It's my birthday!

Well, my birthday is actually on Saturday, but since I will be out of town at a scrapbooking retreat all weekend, I thought I would post this today. Read on to find out how you can win a little something from me this weekend...

Nona threw out a challenge to make something with your "collector's stash" (aka - stuff that you purchased on a whim, or that you've been "saving" for the perfect time, or stamps that have yet to see ink.) Ironically she used a set called "Hey Cupcake" by Stampendous that I had actually purchased on a whim one evening and forgot about. So...I thought I would make a birthday card using that set.

I used my Cuttlebug and Rectangle Nestabilites to cut the hole out of the front (actually by accident) and then used it again to emboss the outside and inside panels. I used my black StazOn ink pad along with my CTMH Bamboo, Blush, and Buttercup markers. I also added some Prisma Glitter to the frosting and the candle on the cupcake. Looks yummy huh?

Close up of the outside of the card:
Close up of the inside of the card:I loved Nona's challenge, so I am going to pass it along to you as well. However, I am going to change it just a bit. So here's my challenge. Using your "collector's items" (aka - stuff that you purchased on a whim, or that you've been "saving" for the perfect time, or stamps that have yet to see ink) create a birthday card or layout. Post it to your blog or favorite board, along with a description of the items just now being used. Make sure to leave a comment here directing us to your post! On Monday, I will select a random winner to receive some little goodies from me. (I will go through my stash and put together something fun.) I am looking forward to seeing what you create!

Don't forget to post a comment on Nona's blog as well. You just may win something from her too. *Ü*

I will let you all know how my retreat (and birthday) was when I get back on Sunday.

Have a great weekend! (I know I will.)

Short and Sweet Cards

I fell in love with the Short and Sweet stamp set from SU! a few months ago. I bought it and only used it once, so I thought I'd pull it out and make some simple cards since I seem to be on a simple card streak lately. LOL!

I used Papertery's Stamper's Select cardstock. (It is so thick. I love it!) I also used my Rectangle Nestabilities on the base of the card as well as on the panel that I stamped on. In case you are interested in buying some Nestabilities, check out cutathome.com. My friend Linda told me that you can sign up to get a monthly 40% off coupon and use them on the Nestabilites. I just ordered a set of 4 and only paid about $50 for them. Everywhere else has them for around $80. (Thanks for the tip Linda!) I used CTMH markers and coordinating cardstock along with my black StazOn ink pad.
Here is a close up of a couple of the embossed cards. (You can click on the photos to enlarge them even more.) It is a little hard to see. Running them through my Cuttlebug took the most time. After that, they went together really fast! I plan to make a bunch more for gifts. They would be super cute in a box like the one I made a couple weeks ago.

Simple Cards

I'm not sure why, but I have been creating super simple cards lately. I love spending a lot of time on cards and creating fun "mini works of art," but for some reason I have been on an "easy streak" lately. LOL! Plus there is just something about a simple card that sometimes makes more of a statement.

Anyway, I had my CTMH Solo E set out for some reason yesterday. When I saw the cute little flower in the set, I knew I wanted to use it for a simple card. (I forgot how many fun images are in the solo sets.) These are the cards I came up with. I'm not sure if I like the 3 level pop-dotted version better or the other one. The "enjoy" card uses just the Solo E set and the "thanks" card uses a sentiment from the May SOTM (Say it with Style.) I added some Liquid Glass to the water to make it a little more shiny. The colors I used are Heavenly Blue and Buttercup. Not much else to explain since the cards are so simple.

Whimsical Wings Cards

I finally got a chance to play with my new Whimsical Wings set today. Here are a couple of cards that I made with them. They are pretty simple cards, but kind of fun. I used the border stamp from the Be True set and stamped it in black ink on Heavenly Blue cardstock. Then I colored in the flowers with a white Uniball Gel Pen and a dot of Cranberry ink in the middle. I stamped the butterfly in Cranberry ink and then added a touch of Prisma Glitter to the dots on the wings. Then I cut her out and folded up the wings to give her some dimension. The sentiments on both cards are from CTMH's May Stamp of the Month (Say it with Style.) The tag on the second card was made with my Cuttlebug die. I matted both cards on Cranberry cardstock and then again on a white blank card. I added a little Cranberry grosgrain ribbon for the final touch.

I am honored...

LeAnne has honored me with two fabulous awards! (Thanks LeAnne!) Be sure to check out her blog. She is super talented!! *Ü*

I know I am supposed to tag other bloggers with these fun awards now, but there are so many great ones out there that I just can't narrow it down. Check out my list to the right of some of my favorite blogs. In fact, I have a TON of new blogs that I still need to add to my blog roll. Hopefully I will get a chance to do that this week. Check back soon for more fun blogging links.

Color Blocked Layout

This layout was inspired by Kim Jepperson from the CTMH Training Academy. I loved the way she sanded the white core cardstock and color blocked her layout. I used my sewing machine once again with a tad more success than last time. (Still workin' on it though.) You can click on the photos for a closer look.

Here is a closeup of the sanded cardstock and distressed edges:
Here is a closeup of my cutie, Hannah:

Two great finds today!

Ok, so I have fallen in love with these little acrylic discs that everyone has been using on their cards and could never find them. Both Jeanne and Kathi posted that you can get them at Michaels. Jeanne posted a photo that really helped me find them. (Thanks Jeanne!) In fact they are in the clearance section for only $2 a bag! I bought all the colors they had.
Then as I was walking around the store looking for who knows what, I found a great storage option for them. In the wedding section, they had a box of small jars that looked kind of like old fashioned candy jars. (They are meant to be party favors.) They were $19.95 and of course I left my 40% off coupon at home. Since they only had one box left, I bought them and am glad I did. They are so cute. I filled a few of them with some of the acrylic discs and lined up a few more so that you could see what they look like. Cute, huh? Now I just need to make some cards with them! LOL!

“Hi” Cards

This card was inspired by Kristina Werner. I loved the circle card she posted yesterday for her “Make a Card Monday.” I made the first one using Baby Pink and Chocolate. I also used CTMH's Building Block alphabet and Angel Whispers for the word “Sunshine.” (I love to call my daughter Sunshine.) Well, after I made the card, I realized that I should have probably used yellow to go with the word sunshine. Shortly after, the yellow version below was born. LOL!

I used my circle Coluzzle to cut the two largest circles and a small circle punch for the Chocolate circles around the edge. Then I popped just about everything up with 3-D Foam Squares. After adding a little Chocolate grosgrain ribbon, I was was finished. I thought they were kind of cute until my hubby asked me why I made a card that says "Hawaii Sunshine." He thought the word "HI" was an abbreviation for Hawaii. Oh well...

Happiness Card

This card was inspired by a fellow CTMH Consultant but I can't find the original photo or post now to give her credit. (I hate when that happens!) Please let me know if this card looks like one that you did so that I can give you credit for the inspiration. *Ü*

With that being said, I used the new CTMH Happiness set, Whoops-a-Daisy Paper Pack, Hydrangea & Hollyhock Cardstock, a clear button, edge distresser, some White Daisy Organdy Ribbon, and lots of 3-D Foam squares. LOL!

It is a bright card, but I kind of like it. Edited to add: I finally found the gal who inspired my card! Jennifer Diaz is super talented and I am so glad that I found her blog. Please forgive me Jenn for not giving you credit earlier. You inspired this card big time!!

"Digi-Purse"

I came across the scrapartist website a few days ago and found this super cute purse template on their blog. The best part is that it was FREE! Check it out here. I printed it on photo paper, put it together, and added a bit of satin ribbon and I was done. Quick and easy. They also included a layered template that you can use with your favorite digiart to customize your purse. Super cute.

I had a pack of Basic Grey Magnetic Snaps in my stash that were perfect to keep the flap closed. I knew I would use them for something someday! (That's why I hate to get rid of things. I am such a collector. My hubby thinks I need to be in a 12 step program for it.) Anyway, I'm not sure what to put in my little purse. Maybe some candy or some small cards? Who knows? But I do know that I plan to make more! LOL!

Miss You Card

I went to Big Lots yesterday and found a ton of great stuff that I really didn't need, but had to buy. One of which was a 6x6 Making Memories pad of patterned paper. This card isn't anything special, but I wanted to whip something up as soon as I came home and this is what I came up with. I used some Cranberry cardstock for the base and layered it with two sheets from my new "MM Cheeky Collection - Emery" paper. I added a little stitching around the border. (I really need more practice with my sewing machine!) I added some blue grosgrain ribbon and a CTMH flower shaped metal framed tag with a Cranberry brad to finish it off. (The Miss You sentiment came from Papertrey's Mixed Messages set. A set that I really need to use more often!) The card is pretty plain, but I just love the paper. I can't wait to create more with it!

Super Duper Simple Thank You Card

I just can't stop making cards with the May SOTM. I just love that set! This one is a super simple card. I used the tiny flower from the new Happiness set and the Thank You from the May SOTM called Say it with Style. I embossed a square on the Hollyhock cardstock with the scoring blade on my paper trimmer. I stamped the flower and sentiment on 1" squares and sponged a bit of Hollyhock ink around them before using 3-D foam squares to add them to the card. I added a little white organdy ribbon and was done in a just few minutes. I may make a bunch of them in different colors and put them in a box for a teacher gift. (Sorry the photos aren't very good.)

Preschool Project

My son's preschool teacher asked me to come in to teach the kids a spring stamping project. Today was the day. Boy was I unprepared for the mass chaos. I have a new appreciation for Preschool teachers! They are saints.

I had prepared a cute little tin with some stamped flowers for the project. Here is what my sample looked like...
The kids were to each cut or punch out three circles and stamp some flowers in the middle. They could also color them in if they wanted. Then we glued them to some little sticks and stuck them in a piece of foam that I put in the tins. The kids were adorable. There were even a couple of kids in the class, other than Ryan, who knew exactly what they were doing. (I see future stampers written all over them!) All in all, we had a good time.

Here is Ryan with his creation. He was so proud... I got some really cute shots of the kids stamping the flowers but don't feel right about posting them on my blog without talking to the parents first. (They will make a cute scrapbook page though.) So, here are a few of the finished tins lined up by the window...

Boxed Card Set

I had so much fun making the box for the Card Kit last week that I thought I'd try another one. Once again the instructions for the box can be found here. I altered my box a tiny bit by making each of the panels 7.5"x7.5" This allowed room for my envelopes. I used CTMH's Celebrate Life set for the butterfly and sentiment on the box along with Legendary Moments for the fun flourishes around the border.
Here is a view from the top. You can see that I was able to fit 10 flat cards and 10 envelopes in the box. You could probably even fit 10 folded cards in the box.
The cards were made using Heavenly Blue Cardstock and Ink. I love the flourishes in the Legendary Moments Set. The one I used is actually a corner Flourish, but if you line it up correctly, you can flip it around every other time you stamp it to make it work on a flat edge. And of course, I used my favorite Say it with Style, May Stamp of the Month for the sentiments in the corner. I was going to make these folded cards but after I finished the card fronts, I decided to leave them as flat cards. I also stamped on the envelope flaps.