Papertrey Ink's Fifth Anniversary Day 7 Challenge No. 2

My class, plus my teammate's class, plus my husband's class, will all be receiving these treats - a cute tag, candy tube, and pencil. I'm like an assembly line with them now! Here's my second entry for Nichole Heady's Day 7 Challenge for Papertrey Ink's Fifth Anniversary. My supplies are: PTI tiny treats Valentines, tremendous treats, tag die, real red ink (SU!) and basic gray ink (SU!)

Papertrey Ink's Fifth Anniversary Day 7 Challenge

I'm delighted to have some afternoon time to stamp and make this Valentine's day card for my husband as part of Nichole Heady's challenge for Papertrey Ink's Fifth Anniversary. Just last week I participated in a card swap and made a card very similar to this. Inside of the envelope, there's a little note on school-lined paper (we're both teachers) that says I love you. For this card, I used Papertrey's Tremendous Treats, Tag-its #11 stamp set, mini-envelope die, scor-tape, Martha Stewart red glitter, pool party cardstock (SU!), natural whites cardstock (SU!), and real red ink (SU!).

Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge No. 101

This weekend I received the good news my friend Anna gave birth to a baby boy! The colors of Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, and Bashful Blue for Pals Paper Arts color challenge no. 101 this week are perfect for a baby boy card! I was inspired by Teri Anderson's card. I also used a sketch I've used before, but I'm unable to find the magazine it came from. I used the scor-pal to give some texture to the Not Quite Navy layer. For the Marina Mist layer, I used a small star, baby sentiment, and small star, and lined them up on one acrylic block to make the background. After looking at this card for too long, I'd revise it if I made it again. The vellum stars and their placement make these pennant flags look as if they're tooth fairy wands to me. Yikes! Nevertheless, I hope she enjoys this card, I enjoyed making it for her and her new little one, besides the vellum stars! Thanks for stopping by! All Supplies are Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets: Pennant Parade, Perfect Punches, Mini Heart Punch, Cardstock/Paper: Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, vellum Ink: Marina Mist, Versamark Embellishments: Marina Mist taffeta ribbon, Hodgepodge star brads and brads (retired), toothpicks Tools: Scor-pal, Sponge, Petite Pennant Builder Punch, Itty Bitty Shape Punch, Modern Label Punch

I am one lucky gal!

Pals Paper Arts!!! 114. Melissa Hungria Beginner's luck agrees with me apparently! Yesterday I participated in the fabulous Pals Paper Arts' 100th challenge that also included some a.ma.zing blog candy. I'm the winner! I found out via my blog, thank you anonymous commenter. I can not wait to begin creating with all of these goodies - I am giddy right now! I'll be sure to continue to participate in the Pal Paper Arts' challenges so I can show the design team what I've been up to. Thank you generous design team for Pals Paper Arts!

PPA100 Pals Paper Arts 100th Challenge

I'm going to eek by to the finish line for this card since this weekend was filled with too much fun! This is my first Pals Paper Arts challenge, and one not to miss! The Pals Paper Arts team is celebrating their 100th challenge. I'm not sure this is a technique, but a go-to tool for me is my punches. I never make a card without one! This card uses six punches alone! However, if I had to use a technique, sponging is definitely up there on my list. I made this card for my friend Stephanie's birthday. As a new demonstrator, I showed her these new In Colors Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade, and she loved them both, so I wanted to make a card for her that incorporated them. Thank you for stopping by! All Supplies are Stampin' Up! : Stamp Sets: Perfect Punches, Elements of Style, Four Frames, Itty Bitty Bits, and Pennant Parade Ink: Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder Embellishments: Silver brads, 1/8 taffeta ribbon Tools: sponge, 1/8 circle punch, Decorative Label punch, Petite Pennants Builder punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Extra Large Oval punch (not shown but used for Happy Birthday), Large Oval punch(then trimmed)

Thank you ColourQ

It must be beginner's luck! My thanks go to ColourQ and their design team for a challenge I just completed for the first time. My graduation card (see prior post) was selected for Colour Courtier, with this badge. I'm honored and hope to play again soon! Thanks for stopping by, Melissa

colourQ no. 90 challenge

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the colourQ e-mail and the color combination I've been in love with for about six months now! This is my first colourQ challenge. I'm sharing three cards (although the first one is my official submission) because I just made this graduation card for Athena but also used nearly the same color combination for my twins' 4th birthday invitations and thank you cards. I am obviously in LOVE with Pennant Parade and the Petite Pennant Builder punch from Stampin' Up! Dust off the blog, here we go! Thank you for stopping by! Supplies are all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted: Bashful Blue cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Versamark ink, Poppy Parade ink, Pacific Point ink, Tempting Turquoise ink, Itty Bitty Bits stamp set, Pennant Parade stamp set, Petite Pennant Builder punch, white baker's twine, basic jewels, washi tape (from Ginko Papers), all sentiments are from Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink) Stampin' Up! supplies: Poppy Parade cardstock, Real Red cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Poppy Parade ink, Tempting Turquoise ink, dotted stamp Papertrey Ink supplies: no. 4 die, sentiment and tag stamp (from Mini Tags), tag die Embellishments: turquoise baking twine (Divine Twine), washi tape (from Ginko Papers) Supplies are all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted: Tempting cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Poppy Parade ink, Pacific Point ink, Tempting Turquoise ink, Pennant Parade stamp set, Petite Pennant Builder punch, Embellishments: washi tape (from Ginko Papers), red baker's twine (Divine Twine)

Make it Monday Challenge

Last night, I got to make a card for Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday Challenge. My husband asked me to make a birthday card for one of his team members, and her favorite color is green. This is what I came up with. Because I needed two thank you cards, I replicated the same thing - just with two different sentiments - You're so sweet and You've been so kind. Thanks for stopping by! Supplies: All Papertrey unless noted Paper: Simply Chartreuse cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!) Library Ledger designer paper Stamps: Everyday Button Bits and Blossom Button Set Ink: Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up!) and Early Espresso Ink (Stampin' Up!) Embellishments: Simply Chartreuse button, Simply Chartreuse ribbon, Rhinestones (Kaiser Scrapbook) Tools: scor-tape 1/2 inch size, Flower Extra Large Punch (Stampin' Up!)

Papertrey Ink's December Blog Hop

Winter break! A chance to play in Papertrey's Blog Hop!

Challenge: Holiday Leftovers It's that time again for our annual holiday leftovers challenge! Use scraps of wrapping paper, parts of holiday cards, recycle gift tags or bits of ribbon on a paper crafting project. We all have plenty of it laying around after all the holiday excitement and this is your chance to incorporate some of those pretty little things into an amazing piece of art!

I've always been pretty bad when it comes to wrapping gifts. I tend to have a lot of scrap paper left over which I've managed to save. I love Costco wrapping paper! I took two cues from Papertrey's leading ladies - I was inspired by Nichole using the scor-tape and glitter. Love. Inspiration came from Heather Nichols about kraft cardstock with white distressed edges. Thanks for stopping by and happy blog hopping! My Supplies: wrapping paper (Costco), whisper white craft ink (Stampin' Up!), basic black ink (Stampin' Up!), winter sentiment is from Peace Be Still (Papertrey Ink), white gold glitter (Martha Stewart), scor-tape (Papertrey Ink), kraft cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

My school hiatus

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that this blog is going to be neglected for a bit - I'm just giving fair warning! School begins tomorrow and I'll be focused on everything school-related for awhile. I still have two more cards to show (possibly this weekend), and my mom's birthday is coming up, so I'll be sure to share those when I get the chance! Thanks for stopping by and hope to be back very soon!

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)