JOY Garland

I made this garland for my sister for Christmas this year.  Her Christmas colors are royal blue, silver and white.  

I stamped the background with snowflakes and white ink.

 Using Stampin' Up! heat and stick powder, I added glitter to these stamped Snow Bursts to make a background for my 'J'.

 Versamark ink and the retired Medallion background stamp, and a graduated rhinestones for the 'O'.

This is hard to see, but I spritzed the blue with Vanilla Paper Smooches (it adds a white pearl background), then added stickers and self adhesive rhinestones.

Supplies:
Damask Snowflake Dies (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Silver Glitter (Michael's), Silver Holograph (Joann), Brilliant Blue (SU!), Whisper White (SU!), Patterned paper (Doodlebug)
Ribbon (Michaels)
Stamps: Snow Burst (SU!), Medallion Background (SU!)
Paper Smooches - Vanilla
Stickers (Jolee's Boutique), Self Adhesive Rhinestones (Michael's), Misc Rhinestones (Michael's)
Cricut Cartridge - Storybook (letters and bracket backgrounds)

cQc #151

 For this weeks colors, I chose to use the My Favorite Things sketch from The Sweetest Thing blog.  It's actually for a guest design team slot, but I just liked the sketch.

Because the back is done in black, it's a little hard to see that the background is embossed using the SU! houndstooth embossing folder.  I'm in love with houndstooth this season (I've got my eye and a cute pair of peep toe sling backs in houndstooth!).
I just got this stamp last month and I love that there are sentiments perfect for a teacher, or a friend.  I also love the 'oversized' accessories (the notebook paper here) from this stamp line.

This beautiful button I picked up while I was visiting my family in AZ a couple weeks ago.  Isn't it gorgeous?!  And the package contained two sizes.  I just snipped the back off, but they'd be perfect as the centers of a flower clip for your hair too.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Whisper White (SU!), Stampers Select White (PTI) - I like this white for use with Copic markers, Tempting Turquoise (SU!), Basic Grey (SU!), Basic Black (SU!)
Patterned Paper: Pumpkin Pie DSP (SU!)
Stamps: A La Mode You Rule (My Favorite Things Stamps), BB: Text Style (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Tempting Turquoise (SU!), Pumpkin Pie (SU!)
Embossing Folder: Houndstooth (SU!)
Button: Bazzill Buttons Nostalgic
Die: Chevron (PTI), Beautiful Blooms II #1 (PTI)
Copics: E55, E57, E59, C1, E53, E00, YR12, YR15, YR18, R20

Missed the Blog Hop :(

The hubby was hogging the computer last night and I didn't have a chance to post to the blog hop on PTI.  So sad.  But here's my card anyway.  I saw someone post a card with this stamp set where they had used Copic markers to add extra color and dimension to the flowers.  I loved this idea, so I thought I'd try it with my card.  

Supplies:

Cardstock: Berry Sorbet, Melon Berry (PTI), Very Vanilla (SU!)

Die: Mat Stack 4, Edgers #1 (PTI)

Ribbon: Harvest Gold (PTI)

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron, Groovy Guava (SU!)

Copic markers: R22, R24

Stamps: Botanical Silhouettes (PTI)

Happy Layers

I love love love this color combo!

Supplies:
Paper: Crumb Cake (SU!), Aqua Mist (PTI), Aqua Mist Patterned Paper (PTI), Canyon Clay (PTI)
Stamps: Lovely Layers(PTI), We Go Together (PTI)
Buttons: Aqua Mist, Orange Zest (PTI)
Ink: Vintage Cream (PTI), Pumpkin Pie (SU!)
Copper Brads (Unknown)

FTL #199

Love the butterflies on the sketch, but went with my newest favorite: Lovely Layers.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Very Vanilla (all SU!)
Stamps: Lovely Layers (PTI)
Buttons: Lemon Tart, Spring Rain (PTI)
Ink: So Saffron, Night of Navy (SU!)
Embossing Folder: Moroccan Screen (Cuttlebug)
Dies/Punch: Lovely Layers Dies (PTI), Modern Label Punch (SU!)

cQc #145

All I could think of with these colors was Sunflowers. So I used the only semi-Sunflower stamps I had. Since I didn't have anything in Pear Pizzazz, I used the next closest Stampin' Up! color, Certainly Celery. Enjoy!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Whisper White (SU!), More Mustard (SU!), Harvest Gold Distressed Dots (PTI)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Certainly Celery (SU!) Chamomile Tea Die Ink (PTI)
Stamps: Flower Fusion #4 (PTI)
Dies: Flower Fusion #4, Fillable Frames #7(PTI), Chevron Stripes Border(PTI)
Misc: Dark Chocolate Button (PTI), Foam Squares (Recollections)

Soft Pastel Missing You

Made this little beauty for a friend who was moving away.  I love love love these two blues together.  I really wish Stampin' Up! had not retired Soft Sky - it's such a nice soft blue.

Supplies:
Stamps: Background Basics Text Style II (PTI), Love Birds (PTI)
Ink: London Fog (Memento), Baja Breeze (SU!)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Whisper White (SU!)
Flowers: Prima
Ribbon: Sweet Blush (PTI)
Brad: Recollections
Mini Pearls: Recollections
Dies: Spellbinders labels 18

Lovely Layers Day 2

This was actually my first card using Lovely Layers.  I love this color combo!
Supplies:
Stamps: Lovely Layers (PTI), We Go Together (PTI)
Cardstock: Rustic Cream, Sweet Blush (PTI), Melon Mambo (SU!)
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip (SU!), Versamark
Dies: Lovely Layers (PTI)
Other: Dark Chocolate Button (PTI), Fine Glitter (PTI), Liquid Glue (Martha Stewart), Foam dots

Lovely Layers

I love the Lovely Layers stamps and Dies from Papertrey Ink!!!  So glad I bought these.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Crumb Cake (SU!), Dark Chocolate (PTI), Vintage Cream (PTI), Melon Mambo (SU!), Aqua Mist Patterned paper (PTI)
Label Embellishment: Color Couture Vol. 1 (PTI)
Stamps: Lovely Layers (PTI)
Ink: Vintage Cream (PTI)
Die: Lovely Layers (PTI), Chevron Stripes Border (PTI)
Other: Foam Dots

Rainbow Medallions

I saw a card linked on the PTI Make it Monday Challenge last week that used the Mehndi Medallion stamp set with lots of colors.  (Here's the blog I spotted: Lauren's Little Crafty Place - LOVE!)I loved this look!  I love this set, but have been really challenged on what to do with it.  I thought I'd try my hand at it.  I love how it turned out.

Supplies:
Stamps: Mehndi Medallion (PTI)
Cardstock: Vinatge Cream (PTI), Turquoise (Bazzill)
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Cool Caribbean, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Romance, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Cherry Cobbler (SU!)
Rhinestones: Green, Turquoise, Pink, Orange (Recollections)

cQc#142 & PTI Monday

Score Tape is the best for creating straight lines of glitter.  Here I used two different widths.  Later I added Baby Blue Stickles glitter glue to the flourish, but couldn't get a good photo of that at night.

Supplies:
Paper: Bazzill Basics (dark blue), Cameo Coral (SU!), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Stamps: Text Style Background (PTI), Fancy Flourishes (PTI), Beautiful Butterflies (PTI)
Ink: Versamark, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Butterfly Die: PTI
Other: Yellow rhinestones, Sapphire Embossing Powder (Recollections), Blue glitter (Art accents) 

Colour Queen Challenge #141

Supplies:

Paper: White (Recollections), Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy (SU!), Green Shimmer Crdstk (Bazzill)

Dies: Trendy Tree Tops (PTI), Limitless Layers (PTI)

Stamps: Trendy Tree Tops (PTI)

Embossing Folder:  Houndstooth (SU!)

Heat Embossing Powder: Saphire (Recollections)

Foam Tape (3M)

Year End Teacher Gift

(Try as I may, I can't get my picture to rotate.  Sorry.)

I saw these cute decorated clipboards on Etsy as I was searching for a year end teacher gift.  I thought, "Eh, how hard could it be?", right?  I started with a pink plastic clip board I picked up at Staples.  Although I've read you can find cheap $1 that are brown at the Dollar Store.  Since the clip board was pink, however, I decided not to cover the back (it coordinated with my paper, and saved me time and supplies).

My first attempt to cover the board ended in disaster!  I used ScorTape to fasten the paper to the board, and started to apply Mod Podge in Matte finish.  UGH!  Immediately the paper began to bubble and wrinkle!  NOOOOOO!!!  I was yelling from the corner of my crafting space.  I think my husband thought I'd lost my mind.  I attempted to smooth the paper and thought that if I waited for it to dry, it'd lie flat again.  I think I waited about 15 min.  When that didn't happen I painfully pealed the paper from the clipboard and discarded it.  This was killer because this paper has been discontinued and I only had a couple sheets of it.  Ahhh!!!

After weighing my options and deciding I'd try again, I cleaned my space and crossed my fingers.
Here's the secret:
Apply a THIN coat of Mod Podge to the clip board - THEN apply the paper.  I worked one section of paper at a time.  I used an old plastic card that's for applying vinyl to walls to smooth out the paper.  Although, honestly, there were no bubbles (probably because the MP was a thin coat).  After all my paper was on the board I continued to smooth everything down with the card and made sure all the edges were affixed.

Then, you have to wait.  I wanted to be sure the glue was dry, so I waited almost 24 hours before I put the first coat of MP on TOP of the paper.  Make sure this is a thin layer as well.  I waited another 24 hours and put another layer of MP on top.  I figured two layers was enough and waited another 24 hours then sprayed with a Clear Acrylic Sealer.  After all that was done - I tied all my ribbons on.  The clipboard still works, and the lack of embellishments means the teacher can use this for anything she would like.

Supplies:
Clipboard: Staples
Ribbon: Misc Joann, Micheals, Hobby Lobby, Papertrey Ink
Paper: KI Memories
Cricut Cartridge: Storybook font
Adhesive: Mod Podge, Matte Finish
Clear Acrylic Sealant

My First Publication

I can't believe I failed to post this on my blog, so I'm doing it now.  Here's the photo of my first ever published card.

It can be found in here, Cards 365 by Papercrafts Magazine.  Pg. 135.  Although, I don't like the background color in the magazine.  It made the yellow look mustard like, instead of the soft buttery color it truly is, as shown above.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Crumb Cake (SU!)

Fibers: Harvest Gold Saddle Stitch Ribbon (PTI), Chocolate Bakers Twine (PTI)

Button: Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Pattern Paper: Orange Polka Dots (DCWV Autumn Stack)

Stamps: Turning a New Leaf (PTI)

Ink: White (SU!)

Cutout: "Birthday Girl" and flower from Color Couture Vol 7-9 (PTI)

Teacher Appreciation Day 4

Here we are, the last of the teacher appreciation gifts.  I failed to get pictures of the inside of the second box, but you get the idea.  I filled each box with 6 handmade cards, envelopes, and a small cellophane bag with a couple pecan turtles.

Supplies:
Template: Keeping Tabs Template  (Paptertrey Ink)
Paper: Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranete, Kiwi Kiss (SU!), Patterened Papers: Raspberry Tart, Ginger Blossoms (SU!)
Ribbon: Various (Michaels/Joann)
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Dies: Mat Stack1, Limitless Layers Circles 1 3/4"(Papertrey Ink)
Punch: Small Oval (SU!)
Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug)

Fortunate Teacher Appreciation

Filled these empty take out boxes with individually wrapped fortune cookies.  I added glimmer mist, but I don't think it's very obvious from the photos.  These were the easiest gifts!

Supplies:

Take-Out Boxes

Fortune Cookies (La Choy)

Teal Ribbon (Michaels)

Red shimmer cardstock (Michaels)

Smooch Spritz Vanilla Shimmer (SU!)

Circle Punch (Mervy)

Downloadable tags found Here.

The above link also has a free download for a 'generic' tag of Fortunate to have You - great for spouses or kids or whoever needs to feel appreciated!

Teacher Appreciation Day 2

I was up super late working on these ones.  I purchased plastic, reusable coffee cups (or in my case, hot cocoa cups ;) ) and added some cellophane bags of mini donuts.  Complete with pink ribbon.  I was searching the internet for a good carrier for this lovely cup and donut combo.  Wouldn't you know, I'd find it on Lauren Meader's shop?
Template: Fancy a Cuppa (mytimemadeeasy.com)
Paper: Taken w/Teal (SU!), Dark Chocolate (PTI), Loves Me designer series paper (SU!)
Ribbon: Loves Me Ribbon (SU!)
Punch: Flourish Square (EK Success)