{Life...}

Life is a new set from Lisa Johnson for Papertrey Ink. It has some great floral images in it and I really like the sentiments. I have been so stuck on Scattered Showers lately I thought you might like to see something different!

I used Fresh Snow ink and then stamped Ocean Tides on top of it....I probably should have done it the other way??? I like that you can get some depth that way. I added the sentiment in Dark Chocolate and cut it out with a Labels 4 die. Since I can't get my hands on Labels One, I'm really enjoying these! I used a Dark Chocolate vintage button and tied it around my ribbon with some hemp twine. After I had popped it up on dimensionals, I decided to add the rhinestones. This card came together so fast---I seem to be getting better at the fast cards!! So glad---because these 2 hour cards were KILLING me!! I hope you have a great day! I'll be back with some more goodness tomorrow, I hope!


Ocean Tides Life:
Stamps: Life (PTI)
Paper: Ocean Tides, SS White (PTI)
Ink: Fresh Snow, Ocean Tides
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Lables Four Dies (Spellbinders), Ocean Tides grosgrain ribbon, Dark Chocolate Vintage button (PTI), hemp twine (SU!), Taylor's Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions)

{Kristina's 50th color inspiration}

OK---that title might imply that I actually KNOW Kristina Werner and am on a first name basis with her....I don't, and I'm not. But it makes for a better title, don't you think? *snort*

Kristina Werner's 50th Color Inspiration went up and I got to play! I'm so excited to get to do another one! Since this is her 50th, she's giving away some amazing gifts. You should check it out and get a card made yourself.

OK---onto the card--I used a layout that I love---again, it uses the top note die from Stampin' Up! This card came together quickly, I added a little bling and it was finished. I started with a piece of Tempting Turquoise cardstock. I used white cardstock from Papertrey ink and stamped the umbrella in Summer Sunrise and Pure Poppy. I stamped it again and cut it out and popped it up on dimensionals. I layered that on some Pure Poppy cardstock and then all of that on a Dark Chocolate Top Note cut out. I tied the image with some twill and added some random rhinestones from Taylored Expressions. I put a strip of Friends 'Til the End patterned paper across the bottom and added a sentiment from the set. I had to use more buttons---I love the buttons. These are from a Foof-a-la fall button bag.

I hope you enjoy---check out Kristina's challenge---there are some great entries there!

Have a great day~


KW 50 Sunshine:
Stamps: Scattered Showers
Paper: Tempting Turquoise (SU!), Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Stamper's Select White, Friends 'Til the End patterned paper (PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Top Note Die, linen thread (SU!), Summer Sunrise Topnotch Twill, Foofala buttons, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions)

{More Scattered Showers}

No---this isn't a weather forecast! I told you I couldn't put this stamp set down---I can't believe how many cards I turned out with it in just one day! Here's a short post about just one of them.

I used a layout from Dawn McVey's blog here. I love this layout and I think I'll use variations on it for some time---that top note die from Stamping Up! is one of my favorites~

Anyway, I used Summer Sunrise & Dark Chocolate ink on Stamper's Select White cardstock. I used the Polka Dot basics stamp set for the background in versamark ink on Aqua Mist cardstock. This was so simple and took almost no time at all. I tied a knot with some twill and then added a dark chocolate vintage button from PTI, tied it with some linen thread and was done~ A simple, quick card.

I can't wait to show you a couple others from this set---I LOVE it~

Have a great day!


Yellow Umbrella:
Stamps: Polka dot basics, Scattered Showers
Paper: Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise, SS White
Ink: Versamark, Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug, Top Notes Die, Summer Sunrise topnotch twill, dark chocolate vintage button, linen thread

{Scattered Showers}

A friend from school (which is my work---I'm not in school, I teach there!) has just recently been bitten by the "Stamping Bug"---do you remember when you were bitten? Anyway, she had a couple of us over Friday night and we stamped. Now, I don't know how you are, but I never get much done at these because I just can't stamp and talk! And I do love to talk! So, I did this card---yes, only one---and it's not very involved. I obviously did more talking than stamping.

I used Dawn McVey's new set, Scattered Showers. I have done some stamping today and I just can't put this set down! What fun! There are so many little umbrellas--I love them! I love her style and find myself stamping more and more simply--like she does. It's really clean. I am so imspired by her layouts, too!

Anyway, for this card I used white cardstock as the base. I stamped the polka dot umbrella in Ocean Tides, New Leaf and Hibiscus Burst on more white cardstock and then cut them out. I popped them up on dimensionals. I tied some Ocean Tides polka dot ribbon around the whole card and tied on a Hibiscus Burst vintage button with some linen thread. That sentiment "so happy for you" is so versatile. I may use this for a baby shower I have next week---no rambling today---surprise, surprise! I used all my words up Friday night!

Thanks for stopping by~


So Happy for you:
Stamps: Scattered Showers, Everyday Classics (PTI)
Paper: Stamper's Select White
Ink: Ocean Tides, New Leaf, Hibiscus Burst
Accessories/Tools: Hibiscus Burst vintage buttons, Ocean Tides Polka dot ribbon, Score pal, Linen thread, Dimensionals

{some easter stuff

OK---I know, I should be like those other bloggers who had their Easter pictures up on Easter---but I'm a bad blogger. Since this has been established, I thought I'd go ahead and post some of our 2009 memories~this picture was taken at my parents after Joshua went on his egg hunt there---Hannah had already changed into her jeans, but I couldn't have the day go by without my all kids picture, so they obliged me!

It's a little hard finding things that interest both ends of the spectrum in our family because of the age difference of our children (19,17,8) but one thing we like to do is decorate eggs at Easter. We actually were able to have everyone together this year for it, so that was a lot of fun. Below are some pictures of that---oh, and make sure you stick around to see the Roasted Peeps---yep, you don't want to miss that!

Here's a picture of a few of the eggs that were done--some in my family like to use the wax crayon to decorate before dying!

Caitlin started taking pictures and here are some of her shots

Hannah peering over the accumulated eggs

The watermelon egg--sort of

Easter egg....

OK---I know you are waiting for the Peeps story---if not, I don't want to know--My husband came down last Saturday afternoon and began rummaging through the cabinets---the next thing I know, he's skewering a peep, and turning on the kitchen torch---you know, the little torch you use for Creme Brulee.

So, I promptly asked what he was doing. Apparently he had lunch with a friend and somehow the conversation must have turned to stale peeps...aren't they ALWAYS stale??? Because let's face it....they are only fresh for one minute after the package is opened.... Anyway, this friend told him he torches them and they taste like Creme Brulee...and you know, they aren't half bad. Now, I'm not a fan of the peep, but roasted peeps could make their way into the Nelson Easter tradition! Anything that gives another excuse to use the kitchen torch is a good idea to me!
Have a great day~
Kathleen

{a little gift}

Here's a gift you can make so quickly~if you can cut paper and use a tape runner, you can do this!!

The teachers and assistants in the Lower School where I teach are honoring the "support staff" this month, and I said I'd make these post-it note holders for them last week.












I used this tutorial on Splitcoaststampers. I had used this Heidi Swapp patterned paper at Easter on our place cards and some little treat bags I had for everyone. It just looks so happy and shouts "SPRING", so I decided to use it on these gifts. All you do is cut and score paper, stick it all together, add ribbon, add the post-it notes and then decorate the front. I went with a very simple cover, but some in this gallery are more involved. I used the cute and curly stamp and curly label punch. I stamped the thank you stamp in various inks to match the papers and then cut them out so I could layer it on another label punch.

LOVE THE PUNCHES! Anyway, this really was super quick. I made nine of them in no time at all.


This particular version of post it note holder usually has a little golf pencil attached, but I didn't have any, so I just centered the notes and moved on!


Thanks for stopping by--I have lots to do this week, but I have some things photographed--hopefully I can get to the posts! Have a great week~












Paper Post-it Note Holders:
Stamps: cute and curly (SU!)
Paper: Stamper Select White, Pure Poppy, New Leaf, Melon Berry, Spring Rain, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst (PTI) Heidi Swapp patterned paper---
Ink: Pure Poppy, New Leaf, Melon Berry, Spring Rain, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst (PTI)
Accessories: Curly Label Punch, Dimensionals (SU!), New Leaf double stitched, Spring Rain grosgrain, Melon Berry grosgrain, New Leaf satin, Fresh Snow grosgrain ribbons (PTI)

{goody-goody gumdrops!}

These stamps are in a Stampin' Up! hostess set that I got when I had my party last month. I really picked it out because I'm trying to find stamps to use my Copic markers with since my sweet husband did buy them for me! I'm hoping to attend a workshop this summer by Copic so I can learn how to really use these amazing markers, but until then, you'll have to be stuck with my less than stellar attempts at coloring! This card was so quick and easy. I'm actually going to make a bunch of others, but I haven't had a chance to stamp anymore since Wednesday. Anyway, the card---

I simply cut four strips of paper and adhered them together. I stamped the gumdrop in black ink on White paper about 8 times (so I'd have some extras if I messed up while coloring---and, I did! I know myself people!). I colored them with various Copics until I had the desired look (OK, the best look I could have as an average color-er) and then I cut them out. I put them on the matching paper with a dimensional and then tied all of that together with some black satin ribbon. On the card base I stamped the gumdrop all around in the various ink colors, then added the sentiment on top of it all. I finished it off with the Crystal stickers---love those! So simple and fun! I had hoped to have some cool Easter projects this week, but, alas, no time---if I get some done today, I'll try to post them tomorrow---but we will see!

Enjoy your day and have a blessed Easter Sunday celebrating the resurrection of the King!


Goody goody gumdrops!
Stamps: Goody-goody gumdrops
Paper: SS White, New Leaf, Hibiscus, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Only Orange (SU!), Palette Noir (Stewart Superior)
Ink: New Leaf, Hibiscus, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Only Orange (SU!)
Accessories/Tools: True Black Swiss Dot Satin Ribbon (PTI), Dimensionals (SU!), Crystal Stickers Elements (Mark Richards), Copic markers

{Simple & Sweet}

Ahhhhhhhhh-that's better! A simple card---I was inspired by this ribbon today. I won it in some blog candy from Jen DelMuro's blog last month some time. She sent all sorts of goodies to me---what fun! Anyway, after yesterday's half a day card, I decided to put together something quick and simple. I love these cupcakes from the Everyday Classics set from Papertrey Ink.

I started out with a piece of Stamper's Select White cardstock and embossed it with the largest die from Labels Four. I stamped the bottom of the cupcakes in Lemon Tart and added Spring Rain, Hibiscus, & New Leaf for the tops. I added "thank you" from Beyond Basic Borders and then tied the ribbon around it. I threaded that through a large button in my Hibuscus Vintage button collection bag and I was done. I needed to be done quickly today! So, there ya have it~ thanks for stopping by today!


thank you supplies:
Stamps: Everyday Classics, Beyond Basic Borders (PTI)
Paper: SS White (PTI)
Ink: Lemon Tart, Spring Rain, Hibiscus, New Leaf & Pure Poppy (PTI), Noir Palette
Accessories/Tools: Hibiscus vintage button (PTI), ribbon ???, Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Labels Four dies (Spellbinders)

{Painful to create}

OH MY GOODNESS~this post will be short---I just spent so long making this card---and I don't even like it! BUT, since I spent all that time, I'M POSTING IT! (sorry for the yelling!)





I really enjoyed putting together my card for last week's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge that Dawn McVey did. So, I was excited when I saw that she had posted another one on Sunday. I loved the fabric that she used for the inspiration--the picture was so pretty---then, today I pulled all those colors out and looked at them together and panic ensued! I just couldn't figure out a way to put them together. I refuse to even tell you how long it took me to finish it---it was finally just a matter of stubborn pride! (and I definitely have some of that!)

So, enough of the whining---let me tell you how I did it all. (I'm not going to tell you about all the paper that ended up in the trash--then you could figure out HOW LONG this took!) I started with a piece of Kraft cardstock and used my polka dots basics and some Vintage Cream ink. I added the Pure Poppy cardstock and the small flower from Friends 'til the End--again using the Vintage Cream ink. I stamped the same flower on a piece of Pure Poppy, Berry Sorbet & Sweet Blush cardstock with my Versamark pad and then embossed them using Seafoam White powder from Ranger. I cut them out and then added the buttons from my White & Cream Mix Vintage collection and tied them on with some linen thread. I attached them to the card with dimensionals. I was trying to tie in all those colors (I think this is what I don't like about the card---) so I scalloped some 2008 Bitty Dots Basics patterned papers in Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush and added the scallops to the pure poppy cardstock. Yeah, I'm not crazy about that, but it's there and by that time I wasn't going to trash it---remember the stubborn pride thing....

SO, I added a hello from Beyond Basic Borders to another Labels Four die and called it a day! I hope you can find something you like about it---I do like the big flowers---how can you NOT love those flowers? :) I hope to be back tomorrow with some less painful pictures! We are headed to my parents to celebrate David's birthday again tonight. Mama's cooking---it doesn't get better than that! Maybe it can help me get over the pain!

Have a great day~


{hello}
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Beyond Basic Borders, Friends 'til the End (PTI)
Paper: Kraft, Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics patterned paper (PTI)
Ink: Vintage Cream, (PTI) Palette Noir, Versamark
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Labels Four Dies (Spellbinders), Linen thread, Dimensionals (SU!) Seafoam white embossing powder (Ranger)

{Spring Break}

Hello all---I hope to be posting regularly this week. It's spring break and we aren't really traveling until we take Hannah to look at a couple colleges at the end of the week, so I hope to have lots of stamp time. Today is my husband's birthday. I made him a card this afternoon. I am the worst to do things at the last minute. This is a simple little card, but I think he'd prefer that! I started with a piece of dark chocolate and used some of the same ink on some kraft cardstock. I used Damask Designs stamp set for the pattern. There's a stamp that has this border pattern on it, so it made this go really fast. Why I wait to make cards on the day I need them---I don't know, but I do, so fast is definitely what I needed! If you don't know me, I'm blessed with a sweet husband. Here's my post about him last year on Father's day. (if you know me, you probably know my husband!)




I added some satin ribbon and a HUGE button from my white/cream vintage buttons bag. My tag uses two stamp sets, Men of Life, and Heart Prints---I had some extra space on there after I found the right nestability die, so I added the XOXO---you can never have too many hugs and kisses, right! This die is from the new Labels Four set. I just got those from Ellen Hutson's store. She ships things SOOOOO fast---if you are in need of some stamp stuff, definitely look at her store first. She's all the way across the country from me, but I get my stuff SOOOOO fast. (And no, I do not get anything from telling you I love her store---that would be amazing, but it doesn't happen! I just love her store!) Enough of the commercial---back to the card. I added some kraft paper on the inside and punched it with my spiral punch. This is one I got free from my Stampin' Up party last month. Anyway, there's my simple card for my sweetie on his birthday! We are going to Bonefish to eat and then we'll come back home for birthday cake and presents.
Here's a picture of my husband, David, from last weekend. He conducted the pit orchestra for Hannah's (Trinity Academy of Raleigh's) spring musical, Babes in Arms. So, here they are together. I'm blessed with a godly husband and I'm so glad we are able to celebrate his life today---I hope you celebrate your blessings today! Thanks for stopping by!



David's birthday~
Stamps: Damask Designs, Men of Life, Heart Prints (PTI)
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Kraft
Ink: Dark Chocolate
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Labels Four Nestabilities die (Spellbinders), Dark Chocolate Satin ribbon, Vintage buttons-white (PTI), Hemp twine (colored brown with Copic marker), Linen thread, Spiral punch (SU!),

{CPS 109}

I have a friend who had to have some surgery, so I wanted to make her a card to get in the mail today. I decided to go with the CPS 109 to help me get it done quickly. I could sit forever and stare at a blank piece of cardstock and think of all sorts of things to do---so if I want to get something done quickly, I always start with some sort of challenge--a color challenge, sketch challenge, etc. CPS or Card Positioning Systems is a great place to go for a sketch every week.

This will have to be a short post---Hannah has a soccer game (in the rain) and Joshua has practice---yep, in the rain. SOOOOOO, I get to go stand in the rain for the next 3-4 hours---so excited about that---SOOOO, on to the card!

I used my FREE Papertrey Ink set, Everyday Classics (of course, it's not REALLY free, because I purchased a few of their sets to get it, but it's still REALLY cool when you get a stamp set in the mail from your favorite company that you didn't really pay for!) If you're interested in learning how to get a free set, just go here. I stamped the tea cup in Hibiscus and added the tea bag by masking off the cup. Then I added the "steam" with my Copic grey marker. I used my labels three dies that I just received from Ellen Hutson's store.
I used one of my Hibiscus vintage buttons on the ribbon. Then I was looking through my stash to find a brown button---none of them matched, so I colored a white one with one of my Copics. I had seen people do this, but I had never tried it. It looks really nice. The hemp is a natural color that I also colored to make it dark brown. I decorated the inside of the card this time---I added a little patterned paper and then stamped the small cup in the same ink on the inside.

Off to the game! Thanks for stopping by~enjoy your day!

CPS 109 Feel Better:
Stamps: Everyday Classics, Mixed Messages
Paper: SS White, Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics patterned paper (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus, Fresh Snow
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug, Tags (Provocraft), Labels Three Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic markers, Vintage buttons-white and hibiscus, Hibiscus grosgrain ribbon(PTI), DMC white thread, Natural hemp twine (colored brown) (SU!), Threading water punch (Fiskars) (PTI)

{Raspberry Suite Color Challenge 2}

Dawn McVey has started a color challenge and I decided to play along. I "know" Dawn (I totally DON'T know her, but I feel like I do--I read her blog and have a glimpse into her life, so I'm using the term loosely here!) from her design work for Papertrey Ink and her numerous cards in various papercrafting publications. She has a keen eye for color and is known to put 4 or 5 colors on one card---HORRORS! I remember when I began stamping I was specifically told---"no more than 3 colors for a card"---WHAT?? Yep, seriously, that's what I heard---over and over---but Dawn came to the rescue! I love challenges--they get me stamping when I'm stuck---and sadly, lately I've been stuck a lot! If you haven't been to Dawn's blog you MUST go---she's a stamping hero of mine. I love her style and I think you will, too.

Here's my take on the card---this is a simple layout that took me FAR too long---again, "stuck"---but here it is anyway! I hope to do quite a few of her color challenges, so keep your eyes peeled for some crazy color combos!



Short and sweet today. If you have any questions, let me know and I'll answer them~
Hugs,
Kathleen






Congratulations Color Challenge:
Stamps: Wishing You, Everyday Classics
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Stamper's Select White (PTI), Certainly Celery, Taken with Teal (SU!)
Ink: Certainly Celery, Taken with Teal (SU!), Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Accessories/Tools: random ribbon from a blog candy win---COOL!!, button (Foof-a-la), natural hemp twine (SU!), Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provocraft), Threading water punch (Fiskars), Bigz Top Note die (SU!)