Baby Shower Blog Hop

Today we are suprising Lisa McKinney with a surprise Baby Shower hop! Lisa is expecting a sweet baby boy bundle any moment now. She's about as sweet as they come and I am so happy for her!

You should have arrived from the PMS blog, if not, you might want to start there to see everything from the beginning.

My projects are repeats, I have shown them on the blog before. But, since I made them for her to begin with, I thought it only fitting to show them once more. I'll have some other great stuff for the baby when I get this boxed up to ship out, but for now, it has some sweet rubber ducks inside.
I used wordart, a baby sentiment, and Baby Jamie for these projects back in April. I love them paired with October Afternoon papers.

Congrats Lisa on this new addition to your family, may he bring you much joy and happiness! We are ready to meet him, so hurry up already! LOL Love you!

Now, hop on over to see Tangii and her wonderful surprise for Lisa.

Sweet Peas SFYTT

Jen's SFYTT this week was pretty interesting and I had an idea of what I wanted to do. So, I used the Framed Die-namics and stamp set from MFT as well as Sweet Pea from There She Goes.

The papers are some from SEI, from an "older than the hills" package. I rounded the corners of the pink layer and then added the celery strip to the center. The primas are some I have had for a time as well, it feels good to use up some of my stash.

Man, oh man, am I ready for the weekend. I have a short week next week since I have to prepare my house and some food for Cody's birthday party next weekend. We are having a tropical theme with some board and guessing games too. I can hardly wait to have everyone join us to celebrate Cody, just makes my heart happy.

Glitterbabe Insanity

I was able to combine a few challenges to make this super sunny card; Glitterbabe's Challenge 4 and StampInsanity, SISC19. The Glitterbabe challenge was to use stitching and the Stamp Insanity challenge was a sketch.

I, again, used It's Official from PTI, this time pairing it with Beautiful Blooms II with the sentiment from Tea for Two Additions. All images were stamped with Tsukineko chalk inks, they are so vibrant and really provide good coverage. The center of each flower was dabbed with stickles.

I used a circular plastic canvas sheet to pierce around the edge of the circle; although upon second glance, I wish I had skipped over the sentiment. Ah well! Then, I just used a black pen to draw from dot to dot.

Dandy Butterflies

I made this one for Taylor's sketch challenge, TESC122; I was also able to fit in another card for the Makeup for the Weekend challenge, M4TW36, to use graph paper.

All the dp is from October Afternoon, I am addicted to their papers. The butterflies are a mix of punches and dies; I just placed some gems down the center to dress them up a bit. The image is from Dandy Wishes, one of my faves. Looking at it now, I wish I had placed a sentiment on the aqua strip....

Admit One, SSS66

I always try to play along in the sketches from the Sweet Stop, this one is SSS66. They are usually pretty simple to do, but with lots of fun little twists.

I pulled out appropriate papers from October Afternoon's Report Card pack and paired them with some stamps from PTI. I tell you, all the office supplies themed stamps really pull me in. I used It's Official and the Library Card.

I'm not sure you can tell I paper pierced some of the layers, don't know why I don't do it more often. It adds texture and interest without bulk.

Cody goes back to school on August 9th, so you may see a few more school themed card and projects between now and then. I always try to send a little something for his teacher, the secretary, and some of the helpers at the start of the school year. Just gets things going in a positive direction, letting them know I appreciate all the work they do.

Curtain Call {Act 39}

For last week's Curtain Call {Act 39} challenge, I pulled out a ton of stamps for this very {simple} card. I used Ippity's A Bit of Burlap stamped in a kraft like ink for the main image panel; then stamped an image from Bitty Botanicals and the sentiment from Heartfelt Sentiments before punching it out.

The die is from PTI, the stamped frame is from their 3rd Anniversary set. I placed it on the large panel and then added some pearls to the ends of the frame. Lastly, I stamped a border strip from Verve onto the card base just to add a little more interest.

Was it me, or was the weekend a blur?

The Will to Daydream

Paper Makeup Stamps has put out a new kit, this one is all about daydreaming. It's called The Will to Daydream. You can read all about what is included in the kit here.

Here I used the cutie fairy appropriately named Will, along with the fun papers included. He was colored with copics, I then used a grass punch to make the layers of grass with more DP. Then, the whole thing was die cut with nesties.

The ribbon and elements for the sun are also part of the set, except for the twine. I did manage to add a bit fo stickles to his wings; I'm not sure boy fairies are supposed to have sparkly wings, but I rarely leave them plain.

Katie does a great job of making sure things match the theme, and all the goodies included in this kit are so fun and whimsical. The kit is available in limited quantities, so head over to the store and get yours while we still have 'em.

Makeup for the Weekend Gridlock

Yippee, it's Friday! And that means it's time for the Makeup for the Weekend challenge. Today's challenger is Andrea and the challenge is to use graph/ grid paper in your card or project.

I knew I wanted to use Birthday Cheer for my card, you can never have enough birthday cards. Then, I remembered the cute l'il bee from Buggy Sayings. The papers I chose to use are from a few different packs of October Afternoon paper, which was perfect because one of the packs had grid paper already included.

Hope you can find some time to play along with us this week. Please use the keyword M4TW36 when you upload to any public gallery or to your blog. Paper Makeup Stamps are not required to play, but if ya have 'em, we'd love to see 'em! Be sure to check out the PMS blog to find more inspiration for this challenge.

Courage, SSS65

I wanted to make another bright, cheery card for my cousin, Sonya, while she continues her rehabiliation and physical therapy. If you are interested, you can read a bit about her accident and progress here.

I chose to work with the sketch from the Sweet Stop this week, SSS65 and some more of the PTI papers I have been using lately. The stamps are from Verve's Blue Skies set, the quote was perfect to promote encouragement and strength.

I am sooooo ready for the weekend, what about you?!

Fly Away With Me SFYTT

For this week's SFYTT, I went a little overboard with color and schtuff! Lots of dies and textures on this baby! The dp is from Echo Park, their Sweet Summertime collection.

The jumbo ric rac is a Die-namics die from MFT, I totally {heart} it! Then, I wound some twine around it, and added some die cut felt flowers with a sweet l'il button accented with some more twine. Don't forget that the Makeup for the Weekend challenge is to use felt, you have today and tomorrow to get your card in!

The image panel was stamped with Background Basics: Text Style in a light blue ink; I then added the flourish and the sentiment. Lastly, I added the butterfly after I embossed it and blinged it out!

Live Laugh Love

I wanted to use some goodness from PTI on this card. The paper is just beautiful, I love the colors and freshness of it. Here I paired it with the Library Ledger and Beautiful Blooms II sets in colors to match the paper. The sentiment is from the 3rd Anniversary set, first time I have used it. One day....

The American Crafts ribbon is some I picked up at Big Lots a week or so ago for $1, I think it has 5 yards on it. So, a pretty great deal. The open scallop die is from MFT, what is not to love about those scallops?

I have been loving this color combo alot lately, it's just so fun and fresh. Of course, I gravitate to the brights, so I suppose it's no surprise.

Back 2 School

This is a sad reality in my world, my son starts back to school on August 9th. On one hand, I am sad to see his summer vacation end.....on the other, well, I am tired of hearing, "I'm bored!" But, at least this year, he starts school after his birthday!

I used more of my beloved Making Memories paper, I had to cut into my last sheet of the numbered and striped varieties. I sure wish I could find more, but I don't even know the name of it.

I pulled out a go to set, Apples to Apples, for this one. The sentiment was stamped twice, once in brown, then again in red. I trimmed out the number in red and adhered it to the brown one. The apple was colored with copics, then I added some Glossy Accents. I trimmed it out and then adhered it with Jody boosters. Lastly, I added a small baby blue button with some red/ white twine.

I Felt the Makeup for the Weekend Challenge

It's Friday and that means it's time for another Makeup for the Weekend challenge. I am this week's challenger and I am challenging you to use felt on your card or project. Felt is all the rage these days and I tried so hard to resist, but it was pointless...I love it.

I used the beautiful Faith, Hope, Love set, as well as a sentiment. I used Mercy's sketch this week, MTSC82. I am always intimidated by evenly spaced panels, and almost always manage to mess them up. This card also qualifies for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge which is to use felt AND the EONAC26 challenge to use buttons. Technically, I only used one, but since I am button challenged, I think it qualifies.

The pink border is felt as is the flower on the image/ sentiment panel. I added a button threaded with baker's twine for a little extra something.

I hope you can find some time to play along with us this week. Please use the keyword M4TW35 when you upload to any public gallery or to your blog. Then link it to the PMS blog so we can take a peek at it. You'll also want to check the blog to see who else has some inspiration for you.

Friendly TESC

The TESC120 sketch really lent itself well to using some neglected items in my stamp room; the PMS set, Friendly Flowers which has sadly been under used as of late, the Sizzix branch die, and the Hero Arts gems.

I grabbed some lovely October Afternoon papers and got busy. The sentiment was stamped and then die cut using nesties, then I masked under the sentiment so that I could stamp the flower cluster from Faith, Hope, Love.

I added the gem strips along the paper line to dress it up a little bit. Gems were also added to the punched flower centers.

Berry Special SFYTT

For this week's SFYTT, I used the Fanciful Flourishes and Well Preserved sets from My Time Made Easy. The flower is made from some felt I got from Felt on the Fly, it's so soft and cuts so well. I used blossom nesties and then inserted a sparkly brad.

I was able to pick up some fun new brads (crystal) from MM at Big Lots last week; they had tons of stuff on sale. The crystal brads were inserted through the center of each of the flowers in the October Afternoon paper.

I am really looking forward to the weekend, it has already been a long work week. But, since Cody has 2 birthday parties to attend this weekend, there probably won't be much rest or stamping.

Fun in the Sun Mojo

Speaking of mojo, my mojo is still missing in action, has been since May, if you find it, please let me know. I am lost without it!

So for Mojo146, I used Relax, a set I cherish. I would be a total beach bum if I lived near a beach. I love the water, smells, and sounds; it's so relaxing and I just feel like I belong there. Of course, I love the mountains too, but the beach is special.

The papers are from October Afternoon and My Mind's Eye; the burlap pattern is an Ippity stamp that I got from PMS DT member Maria. I really like it, it's the perfect size; I just wish I was better at lining them up on the fly.

Once the image was colored, I die cut it with nesties. The sentiment was inked in various shades and then stamped and die cut as well; then I just added some gems on the edge of the oval shape.

For All You Do

I wanted to play around with some of the new BG papers, this one is kraft. I really love that they have the papers with white/ cream or black accents. I used a fun sketch, except I forgot where I saw it.

The sentiment is from Everyday Thanks available at Paper Makeup Stamps, there is such a great collection of quotes and sentiments. I just finished this card with some May Arts ribbon and a border punch. Super simple, super fun.

Review Day & Makeup for the Weekend

Today, we are kicking off a review of the July Releases from Paper Makeup Stamps. AND, we have a new Makeup for the Weekend challenge as well. Lisa Kind is our challenger and the challenge is to use a critter on your card or project.

Well, this challenge was perfect since we are reviewing the Retro Cuties, past and present, along with the Cutie Critter Sayings released just days ago.

I haven't had the chance to use Olive yet, so I wanted to ink her up. And, it helps that we just released a matching sentiment that is as sweet as she is. I cut the sentiment apart, it just adds a little more versatility for me this way.

This card also meets the requirements of Jen's SFYTT for this week as well as the color challenge at the Color Throwdown, CTD100. It's their 100th challenge and they're having a HUGE celebration. The colors are Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Real Red, and Regal Rose; I let my papers do most of the work for me.

We hope you can find to join us for this fun challenge this week. As always, when you upload, be sure to use the keyword M4TW34. Then, link it to the PMS blog so we can take a peek. You don't have to use PMS stamps, but if you have them, we love to see them.

Buzzing By SSS63

It's been a week or two that I have participated in the sketches at The Sweet Stop, this one is SSS63. I decided to use some neglected stamps from W Plus 9 Design, I love them! I just need to find more time to use all the stamps I have....sigh.

I pulled out The Birds & The Bees as well as Design Basics: Backgrounds I; the designs are fresh and playful. I thought to use October Afternoon papers, they are some of my faves. A little stickles and some liquid pearls completes the card.

PMS July Release Blog Hop

Woot! Today is the day you can get all the great stuff you have seen so far from Paper Makeup Stamps.

As always, we celebrate Release Day with a blog hop; If you came here from Danni's blog, you are on track. If not, remember to start at the beginning and collect all the letters to this month's code that lets you save 15% on all new releases.

The lip image and sentiment on my card today are from a set called Beautifully Fabulous; the silhouette is a single image called Beauty Profile. These images are perfect to celebrate being a woman as well as to celebrate all the other women in your life!

I went a little CAS with this one, not using many layers. I also kept the colors to a minimum, only using black, white, and pink. I can appreciate all the white space on this one.

Also included in the photo ( I used it for inspiration) is a bottle of perfume I got some time ago from Wylde Ivy, she mixes her own perfumes and the scents are just marvelous. This one is called He Loves Me, I got it in a sampler pack of mini misters.

The letter I have for you is:

Please head on over to see Anita, I am certain she's got something wonderful to show you!

To continue celebrating the release, we will be partying in the PMS Forum starting at 9:00 pm EST. We always have loads of fun and some prize giveaways. You don't want to miss it.

PMS July Sneak Peeks, Day 4

Today's set is a continuation of some silhouette images Katie is adding to the PMS lineup. This set is called Dandy Wishes. You'll be delighted with the variety of this set.

Here, I have the smaller cluster of dandies. Aren't they grand?! I am enjoying these silhouette images more and more; they make for quick cards and projects which is especially nice in the summer when we all seem to be busier. The imagery in this set is remarkable and realistic, fun and fresh. My heart skips a beat when we get the sneak peek!

The papers are Making Memories, so fun, perfect for summer. I used Taylor's sketch for this week, TESC119.

Now, scoot on over to the PMS blog for not only your chance to win this set, but to see what the other ladies did to rock them out!

And, tomorrow is our Release Party, always held in the Paper Makeup Forum. The fun begins at 9:00 EST and continues until the last girl leaves. We always have a fun bunch, prize giveaways, and more talk than you can shake a stick at. We do hope you'll join us!

It's Your Birthday MTSC

I used Mercy's sketch for this card, MTSC80. I wanted to use some more of this fun paper and some of my new Verve. The sentiment is from Wish Big and the little feathery scroll is from Blue Skies. This is a pretty simple number, heavy on patterned paper and light on stamping. I like to take the easy way out sometimes. LOL

I am enjoying this last day off before the short work week. Although I love extra days off, I don't like having to accomplish a full week's work in 4 days.....grrrr.

And, today is Day 3 of PMS Sneak Peeks, get over to the PMS blog to see today's goodies.

PMS July Release Sneak Peeks, Day 2

Today is Day 2 of the July Sneak Peeks for Paper Makeup Stamps. Today's theme is Retail Therapy and it's also the name of this set.

Is there anything better than new shoes? I love getting new shoes, finding them gets more and more difficult however! But, I can totally relate to the quote.

I chose some beautiful October Afternoon papers for the card and to paper piece each of the shoe boxes. Once the shoe was colored, I cut the image out with nesties. Then, I put it face down and ran it through my Xyron; lastly I sprinkled some Dazzling Diamonds on top. It is really sparkly, but is also somewhat subdued.

Be sure to head on over to the PMS blog to see the other pieces of this set and to see what the other Makeup Artists did! You'll also find out how you can win it!

PMS Sneak Peeks

The July Release is just days away. I don't have an assignment today, so be sure to get over to the PMS blog to see what goodies the Makeup Artists have for you. And, of course, there is a chance to win the stamps we are peeking today.

Starstruck VLV

This card was made for the 5th and final June Viva la Verve challenge; I, again, chose the 3rd room- seems to be my theme this month. The sketch is pretty awesome too! The colors were screaming 4th of July to me; this card also qualifies for the Curtain Call {Act 36} challenge AND the Cupcake Inspiration challenge 65. Woot!

I used the oh so lovely Startstruck set from Paper Makeup Stamps and then a few from PTI; Library Ledger and Vintage Picnic were used here. The dark blue panel was embossed using one of my favorite folders, Argyle.

I am gearing up to enjoy my long weekend!