Flourished Sympathy

Sympathy cards are always hard to make and I never seem to have any on hand. So, I choose to make the card as the need arises, I think you're more in the mindset to be creative that way. I like to believe that the feelings you have at the time allow you to be more sensitive to the recipient. An easy, basic layout helps the process too.

I pulled out Fancy Flourishes from PTI and stamped the largest one on a cream panel using black ink. Monochromatic cards (here I used smokey shadow, cream, and true black) seem to be more tasteful to me for these types of cards as well; hopefuly bringing comfort by evoking a soothing thought or feeling.

God Bless America

Happy Memorial Day!

This card uses American Hero from Verve. A set I loved, but sadly never had a chance to use. I don't know anyone in the military, so it just sat and sat. Well, in my ferver to use what I have, I pulled it out and got it inky.

I went with traditional colors, no surprise there.

We're just chillin' today. I was able to get most of my housework done yesterday, so I only have cooking and dishes today thankfully. We've decided to eat in instead of doing a cookout, it's just too hot outside especially with the tin roof over the deck. We should have thought that idea through a little longer, you almost melt out there when it's hot. So, we're doing tacos today!

Congratulations, You Did It!

A co-worker's daughter has graduated from high school this week and I was commssioned to make the card for her. I don't really know her all that well, so I decided that going with school colors was the best way to approach it.

I used a few PTI sets to complete this card and had actually started with the last Mojo Monday sketch, but left off most of the other elements so that it wasn't too busy.

Tomorrow morning finds me at my niece's 8th grade graduation, she's graduating with honors. We're all very proud of her book smarts and her ambitions.

Thank You JUGS85

This is a card I created for the current JUGS challenge, JUGS85; to use red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. That's alotta colors to fit onto one card, but I thought a multi-colored pinwheel would be the way to go.

I used my beloved Pinwheel Die from Lil Inker Designs as well as the coordinating stamp set which I stamped onto a Sentiment Flags die.

You Rock!

The colors for this week's Color Throwdown challenge, CTD142, were perfect for a masculine card. Cody chose this as the birthday card for my nephew, Kaden; his party is on Saturday.

The sketch is from The Sweet Stop, SSS109; this week's sketch has a twist which is to Make it Masculine. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the white card front panel was impressed with the sheet music impression plate. All the stamps here are PTI.

Perk Up!

I had to break out some new stamps, well some I bought months ago but am just getting around to using. The sentiment and mug are from the Coffee & Tea set, super cute. I love that they are a little smaller than the stamps I normally use.

I used the latest sketch from the clean&simple blog, FTL141. I fell in love with it, can't wait to use it again.

For the image, I just added some shadowing on the whipped cream and then randomly placed some stickles on it.

You Mean the World to Me

Paper Makeup Stamps is having a Design Team Call, you can check it out here.

Paper Makeup Stamps is sponsoring the Copic Creations Challenge 50 this week, the challenge is to use yellow. The deadline is May 31st, so you still have time to participate for your chance to win a $20.00 gift certificate to the Paper Makeup Stamps store.

I used the sketch from The Sweet Stop this week, SSS108. The image is from the Color It-Summer set, one I hadn't used yet. I stamped this sentiment with VersaMark and then punched it out with a butterfly punch. I wrapped some twine around the butterfly body and then used the ends as antennae.

You Make Life Sweet

Paper Makeup Stamps is having a Design Team Call until June 4th. You can read all about it HERE.

Yep, another My Time Made Easy sketch, MTMEPPS08. This time I used some stamps from My Time Made Easy- Well Preserved and Puckered Up Patterns.

The jar is so cute. I stamped the cherries in New Sprout ink and then colored with copics, I didn't want my leaves to be black...I rather like how it looks without the harch black lines around the fruit.

Fairy Friend

Paper Makeup Stamps is having a Design Team Call. You can see all about it HERE.

Paper Makeup Stamps is sponsoring a challenge at Through the Craft Room Door, TTCRD02. The challenge is to make a project with Any Winged Thing, easy peasy! The prize is a $15.00 gift certificate to Paper Makeup Stamps. Seriously, what could be better?!

I chose to use the newly release Sprout Silhouette image. The original Sprout is my absolute favorite fairy, I will never tire of her. But, this new Sprout Silhouette has captured my heart. She's smaller than the original (I like that) and she's solid which makes for some fast stamping. Oh, and this month's release is also available in digi format as well as rubber, something for everyone. With the resizing capabilities of the digi format, it's quickly becoming a favorite form for me. Plus, you don't have to wait for the rubber to arrive, instant gratification!

The sentiment from the newly released Build a Sentiment set was stamped onto a circle punch and then adhered to the card with some lovely twine.

There is still time for you to submit your project, the deadline isn't until May 30th! You can enter here.

The sketch is an older one at Skipping Stones Design, SSD72, love it.

Friends Til the End

Paper Makeup Stamps is having a Design Team Call, you can check out all the deets HERE. Oh, and you can tell all your friends too! ;-)


Using My Time Made Easy' sketch, MTMEPPS07, I was inspired to make this card. I deliberately made the panels larger and different sizes for a little more interest. All the stamps are PTI- Turning a New Leaf, Friends Til the End, Background Basics: Text Style.

I just love this card (might even be one of my own faves), so elegant and somewhat vintage...a style I am so drawn to, but extremely intimidated of. The flower was stamped once with full ink in the right corner and then stamped again, without re-inking, in the left corner. Makes for a great look.

I took Thursday and Friday off from work, just to recharge from the course of the last few months. We chilled at home on Thursday, but on Friday, we went to see Hoodwinked 2. It's a cute movie, but I am glad we paid the reduced matinee price, I would have been disappointed if I had to pay full price. LOL

Then, on Saturday, we went to a flea market a few towns over to purchase some vegetable plants....we get to have a garden this year. Our neighbor, who always has two or three glorious gardens, told us we could plant in his back garden. We don't have a ton of space, but enough for the things we use often- tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, green beans, corn, bell peppers, and cabbage. If we had known for sure he was going to let us use it, we would've been able to get more stuff, but it was a last minute decision. The plan is to get some of each now and then some more in a few weeks, that way it isn't all coming in at the same time. I also have to learn how to can some of it, goodness knows there will be more than we can eat. Holy cow, I am excited about it!

Paper Makeup Stamps Design Team Call

Paper Makeup Stamps is in need of a few new designers, you can read all about the call and requirements here!

This is one fabulous group of ladies, won't you consider joining us?!

Freebie Friday

Katie has brought back an old favorite.....Freebie Friday! She'll be offering a Freebie on Friday's as long as it doesn't coincide with the release, a sponsorship, etc. So, you will just have to check the PMS blog every Friday.

This week's offering is super cool. I love the fonts here! I added some piercing to make part of the sentiment stand out a little more.

I used this week's sketch at My Time Made Easy, MTMEPPS09. I am hoping to get caught up with some of their sketches, they've been so fun.

Now, go check the PMS blog or our Facebook page.....with all the blogger issues, they may not be up yet. Just keep checking back, k?!

PMS May Review Day

Today we get to review the May Release stamps. I hope you didn't miss any part of this fabulous month of releases, there is something for everyone. The whole release is available in rubber and digi forms!

I decided to make a graduation card of sorts for my niece, she's graduating from 8th grade with honors. I am so stinkin proud of her, she's just amazing. She's even taking honors classes her freshman year, some of which may translate to college credits. Not sure of all the specifics, hoping I can catch up with her over the summer to discuss every detail with her.

I used the new sentiment set, Build A Sentiment, as well as Springtime Solids. The layout is this week's FTL139, super cute and oh so simple.

You can look at the PMS blog for more inspiration with the new release~

Notepad Trio

I took a handful of these to work for Mother's Day. They went over pretty well and I hope the girls get alot of use from them.

The sentiments and cardstock are PTI. The cardstock seemed to be a perfect match for the notepads- Hibiscus Burst, Blueberry Sky, and Hawaiian Shores....I couldn't have been more pleased. The harlequin pattern and polka dot background stamps are full sized stamps, I think from CHF and Impression Obsession.

I also used some patterned paper to mix it up a little. I really love the bright colors and fun patterns, I am getting geared up for summer!

Cool Beans Treat Bag

I made this cute treat bag for a friend at work, it housed some leftover jelly beans from Easter. The ribbon is from my friend Anessa; gingham, hearts, and glitter....can't get much better!

The rest of the goodies are from PTI, the dies and papers anyway. The sentiment is from My Favorite Things, I really like that font.

PMS May Blog Hop

It's Release Day! The May stamps will be available tonight! As always, we celebrate the new release with a blog hop. If you started at the PMS blog and hopped in order, you will have arrived from Lisa M's blog...her project using Kirsten was gorgeous, wasn't it?! You will definitely want to start at the beginning to collect the letters to this month's code that allows you to save 15% on the new releases.

I got to use Lars for today's hop; he sure looks happy surrounded by all those gifts. I colored the image to match the papers from My Mind's Eye. I love the patterns included in the pack, total boy colors and prints.

I am the last stop on the hop, so here is my letter:

Be sure stop by the PMS Forum tonight for the Release Party. The fun begins at 9 pm EST!

PMS May Sneak Peeks, Day 3

Day 3 is here, my friends. Today is everyone's favorite peek day, the new fairies will be revealed. I get to show you Lea Fairy.

I have to say that she is alot of fun to color and it really felt great to reach for the copics again. Her wings are full of stickles for lots of sparkle.

The sentiment is from a new release called Celebrate. It has some sentiments perfect for all the little celebrations we have.

I also made a pillow box for my final Teacher Appreciation giftie; inside are some chocolate covered sunflower seeds. Yum!

Now, you can head over to the PMS blog to see some more peeks and to see how you can win this month's stamps. You also need to check out the other girls with peeks today, they are:

Katie

Lisa K

Randee

Shaela

Tangii

Andrea

Dawn

Ginger

Lisa M

PMS May Sneak Peeks, Day 2

Well folks, here we are at Day 2 of the May Sneak Peeks for Paper Makeup Stamps. It's another fun month!

Today we are featuring Background Scenery and some silhouettes of some of our favorite fairies. I used Background Scenery for my project today; it's a rather large stamp that's full of glorious detail.

I used it as the focal point of a box I made for Cody's teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week. I opted to spotlight just a portion of the image and then put Dazzling Diamonds on it. I think the effect is spectacular, what girl doesn't love glitter and sparkle?!

Be sure to head on over to the PMS Blog for some more peeks and to see how you can win this month's stamps. You can also visit the other girls that have peeks today, they are:

Randee

Shaela

Anita

Christi

Jami

Be sure to join us for the May Release Party on May 7th in the Paper Makeup Stamps Forum. It promises to be a good time! The festivities start at 9 pm EST.

Tea For You

Today's template is a good one from My Time Made Easy, Tea Tabbed Box. It's perfect for those tea lovers on our list. I picked up this tea a few weeks ago and based my papers on the colors found in the product packaging.

I used up some October Afternoon papers, two different patterns. The dies and stamps are from PTI.

Here is a view of the top. That teapot looks so cute on the doily die.

Today starts the May Sneak Peeks from Paper Makeup Stamps, you really need to head over to the PMS Blog to take a look see.

The girls with peeks today are:

Katie

Tangii

Jami

Michelle

Stephanie

Thanks Teacher Gift Set

Continuing with the theme of the week, 3-D projects. I used the Shop Til You Drop template from My Time Made Easy and made a Post-It note cover.

I definitely wanted some bright, spring/ summer colors, they just make me happy. The stamps are from PTI; I used Polka Dot Basics 2, It's Official, Take Note, Alpha-blocks, and School Time.

I wrapped the cart with celery ribbon and then added the scallop circle sentiment to the front.

Here is the cover of the Post-Its. The scallop border is an MFT Die-Namics, Small Scallop. I though the ruler image would be really cute here.

I ripped portions of a layer of the celery paper for a distressed, worn book cover look; I'm not sure I like it. The sentiment and coordinating mat layer were punched and adhered with boosters.

I just stamped his teacher's first initial on the first sheet and called it done. This was the first thing to go to school with Cody and I am proud to say that she loved it.