Prettie Masculine Wednesday

Happy Prettie Wednesday!  Tomorrow is release day at Paper Pretties and we've been seeing some awesome peeks from the Prettie Girls!  But today, we're taking a break for Prettie Wednesday and our challenger is Wendy.  She wants us to make a masculine birthday card and the featured sets this week are Wade E. Bug and Bugs & Fishes.  Both sets will be 20% off all week!  Start the hop today on Christie's blog so you don't miss a thing!

I used Wade E. Bug and made a CAS birthday card using some masculine colors.  I paper pieced his vest with the plaid dp, isn't he dapper?!   I kept wanting to add something to the card, but everything I tried just didn't work or made it non-masculine.  It was fun to play with Wade again - it's been too long!

Be sure to check out the Paper Pretties home page tomorrow for one last peek of all the new releases but until then your next stop is Jana's blog!! 

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss (SU!), Terra Cotta Tile (Papertrey Ink), White (Gina K Designs), Patterned Paper:  Chatterbox, Stamps: Wade E. Bug, sentiment from Make a Wish (Paper Pretties), Ink: Black (Memento), Accessories:  Twine, Vintage Button (Papertrey Ink), Copic markers, Corner Rounder

Fan-tastic!

It's time again for another Prettie Peek.  Today I get to show you You're Fan-tastic from Paper Pretties.  I just adore this set - I think Sophia looks so beautiful in her pretty kimono! Remember the release is April 1st so mark your calender!

When making an Asian-inspired card I usually find myself reaching for red so I purposely tried to go in a different direction this time.  I remembered this beautiful dp from the Basic Grey LilyKate collection and thought the flowers were so like the flowers on the fan.  So my color inspiration was actually the dp itself!  The sentiment was cut out with Nestabilities and sponged a bit before removing the die.  The fun pink flower is just made using a SU! Scalloped circle punch and about 12 layers of pink tissue paper that were scrunched and wrinkled before tacking them together with a brad - love it!!

A couple of details that are hard to see - on the top 1/3 of the cardbase I stamped a background using light blue ink.  I also added tiny rhinestones to the tiny pink flowers on the left side.

You can see more sneak peeks today by visiting Frances and Jackie!  Thanks everyone - have a great day!!

Cardstock: Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink), White (Neenah), Patterned Paper: LilyKate collection (Basic Grey), Stamps You're Fan-tastic (Paper Pretties),  Background Basics: Tin Types (Papertrey Ink) Ink: Memento, Accessories: Nestabilities, Copic markers, tiny flowers (Stamping Bella), Swarovski rhinestones, Scalloped circle punch (SU!), pink tissue paper

Ink

Spring Lilacs

Good morning! Today for Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday I broke out the Multi-Step Lilacs again. Spring is here and the lilacs will be blooming before you know it - yea!!  These lilacs are just so beautiful!

Here are my recipes for the lilacs: 
Dark Lilac:  Step 4 - Elegant Eggplant (SU!), Step 3 - Vintage Violet (SU!), Step 2 - Lovely Lavender (SU!), Step 1 - Lulu Lavender (Memento)
Medium Lilac:  Step 4 - Vintage Violet, Step 3 - Lovely Lavender, Step 2 - Lulu Lavender, Step 1 - Lulu Lavender (stamped off)
Light Lilac: Step 4 - Lovely Lavender, Step 3 - Lulu Lavender, Step 2 - Lulu Lavender (stamped off), Step 1 - Angel Pink (stamped off) (Memento)
Leaves:  Step 3 - New Leaf (Papertrey Ink), Step 2- Bamboo Leaves (Memento), Step 1 - New Sprout (Memento)

ETA: I forgot to add that the sketch is FTL84 from Clean & Simple Stamping - it's a great one! :)  We have a new challenge for you next week so be watching for that!  For now, please visit the rest of the KSS Crew today!

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

and

Tammy Hershberger - March Guest Designer

One final note, my children and I have started a challenge blog that's just for children.  Our first challenge was posted yesterday so if you have children who love to craft please visit Children's Challenge Corner and play along!!  

Cardstock:  Spring Moss, White (Papertrey Ink), Lilac (Bazzill), Stamps: Multi-Step Lilacs, sentiment from Multi-Step Cup of Warm Comfort (Kitchen Sink Stamps), Ink: see above and Black (Memento), Accessories: Scallop die (Papertrey Ink), Rhinestones (Kaiser), foam adhesive, Polka Dot embossing folder (Quickutz)

Dotted Dahlias - SSS49

Hello my friends! Time for the Saturday Sketch from The Sweet Stop.  I think I was cold and tired, but I had a hard time working on this one. . . many card casualties are on my desk!  In the end I turned to my brand new Dahlias set from Papertrey Ink with the matching dies - brilliant!!  I love that I didn't have to take the time to cut the flower out, it was just sooooo easy!!  Do you love orange? I do!  I think it's such a happy color and I really love this polka dotted orange paper.  The pop of green makes it interesting too! 

It's hard to see in the photo but the black panel is embossed with the Swiss Dot embossing folder.  For the sentiment I die cut another dahlia but didn't stamp the flower, I just added some ink to the edges - kinda neat!

Please take some time to visit The Sweet Stop blog, you can see today's sketch as well as the other cards from Sugar Babies! 

Korin Sutherland
Jodi Collins
Nicole Anderson
Ann Clack
Audrey Gonzales
Andrea Vernagus
Candace Mitchell
Renata Elenbaas
Lisa Hjulberg
Nancy Brown 

If you have a chance to play along please be sure to leave us a link.  Have a great Saturday everyone!

Cardstock: White, Orange Zest, Black (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper: Imaginisce, Stamps: Dahlias (Papertrey Ink), D: Black (Memento), Orange Zest (Papertrey Ink), Accessories: Copic marker (for shading), Dahlia dies, Black ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Black rhinestones (Kaiser), Swiss Dot embossing folder (Provo Craft)

Prettie April Peek

It's time for some Prettie Peeks!  The Paper Pretties April release is just around the corner and the Prettie Girls are showing off the great new sets - both rubber and digi - that will make their debut!  My card today uses Primitive Birdhouses which is a new digi image from the Petite Pretties line.  I thought about doing a dark, primitive type card but then thought this would be more fun! :)  I love the pink woodgrain paper - isn't that the cutest!?! 

The cute little birdhouse and the sweet bird were  fun to color!   I used a sentiment from Home Sweet Home to make this a cute Welcome Home card.

You can see more peeks today from Frances and Jane.  Remember to check out the release on April 1st! 

Thanks for stopping in today!

Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink), White (Neenah), Patterned Paper: Rosey McGrain (American Crafts), My Mind's Eye, Stamps: Primitive Birdhouses (digi image), sentiment from Home Sweet Home (Paper Pretties), Ink: Dark Chocolate (Paperetrey Ink), Accessories: Rhinestone (Kaiser), Ribbon, (American Crafts), Felt, Medium Scalloped die (Papertrey Ink), Copic markers, foam adhesive

Some Birthday RAKs

I've been blessed to receive a few birthday RAKs and am trying to better about acknowledging them and thanking the senders for their thoughtfulness!!!  It is so much fun to receive a handmade card in the mail - to know someone was thinking of you and took the time to mail you a card! That says a lot in these days of email - since I am MOST guilty of being sooooo bad about sending out cards!  I seriously need to get better at that, right Jodi?? *wink*

Before the RAKs, I recently won some blog candy - wooo hooo! The amazing and very sweet Ellen Hutson posted about a beautiful pendant she had made and was giving away on her birthday.  Well, I left her a little happy birthday message and it turns out I won!  Funny thing, when she sent me a message that I had won because her daughter chose #19, my comment number, I decided that 19 must be "my" number!!  It's the day of my birthday, my anniversary and my engagement! Interesting huh?  When this arrived in the mail I was floored! First, look at the gorgeous card, seriously it's stunning!  Then the ribbon on the box - oh my I think I could eat it! And then the amazing pendant - I love it!! Thank you so much Ellen - you are the BEST!! :)

Ok, on to the RAKs,  first this is from my sweet friend Charmaine - actually I got 2 from her, a bday card and a thinking of you card. Love you Charlie!! Thanks so much!

This sweet birthday card is from Pam Casavay - I couldn't find if you have a blog or gallery Pam - let me know and I'll link you up! :)  This card is so pretty with the flowers and butterfly popped up!  Thanks so much Pam!

This cutie is from Faith (yabbadodo)!  Doesn't that image just make you smile?! It sure did me!  Thank you Faith!!

Next is from my fellow KSS Crew member Lynn and isn't it gorgeous?! The vibrant color of the perfectly stamps Lilac is so lovely! Thank you sweet Lynn!

I'll be back tomorrow with a sneak peek of a Paper Pretties new release for April!  You can see peeks today from Christie, Heather & Jennifer - take a look, it's one of my new stamps! :)  Have a wonderful day!

Prettie Hoootin' Wednesday!

It's time for another Prettie Wednesday challenge but today it's a special one - it's Frances's birthday so the hop is going to be *Hooot!!*  LOL!  Be sure to start on Christie's blog so that you don't miss a thing!

This week the Prettie Girls will be showcasing2 sets from Paper Pretties,  Make A Wish and Lady Sophia and as usual both sets will be 20% off all week! *hoot hoot!*  Our challenge today, in honor of Frances's birthday, is to use an owl picture as inspiration for our card.  I took it one step further and actually added an owl to my card!  Now I know it's not really reasonable that Sophia would be holding an owl, but work with me! :)

My inspiration was this great print I found - I just love the colors and the cute images.  I used the colors from the print and took the opportunity to use this adorable cloud paper again from My Mind's Eye.  I added a strip of brown cardstock down the right side to mimic the tree in the print.  Lady Sophia is just adorable isn't she?  I added some sparkle to her dress and shoes - she is a princess after all!  The little pink owl was cut out of some Imaginisce Twitterpated dp.

Please be sure to follow the hop around to each of the Prettie Girls! It ends at Frances's blog so that you can leave her some birthday wishes!  Your next stop is Jana's blog!

Frances I hope you have the happiest of birthdays - you share your birthday with my son, Ethan so you're definitely in good company!! Happy Birthday!! :)

Cardstock: Soft Sky, Gable Green (SU!), Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), White (Neenah), Patterned Paper:  Love Me Do Head in the Clouds (My Mind's Eye)  Stamps: Lady Sophia (Paper Pretties) sentiment from Wise Owl (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Accessories:  Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU!), Sweet Blush ribbon, Vintage Button, Twine (Papertrey Ink), Copic markers, Nestabilities, corner rounder punch

More Roses

Short and sweet post today!  I had another chance to play with Roses in Bloom from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  This time I used FTL#83 from Clean & Simple Stamping.

I stamped some of the images directly on my card base using Fresh Snow ink.  Then I colored and cut some of the images out to use as the additional elements on the card.  I've always loved yellow roses and  I really like the way this came out using the gradient colors.

That's all for today - thank you so much for visiting!! :)

Cardstock: Orange Zest, Pure Poppy, Summer Sun (Papertrey Ink), White (Neenah), Stamps: Roses in Bloom (Waltzingmouse Stamps), Ink: Black (Memento), Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink) Accessories: Rhinestones (Kaiser), Copic markers, scallop border punch (SU!), foam adhesive

Lucky Birthday Wishes

Happy KSS Monday!!  There's one last set from the March release that I have to show you today, it's Multi-Step Horseshoes and it's another great mini set!  As I thought about it, there are several ways this set can be used.  Maria pointed out that if you pair it up with the stars from Multi-Step Ornament & Stars you can make a western themed card.  You could also pair it up with the Multi-Step Shamrocks & Clover for a neat lucky Irish card. You can also pair it up with some small flowers and make a vintage-birthday card like I have today.

I've seen vintage cards/postcards for birthdays, Christmas and wedding cards using a horseshoe surrounded by a bouquet of flowers.  So I went through my Kitchen Sink Stamps floral stamps and ended up using the smallest sunflower from Multi-Step Sunflowers and the smallest daisy from 3 Step Daisies for my bouquet.  The sentiment is from Simple Sentiments.

I started stamping with the flowers first - the purple sunflower and then the 2 small daisies.  I masked the purple daisy and then stamped the yellow daisy (see all the recipes below) and the leaves.  I then made a mask for the other flowers and stamped the horseshoe.  Once I stamped the sentiment I die cut the image using Nestabilities Label 3 and aged it with the die still in place.

The background of the card was stamped using Vanilla ink and the script block background from 3 Step Letters from the Past.

Have you played this month's KSS Crew Challenge yet?  This Friday night is the deadline so get stamping!  The challenge is masking and you can get all the details HERE.  Please visit the rest of the KSS Crew  to see what they've cooked up today!  :)

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

and

Tammy Hershberger - March Guest Designer

Cardstock: Kraft, Plum Pudding, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper:  Websters Pages, Stamps: 3 Step Daisies, Multi-Step Sunflowers, 3 Step Letters from the Past, Multi-Step Horseshoes, Simple Sentiments (Kitchen Sink Stamps), Ink: see below and Tea Dye Duo (Papertrey Ink), Accessories: Nestabilities, Plum Pudding Ribbon, Vintage Button, Twine (Papertrey Ink), scallop punch (SU!), pearls (Zva Creative)

Ink Recipes:

Purple Sunflower:  Step 3 - Sweet Plum (Memento), Step 2 - Sweet Plum (stamped off), Step 1 - Sweet Plum (stamped off 2x), Step 4 - Sweet Plum, Step 5 - Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink) 
Daisy 1:  Step 2 - Hibiscus Burst, Step 1 - Sweet Blush (Papertrey Ink)
Daisy 2:  Step 2 - Raspberry Fizz, Step 1 - Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink)

Leaves:  Step 3 - New Leaf (Papertrey Ink), Step 2 -  Bamboo Leaves (Memento), Step 1 - New Sprout (Memento)


Horseshoe:  Step 3 - Rich Cocoa, Step 2 - Rich Cocoa (stamped off), Step 1 - Pearlescent Beige (Memento)
 

Balloon Girl

Happy Spring!! What a glorious day we are in for today - it's supposed to reach near 70 here today!! (This is a very unseasonable temp for us but I'm not complaining!!)  Thank you again to everyone who left birthday messages for me here and on FB!! I had a wonderful day and I am so thankful for all the wishes!!

It's time for another Saturday Sketch at The Sweet Stop - and there's a twist  . . . Fuzzy Wuzzy.  You should either use something fuzzy or it can be an image of something fuzzy.  Today I used one of my new My Favorite Things sets.  This is My Balloon, part of the ultra cute Pure Innocence line. As you can see, I added Sparkly Fluff to the little girls dress to make it appear to be fleece.  And yes, that is stitching you spy again - lol! :)

 We'd love for you to join with us and give the sketch a try!  Please leave your link on the post at The Sweet Stop!  Don't forget to go around and visit the Sugar Babies too - they always have such beautiful projects!

Korin Sutherland
Jodi Collins
Nicole Anderson
Ann Clack
Audrey Gonzales
Andrea Vernagus
Candace Mitchell
Renata Elenbaas
Lisa Hjulberg
Nancy Brown

Get out and enjoy this first day of Spring!!

Cardstock: White (Neenah), Rose Red (SU!), Patterned Paper: Abbey Road (My Mind's Eye), Stamps: Balloon Girl (My Favorite Things), Ink: Memento, Accessories: Copic markers, Ribbon (SU!), Nestabilities, Swarovski crystals, Black Glaze pen, sewing machine

Thanks to Everyone!

It's here . . . today is my 40th birthday - UGH!  Honestly, I haven't been looking forward to this milestone but now that it's here I've decided to embrace it! After all, 40 is the new 30, right?? LOL!

I don't have any cards to share yet today but I wanted to send out a thank you to all my friends and family!  You see, my children had planned to have a "surprise" party for me tonight - which hubby let leak a few weeks ago greatly upsetting Emma and the others!   When hubby said let's go out to dinner on Thursday night before your party I thought - Great! 2 nights I don't have to cook (heee heee!).  So last night we went to a very nice restaurant in Wells, Maine!  My poor hubby has a very bad cold and probably would rather have been in bed but he did great!  He wanted to come home to watch a movie even though I wanted to stay out until the children would be asleep in bed (you Mom's know what I mean, right??)!  When we got home, my Mom said the girls had something to show me in the family room - SURPRISE!  I was totally shocked, my brother and his family and my in-laws and SIL were all there with balloons and presents - what fun!!  I was totally surprised and confused - LOL!  I haven't been surprised very often in my life, I usually suspect things, but I seriously had no idea this time so it was really fun!  Thank you to my wonderful family for that!  My husband tells me that Emma knew about this change in plans for about a week and half and never told the secret - incredible!!

Thanks also to all of you for the sweet birthday wishes, here and on Facebook!  There's a Prettie hop going on (start at Christie's blog) that I need to finish up - check out the beautiful cards they made me! Thank you Pretties for making me feel so special!! :)

I'm off to have a great day - thanks so much everyone!!

Salt Challenge - Penitence

Today's Salt challenge comes from Lythan and is on Penitence.  You can read Lythan's write-up on the Salt blog.  For my project today I used Psalm 51:17 where David says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart - these, O God, you will not despise."  Matthew Henry describes the penitent heart as ". . . a heart breaking with itself, and breaking from its sin; it is a heart pliable to the word of God, and patient under the rod of God, a heart subdued and brought into obedience; it is a heart that is tender, like Josiah’s, and trembles at God’s word. Oh that there were such a heart in us!"

My ATC today is a bit out of my comfort zone but I felt that the subject called for a different look.  I  printed my verse and die cut it with Nestabilities and then sponged all around the edges using Distress Ink.  The stamp is from Papertrey Ink's Life set and was stamped using Weathered Wood Distress Ink which seemed to go well with the Basic Grey paper (from the Perhaps line).  I sat forever looking at this trying to decide how to embellish it but in the end I left it pretty plain - only adding some brads and a teeny, tiny little crumpled flower made of the same dp.

Please visit the Salt blog today to view the rest of the design teams work and if you feel inclined, we'd love to have you join us in the challenge!  Please leave a link if you do.  Thank you so much for visiting today - have a wonderful day!

Cardstock: Buckaroo Blue (SU!), Ivory (Gina K Designs), Patterned Paper: Perhaps collection (Basic Grey), Stamps: Life (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Weathered Wood (Distress Ink, Ranger), Accessories: Nestabilities, Ribbon (SU! - colored with a Copic marker), Brads (SU!), Button (Papertrey Ink), corner rounder punch

Prettie Colored Wednesday (PWC95)

 My post for the Waltzingmouse Stamps St. Patty's Day Blog Hop is just below - thank you for scrolling down! :)

Today it's my turn to issue the Prettie Wednesday Challenge and I've chosen a prettie Spring palette for you!  Our weather here has been unseasonably warm and I know most of us are ready for Spring! 

This week the Prettie Girls will be using Eggstra Special Easter or Love You This Much and these sets will be 20% all week in the Paper Pretties store!  You should start today's hop on Christie's blog so that you don't miss out on a thing!

I used Eggstra Special Easter today and made this fun little card (it's 5.5" x 3.5") which also uses Sassy Circles.   I stamped the dots on the kraft strip and then used Heat & Stick powder to add some pretty glitter!  I also glitterfied (is that a word?) the dots on Cooper's egg.

You may have noticed (and you will be seeing more!) that my sewing machine made it out quite a few times this week!  I don't know why but I just felt the urge to use it on almost every card I made - LOL!  Oh, and I ran out of room on the front so the sentiment is nicely stamped on the inside.

So, come join us - we'd love to have you play along with our color challenge and upload your creation in the Paper Pretties Weekly Challenge Gallery!!  Your next stop on the hop is Jana's blog - have a wonderful day!!

Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Kraft (Papertrey Ink), White (Neenah), Patterned Paper: Bitty Dot - Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink), Stamps: Eggstra Special Easter (Paper Pretties), Ink: Black (Memento), Versamark (Tsukineko), Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Heat & Stick powder (SU!), Vintage Button, Twine, Lemon Tart Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Copic markers, sewing machine

Waltzingmouse St. Patrick's Day Blog Hop!

Welcome to my post for the Waltzingmouse Stamps St. Patty's Day Blog Hop!! Go to the Waltzingmouse Forum to find the list of participants! I was so excited to be able to join in today and even more excited that Claire provided us with such a nice little digi download St. Patty's Day package!  I used the sweet bundle of shamrocks which were super fun to color - I love green!

As I mentioned in my other post today, you ca tell my sewing machine was out because I stitched almost everything this week! ha!

Thanks so much for visiting today! Oh one more plug for WMS - they are hosting a beautiful Inspiration Challenge on Stamping Around and you could win a prize from Waltzingmouse Stamps!! Check it out and play along!

Cardstock;  Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink), White (Neenah), Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee, Digi Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps, Accessories: Copic markers, Nestabilities, Twill Tape, Scalloped die, Vintage Buttons (Papertrey Ink), Brad (Queen & Co.), Yellow lace trim (??), sewing machine, foam adhesive

St. Patrick's Day Treasure

Today I have a bit more information for you about the great St. Patty's Day Treasure Hunt being sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps and PaperTemptress.  The contest runs all week and you have the chance to win some fun prizes so be sure to visit the PaperTemptress's Community blog for more details on how to find your clues and enter the contest.

For my card today I used some of the pretty papers from the KSS St. Patty's Day Green Paper Package from the Paper Temptress and the brand new Kitchen Sink Stamps set Multi-Step Shamrocks & Clovers.  This is another awesome mini set!! It's the perfect for you to give a try if you haven't tried KSS before! There are a lot of clovers in this mini set as well as a wonderful little color recipe!  I stamped the clovers on Neenah Ivory paper using this recipe:  Step 3 - New Leaf (Papertrey Ink), Step 2 - Bamboo Leaves (Memento), Step 1 - New Sprout (Memento). 

After I had stamped a bunch of the clovers randomly I die cut a circle with my Nestabilities.  I then stamped the sentiment from Ready 4 Any Holiday on vellum and die cut that with the next smaller circle Nestabilities and layered it on top.  The green scalloped circle was die cut from Emeraude Sparkle, the background panel is Khaki Ruche and the cardbase is Neenah Green, all of which are part of the paper pack.  I stamped one final shamrock, cut it out and popped it up on the front. Of course, I had to add a bit of bling!! :)

For more inspiration using Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Shamrocks & Clovers along with KSS St. Patty's Day Green Paper Package from Paper Temptress be sure to visit the other KSS Crew blogs. While I don't have a part of the Phrase Word, they just might!

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

and

Tammy Hershberger - March Guest Designer

Cardstock:  Green, Ivory (Neenah), Emeraude Sparkle, Khaki Ruche (Paper Temptress), Vellum (SU!), Stamps: Multi-Step Shamrocks & Clovers, Ready 4 Any Holiday (Kitchen Sink Stamps),Ink:  Tuxedo Black, New Sprout, Bamboo Leaves (Memento), New Leaf (Papertrey Ink) Accessories:  Swarovski crystal, foam adhesive, Nestabilities (Spellbinders), sewing machine, corner rounder, ribbon (Michaels)

Treasure Hunt

Kitchen Sink Stamps & PaperTemptress

are joining together for a

St. Patty's Treasure Hunt Give Away!

March 13 – 21

Visit the PaperTemptress’s Blog everyday in search for the next clue. Solve the puzzle & win the treasure!