Papertrey's August Blog Hop

Hello everyone! I'm so glad you could stop by here! Here I am participating in my very first Papertrey Blog Hop! I can't wait to see what all these talented bloggers have come up with! This is also my first take on a brown paper bag book (I've only seen one, and my friend showed it to me after she made it at a workshop), and this is my first scrapbook. I've been strictly a card maker up until this point...

Last week I had the pleasure to go on a field trip with my three-year-old twins at a Nature Center. We had little brown bags with scavenger lists stapled to them and we were supposed to have the children find everything on the list. As we were approaching the half-way mark, I realized I'd be making a paper-bag book for the Blog Hop! This is a work-in-progress paper-bag book. I'm waiting to take my children on a fall walk during late September, early October, so the pages might change by then, but the great thing about this book is that it's so easy to add pages. To start, I took three paper bags, and snipped the end off of the bottom of the bag, laying them down alternate top and bottom. This leaves six open-ended pockets for each page - for slipping in cardstock for journaling about our fall walk, for things the kids find, or for pictures we take. Can't wait for this part! I used small post-it notes to lay-out my design, and went through the whole book stamping the words (especially LEAF), then going back with the leaf stamps, then the die-cuts, followed by journaling inserts. I was going to bind this book with a twig and rubberband, but the rubberband was harder to come by in my stamp room, so I used twine. The three twigs shown here are ones that my kids collected during our field trip. I'm really looking forward to my fall walk(s) with my kids. I hope you'll make a book of your own for yourself, children, or grandchildren. I'm also thinking I'll be making leaf walk books with my first graders this year. Thanks for stopping by and I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs and being inspired!

Supplies: Paper: three brown paper bags, Vintage Cream cardstock (Papertrey) Stamps: Leaf Prints, Fresh Alphabet, Mini Scrapbook Series: Tabs, Mini Scrapbook Series: Library Ledger (all Papertrey) Ink: Rusty Brown StazOn (Tsukineko), Timber Brown StazOn (Tsukineko), Tangelo Memento (Tsukineko), Creamy Caramel (SU!), and Chocolate Chip (SU!) Embellishments: Twine, Twigs Tools: Leaf Print Dies (Papertrey), Mini Scrapbook Series: Tab die (Papertrey), Cuttlebug

Amanda's Notepad

Hello again! After making one of my friend's daughters a card for her high school graduation, her mom told me that Amanda loves writing lists. A girl after my own heart! This was quick and easy to make using one of my most favorite designer papers ever - Cosmo Cricket - Girl Friday line. I just bought more in hopes they won't be retiring it soon! I learned of these notebooks from Papertrey's Michelle Wooderson's Mish Mash blog. If you do a search for notebooks on her blog, you'll find fantastic inspirations. I want to make more of these before the start of school for all of my teacher friends, and since my munchkins are off to preschool this year, I want to make their teachers some too. There are different ways to keep this notebook closed, but I chose a binder clip that I glued some matching designer paper. Thanks as always for stopping by!

Supplies: Certainly Celery cardstock (SU!), Girl Friday designer paper (Cosmo Cricket); Papertrey Spring Mix Buttons, Crystalline Buttons, Binder Clip, Scallop edge punch (SU!), Papertrey white notepad

Thank You (again!) The Play Date Cafe

Thanks to the Play Date Cafe for my Cream in Our Coffee Recognition for this week's no. 42 challenge! I think I'll be making button trees for awhile and encourage everyone to try one! They're so much fun. It's a delight to play at such a fun place with so much inspiration, talent, and support! Thank you! Can't wait to play again soon...

Off the Wall Craftiness Color Challenge No. 20 Entry No. 3

Hello again...my apologies again...here's my third entry for Kim Wilson's Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge No. 20. . I'm not thrilled with it, but as the deadline is approaching, it's my final try. I've been trying for days! I won't even show you the other hypothetical cards I attempted to make. I lost so much mojo I was going to attempt to use a sketch, and still nothing came to me! So, I'm stopping here and hope the mojo will quickly return. Thanks for visiting even during the not so great cards!

Supplies: Paper: Cool Caribbean (SU!) and White (Papertrey) Stamps: Polka-Dot Posies (SU!) and Swirl (Daisy Bucket Designs) Ink: Lulu Lavender and Sweet Plum Memento Dew Drops (Tsukineko) Buttons: Crystalline Button Assortment Tools: Stitch, Doodle, Dot (thecraftersworkshop.com)

Off the Wall Craftiness Color Challenge No. 20 Entry No. 2

Hello everyone! First off, I need to apologize. Neither this entry for Kim Wilson's Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge No. 20. or my next entry are my favorite. I've lost my mojo for this color challenge! The inspiration photos are beautiful too which makes it more frustrating! I've tried for three days now, and hopefully it will come back soon! Ever have those stamp sets that you buy and you just can't seem to do anything you LOVE with them? This is the case with this set. I feel the need to visit Splitcoaststampers and get some inspiration! I've never stamped anything with this set before. It's been hidden behind other sets. Thanks for stopping by, and if you have some inspiration or some suggestions for this stamp set, please let me know! I'd love to hear! Supplies: Paper: White (Papertrey) Stamps: Reason to Smile (SU!) Ink: Cool Caribbean (SU!) Sweet Plum and Lulu Lavendar Memento Dew Drops (Tsukineko) Ribbon: Aruba Satin Sensations (Morex Corp.) Rhinestones: Kaiser Craft Tools: Large Tag Punch (SU!)

Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge No. 20

Hello! Here's my first entry (hope to make two more this week!) for Kim Wilson's Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge No. 20. This challenge had me at the hydrangeas - LOVE them! Not sure if Kim has seen the September issue of Real Simple magazine, but it's the same color combo - nice job Kim staying with the trends!

This is my third time using this layout, and it seems to be working. Read here for more info. One thing I've found doing color challenges - I don't have all colors! I picked up this Memento ink pad at the store for a previous purple color challenge, but I'm not a purple girl. So, I had to cheat and use SU! Rich Razzleberry which is more plum. Trying to make it work here! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Paper: White & Hawaiian Shores (Papertrey), Rich Razzleberry (SU!)

Stamps: Lined Background (Impress), Canvas & Be Happy (SU!)

Ink: Cool Caribbean (SU!), Sweet Plum Memento (Tsukineko)

Embellishments: Twine, Paris Dewdrops, Silver Hodgepodge brad (SU!), brad

Tools: Tag punch (Fiskars)

The Play Date Cafe Challenge No. 42

Hello again, Here's my second entry for The Play Date Cafe Challenge No. 42. My second idea for the colors of dark brown, beige, and green was recycling, trees, and anything earthy. I recently made a card with this layout, read here, so I decided to use it again for this card. I've learned a hard lesson...months ago, I went to two stamping things in one day - one in the morning, and one late at night. My car is our family car and my trunk typically fills up to the brim, we empty it out, and then we start all over again. I've been missing my Cuttlebug embossing folders for awhile now, but when I asked my husband where they were, he said, "I'm sure they're in a bag in the garage." WHAT??? They might never be seen again, and I'd rather stamp than rummage, so I had to improvise for texture here. I used a paper crimper (fed the cardstock in both ways) and my trusty scor-pal in different directions. I hope you can see this! I've also made a button tree card recently, but I wanted to make a smaller one here. My brother-in-law's birthday celebration has been postponed, so I made him a new and improved birthday card! Thanks for stopping by! Supplies: Paper: Kraft(misc.), Old Olive & Chocolate Chip(SU!) Stamps: Be Happy & Branch Out (SU!), Lined Background (Impress) Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!) and VersaMark Embellishments: Buttons (Crystalline Buttons), Twine Tools: Paper crimper, scor-pal, 1 1/4 square punch, crop-a-dile, lots of glue dots!

The Play Date Cafe Challenge No. 42

Hello everyone. I have two entries for this week's The Play Date Challenge No. 42. I couldn't play last week...I spent an embarassing amount of time with the yellow, rust, and cream color combination, but I just couldn't get away from ketchup and mustard! The ladies really outdid themselves with such beautiful creations - and I lost all my mojo! So I was relieved when I had two ideas instantly pop in my head when I saw this color combination of dark brown, beige, and green. I first thought of houses and dark chocolate roofs. I'm giving this card to my sister for her new house purchase. I want her to get some fun mail as soon as they've moved in! This house reminds me of Poulsbo, WA's downtown area of little shops. I miss them! Thanks for stopping by! Supplies: Paper: Chocolate Chip & Old Olive (SU!), Kraft (misc.) Stamps: Love from Mixed Messages (Papertrey), Lined Background (Impress), Canvas (SU!) Ink: Chocolate Chip ink and marker (SU!) Embellishments: Silver hodgepodge (SU!), Flame Dewdrops, heart brad Tools: scor-pal, crop-a-dile

Embellish Magazine Color Challenge Quirky-Cutesy-Clean-Style

Hello! I borrowed a book from the library yesterday called, Originals: Handcrafted Cards Made Easy by Jeanette R. Lynton. Typically when I check a book out at the library (paper crafting related), I'm disappointed because they're out of date. This book was published in 2008 and I'm really impressed. I definitely will buy it. It has card sketches, examples, and the best part for me??? Measurements for all the card sketches! This card follows one of her sketches (pg. 84 Log Cabin), however, I still tweaked the measurements so I could use 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock.

Here is my entry for Embellish Magazine Color Challenge Quirky-Cutesy-Clean Style. Embellish Magazine's color challenges are always pretty challenging for me, but this one was my easiest one yet! When it said "quirky-cutesy-clean-style" I thought, I don't do that! Just the simple part can throw me! But I pulled out Punny Sayings by Stampin' Up! and Papertrey's Tiny Treats Valentines. I left them on the table and went to sleep last night, and easily put this together today. I used Versamark on all cardstock, but I'm not sure if it will show up in my photo, so I just wanted to tell you about the boat and the water. Since I don't have any waves stamps, I was hoping to give the water some texture and used the two sayings "You're a Great Catch" and "I love you" repeatedly. The boat has "I love you" on it. I think I'll give it to my sister so she can give it to my brother-in-law - he's so into fishing! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: ***Notice no ribbon or buttons on this card!!!*** Cardstock: Kraft (misc.), Aqua Mist (Papertrey), Groovy Guava(retired SU!), Vintage Cream (Papertrey) Stamps: Canvas (SU!) & Tiny Treats Valentine (Papertrey) Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip (SU!) Embellishments: Twine & DMC floss

Everything But the Kitchen Sink Winner!

Hello everyone! Just a quick note before I'm off to bed. I have math class tomorrow! I just found out tonight that I was the winner of Everything But the Kitchen Sink Challenge 20: Buttons. My button tree card is the one that won! Thanks to the design team and the prize of Simon Says Stamp. Ummm, wow...that site is amazing...I don't think much is left out there! Very fun place to play if you get the chance! Thanks again and thanks for stopping by!

Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge No. 19 Entry No. 3

I had intended to make a notepad for Amanda with these colors (these are her favorite!) but when I found my designer paper, I thought they were a little too off, so went with a card instead. I love these designer papers - they're from Lush, and they really just are - Lush! They have velvety ones in the store too. :) This is my last entry for Kim Wilson's Off the Wall Craftiness No. 19 Challenge. I was really surprised by how much I liked this color combination! Thanks for stopping by! Supplies: Stamps: Be Happy (SU!) Paper: Vintage Cream (Papertrey), Certainly Celery (SU!), Designer Paper (Lush) Ink: Certainly Celery (SU!) Embellishments: Lemon Tart Ribbon (Papertrey), Spring Mix Buttons (Papertrey), Crystalline Buttons, Rhinestone (Kaiser Craft)

Off the Wall Craftiness No. 19 Challenge Entry No. 2

When I thought of this card I thought of those candied necklaces on the stretchy rope. Papertrey's Everyday Button Bits has got to be one of the cutest sets I own. I doubt I'll ever tire of it! I loved this color combination for the flowers, so I kept this card simple. I really did try to figure out how to get a ribbon on this card, but that one pink button was just too big! This is my second entry for Kim Wilson's Off the Wall Craftiness No. 19 Challenge. Thank you for stopping by! Supplies: Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey) Paper: Vintage Cream (Papertrey) Ink: Old Olive (SU!) Embellishments: Spring Mix Buttons (Papertrey)

Off the Wall Craftiness No. 19 Challenge

This is a beautiful color combo - I could make cards with these colors over and over again. This is my first entry I've made for Kim Wilson's Off the Wall Craftiness No. 19 Challenge. This one is simple, but it's just so cheery! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Paper: Pretty in Pink (SU!), Stamper's Select White (Papertrey), Text Style 2009 Bitty Dot Basics (Papertrey), Lemon Tart (Papertrey), ? In Color Brown (SU!)

Ink: Rouge Chalk Color Box (Clearsnap)

Embellishments: Lemon Tart Twill Ribbon (Papertrey), Antique White Hodgepodge (SU!)

Tools: 1 1/4 inch circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch (both EK Success), scallop punch (SU!), mat pack (SU!)

Mojo Monday Challenge 150

My daughter and I were browsing the Pottery Barn Kids catalog the other day and of course, she wants everything. She's three! I loved the Coco Dots nursery set with these colors. Here's my entry for the Mojo Monday Challenge 150. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Paper: Aqua Mist, Text Style 2008 Bitty Box Basics, and Text Style 2009 Bitty Dot Basics (Papertrey), White, Certainly Celery (SU!)

Stamps: Lovely Labels and Canvas (SU!)

Ink: Rouge Chalk Colorbox (Clearsnap) and Certainly Celery (SU!)

Embellishments: Buttons (Crystalline Buttons), Dark Chocolate Ribbon (Papertrey)

Tools: Fancy Flower Punch (SU!), 1 inch circle, 1 3/8 inch circle and 1 1/4 inchcircle punches (EK Success), corner rounder (EK Success)

Embellish Magazine's Birds Color Challenge

This week has been long, so I was overjoyed when my husband and I planned some "Mommy" time so I could come upstairs and play! Especially as we're not sure how this evening will go with night two of no paci's (my usual stamping time).

Here's my entry for Embellish Magazine's Birds Color Challenge. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Paper: White (Papertrey), Chocolate Chip and Old Olive (SU!)

Stamps: Friends 24-7 and Bella Toile (SU!), Blooming Button Bits (Papertrey)

Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Chestnut ? Chalk Colorbox (Clearsnap), and Rouge Chalk Colorbox (Clearsnap)

Tools: Textile Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Apron Lace punch (Fiskars), sponge

Embellishments: Seam-binding ribbon (Memriemare Etsy shop), fancy petal punch (SU!), button, Grass dewdrops

OTWC No. 18....I'm a winner!

After what has felt like a very long day, one of my little ones is still asking for a paci (it was our official give up the paci day) as I type this. I was so surprised and thrilled to see MY name on Kim Wilson's blog, Off the Wall Craftiness No. 18 Challenge Winner. It was this card, for my yiayia, that won.

Now check out the prize - (smile, smile, smile!) which, knowing how much I love to make flowers, is fantastic! Thanks Kim for a great challenge and Birds of a Feather Etsy shop for the prize! Thanks for stopping by!

Everything But the Kitchen Sink Challenge 20: Buttons

I love, love, love buttons (as in, I bought $50 worth once I got all of Papertrey's Everyday Button Bits, Blooming Buttons Bits, and Holiday Button Bits), so when I saw Everything But the Kitchen Sink's Challenge 20: Buttons, I knew I had to participate! I noticed a cute card on Kim Wilson's Blog for her Off the Wall Craftiness challenge and found Ayana's Creations. Wow, wow, wow. She inspired me to make this card with her rhinestone tree and button tree! The problem for me was I don't own any tree stamps, and I had to improvise. So, I free-handed a simple trunk, put it through the paper crimper, sponged it, and then dumped a whole lot of green buttons on top. It looks more time-consuming than it actually was. I used a whole lot of glue dots! The bigger buttons have 3D glue-dots underneath which helped the little ones stick around it. Thanks for stopping by! Hope you get to play - contest ends Sunday! Supplies: Embellishments: Buttons (Crystalline Buttons), Twine Tools: 1 1/4 circle punch, paper crimper, clear-embossing powder Stamps: Blooming Bits (Papertrey) and Be Happy (SU!) Paper: Soft Sky (SU!), Kraft (misc.), Vintage Cream (Papertrey) Ink: Old Olive (SU!), Rouge chalk ink (Colorbox)

The Play Date Cafe Colour Splash PDCC No. 40 Entry No. 2

Here's my second entry for the Play Date Cafe's Colour Challenge PDCC No. 40 this week. I brought out too oldie sets for this card - Best Blossoms (2006) and Too Terrific Tags (2006). Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Black (Papertrey), White (Papertrey) Bright White (Sundance Felt) It's got a fantastic texture. (I've been using my Papertrey's White a little too freely and at the rate I'm going, I'll be out before I can even get a shipment to my house!)

Stamps: Best Blossoms and Too Terrific Tags (SU!), Lined Background Stamp (Impress) Ink: Basic Black (SU!) and Wild Wasabi (SU!) Embellishments: Black Ribbon (Satin Sensations, Morex Corp.), eyelet, twine, ribbon Tools: tag punch, five petal punch (both SU!), corner rounder punch (EK Success), sponge

The Play Date Cafe Colour Splash PDCC No. 40 Entry No. 1

I've made two cards for the Play Date Cafe's Colour Challenge PDCC No. 40 this week. Here's my first entry. Initially when I began making this card, I masked a rectangular section in the middle of a white based card and sponged it black and then placed the flowers on it, which really reminded me of a coffin. So it still does. If this reminds you of a coffin, please comment so I won't send this card out to anyone! I would never intend to do that! Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Bright White (Sundance Felt) It's got a fantastic texture. (I've been using my Papertrey's White a little too freely and at the rate I'm going, I'll be out before I can even get a shipment to my house!)

Stamps: Friends 24-7 (SU!), Too Terrific Tags (SU!), Print Pattern (SU!)

Ink: Basic Black (SU!) and Wild Wasabi (SU!)

Embellishments: Ribbon (Satin Sensations, Morex Corp.), eyelet

Tools: tag punch, watercolor pen