I'm BACK!

Wow, really?  I have a blog?  I think I forgot about that.  After taking a year off from posting and paper crafting I have decided it's time to get back at it.  Thank you to those of you who have checked up on me and for those of you who are still out there following me.  I have a few projects to show off so I will be scheduling some posts over the next couple of days and by then I hope to have more new things to show you too.  I am very excited to rejoin you all.

Teacher Gifts

It's the end of the year and time to start thinking of ways to thank those who have taken care of our kids over the past 9 months and helped them to learn and grow.  My girls took lavender plants to their teachers for Teacher's Appreciation Day.

This was a good way to use up some scraps of material I had sitting around.  It was fast and easy to wrap the material around the plant base and then just do a little stitch with some bakers twine from The Twinery, and tied it off.  It dressed up the plastic pots and then I used the mini clothes pins to attach the cards.

Inside the cards I wrote:

Thank You for Planting the seeds of knowledge,

Cultivating my love of learning

And helping me to Grow and Blossom this year.

It was a quick and easy project which was good since this year I had 9 teachers between the 3 kids.

Supplies:
Bakers Twine from The Twinery
Memento Ink
Copic Markers
Herbal Expressions stamp set from Stampin' Up!
Card Stock
Scrap Material

Sneaking in some Friday Fun

It’s April 15th so Sherry challenged:

It’s Tax Day and since you have to FILE by today I want you to make a FILE Folder Notebook.

Tutorial here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/filefoldernotebook/

I made mine super simple and a little masculine.  My husband will actually use these little notebooks and padfolios when we are working on household projects.  The receipts and paint samples etc can go on one side and he can write down all the measurements on the other.  I think he will appreciate using this one more than one with flowers and ribbon on it :)

I know that Christi has hers up as well, but I think the other girls had problems with supplies so they may be filing late ;)

FFC-Bookmark

**For the InStyle Stamps Blog Hop please scroll down to the next post :)**

Hiya.  I know, 2 posts in one day.  WOW!  Today we were to make a bookmark.  I happened to make a bookmark as a sample at CHA, so I cheated a little and am showing you that.  :)

The name of the stamp set is Tia and Cuddles from InStyle Stamps.  I made the ribbon extra long so that you can find your page easily.  The bookmarks actually fold over your page and I have thin magnets on the inside so that even if your book gets dropped the bookmark will stay put. 

Check out what the other Friday Fun Chicks have done:

Sara is back with us :)
Sherry
Christi
and Jimmi has a brand new stamping blog and a separate shopping blog.  HOW COOL IS THAT?

Baaaaaaa-sket InSpiration

It is InSpiration challenge day over at the InStyle Stamps blog today. 

The InSpiration piece is pretty cool:

When I saw the lines of the house and the levels it reminded me of basket weave.  So here is my little basket:

So I mimicked the colors a little by using the craft and the green and the golden egg candies reminded me of the glowing lights in the house.  I thought instead of the typical grass in the basket some cotton balls would be a fun play on the sheep.  What do EWE think?  Baaa-aaa-aaa.  Be sure to check out the InStyle Stamps Blog and show us what you come up with.

Valentine’s Day Blog Hop

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!  Today we are celebrating with style and hopping along a gazillion blogs.  Thanks to Taylor Usry for organizing this hop filled with wonderfully talented ladies and awesome prizes from some great companies.  To find out more information please see Taylor’s blog. 

You should have hopped here from Jane Matsumoto’s Blog.

I decided that my girl’s teacher needs an extra special Valentine this year.  I mean, she deals with 20ish 4 and 5 year olds every day for 6 hours and I know that I depend on her to give me a  break from just 2 5 year olds.  So what is the traditional Valentine’s gift?  A dozen flowers.  Here are my sweet caramel kiss dozen of flowers.

 

I gave my Cricut a work out today making these little hearts for the flowers and several other hearts for the kids to make Valentine’s at school tomorrow and Tuesday at their parties.  (I’ll show you those later ;) )

As I said before the list of hoppers is tremendous:

Taylor Usry - http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/
Libby Hickson - http://stampinlibby.blogspot.com/
Cindy Coutts - http://cindycoutts.com/
Cyndi Bundy - http://scrappychickcyndi.blogspot.com/
Amber Hillman - http://ambersantics.blogspot.com/
Angelique Nederpel - http://scrapping-angel.blogspot.com/
Tanya Johnson - http://little-scrapper.blogspot.com/
Suzi McKenzie - http://mrsweyremaster.blogspot.com/
Cathy Wallington - http://ellieskeeperscreations.blogspot.com/
Pam Hornschu - http://1pamperedstamper.blogspot.com/
Wendy Price - http://paperinkandsmiles.blogspot.com/
Patricia Hays - http://thinkingofinking.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Maria Levine - http://riacreations.blogspot.com/
Sandie Dunne - http://sandieshores.blogspot.com/
Juanita Gillen - http://stampintwilghtmom.blogspot.com/
Janelle Stollfus - http://rainpuddlesdesign.blogspot.com/
Mary Collins - http://www.softangelkisses.blogspot.com/
Berenice Rendon - http://karbersweetescape.blogspot.com/
Cheryl Gorka - http://shestamps.blogspot.com/
Jessica Fitzgerald - http://jkfitzgerald.blogspot.com/
Dee Morris - http://sprytebyrd.blogspot.com/ -
Darsie Bruno - http://www.craftingwithdarsie.blogspot.com/
Sandy Allnock - http://acolourfulworld.blogspot.com/
Margie Cortina - http://ohbumbleismemargie.blogspot.com/
Kathy Fronczak - http://pixieduststudio.blogspot.com/
Cat Darling - http://catscraftycorner.blogspot.com/
Joyce Martens (Jolara) - http://jolaras.blogspot.com/
Erin Leveille -http://stamptillucramp.blogspot.com/
Gudrun Loennecken- http://papirbloggen.blogspot.com/
Mackenzie Bruckler - http://midnightscramper.blogspot.com/
Melissa (Pink Cat) - http://pinkcatstudio.blogspot.com/
Patty Tanuz - http://cardsbypattytanuz.blogspot.com/
Emily Leiphart - http://www.leiphartonart.blogspot.com/
Jane Matsumoto - http://whoopsiedaisy-jane.blogspot.com/
Kimme Leach - http://kimme-thelifeofaprincess.blogspot.com/ – <3 YOU ARE HERE <3
Kerry Kung - http://kerryischilling.blogspot.com/
Heather Lee-Reppen - http://inkonmyear.blogspot.com/
Rachel Sztonyk - http://gingerbreadgallery.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Dove - http://just4funcrafts.blogspot.com/
Lysa Q- http://lysaq.blogspot.com/
Erica Johnson-Wanzer - http://www.inkedupandreadytoplay.com/
Tina Kiehn - http://kiehn10.blogspot.com/
Sugar Whiting - http://sugscardsnmore.blogspot.com/
Karin Martin - http://karin-withaniforpaper.blogspot.com/
Sunghee Chon - http://www.creativityinprogress.com/blog/
Tanis Palmer - http://tannyps-rubbish.blogspot.com/
Lindsey Martin-Penny - http://www.bashfulblogging.blogspot.com/
Kristi Parker Van Doren - http://kristiscreativecafe.blogspot.com/
Julie Elak - http://www.lastminutecrafter.blogspot.com/
Alison Heikkila - http://alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/
Audrey E - http://hippieaud.blogspot.com/
Laura Drahozal - http://www.rememberinglifesmoments.blogspot.com/
Louise Healy - http://www.artfullyarticulate.blogspot.com/
Wendy Jordan - http://www.papertherapy-wendy.blogspot.com/
Lynell Harlow - http://www.dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com/
Terrece Siddoway - http://www.made4ubyt.blogspot.com/
Liz Martin - http://www.blackcatsstudios.blogspot.com/
Kim Reid - http://kraftinkimmiestamps.blogspot.com/
Beth Ranney-Thomas - http://inkyfingersrule.blogspot.com/

Be sure to leave comments along the way.  We have 19 companies offering 21 prizes for comments left on the blogs.  You have until 6pm EST on Thursday to leave a comment, prizes will be posted on Friday.   

So this means that you need to hop on over to see Kerry now. 

Oh, and if you happen to see any of the Hershey Kisses with caramel in your store, pick up as many bags as you can.  I plan on buying them all out around here today.  They are AWESOME!!!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!

InStyle Stamps Blog Hop

Happy Black Friday all.  You should have hopped here from Genevieve, if not you will want to be sure to go back and make sure you see all the great projects today.  Today at the InStyle Stamps Blog we were to make a project based on our favorite Holiday song.  My song is, “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.”  I made this little note box filled with gift tags for Christmas gifts. 

 

I like this box because it holds 3x5” note cards that you could use to make your many Christmas lists, and since there are tiny dividers you could also keep all your receipts in one place. 

Now, your job is to go back to the InStyle Stamps Blog and vote for your favorite project and leave a comment for a chance to win a grab bag worth $25. 

Supplies:
BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses, Misc Ribbon, Bazzill Card Stock, Copic Markers, Note Box (Target)

A Thanking We Will Go Blog Hop

I am pleased to be hopping today with a group of talented artists in the A Thanking We Will Go Blog Hop.  Our assignment was to make a grateful hostess gift.  I have had several wooden blocks laying around since I unmounted my stamps in the spring and this seemed like the perfect time to use some.

 
I painted the blocks with acrylic paint  and used ModPodge to add the Basic Grey paper from the Indian Summer line.  I cut the letters using my Cricut and the Jasmine cartridge on Pear Pizzaz card stock and used my favorite Neenah paper to print my image of Virginia from InStyle Stamps.  I finished off the piece with a few buttons I found on the clearance rack at Michael’s. 
Be sure to visit the other talented ladies in the hop.
Jessica - http://www.kinderstampo.com/
Alex - http://www.youhadmeatcraft.com/
Cheryl - http://www.Cheryl-gibson.blogspot.com/
Debbie - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/
Iva - http://ivarai.com/
Jessica Baker - http://thatzuneek.blogspot.com/
Kimberlee – You are here!!!
Linda - http://www.krazyquilling.com/
Liz - http://lizspaperloft.blogspot.com/
Madison - http://www.funkycards.blogspot.com/
Martha - http://dreamofcrafting.blogspot.com/
Meighen - http://scrappin3rdeeschik.blogspot.com/
Nicki - http://canadiannickelscrapn.blogspot.com/
Shelley - http://heartstring-designs.blogspot.com/
Sigrid - http://lovescrapreflect.blogspot.com/
Vickie - http://twochicksonalimb.blogspot.com/
Jessica - http://www.kinderstampo.com/p/thanking-we-will-go-blog-hop_12.html

Knocking out Breast Cancer

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness this month InStyle Stamps has something very special for you. 

Because we love our fans and care about cancer awareness, we are giving these images away to anyone who wants them. That's right - giving them away! To get an image for free, all you have to do is shoot us an email telling us which image you'd like and share a link to your project here on the InStyle Stamps Blog within 10 days. If we don't see a project from you, you'll get an invoice from us for $2 per unused image. All of the proceeds will go to cancer charities, so either way it's a win! You are welcome to just outright purchase the images, too - let us know that in your email.
The images will be available for free until October 31st. A full preview of all available images are available on the InStyle Stamps Blog.

Here is what I did with a few of the images.

 

I made these key chains using some fabulous beads from www.JesseJamesBeads.com and printed the images on some shrink plastic.  I LOVE these.  I am so happy with myself.  I plan on making many more and selling them. 

Now go get these images and show us what you can do with them!!!

Hang in There – New Release from ISS

Hey all!  It’s Release Week at InStyle Stamps Blog and today I am showing off a project I made using Hang in There.  This digital image will be available in the InStyle Stamps Store TOMORROW!  Woohoo! 

I made this name frame for one of my twins  to go over her bed.  The old name plaque I had for them was Noah’s Ark and they are “Big Girls” now, 4 years old, so it is time for something new.  Reganne is all about Pink and Polka Dot’s and her favorite animal is a monkey.  I have had to hide this from her for now, until I can get one finished for her sister, but that one will have Ellie the Elephant on it and more purple.  I am thrilled with the way this came out.  The spacing between the a and the n was perfect for the little vine to span.

Be sure to join us tomorrow night at Paper Craft Planet for our Release Party. 

Royal Kat Monday - A Recipe for Cute

I hope you are enjoying your long weekend.  We are headed up to our local parade today which my kids all LOVE.  Nothing better then sitting outside watching the youngest scouts, high school bands and Veterans all marching together.

You should have hopped here from Wynneth's blog, if not you will want to go back to the Queen Kat Designs Blog so you can catch all the inspiration.  This week we were to make anything but a card.  I have had this idea floating in my head and finally took the time to make it.  I unmounted my rubber stamps this winter and saved all the wood blocks.  I used one of the larger blocks and turned it into a recipe card holder.  I have visions of using other blocks for photo holders.

Details
Stamps: Cookie the Baker
Paper: Ava-BasicGrey
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers
Accessories: Wood block, Clothes Pin, White Spray Paint, Nesties Labels 4

Now hop on over to see what Keely has waiting for you.  Then hop on over to the Queen Kat Designs store  and get FREE Shipping Come over and order anything you'd like in any amount and get your order shipped for FREE. Use Coupon code: shipmem10 valid 5/31/10 only

Come back on Wednesday and see samples of the new release and grab up some new cuteness at the QKD store.

Happy Valentine's Day

 

 

I made this Valentine banner a few weeks ago and have been saving it to show you all.   Nothing is stamped, I just used my Cricut to cut the letters and the scallops.  I added some White Gel Pen to make the letters pop more, a few packs of Valentine's Stickers to embellish with, old Large Heart eyelets from Stampin' Up! and strung it on Red polka dot ribbon.  I have plenty of extra ribbon there so I can hang it wherever I want.

Friday Fun Tea Box

Hi all.  This week we were to make something "tea themed."  I was so excited, remember way back last spring when my girls had a tea party with one of the neighbors?  I had an idea back then that I never got to carry out.  I was simply going to cover the box of tea with decorative paper so it would look cute in my cabinet.  I still haven't gotten around to doing that....BUT I did go out and buy a few little boxes to alter.  Some friends are celebrating their birthdays this weekend and I thought these little boxes filled with a tea assortment would be a cute little gift. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The paper and stamps are from Basic Grey.  I used Stampin' Up! Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery and Only Orange as my ink and solid papers.

If you are going to play along, you only need to make a card or anything you feel like.  Just leave a link back here so we can see what you have done. 

As always, be sure to check out what the other chicks have done.  Jimmi and Sara are headed out to CHA so be sure to keep an eye on their blogs throughout the week for details.

Queen Kat Contest Phase 2

Hi all!  I am in the running for a Design Team position over at Queen Kat Designs, for this phase we were to design one card and one altered project.  Well, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do for the altered project, so I did 2 of those PLUS a card.  Over achiever I know...HAHA!

#1- Your So Sweet Card

I decided to do another inside out card.  I had so much fun with it yesterday and I thought I was so cleaver with this sentiment I couldn't help but show it off.  I didn't have anything I liked, so I actually printed the sentiment using my MS Word.  I think this little monster will make a sweet little Valentine for a young boy.

 

Details

Stamps: Furry Lil Monsters-Queen Kat Designs
Paper: White, Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Lime Rickey-BasicGrey
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers
Accessories: White Metal Dots-Colorbok, Label Punch, Corner Rounder, Heart Brads-Recollections
Layout: SplitcoastStampers Sketch Challenge #246

#2- Sweet Cookies

This little cutie just begged for me to bake something for her to adorn.  I made this little treat bag and used Cookie the Baker to decorate it.  She is such a special little baker she deserved lots of sparkle and bling.

 

 Unfortunately, when I went to load the cookies into the cellophane bag inside the box, the frosting got a bit smooshed.  I had visions of a pretty heart cookie in the window, so lets just pretend it didn't smear all over the bag, ok? Ok! 

Details

Stamps: Cookie the Baker-Queen Kat Designs

Paper: White, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Sugar Rush-BasicGrey, Acetate Sheet

Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers, Stardust Gel Pen

Accessories: Standard Circle-Nestabilities, Standard Scallop-Nestabilities, Large Oval Punch, Swarovski Chrystals, Scor Pal, Shear Pink Ribbon, Large Cellophane Bag, Cookies

#3 - Sparkling Fairy Treasure Box

If you have little girls in your life then you have lots of "gems" and treasures around your house.  We try to keep all the dress up clothes and jewelry in one bin, but that rarely works, so MAYBE if they have a fairy treasure box will keep all their precious jewels in it.

 

 

You can see there is a lot of sparkle to this box.  I had to be sure to have 2 fairies on the box, my little pink fairy and my little purple one.  I wonder what color fairy I will have to add when Peanut is old enough to have an opinion.

Details

Stamps:  Fairy Lili-Inky Impressions
Paper: White, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Sugar Rush-BasicGrey
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers, Pretty in Pink Craft Ink, Almost Amethyst Craft Ink
Accessories:  Swarovski Chrystal Swirls, Dazzling Diamonds, Stardust Stickles, Cricut Tinker Bell and Friends Cartridge, Wooden Box

I have had fun coming up with projects for this contest.  I wish everyone the best of luck.  Now where do I send these bribe cookies? ;)

The End of Christmas 2009

Due to our huge snow storm the weekend before Christmas the kids never got to have their Christmas parties and programs at school.  Since it was our first year of pre-school I think I was way more disappointed then they were, but they did have a small New Year's party on their first day back yesterday.  Naturally, even though I had 2 extra weeks to work on them, the teacher gifts were not completed until yesterday while the girls were at school.  We gave them  to their teachers when I went to pick them up.  The teachers were thrilled, and for as quickly as I made these 2 sets I am happy with the results too.  

Inside of set #1 a post it pad and a mini calendar.

Set #2

"Christmas Fudge" I also included

Cake Balls I made for the party.  I went with the New Years theme instead of making the Snowmen I had ready for the party the first time. 

Details

Paper: Razzelbery Lemonade, Rspberry Tart, Christmas Slab V, Bliss Blue, White

Accessories: Asst Ribbon from Offray Ribbon Outlet, Martha Stuart Snowflake Punch.

A year of LESS

Some friends of mine were discussing their word of the year for 2010 and I thought it sounded like a great idea.  My word for this coming year is LESS.

Less Weight (don't we all say this?)
Less Clutter
Less Mess
Less Aggravation with the Kids and more playing
Less Spending
Less Procrastination

So far I am doing well.  I have had a tummy bug that is helping me with the weight :) My wonderful husband went to Ikea on New Years Eve and bought some new items to help with the clutter and the mess AND has already built/installed them all.  I actually planned out our dinner menu this week to make grocery shopping LESS expensive and have used some of my pantry items so there is LESS.  This first week is a success....so far.  Just to keep me on track for the rest of the year I decided to make a little magnetic calendar with my word of the year on it.  I can keep it on my stamp desk to remind me of my goals. 

I stamped the square image from the Priceless stamp set in Melon Mambo and then inked up just the last for letters of the word Priceless from that same set using Rich Razzelberry.  I think it looks like that was the word all along.  It may not be the most spectacular thing ever, but I am really happy with it.

Details

Stamps: PriceLESS
Paper: Razzelberry Lemonade, White, Rich Razzelberry
Ink:  Rich Razzelberry, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Prima Flowers, Chipboard Coaster, Magnets,

Friday Fun #62

Sorry I am so late to post this.  Just like everyone else I am in the Christmas Rush to get things done, and one of my kids picked last night to get SICK.  I think I finally have all the laundry done from that....eeeeewwww.  So now you know that I have a good excuse, here is my creation for this week's challenge.  Jimmi challenged us to use Red, Blue and Yellow in our creations.  I started out making a card, and then at the last second decided to make a hot cocoa packet holder....one problem, I don't have any cocoa packets just Chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast, so that will have to do for now. 

I love this little guy from Inky Antics.  I wish you could see all the glittery goodness I added to this card.  This is one time when the photograph doesn't do the card justice.  I used the clear gel pen on the nose, hoofs and antlers, and the Clear Star glittery gel pen on the cup and to highlight the yellow dots in the paper.  I also used the Blue gel pen to highlight the blue dots and to add an element around the image and sentiment. When all was said and done, it still needed some ribbon and something else, that's when I added the hole for the candy cane and tied the ribbon to it.  Over all I think this came out pretty cute. 

 

Details

Stamps:  CandyCane Reindeer
Paper: Lime Rickey-BasicGrey, Bliss Blue, White
Ink:  Momento Rich Cocoa.
Accessories: Ribbon, Clear Star Gel Pen, Glaze Gel Pen, Blue Gel Pen, 1/2" circle punch, candy cane, chocolate milk packet

Be sure to check out the other Friday Fun Girls' creations and if you play along add a link in the comments.  Have a great week!

Boxes

Wow! Has it really been that long since my last post. Sorry guys. I have been very busy getting ready for the Holidays as I am sure that you are as well. I thought I would share with you a quick project that I did last night.


I really hate giving gift cards as presents, but some times it just can't be avoided. If I am going to be forced to give a gift card to someone I may as well package it up nice and pretty. I tried to convince my husband that he needed to eat 5 tins of Altoids, but for some reason he wouldn't do it so there went that idea. Then I looked around at a cute little 2-5-7-10 box that Kim (NutsyMuhl) made for me and realized that it was the perfect size to slip a gift card into and I could wrap a few nuggets as well. Now that's a gift!! I even made things a bit easier on myself and used some Stampin' Up! Dashing Decorative Paper so I didn't need to stamp it. I did stamp the emblem on the front using Riveting.

I also have two nieces who will be turning 14 within the next two weeks. Gift Cards are all they really want, sigh, so I made them some boxes as well. I used the Prints Designer Series Papers in Rose Red and Groovy Guava for their boxes and stamped the emblem with Priceless.