{PTI Anniversary Tag}

I'm back with another Papertrey post---those of you who are here for my family posts, just forgive me and move on!

Today's post on Nichole's blog offers a free download of 9 different tags that can be used on a project. The prize today would be to help Nichole design a stamp set---eek! That would just scare me to death, but I did love the tags, so I decided to use Lisa Johnson's tag and make a card anyway. Since I'm in the middle of my Valentine's cards, this was perfect for me.

I printed my tags on Kraft cardstock and used that as my card base as well. I colored the tag with Copic markers in PTI's colors. I added a piece of Pure Poppy and ran it through the Linen & Canvas Impression plate. I cut a Mat Stack 5  mat in Rustic Cream cardstock and added my tag. I finished it off with some ribbon and tied on a button with twine....surprisingly, this went so fast! I used a layout I had seen on Maile Belles' blog this week.

Thanks for stopping by today---I hope your weekend was SUPER----snort! Card details are below!

PTI Anniversary Tag: all products PTI unless noted
Stamps: Tiny Treats: Valentines
Paper: Kraft, Pure Poppy, Rustic Cream cardstock
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukeniko)
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Linen & Canvas Impression Die, Mat Stack 5 die, Enchanted Evening grosgrain ribbon, Pure Poppy Vintage button, Rustic Jute Button Twine, Copic markers

Finally, I have some crafty items to share today. I have so many things I've made, but no time to share everything---and until recently I didn't have a camera to take many pictures. I made these little treats for Hannah's TBB friends for Valentine's Day.....yes, I KNOW they are not kids, but Hannah has always given Valentine's and I thought they might like a little candy from the states! I filled them with candy that Hannah likes, so hopefully they will like it, too! (If not, maybe they will give it to her!!)

I used the Tiny Treats: Valentines from Papertrey Ink. I love this series of stamps. They are a set of little drawings that you can color (or not) and there's a little sentiment for each picture. Here are a few that I used:

the dog

the cupcake

the boat

the bunny

There are 16 litttle images in this set and 19 sentiments to go with them. This is a great set to use to make Valentine's with your kids---your children can color the images so they have a part in the process---so fun. I used Copic markers to color these images...I'm getting more comfortable using them, of course, these images are only an inch high!! Larger spaces still scare me!! I put the candy in glassine bags I bought for the wedding---there's a story here, but, suffice it to say, I have LOTS of glassine bags in this size, so I use them for EVERYTHING!!! I used the Mat Stack 1 die to cut Pure Poppy cardstock and then I stamped them in Versamark using a stamp from the Mat Stack 1 Collection stamp set or the Tiny Treats: Christmas set. Then I punched out the colored image and glued it down. These were really quick and simple to do. I'm making some for Joshua's classmates, too---and probably my choir students at school....like I said....LOTS of bags...

ANYWAY, I'm mailing a package to Hannah anyway, so I decided to add these little treats to the box. Here's the box all covered in Valentine goodies!!!

It's been so fun to have a little time to spend being crafty! Thanks for stopping by---I'm hoping to update the blog on several happenings! There's lots going on at the Nelson house these days! Enjoy your weekend!

{Autumn Blessings}

I don't know about you, but we have had some AMAZING fall weather lately---one of the things I love most about living in North Carolina is the fall---I never really understood the fascination with all things fall (except that meant it was football time) before I moved here----I'm from Texas, remember? We didn't have fall like I know it now---don't get me wrong---I'm not bashing the Republic---that will NEVER happen!

ANYWHOOO----my post does need to be short today, so I'm going to get to it. I told you I had done a little craft demonstration awhile back---here is another journal I made to show and then give away that night as a door prize!

These are so easy to make---and they can be as simple or fancy as you have time/supplies for. I told you about making these in this post, so if you need "instructions"---look there. It is a long post, so just scroll down to the bottom.

I used Papertrey's Autumn Abundance set for this one---I don't color much, but this set was amazing---I love the colors of autumn---and after seeing Debbie's projects with this set, I HAD to have it---she's my hero! Her coloring is lovely~The patterned papers are from the Autumn Abundance paper. Again, I love the colors of autumn and I love to make place cards and such for our Thanksgiving table, so I bought this for those.

I made a pocket on the front cover, too---I always want to put stuff in a pocket! I just put my AC Moore Rewards card in there as an example---I wasn't making a statement about it being a blessing to me----although I could argue..........OK--'nuff said!

I put the details below if you want to see what the materials are. Did you see the new Papertrey blinkie on the right? If you click on it you will be delivered straight to Papertrey Ink and you can purchase all the stuff you want....well, if you have the money---there's this silly little thing they do---they make you pay. But, you can just fill your cart up and drool over it as if you had it and then clear it all out later--that's free!

Well, I need to get some things done--I hope you have a great Thursday~




Autumn Blessings Journal~
(all supplies PTI unless noted)
Stamps: Autumn Abundance, First Fruits
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise, Rustic Cream, Autumn Abundance patterned paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Dark Chocolate
Tools/Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), circle and scallop circle nestabilities dies (Spellbinders), Rustic jute twine, Rustic wood buttons, Apron Lace punch (fiskars) twill (martha stewart), scalloped edger punch (ek success), Copic markers

{Giving Thanks}

Well---it IS a little soon to be thinking of Thanksgiving since I don't want to rush my summer away, but I colored this picnic basket with pumpkins in it and wanted to make a card---this will be one card that I have done ahead of time!

I started with Pumpkin Pie cardstock. I used my Swiss Dots embossing folder on Kraft cardstock. I had colored the basket ahead of time with Copic markers---e-mail if you want specific colors---I can't believe anyone cares about MY coloring! I tied some saddle stitch New Leaf ribbon around the Kraft cardstock. I cut & embossed my focal image using a Spellbinder's Labels Two die. I antiqued the edges and added some buttons tied up with jute twine. The sentiment was added before I attached the Kraft cardstock~

I hope your day has been a good one. I began peeling wallpaper in my bathroom today----I've needed to do this since we moved into this house 9 years ago, but I have been busy peeling all the OTHER wallpaper in the house. Yes, every room except two bedrooms had wallpaper---my dining room and the kids bathroom had TWO LAYERS. SO, I just decided I needed to start---it's the LAST ROOM to do! (I've actually redecorated several rooms since we moved in, but I just couldn't deal with anymore wallpaper!) Anyway, hopefully I can finish peeling/scraping tomorrow---I don't really have any money to redo my bathroom right now, but if I'm in the mood to get rid of the wallpaper, I should go with it! Paint is pretty cheap and I can finish everything else up as I get the money! SOOOOO, that's what I'm up to this week! What's going on at your house?



Stamps: Vintage Picnic
Paper: Pumpkin Pie (SU!), Rustic Cream, Kraft (PTI)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provocraft), New Leaf Saddle stitch ribbon, Vintage New Leaf buttons, Rustic jute twine (PTI), Dimensionals (SU!), Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger), Copic markers

{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

{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)

{Copics No. 1}

OK---here's the card I made with my first Copic coloring adventure. I sort of cheated---very little blending going on here.

I chose this tree from PaperTrey Ink's Believe set because I could just color the leaves different colors! It worked and I don't hate it too much!

I start back to school tomorrow (actually I had a workday on Friday---but students come back tomorrow), so the insanity will begin again. Hopefully I'll have some time to work with these some more this week and show another card! This is short and sweet~have a great day!


Blessings Recipe:
Stamps: First Fruits, Believe (PTI)
Paper:Plum Pudding, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Ink: Plum Pudding
Accessories/Tools: Copic markers, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot Embossing Folder (Provocraft) Double Ended Tags Trio, Oval and Scallop Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Plum Pudding Satin Ribbon (PTI)

{Look at these beauties!}

OK----clearly, my last post was written and "edited" (and I use that quite loosely) with too little sleep. I wasn't using my computer---I was using Caitlin's and I'm not too familiar with a mac---I'd like to be, but for now, I'm not! Anyway, I wrote it LATE on Christmas Eve (or early Christmas morning) but couldn't get the pictures to go where I wanted them--so I waited until Christmas day to post. This meant that I needed to change it up a bit, because "last night" was no longer the 23rd, but the 24th and the morning was already over....etc. Anyway, I read through it today and was horrified---I'll do better, I promise!!!

So, back to these!!! These are Copic markers---they are a tool used in papercrafting that I've wanted for awhile, and my sweet husband bought them for me for Christmas! Did I mention that he was sweet? He's the best! These markers will make me color like Debbie Olson or Sharon Harnist. OK, OK, I know I won't color like them, but a girl can dream right? With so many stamp companies putting out stamps intended for coloring I have eyed these markers for a long time.

So, look for some coloring in a stamp project soon! I have over 40 thank you notes to write, so the coloring may have to take a back seat to my thank yous for awhile. I'd like to just knock those out tonight, but I don't think it will happen that quickly!! I hope you have a lovely evening! I'll be back soon!

Kathleen