



Are you ready to see a special release set from Stephanie Barnard at The {Stamps} of Life? This set has so much potential. (Do I say that a lot!?) It works along with so many of Stephanie's other stamp sets, but it works beautifully on it's own as well. This card might look familiar . . I did this card, and then it inspired me to try the same idea with some CTMH stamps. I stamped these cheery squares, matted them on cardstock, layered it up on the strip down the middle, and added some piercing along the sides.

Be sure to pop on over to The {Stamps} of Life to see the stamp set, and view the beautiful gallery of ideas!
card goodies: cardstock, ink, jewels - Close To My Heart, stamps - TSOL

Friday, April 9, 2010

Apron Strings - My Heart Adores You


Today I saved the best for. . .FIRST! This is my favorite of my Apron Strings card, using the April kit. This kit features papers from Jenni Bowlin, Sweetwater, and Fancy Pants, plus lots of coordinating cardstock and embellishments.
Check out the full kit, here at the Apron Strings website, and stop by the Apron Strings Designs blog when you get a chance, and see what fun stuff Lori has to share.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

CTMH Thursday

It's Thursday, which means I am blogging over at my mom's CTMH blog! This is one of the cards I'm sharing today . . . .but you'll have to sneak over to her blog for all the details, and to see the other card!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

CPS 161 Oceans of Joy

Could there be anything cuter than a whale with flowers? I think not! Hero Arts is the CPS sponsor this month, and they sent me this darling stamp set to play with. I used Close To My Heart cardstock (Breeze and Ocean - two of my favorite colors! Breeze has been discontinued, and I HOARD my stash - I use every single scrap!) And I think the green is WorldWin. To create the polka dotted background, I punched circles from Breeze cardstock, sanded them, and stuck them on. I like the way it turned out!

Be sure to check out the CPS girls projects, using Hero Arts, and link us up to your card if you get creative this week!!! I am off to paint pottery with my little man today, while he is on Spring Break. And if the little-little guy is cooperative, we might just try to paint his footprint too!! Have a wonderful day!
XOXO

Sunday, April 4, 2010

happy easter!

the eggs have been dyed, the easter bunny arrived, family came to town from here, there and everywhere, the flowers are blooming, and HE IS RISEN!!!
happy easter!
XOXO

Friday, April 2, 2010

dream big!



Dreaming about a couple more hours in my day. . .it sure would be helpful!!! It's the crazy mad dash to Easter around here. Speaking of which, I better hurry and finish this blog post so that we can color some Easter eggs! I'd love to share a sweet little Close To My Heart card I did - you can check out a matching one in a different color scheme, over here on my mom's CTMH blog! I used the Dream Big stamp set, along with a simple little sentiment.
In other fun news, I am so excited to share THIS blog post, over at October Afternoon!! In case I haven't mentioned it enough, I am SMITTEN with October Afternoon, and I have been smitten since the days when all they had were stamps in The Story of My Own kits. . .and then they started making papers, which made me equally as weak at the knees, and I was obsessed all the more! (In other words, this blog post makes me SOOO happy!)
Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!!
XOXXO

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Happy Happy Happy2Be!


April 1st!!!! I am pretty sure I said something about me getting ORGANIZED this month. . .scheduled blog posts, lots of plans and projects ready in advance. Bad news - I'm not quite there yet. Good news - I'm making progress!! :)
Today is new release day at The Stamps of Life. The new set, Happy2be Circles is another set that fits together seamlessly with the sets from past months. It's a great addition to the collection!
This card took a little coordination, and layering of stamping and paper, but it came together! (After a few rough drafts!)
I'll be back tomorrow to share something else new. . .and if I can get myself organized, I'll figure out what it's going to be!!!! LOL!