Personalized Sign

As a Christmas gift last year I made a sign for one of my daughter's teachers. She got married over the summer so I made a new one for her at the start of the school year.
I cut the brown base and pink layer from cardstock I had on hand. The letters were cut on my Cricut. The patterned paper are scraps--I think most are My Mind's Eye. I used a die to cut them out and then sewed them on. The flowers were cut with a flower die from My Favorite Things and the green leaves are from a Martha Stewart punch. I added some brown ribbon to hang it and finished it off with a bit of pink baker's twine.

What's The Buzz?

I finally had some time in my stamp room and decided to see what I could do with the latest Deconstructed Sketch. I love this sketch. I was inspired by Tobi Crawford's take on it and came up with this. I love the hexagons and the yellow and gray is one of my favorite color combos.
I used a Spellbinder die to cut each of the hexagons, the yellow and gray papers are Bazzil cardstock and even though it is difficult to tell by the picture they are actually different shades. Most of the patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Breeze collection. I used the bow die from Lil Inker and the bee stamp is from There She Goes stamps Bee Happy set.
Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks Bunches!

It's the last week of school for my youngest daughter. It is so hard to believe how fast high school is flying by. Seems like just yesterday she was hopping on the bus to Pre-K and waving good-bye to her Dad and I. I tried to thank some of her teachers this year, we really wanted to remind them they are important and to thank them for all their hard work. I started with a card. The little cutie with the flowers hiding behind her back is Rosie Posy from Lili of the Valley. Isn't she the cutest? I colored her with copics and then cut the image out with a circle Nestabilities die. The patterned paper is from the My Mind's Eye Collectable collection called Notable. I love the oranges and blues in this stack!

Next I worked on decorating a glass jar. I put a band on solid cardstock around it and then added some flowers, a label cut with Verve's Classy Label Die and a chipboard V for the teacher's initial.

On the other side of the jar, I stamped the sentiment and added more blue rhinestones in the corner of the label.

I finished the top of the jar with more of the flowers cut with the Plentiful Petals die from My Favorite Things.  I love how the layers add dimension. The green scalloped circle was cut with a Nestabilities die and I added some rhinestones to really make the flowers pop. I filled the jar with chocolate chocolate chip cookies!
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You Rock My World

I made a Valentine's Day card for my hubby last week, but now I think I like this one better. I might just have to give him two! The stamp is from Verve. I stamped it in VersaMark ink and then embossed it. I cut the image out by hand. I ran the red cardstock through my Cuttlebug with the Modern Wallpaper embossing folder and then rounded the corners. The flags were cut with a Fishtail die from MFT and the edges are inked to give a little more depth. The patterned papers are from MME Tis the Season and MME Breeze.
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...Dreams

I am not usually a sentiment only type of card maker, but I fell in love with these great Words of Wisdom from Verve Stamps. I had never ordered from Verve before, but I am happy to say the service and quality is awesome. I had some technical difficulties on my end and they were quick to help me out--during the holiday rush no less and the stamps were on my doorstep lickity split! What more can a girl ask for?
I stamped the image and then used a Spellbinders Label 3 die to cut it out. While it was still in the die I highlighted it with some blue chalk. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye.
My youngest daughter is trying out for a school play this week, thought this card would be a perfect little boost to her confidence!
BTW did you happen to notice the Angie's Originals watermark? One of my 2013 goals is to learn some new things. I still need some practice on shading and sizing but I am getting there!
Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Pam!

A very close family friend is celebrating a birthday this week. She is one of my daughter's very best friends and takes excellent care of our Granddaughter while my daughter and son in law work. So, I couldn't let her birthday pass without sending a card!
I picked up this Some Odd Girl image a couple of weeks ago--knowing that you can never have too many birthday stamps! I colored the image with copics. The gorgeous red flowered paper is from Simple Stories Harvest Lane and the blue plaid is from My Mind's Eye On the Sunny Side. I used a MFT Fishtail Flag Stax die and a scalloped die as well. The pearls were white so I colored them to match!
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TSG Birthday Celebration Day 3

What is this five posts in less than a week? Yep. I told you I had a lot of stamping time this weekend! Been a long time since I have had this much free stamping time.

Day Three's challenge was an inspiration picture. I pulled out the My Little Friend set and got to work. I colored the little gnome with copics and then cut him out with a Spellbinders circle die. With the die still in place I drew a black circle around him. I used a scallop punch on some My Mind's Eye Nostalgia paper and then added a scalloped border with some pink pearls.
Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Doodlebird!

First off my apologies for the poor picture quality, not sure what the heck happened. {The truth is I wouldn't usually post this but it is for Gracie's birthday. Need to remember next time to check the picture quality before I drop the card in the mail!}
Gracie is three years old today. Hard to believe, my little doodlebird is growing up so fast.
The cutie hiding behind the presents is a stamp from DigiStamp Boutique. I colored her with copics and then cut the image out. I stamped the Wish BIG sentiment and then cut it out with a flag die. I added some pink rhinestones. The patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye Hip Hooray and Fine and Dandy.
Happy Birthday Gracie---Mimi loves you!!!

Bridal Shower gift card holder

My husband's cousin is getting married in June. The bridal shower is out of town and I am not going to be able to go. I wanted to make a special card for the bride to be and just another simple gift card holder. I saw something like this recently on someone's blog and for the life of me can't find it now. The card actually slides into the holder with a frame cut out for the main image to show through. The gift card is tucked inside the card--wish I had pics of that!!!

The stamp is a digital image from The Digi Stamp Boutiques Cute Wedding Collection. I colored the image with copics and then layered the image onto pink and gray mats. I cut the pink corners with a new die from My Favorite Things and then added some pearls. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye, leftover from Valentines day but works perfectly for this. I cut the frame with a Nestabilities die and then cut a smaller one in the holder. I finished it off with some baker's twine and a button.

Bless Our Home With Lots of Love

My oldest daughter and her family moved into a new apartment the first week of March. Gracie has a back yard that she loves and it is really close to my daughter's work. It is still way too far from Mimi and Poppy, but they are very happy.
I knew as soon as I saw the Home Sweet Home stamp set from Market Street Stamps that it would perfect for a housewarming gift. I used a Nestabilities die to cut the opening in the frame, love the corners.
I colored the house and tree (complete with tire swing) with copics and then cut them out. I found the sentiment and sun in the Day or Night stamp set from There She Goes Clear Stamps. Love it when it all comes together. I cut some cloud patterned paper from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Fly a Kite pad and then tore strips of green card stock. I layered the strips to give a little dimension.
I stamped the sentiment (little angels up above; bless our home with lots of love) and cut it out with a MFT first place award die-namic. I finished it off with a couple of green rhinestones.
Can't wait to get it in the mail!
Thanks for stopping by!

Float My Boat

I have admired this little cutie from There She Goes stamps for a while. I finally broke down and bought it last week--and a couple of others I have eyeing.
I colored the image with copics and then cut it out with a Nestabilities oval die. I used a postage stamp edge dynamic from My Favorite Things for my waves. I cut the little flags out and then colored with copies to match. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline Dilly Dally.
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Valentine's Day Box

I wanted to make something really special for my youngest daughter for Valentine's Day this year. It seems like she gets to see all the things I make as I am getting ready to mail them out to other people, so I think it is her turn. I made the box with my scor-pal and then used a Nestabilities die to cut the window out. I covered the window with clear acrylic and then used My Mind's Eye Love Me papers to decorate the top and bottom. I always make a test box with old paper I have on hand, gives me a chance to iron out all the kinks before using good, expensive paper. The hearts are felt that I cut out with the Heart Trio Cut Ups from The Cat's Pajamas. I added a few rhinestones for some extra sparkle.

 Detail shot of the side.

 I used stamps from The Cat's Pajamas to decorate the candy bar wraps.

Two clear acrylic boxes I made. I filled them with her favorite candy...Dove and Reese's.

 The inside of the finished box.
 Thanks so much for stopping by have a great Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Treats

 Even though my youngest daughter is in high school she still likes to give holiday gifts to a few of her favorite teachers. I decorated a couple of clear plastic paint cans with paper from My Mind's Eye Love Me collection. I added ribbon to the handle and then filled the containers with chocolate dipped pretzels.

This is a close up shot of the delicious treats. I have dipped pretzels quite a few times, but I saw these online (pinterest, I think, wish I could remember so I could give credit) and loved them. The sprinkles are so cute and by only dipping half the pretzel you have the bottom to hold without getting chocolate on your hands.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cutie Pie

This is Gracie's card for the week. The cutie pie image and sentiment is from Lawn Fawn. Isn't it the cutest? I colored the pie with copies and added some sparkle to the steam with spica glitter pen. I used some of my new My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline Dilly Dally patterned paper. MME has done it again, the Miss Caroline collection is to die for!!! I added some baker's twine and a button and then some wonky sewing to finish it off.

I stamped the sentiment on the onside and then added some more of the patterned paper and a little more sewing to finish it off. Cute and simple, love it! Thanks for stopping by!

Cupid

I love to make homemade Valentine's Day cards and treat holders, but I don't want to spend a small fortune doing it. I try to pick one or two great stamps and vary the paper and embellishments to make each one special. Even though I have used the Feeling Cupidy set on a few other cards, each one is different. This time I went with red and black, not my favorite colors but I love the My Mind's Eye Love Me paper. I colored cupid with copics and added a little red spica glitter to his bow and arrow. I cut the image out with a circle Nestabilities die and then added some lines around the edge. The heart is the Heart Trio Cut Ups from The Cat's Pajamas. I finished it off with the red scalloped borders cut with a MFT Open Scalloped Edge Die-Namic and the sentiment.
Thanks for stopping by!

Miles Above The Rest

My youngest daughter is in high school and while she doesn't have the big class parties anymore, she does like to give small treats to a few friends. I was downstairs in my stamp room over the weekend trying to brainstorm something that was cute but not cutesy. This is what I came up with.
I took a 3 1/2 x 2 inch paper bag and cut the top off with a zig zag die. I added some red and black cardstock and then used some My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Union Station patterned papers. I used my new Sizzix embossing folder on the red circle and then got to work on the bunny. I love this bunny and the sentiments that came with the set--perfect for lots of occasions. I colored the bunny with copies and then paper pieced his parachute with more of the Union Station papers. I stamped the sentiment and then cut it out with a First Place Ribbon Die from My Favorite Things. To finish it off I added some silver gems on the bottom and tied the bag shut with some baker's twine and a button (a la Jen Del Muro). I think these will be perfect for my daughter to fill with a few chocolates and give to a few special friends.
Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Ashley!

As hard as it may be to believe the little girl snuggling the naked doll in her rocking chair will be twenty six years old at the stroke of midnight. Yep, my oldest daughter is a New Year's baby! Having your birthday on a major holiday can be both a blessing and a curse, some years friends and family are a little partied out from the night before. My mom always reminds her that the whole world is celebrating with her. It also means that Christmas and your birthday are within a week of each other. For some reason in our family we have a ton of holiday birthdays--father in law celebrates his birthday the night before my daughter and my sister in law has two children one born on Christmas and one on St Patrick's day. Yep, we love a holiday birthday!

In honor of her birthday I got out the bunny stamps again--remember I told you he loves snow and cake, he is a mischievous little rabbit for sure! I colored him with copies and then used some liquid appliqué on the frosting, instead of heat setting it I added glitter and let it dry over night. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Madison Avenue. I love the pink, green, and brown color combo. Hope you have a wonderful holiday. Happy Birthday Ashley, love you!

Three Kings

These royal kings are part of a set of digital stamps I bought online from Digi Stamp Boutique. I printed them onto kraft paper and then colored them with copics and added some sparkle to their crowns and gifts with spica pens.
I cut the image out and then rounded the corners on the right side and added some blue rhinestones in the left corner. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye. The solid brown card stock was embossed with a snowflake folder. To finish it off I added a green seam binding bow.
As much as I love the cute and sparkly, my favorite Christmas cards are simple ones that remind us of the true meaning of the holiday.
Have a great day and thanks for stopping!

Peeking Gift Tag

A few weeks back I posted pictures and details for a recipe book I made for my oldest daughter. I finally have the book wrapped and ready to drop in the mail tomorrow, but I needed a tag for the box. No store bought to/from was going to do my gift justice so I got to work on this little cutie. PJ Bear is from The Cat's Pajamas. I love PJ, he is so darn cute.
I stamped him onto kraft paper and then colored him with copics, added some spica glitter to the bow. I used a die from My Favorite Things to cut the tag out and then layered some My Minds Eye Holly Jolly onto the brown card stock. I added a green circle embossed with my seeing spots folder and then added PJ. Hard to tell from the pic but PJ is actually popped up on dimensionals. The bakers twine is the new Holiday Divine Twine from The Cat's Pajamas. I finished it off with a green button, acrylic snow flake and a red heart.
I can't wait for my daughter to receive this package. One of the many times where it is truly better to give than to receive.
Have a great week!