CP Sketch #3

I wasn't going to do this sketch this week, but at the last minute I changed my mind. All three kids have had friends over since they got home from school. I just needed an excuse to lock myself in my scrapbook room! Here is Card Patterns Sketch #3: Here is my card (just under the wire!):With Gratitude
all supplies Papertrey Ink, unless otherwise noted
stamps: Spiral Bouquet
ink: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream
paper: Kraft, Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Bitty Dots paper
ribbon: Raspberry Fizz
other: EK Success edge punch, button

Thanks for stopping by!
Melanie

February Blog Hop

I am so excited to be participating in my first Papertrey Ink Blog Hop. We were challenged to "put a little spring in our step" and create something inspired by spring. I knew immediately that I wanted to do something for Easter. So, I took the opportunity to combine two of my favorite things: papercrafting and party planning! Almost two years ago we moved into a brand new subdivision. We were only the third house built at the time. Since then we have gotten a few more neighbors and I thought it would be fun to organize a neighborhood Easter egg hunt!


When making the invitations I first stamped all of the eggs (from Limitless Labels). I then masked the eggs and stamped the grass. After removing the masks, I stamped a few more blades of grass on top of the eggs. I used all three PTI greens for the grass and it really looks like the eggs are hidden in there! There are only 8 kids in the neighborhood right now (including my 3!) so I made each of the kids a basket using Lauren's My Timeless Templates. I stamped some of the baskets with the stripe from Background Basics: Retro (love that set!!) and the rest with Polka Dot Basics. Each basket is identified by their initial. It is hard to tell from the pictures, but there is glitter on the flowers. For the party, I will fill these baskets with a chocolate bunny along with other candies and these will be a cute little party favor!
If you have not tried one of these templates, this is a good one to start with-it is sooo cute and a perfect size for a little gift!
I also put together a few cupcake toppers using that cute little bunny from the Tags for Spring set.

This was so much fun to put together and the best part is that I now have a head start on the party! I am off to blog hop! I can't wait to see what everyone came up with!

Easter Egg Hunt
all supplies: Papertrey Ink, unless otherwise noted
stamps: Tags for Spring, Borders and Corners Circle, Fresh Alphabet, Limitless Labels, Background Basics-Retro, Polka Dot Basics
ink: Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, New Leaf, Summer Sunrise, Plum Pudding, Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate
cardstock: white, Ripe Avocado, New Leaf, Summer Sunrise, Plum Pudding, Raspberry Fizz
ribbon: New Leaf, Summer Sunrise, Plum Pudding, Raspberry Fizz

Thanks for stopping by!
Melanie

CPS104 sponsored by Papertrey Ink

Papertrey Ink is sponsoring another sketch over at CPS. A great sketch sponsored by one of my favorite stamp companies! It doesn't get any better than that for me! So here is the sketch:

Here is my card:

In real life it is very sparkly! The butterfly and the centers of the flowers are glittered. I stamped the polka dot background with Berry Sorbet ink then Fresh Snow ink on top of that. It just gave the polka dots some dimension and makes them pop off of the card!
Spring has Sprung
Cardstock: White, Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet; Papertrey Ink
Stamps: Honey Bees, Polka Dot Basics, Fresh Alphabet, Simple Alphabet; Papertrey Ink
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise, Fresh Snow; Papertrey Ink
Other: white button- Papertrey Ink, Nestabilities tag die-Spellbinders, glitter-ArtGlitter, butterfly punch, hemp cord, corner rounder

Thanks for stopping by!
Melanie

Happy Birthday Bryce!

February is a busy birthday month for us! My nephew, Bryce, turned 6 today. Happy Birthday buddy! Tomorrow we have a fun day planned celebrating his birthday. After morning soccer games we will meet my parents and my brothers family and his in-laws at the Zoo! Despite the weather forecast {high temp. of 31 degrees and windy, eek!} we are all looking forward to spending the day with family. Fortunately, due to the weather, we won't have to fight much of a crowd! Avery is especially looking forward to spending the day with her favorite cousin.

Aren't they sweet!!!! These pictures are from a Royal Carribean cruise we all took last May. They are like 2 peas in a pod! Bryce is 7 months older than Avery and they are best buds!
For Bryce's birthday card I used the occasion to break out one of my new Papertrey Ink sets called Background Basics: Retro. This is going to be one of my new favorite PTI stamp sets!




It's hard to tell, but I put glossy accents on the dots in the background and on the frog.

Hoppy Birthday
cardstock: white, Spring Moss, Ripe Avacado
stamps: Background Basics: Retro, Pond Life, Borders and Corners: Circle, Paper Tray; Papertrey Ink
ink: Ripe Avacado, Spring Moss, New Leaf; Papertrey Ink
ribbon: New Leaf twill; Papertrey Ink
other: Cuttlebug tag die, brad, glossy accents
size: 4 1/4 sq.

Thanks for stopping by!
Melanie

OCC Sketch

I loved this sketch the moment I saw it! It is from Our Creative Corner. It is just one of those sketches that immediately ideas were popping into my head. It doesn't mean it didn't take me forever to execute an idea! I really envy those people who can make a card in 10 minutes! I would settle for 30 min.! Anyway, Here is my take on the sketch...
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I still haven't mastered photographing cards! I used some yellow Stickles on the owl's belly. I love that stuff! It makes it so easy to add a little sparkle! I also used my new Janome Sew Mini sewing machine on this card as well as the card in this post. I have a few comments on this little machine that I will post later today if I have time.
have a hOOt of a day
Cardstock: DCWV
PP: K and Company
Stamps: Wise Owl, Out on a Limb; Papertrey Ink
Ribbon: Dark Chocolate satin, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avacado; Papertrey Ink
Other: Fiskars Threading Water punch, yellow Stickles, Janome Sew Mini, Creative Memories Circle Cutter

Thanks for stopping by!
Melanie

SFYTT

So, here's my card based on the sketch I found at I {heart} to stamp. Yesterday I did a couple of sketches and posted a card that I accidentally credited to this sketch. Even as I was creating the post I kept thinking to myself "boy, this is a stretch!" I try to stay pretty true to the sketches. It wasn't til later that I realized I used a different sketch for that card! Opps, sorry for any confusion! So, anyway, here is the actual card I made off this wonderful 'sketch for you to try' from Jen at I {heart} to stamp.


Have Fun
Card stock: white-PTI; Blue-unknown
PP: Flair Designs (fish); Making Memories (lt. blue)
stamps: C.C. Designs 'Summertime Fun'
Ink: black Staz-On, ColorBox chalk (blue)
Other: plasic fish-American Crafts; decorative accents from Michaels, Prismacolor pencils, hemp cord,

Thanks for stopping by!

Dawn's Color Challenge and CP Sketch #2

The final challenge in the celebration of Papertrey Ink's 2nd anniversary is another color challenge. We are to choose a color scheme from one of fabulous cards designed by Dawn McVey. She is known for her amazing color combinations. She has a unique style all to her own! If you haven't seen it, you should check out her blog! Anyway, back to the card, I choose one of her more toned down color combos because I needed a sympathy card (more on that another time). I really wanted to use Raspberry Fizz as that color always reminds me of her, but not today.
I used CP Sketch #2 (despite what I posted yesterday! long story!!) Another fun sketch!

With Sympathy
Card stock: white, ripe avocado, aqua mist; Papertrey Inc.
stamps: Out on a Limb, Polka Dot Basics; Papertrey Inc.
ink: Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Aqua Mist, Fresh Snow; Papertrey Inc.
other: ribbon-Papertrey Ink; button, hemp, Sakura Souffle pen (white)

2S4Y Challenge

Hello!
I found another card sketch site. Yeah! This one is called 2Sketches4You. I used a Papertrey Ink set that has yet to see ink called Teacher's Apple. It is one of my favorite teacher themed stamp sets that I have found. So I thought I would get a head start on the end of the year "thank you" teacher gifts and get a card made. I will later make something to go with this for one of my kid's teachers.
This card is based off of this weeks sketch #19 from Laura at 2S4Y.
(I flipped the sketch)


To Teach
cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Vintage Cream all Papertrey Ink
PP: Bo Bunny
Ink: Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate-Papertrey Ink
Ribbon: Papertrey Ink- Ripe Avacado twill ribbon layered on top of Lemon tart stitched ribbon
Other: thread, staples, McGill file tab punch
I cut the leaves out and rolled them for a little dimension.

Thanks for stopping by!

We survived the birthday dinner.....Barely!

I don't know about you, but that birthday song was driving me crazy!! I replaced it with my current favorites.....ahhh much better! Seriously, Aaron loved reading every ones comments. I knew he would. I'm sure we will be reading that post over and over the next few days or weeks. We had a good night. Soccer went well.... both of the boys really enjoy playing soccer. We have only played indoor so far. I haven't looked into any outdoor leagues yet and not really sure what the difference is (other than the obvious!). Anyone have any opinions on indoor vs. outdoor? After soccer, we went to Aaron's choice of restaurants. Anywhere he wanted...I mean ANYWHERE ......guess where we went? I should make this into a contest, except a few of you already know! Yep, Hometown Buffet!! (insert gagging noise here!) I mean, where else can you have tacos, pizza and chicken nuggets followed by a generous helping of bread pudding (or if you're Avery-ice cream with gummy worms and sprinkles on top. mmmm) Makes you hungry just thinking about it, doesn't it? NOT!!! On the bright side, I didn't have to cook!
Thanks again for leaving him special birthday messages. He may even pop on here and thank you himself. He wants to-I'm just not sure I want to open that can of worms! KWIM?
Have a good night!

Happy Birthday Aaron!!

Our little boy is turning 8 today!

We aren't able to have the official party until March, due to availability of the place we're having it. Apparently this is a crime in the eyes of an 8 year old!!! Before you feel too sorry for him, we are taking him out to the restaurant of his choosing and giving him a present or two. It's like he gets to celebrate his birthday twice this year. He still doesn't get it! So, I wanted to show him some extra special love on my blog today.

"Rock On" Aaron!!

We Love You!!!!!

Friends 'til the End Papertrey Challenge and CP Sketch#1

Wow! Four days in a row, I'm getting tired! :) I got smart today and combined the Papertrey challenge with a sketch from Card Patterns. This was a great sketch and participating these sketches could get very addicting!!! It is so much fun! Fortunately, I need cards for my stash!

Nuttin' Better
cardstock: Kraft, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush; Papertrey Ink
stamps: My Punny Valentine and Polka Dot Basics; Papertrey Ink
Ink: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Berry Sorbet-PTI
Other: Sweet Blush satin ribbon-PTI; Nestibilities Label 1 Die; button, twine, thread, pop dots

I promise I do have other stamps/supplies from companies other than Papertrey Ink. When their anniversary week is over, I will pull out some non-PTI goodies.........Maybe! :)

CPS Sketch

Papertrey Ink is sponsoring a sketch week over at the Card Positioning System Blog, so of course I wanted to participate! I am so glad I did-what a neat site! I will definitely go back to participate in more sketches. This one was so fun! Thanks for stopping by!

Love You Forever
cardstock: Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream Sweet Blush; PTI
stamp: Heart Prints; PTI
other, flowers: Prima-white, Making Memories-red polka dot; Pure Poppy twill ribbon-PTI

Papertrey Ink 'bitty dot' Sketch Challenge

XOXO

Supplies:
Kraft, Vintage Cream, Raspberry Fizz Cardstock; PTI
Stamps: Heart Prints, Polka Dot Basics,Fresh Alphabet; PTI
Raspberry Fizz ink; PTI
Fiskars Threading Water punch, Nestibilities, EK Success heart punches, hemp cord

Here is my take on the sketch challenge over at Papertrey Ink. I really liked this one and will be using it again. I definitely need some advice on photographing cards. I doesn't seem like it should be difficult, but I am finding it a bit challenging! Okay, I know I should clear the junk off the counter first-this was the best of the card itself in about 20 tries! I'm going to work on that!

Papertrey Ink Over the Rainbow Challenge

you made my day
supplies:
stamps: Simple Little Things; PTI
cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides, Summer Sunrise, Pure Poppy; PTI
ink: Ripe Avocado; PTI
Other: Cuttlebug Flowers Die, Fiskars Threading Water punch, Nestibilities ribbon tag die



I have no idea what I'm doing!! I should of never tried to participate in this challenge. I have so much to learn and I should of spent the time learning how to blog. Oh well, here is my card. I think I've missed the deadline, but I'm just excited to load a picture on my blog! So, please excuse the picture, the lighting wasn't good at 10:30 pm and I was in a hurry!

Welcome!

So, Here we go! I'm so excited to be starting a blog. I have been wanting to do this for awhile to keep friends and family updated on what's going on with us. Most of you know that I am a huge papercrafting addict and one of my goals this year is to participate in more online challenges and contests related to this little obsession of mine. It was the push I needed to start this blog and stake out my little corner of the web. I don't know how often I will post, so don't check back too often!!! If you do visit, please leave me a comment. I'd love to know you were here, but please be kind- I'm new at this!