Hand Stamped By Lacey

ABC Christmas Challenge: V is for...

Welcome back stamping friends!!

I'm a little late with my ABC Christmas Challenge card. Like I mentioned yesterday, I spent all weekend working on Sales Taxes so I got behind on DT work. But I'l almost caught up now. 

The challenge over at the ABC Christmas Challenge Blog is: V is for...

Things that start with "V" (with two sketch options).

Please try to add at least 2 things that start with "V". Vertical, Vintage, Vellum, Violet, "Very" Merry Christmas!! You get the point.

We are sponsored this week by:

Pink Cat Studio was so kind as to provide the DT with images to use. Unfortunately, I was late doing my card and found out that I am out of my watercolor paper! Uggg!! So I had to use an image I had already stamped/embossed in my stash! **Note to self - buy more watercolor paper soon!!**

I am hoping to have another card to share next wednesday using the 2nd sketch and the Pink Cat Studio image.

So here is my card this week using sketch #1...

I have used Vellum, Violet, and Very Cute!!

The image is Best Friends Forever from Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber stamps.

The Polka dot DP is from Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather. The Vellum was embossed with a Tim Holtz texture folder so it's nice and 3-D (which I am noticing appears to be blurry in the photo, but it's the dimension you can see.

The sentiment is Signature Christmas from PTI. I also used some Light blue Silk Ribbon and Kaisercraft pearls.

The image was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os... 

So now it's your turn!! It's a great time to come play along with our challenges! There are only 65 days before Christmas!!!

I'm also entering this into the Paper Sundaes Challenge: For someone Little.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge DT - Musical Inspiration

Oh my we have a fun challenge this week at Scrap and Stamp Saturday!!

Before we get to the challenge, we have a lovely sponsor this week!! I had the privillage of sponsoring them, now they are sponsoring our challenge!! Sew Many Cards is our sponsor this week!!

So, this week we want you to use Music as an inspriation. "Scrap a Lyric" or use a song or lyric for your layout! Some of the DT using music sheet as a background...Just somehow incorporate music into your layout.

I have so many ideas in my head that I could have used. But the very first idea was this... My Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. You should be able to click on the name of the song to hear it.

Here's my layout...

These gorgeous pictures of my daughter were taken at a photo shoot from a friend of mine. I bought so many pictures from this shoot...she is such a great photograher. Unfortunately, she moved away to Wisconsin. So anyone in the Wisconsin area, feel free to check out Erin's website.

I always prefer to have a two page layout, but don't always have the time to scrap 2 pages each week. So I am so happy that I managed to get most of this done before my head cold kicked in...which, by the way, I am feeling much better today.

On both layout, the basics are the same...the damask design was stamped using PTI "Damask Desings" stamped on SU Very Vanilla in SU Soft Suede ink. That was sewn to a SU Kraft CS base. I also sewed around the edges. I added a Chocolate Chip CS strip punched with a border punch (I think a Fiscars punch). Then I added some May Arts Crochet Lace 3 and some new ruffle ribbon (gosh, I love that ribbon)!! I also spritzed the sided with some Mud Pie Spritz by Shimmerz. I love the spotches that it left as well as an over-all shimmer.

It's always so hard to photograph a layout, so the lace looks crooked, but it really isn't in real life.

For another stamping element, I used Bear Hug by Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps. This stamp was designed after my daughter, so I am so happy to incorporate it into her layout.

The image is embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. I added some head pins, flowers, Large Star Spacer and Pearl Brad, and some Basic Grey pearls.

For the title I used a combination of things. "My" is stamped with a retired SU set (Best Friends Lower). "Brown Eyed" are actually wood letters that my friend gave me (her mom found them at a garage sale...I LOVE them!!). And "Girl" was die cut with a Sizzix die and painted with Ranger Crackle Paint (Antique Linen). I had a hard time trying to do this title. Everything sort of blended in with the background. So, I was messing around and decided to go with the painted strip of distress crackle paint to ground the title.

You may remember that I used the same technique and Damask stamp on my Wags 'n Whiskers tag from yesterday's post. This is where I tried it first. And I really love how it turned out.

For the other side of the layout, I just added the same elements on an opposite layout. I LOVE these pictures of Ansley!! And they are pefect for the theme of this layout since it really does show off her beautiful brown eyes (which she got from her daddy...Ryan got my blue eyes...I have pictures of those too which still need to be scrapped).

I carried the flowers through to this side. As well as some painted distress crackle paint to ground the date (retired SU stamps). The butterfly was created by die cutting a SU/Sizzix butterfly die on watercolor paper. Then I added some crackle paint and let it dry. Then I stamped some Whiff of Joy Christmas Swirls stamps in Soft Suede ink. I added some Angel Wings Shimmerz paint, aBasic Grey Button, and some twine.

I REALLY like how this layout turned out. I adore these pictures of Ansley and wish I could take credit for them!! But Erin did an awesome job!!

Here is another layout I created last year using some more pictures from this photo shoot.

Ok, now it's your turn!! We would love to see how you incorporate music into your layout!! Make sure to link your layout to Mr. Linky for the chance to win the prize from our sponsor Sew Many Cards.

Don't forget about my Weekly Wednesday Candy here and my Card Drive here!

Happy Scrappin!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge DT - a Tag or Bookmark

Well, all I can say is...thank goodness it's Friday!! Apparently I have come down with a head cold!! I guess this wacky weather is really messing with me! One day we are almost 80 degrees, then the next it's windy, overcast, and the temperature ranges from the 40's over night to upper 60's during the day! Hot, cold, hot, cold...means...lots of colds!! So every time I lean over, my nose starts to run!! And my hands are raw from it being cool out and from washing my hands a million times after blowing my sore nose!!

I started the week out great...I got a head start on my DT projects and was excited that I was going to be ahead of schedule!! Then I realized that I made a card using NEXT week's challenge!! DOH! Well, I guess I AM ahead of schedule...a whole week ahead!! LOL

The challenge this week is to create a tag or book mark.

I almost sat this one out. But while I was finishing up my scrapbook layout for tomorrow's Scrap and Stamp Challenge (which also uses a Wags 'n Whiskers image), I decided to try some of the same products to create a "Tim Holtz/Grunge" style tag...

So what do you think? I started with some bare coasterboard (thin chipboard). I stamped En Fransais from SU in Melon Mambo ink. Then I stamped the damask image (from PTI) in SU Soft Suede and inked up the edges with soft suede ink. Then I added some Distress Crackle Paint in the center of the tag. I heat embossed it (since I was too lazy and sick to wait for it to try on it's own), then I embossed "Say a Prayer" in black over top.

I added some new May Arts Crochet Ribbon, some Prima Mini Roses (Jewel Tones), and added stickles to the roses and on Ansley's dress and wings. I added a little pink to her cheeks and lips.

You may be able to see the crackle affect better if you click on the pictures to make it larger. 

This only took me about 15 total to make.

Now it's your turn...use a Wags 'n Whiskers stamp and create a tag or bookmark. Make sure to upload it to Mr Linky on the challenge post for the chance to win a stamp of your choice. And if you would like a chance to be a guest for one of our challenges, make sure to add "DT" after your name in Mr. Linky.

Make sure to check out the rest of the DT projects! I was really amazed all of the different styles and uses of tags.

Also, if you haven't checked out the Stamp and Create Store Blog, there are lots of inspiring projects by the DT and product updates. Plus the new Weekly Wednesday Candy is also posted.

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday- a sketch: Sponsored by me and Wags 'n Whiskers

I had a "little" bit of time to relax and unwind after the Wags 'n Whiskers release yesterday, but not too long since I still have DT projects to work on for the rest of the weekend.

That includes my Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge this week which is being sponsored by my store and Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps. Most of the design team have used one of the new released Wags 'n Whiskers stamps on their layout.

We hope that you will play along with our sketch challenge this week!! One participant will win a Basic Grey 12x12 Origins Scrapbook Pack and a Wags 'n Whisers Easter Blessings Rubber Stamp.

Here is my layout...

These pictures were taken at an Easter Photoshoot in my neighborhood a few years ago. A local photographer set up 15 minute slots and just took TONS of pictures within that time frame. Of course, I have a ton of pictures I purchased from this shoot. I was hoping to add a few more in the 2nd half of this layout, but ran out of time. I will have to finish it later.

I used SU Kraft CS for the base, then stamped the large flower from "PTI Friend 'til the end" set randomly in the background using versamark ink (I wish I used a a darker color since it has faded into the heavy cs more than I wanted. I also randomly stamped a dot from PTI Polka Dot Basics in a darker ink.

The white ruffle ribbon is SILK and will be added to the Stamp and Create Store this weekend. I layed some of the Bright Pink Ric Rac over top. The 1/8" Scor-Tape is perfect for adding the ric rac ribbon. The embroidered circle ribbon is from my stash (Making Memories).

The image is from the Wags 'n Whiskers new released and is called Hey Chickie...

This image was desinged after Wags 'n Whiskers' co-owner Nikki's youngest daughter. There is a little story behind the design process of this image and the image on my card below that I will go over at the end.

The title tag was printed on the computer, then diecut with a Nestability  Labels Four. The flowers are from my stash with one of the new Large Flower Spacer for the center. You can see the stamped flower in the background a little better in the above photo.

Now since I was sharing these photos, I needed to include something with the new Easter Blessings image as well...

This card is for the Stamp Something Challenge that Wags 'n Whiskers is sponsoring "Something Cute"...

The layout for this card is actually the same as the sketch challenge. However, please remember that you must use a scrapbook layout if you want to be entered into the Scrap and Stamp challenge (no cards). But I just had to share this card today...

Do you see the top image in the layout? That is the photo inspiration for Easter Blessings. You may notice that in the photo, my kids are playing with chicks, not bunnies...well that brings up the story behind the design process for these images. Nikki wanted her daughter Danni holding a chick. Since we didn't want to have 2 images with chicks, we decided to add bunnies to the basket.

Here is a close up of the Easter Blessings image...

Here is a close up of the inspiration photo...

Isn't that an awesome match!!

Ok...now it's your turn...let's see what you do with the great sketch that Pamela created!! Make sure to add at least one stamping element on your layout. Then upload it to Mr. Linky for a chance to win my prize from Stamp and Create!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

It's Scrappin' Time!!

I am so excited to say that I have been accepted onto the Scrap and Stamp Saturday Design Team!! Yeah!! I am so excited to be on a scrapbook team.

I was contacted awhile by Regina regarding sponsoring the challenges through my store Stamp and Create. So, I started to play along with the challenges. They were having a Design Team call last month, so I went ahead and submitted some layout...and I was asked on the team this week!!

There are so many new designers that have been added to the team. And everyone has been so sweet in welcoming each other and sharing tips.

Of course I had to get started right away!

The sponsor this week is Unity Stamps. They have provided a Stamp Kit as the Prize for this week's winner.

This challenge this week is a sketch by Pamela...

I had to flip the sketch a little since I had "portrait" pictures that were calling my name and they didn't fit well on top of each other....

I used some My Mind's Eye DP, punched some SU Not Quite Navy CS with a new Martha Stewart punch and sewed the layers together. I used some Ruler Twill Tape, Black Ric Rac, new Eyelet Lace Ribbon, Flower Spacers, Alphabet Chipboard Letters, and High Hopes Mary J Teacher Stamp from my store Stamp and Create.

The journaling is on some lined paper (I don't know who it's from), cut with the SU Top Note Die. I created the "2" by printing out a large 2 on the computer, then using that as a template to cut some Coaster Board. I stamped the letters and 2 with a PTI polka dot stamp from Polka Dot Basics set. And the heart stamp on the A and B are another clear stamp, but I didn't keep the sheet that says who it's from...I know I bought it at JoAnns a few years ago.

The Mary J Teacher image was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. I added some stickles to her wings as well as the large prima flower and the outline of the "2nd Grade" mat...

Here's a close up of the pictures....

I sewed directly onto the two side photos. Sorry for the glare on the side photos. One of the tips I have learned from the lovely DT is to use Matte photos on your layout to avoid glare!!

Now it's your turn! Grab some photos that are just sitting there collecting dust...you know your NEED to scrapbook something, right? LOL If you're like me, you have about 7 years worth of children's pictures that haven't been touched!!

Come play along with our challenge this week! To be entered into the drawing the Unity Stamp prize, link your layout to Mr. Linky! The only rule...you MUST use at least 1 stamp on your layout!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge 53 - A Recipe

Happy Sunday to you! I am feeling MUCH better! I am still congested, but at least I fell "normal" again...well as normal as I get! ROFL

It is time for another High Hopes Challenge. This week our hostess is Karen! She has created a recipe to follow:

3 Flowers, 2 Brads, and 1 Sentiment

Sounds easy enough, huh?! Except when making my card, I almost forgot that it was a challenge and started doing my own thing! Good think I realized it before I was done! Doh!

Here is my card which is also for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Glitter me Silly...

I took the inspiration for this card from one of Beate John's cards (I love her work - for some reason I can't link directly to the post , but it is the Nov 12th post)! I accidentally cut my last sheet of black card stock wrong, so it had to be a regular fold card instead of a Joy Fold Card. I will have to try a Joy Fold Card later. I still liked the layout of the front of Beate's card so I used that as my inspiration.

I used Sitting Santa and embossed him in Black onto Basic Grey Wassil DP. I was short on time, so I went with another "embossed only" image. These are so supper easy to make. This card, with all of the other embellishments and layers, didn't take that long to make. Yes, colored images do look much better than just embossed. But for a different look, this works. It also shows that you don't have to be a professional artist to create cards with outlined image!! Especially if you heat emboss...the embossing adds so much texture in real life.

I used some Coaster Board Snowflakes (cut the limbs from the center to spread them out farther, inked up the edges, and added lots of glitter), Olive Ribbon with the bow made with The Bow Easy (YES!!! I have them in my store now!!!), some prima poincettas (3 of them layered to fit the recipe), two brads, a Star Flower Spacer, SU Eyelet Border Punch, Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Sentiment from PTI Signature Christmas, and SU Oval punch.

Now it's your turn. Grab a High Hopes stamp...don't have one? Come visit my store! Follow the recipe. And link your card to Mr. Linky in the challenge post to be entered into the drawing for the free stamps! Don't forget...you must use a High Hopes image to be entered into the drawing!

And if you upload your card to SCS, make sure to use keywork HHC53.

The winner will receive Woodland Santa...

Tomorrow's my birthday!! I am well over the 30's hump and getting closer to 40!! Yikes!! Funny thing I noticed...just a few months ago...I can't read up close anymore!! OMG!!! One day, I tried to read something and I had to pull it farther away from my face!! I am turning into my father!! He had tri-focals and when you tried to talk to him right in front of him, he would tilt his head back so he could look at you in the correct lens! Oh well!

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to stop by for my birthday...I may have something special to share (*wink*)!!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #52 - a sketch by ME!!!

Yeah!! It's my very first sketch!! I had so much fun this summer learning how to use photoshop, that I thought I would attempt to create a sketch! I love using sketches for challenges, so why not attempt to create one?!

So for today's High Hopes Challenge, come play along with my sketch...

 

Here is my card...

 
 
I have seen so many beautiful antique-looking cards lately. So I went with that for my inspiration...although it's not as detailed as some of them out there. I guess it's also a mono-chromatic card...but it just ended up that way with the papers and image I used.

I used some SU designer paper (I think from the mini catalog). I matted it with SU Soft Suede in color with a Kraft card base. I created a bow out of Soft Suede ribbon and added a PTI button. The sentiment is from PTI Signature Christmas. I added some eyelets with Linen Thread and some matching brads. Last, I stamped some Autumn Leaves swirls (got it on clearance at Walmart this summer).

I embossed the image on watercolor paper and watercolored using Twinkling H2Os...

I think I now have about 8 Christmas cards done...only about 100 to go!! LOL No seriously...I have a ton to go! Good thing I still have a few weeks!

Now it's your turn to play along with my sketch. If you don't have a High Hopes image...come visit my store here.

Make sure to link your card to the challenge post to be entered into the drawing for some free stamps! And if you upload your card to SCS, make sure to use keyword HHC52.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

My birthday boy!

First off I have to say that I have a VERY busy week planned! Monday - replacing the Air Conditioning unit. Wednesday - furniture delivery for the livingroom (now that we have a formal living room again, we need furniture to fill it)!. On Thursday, my mom and step father will be in town through Sunday. We are going to the University of Miami vs Clemson University football game on saturday plus visiting some family.

And then I just found out that my Aunt is having surgery on thursday for either Ovarian or Uterine cancer that they just found out about! I'm not sure which one, my uncle's email mentioned both. Please keep her in your prayers!

Anyway, onto my project today...

As I mentioned, yesterday was my son's 5th birthday! I can't believe my baby is FIVE!! Where does the time go?

So, since I made a birthday countdown calender for my daughter (here), he wanted one, too!

I made this one for him earlier in the month using one of "his" stamps! This is Super Ryan illustrated by Crissy Armstrong for Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps. I created the calender on the computer and added some punched stars and Papertrey Ink buttons. The DP is My Mind's Eye "boy" pack. The Black Ric Rak is from my store.

Now that his countdown is over, I will remove the elements and recycle them into a card or scrapbook page.

This project fits the ABC Challenge this week..."F - Flying"! Ok, so maybe he can't really fly...but he can pretend to, right?! LOL

Here's a few pictures from his birthday party on saturday. We had it at a bounce house place. It was great, really clean, and the kids had a ton of fun!

Ryan getting ready to slide down one of the huge slides.

Check out this huge inflatable chair!! Ryan is standing on it (yes, that is the table at his feet...that shows how huge it is). I added the signature over the girl's face because I couldn't figure out how to use the "blur" tool in Photoshop.

Blowing out the candles on his Hot Wheels cake (he picked it out just so he could have that car on top!

Only one of the few shots of Ansley at the party. I had to crop this one to get the other kids out of the shot.

Anyway, it was a very fun birthday party. 

I have a bunch of new stamps on their way to my store Stamp and Create. And don't forget about the Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps pre-order.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

A quick card...

I have a quick card to share today. But before we get to that...

What do you think about my new company?!

I am so excited...I can't even express how excited I am!

Make sure to check out the Wags 'n Whiskers Blog if you haven't already..because we are giving away a full set of our first release!! In order to be entered into the drawing, you need to follow the Wags 'n Whiskers Blog and post about it on your blog. Now, I understand that not all of you have a blog (and with the new SU IDA...some of you can't link it). But this particular candy is part of "advertising" for the company. I PROMISE that there will be chances to win candy next week even if you don't have a blog!

Ok...on to today's card...

I wanted to play along again with Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #17. And I also promised to make a set of card to give to my old church for a fund raiser (to include in a gift basket that they will be raffling off). So I set out to make the card using the color challenge.

Here is the color combo...

 
 And here is my card...

I used Kraft for the A2 card base. I added some SU retired DP in Red and Baja Breeze. I stamped one of the beautiful flourish images from the new Vintage Labels set from PTI in Dark Brown onto Very Vanilla CS, then I inked up the edges with the brown. I added it to a Chocolate layer that was punched with the Scallop Border Punch.

I added the sentiment from SU and the red outline from Vintage labels and die cut the piece with my Label 1 Nestability.

This card only took me a few minutes to make! I really like how the stamped background turned out. I think I will need to make more of these. In fact, I bet this hole design would look awesome as Monogrammed cards!!

I have to run. I will be posting again soon with more information about Wags 'n Whiskers stamps! So make sure to check back again soon!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Rockin' Purse

So how was your weekend? We had a great time. We went back to North Florida for the labor day weekend and to have a surprise birthday party for Ansley! Oh, was she surprised!!! I don’t think it hit her until after a few minutes and I swear she was about to cry when everyone yelled “Surprise”!! But within seconds, she was scooped away into the dressing room to start her transformation into a Pop Star!!

I will share pictures from the party soon (I still need to download the pictures). But in the mean time, I wanted to share the party favors that I made…

Aren’t they awesome?! I am just tickled pink with how they turned out. Of course, the idea wasn’t totally my own. I knew I wanted to make some girly-like purse so I went looking at Lauren Meader’s Timeless Templates available through Papertrey Ink. I am a huge fan of Lauren’s work. Before I purchased a template, I searched Lauren’s blog for all of the template samples. I fell in love with this purse she created, so I used that for my inspiration. In fact, I found the exact same jewelry pieces she used at Michael’s. But since I had to make so many, I didn’t want the cost to be too much, I didn’t use the purse closure like Lauren did. But I still like how they turned out.

I also went a little overboard with the pictures at different angles.

Anyway, I used SU Basic Black for the base and Melon Mambo for the front and back pieces. I embossed SU Bella Toile in white onto the front and back pieces. I diecut the monogrammed letters using the Sizzix Serif essentials onto SU On board Long Board chip board pieces. I embossed the black pieces using PTI Polka Dot Basics, then I die cut them as well and glued them to the chipboard pieces. I added some hot pink Prima flowers, added some SU Crystal Brads, and a Star Charm. The ribbon on the handles are from PTI.

The party favors included lip gloss, mini nail polish, candy necklace, ring op candy, and a personalized bracelet that I made.

The girls were thrilled to receive their little purses andgifts.

If you haven’t  tried Lauren’s Templates, you really should give them a try! They are so easy to make and very well designed. Each template is only $5.00 each and many of the designs come with a mini version as well (I used the large Pretty Petal Pocket template for the party favors). And if you want to try them before you purchase one, PTI offers 2 free templates!! Go check it out!

Don’t forget that I am offering blog candy for the opening of my new online store!! Remember, I am only just getting started. I will be adding more products in the future!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Other teacher gift

Here is the gift I made for Ryan's preschool teacher. I didn't have any other composition notebooks to alter, so I decided to make her a set of cards instead. I know teachers can never have enough thank you cards!

I left them blank with no sentiment so she can use them just for notes and birthday cards as well.

I used scrap strips of DP (retired SU) and randomly placed them...yes, some of them are supposed to be crooked. I added some ric rac ribbon and a scalloped border (SU punch) and called it a day!

I placed the set in one of the PTI clear boxes and added some ribbon (from Taylored Expressions).

Here's another view...

I made her a similar card like Ansley's teacher but with a red base...

She was very happy to receive them!

So far they are doing well in school. Although we are having bus issues with Ansley!! This is her first time riding the bus. So everything is new to her...new school...new neighborhood...new friends....new procedure to get picked up from school, etc!! Therefore, she forgot her bus number today so she missed the afterschool bus!!!

Imagine how freaked out I was when she didn't get off the bus!!!

I walked to the bus stop with Ryan and our dog Princess. So when she wasn't there, I knew I had to get to the school asap. A neighbor drove us home so we didn't have to walk. We hopped right in our car and headed to school. On the way, I managed to get in touch with the school to confirm that she was still there. We get to school, hop out (with the dog...who is freaking out by now because I was freaking out) when...someone yelled at me for having the dog!!! Are you kidding?! It's 100 degrees....I am NOT leaving my dog in the car....AND "YOU" (the school) failed to send my daughter home!!! Who cares about the freakin' dog!!!

Anyway, I picked her up...I mean she's only 5 pounds (smaller than your normal sized cat)!!

We got Ansley safely home...but I was still a wreck! THEN she accidentally broke a glass vase!! So I started cleaning it up and ended up sweeping the whole house! Afterward, my back was killing me!!! I must have pulled my back from fantically running around trying to get Ansley (I remember twisting a little when I tried to get Ryan out of the car...with the adrenaline rushing...I may not have noticed it until later).

Needless to say, a few advils, a glass of wine (or two)...I was pooped and glad when the day was over!!!

I did manage to make a card in the morning before the bus incident! I will post that later!

In the mean time....thanks for stoping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

PTI August Blog Hop

I almost forgot to post this!! Today is the PTI (Papertrey Ink) blog hop. The theme is Autumn. I went with the colors of Autumn...

I used one of Lauren's new Timeless Templates... Pretty Petal Pocket. I used the Friends 'til the End stamp set.

This was super easy to make. I will be making 10 of these for Ansley's birthday party for party favors...in a "girly" color combo, of course!! I will post those when I get them done.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whassup?

I am scheduling the next few posts because we are heading down to South Florida on Thursday to close on our new house!! My husband is a little busy at work right now, so he can't actually take time off from work to move! So, we have a little time before we have to leave our North Florida home. Plus we also want to install wood floors in the new home since the carpets need to be replaced upstairs...the tile downstairs is in good condition so we are only doing upstairs. Therefore, we are going down to close on the house, but we won't be moving in for a few more weeks.

Anyway, I made this set of cards for my neighborhood Bunco group (it's a dice game that we play each month...lots of fun). Each month we bring an item to put in the themed basket. The last person who gets "Bunco" wins the basket. This past month, the theme was "Beach"...actually "Jimmy Buffet", but any beach item would work.

I took this picture right before leaving for Bunco so I didn't have time to take them out and get a better photo. There were 8 cards in the set...all with the same design.

I stamped the surf board from SU Just Surfing stamp set 1 time in Bermuda Bay, then I masked it off, and stamped it a second time in Melon Mambo (both new in-colors from SU available July 1st). I tore some Creamy Caramel CS to create sand dunes, inked up the edges wtih Chocolate Chip, and layered them onto the cards. I sewed around the edges, inked up the background with Baja Breeze to create a "sky", then attached everything to a Crushed Curry card base (another new in-color).

I was so glad to be able to use this stamp set! I bought it back in May to use for Scott's surprise "Luau 40th Birthday party", but I got so busy I ended up just sending an email invite!! Gasp!! How embarrasing for a "card maker" to send an email invitation!! Oh well. However, I believe these would make awesome beach party or pool party invitations.

The sentiment is from Stamping Bella but I though it fit this design perfectly. I wanted these cards to be used for any occassion.

Here's a side view of the box...

The box is from  PTI and it easily holds 8 cards and envelopes (without many embellishments). I love these boxes, they are great for an easy gift. After I took the picture, I wrapped it in some Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon with a bow on the front. I think they were a huge hit.

This set only took me about an hour to make all of them...including the sewing.

By the time this posts, I should be on my way to South Florida. However, I have the start of a headcold with a sore throat and a runny nose. My breaks are squeeking, so I had to get those checked out in the morning. So I may end up having to rent a car since I don't have time to wait around all day for my car to be worked on! I am so excited (*insert sarcasm*) that I get to pack, get my car looked at, and drive to South Florida with 2 kids by MYSELF!! Scott is already down there! Oh well...ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right?!

I do have a favor to ask, though. Scott's brother is in the hospital in South Carolina with Multiple Pulmonary Embolisms (blood clots in the lungs) and he has a deep vein blood clot in his leg that they are worried about. He is on blood thinners and is being closly monitored, but they expect him to be in the hospital for at least a week. Please keep him and is family in your prayers. They are in the process of moving from Texas and have been separated as a family (because of the move) since Christmas! This is a very stressful time for him and his family.

Thank you so much for your prayers!! And thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Picnic Time!!!

I am sooo excited about my project today!! I've had this image from the last High Hopes Release that I haven't inked up yet. I wasn't sure what I was going to use it for, honestly. I thought I would have to have a picnic with my family so I could use it on a picnic scrapbook page! Of course, that would be fun, but it's been too hot for a picnic lately! It would also work for a cookout invitation.  But when I saw the latest My Timeless Template that Lauren created for PTI, I knew exactly what I wanted to make!!!

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Isn't this just the cutest thing in the world? Lauren hosts a challenge on her blog each month using her templates. This month's "My Time to Create Template Challenge" theme is "Create your own designer paper". I was a little torn because I REALLY wanted to use this picnic blanket looking DP (from DCWV). So I decided to alter the DP by stamping some strawberries (Whiff of Joy), and pieces of pie and hot dogs (SU Voila to go)randomly on the DP. I'm not sure if this still qualifies for the challenge, but it's not about winning the challenge for me....I just HAD to pair these two together!!!

Here's a side view that you can see the images on the DP a little better (maybe).

For the image, I used Ant's Picnic from High Hopes. Aren't those ants so adorable?! I embossed the image in black and watercolored it using Twinkling H2Os. Here is a closer view...

So cute!!!

Anyway, I decided to fill the basket with cookies! What a neat way to bring something to a cookout or BBQ?!

Can you see my chocolate finger print at the top of the basket?! Ugg...the cookies were still a little warm when I put them in the basket. I got a little chocolate on my finger and accidentally hit the basket!! Oh well!

Anyway, I was able to fit a dozen cookies in the basket. I am sure I could have fit some more in there as well...it's much larger than it looks in the pictures.

Ansley fell in love with this basket, so I gave it to her. She says I don't give her enough cards...whatever! It is now on her dresser holding some of her Petshop pets!

School is already out for the summer for us. But this little basket would make a really cute gift for a teacher. Although my friend Brandi says the worst thing you can give a teacher is cookies made by kids! I guess she has visions of kids licking their fingers, then "helping" make cookies!! LOL So, I obviously wouldn't make this for her!! I still love you Brandi...but I won't make you any cookies :-)

Thanks for stopping by today!! Happy Stamping!

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #8

I have been wanting to play along with Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite's color challenges for awhile now, but don't always have the time to play along. When I saw this weeks color challenge...I just had to play...unfortunately, I am late...but I still wanted to post it...

I love this color combo. And I knew it would be great for the new Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo...

I pulled out my Sizzix Scalloped Card die for the Chocolate Chip card base. I added some new Melon Mambo to mat the focal image. The focal image is a Damask stamp I got in the $1 section of Michaels stamped in Melon Mambo. I inked up the edges of the focal image with Chocolate Chip and the card with PTI Fresh Snow (used the ink cube directly to the card). The ribbon is PTI Hibiscus Burst and the Button is also PTI. I added a Prima and some embroidery thread and called it done!

This card seriously only took me 10 minutes to make (I used my heat gun to dry the white inked border). I want to try this in a few different colors. I really love this look.

We have swimming lessons again today. Yesterday Ryan thew such a fit...every time he swam to the side of the pool, he climbed out and ran away (sometimes all the way to the parking lot)!! At one point, I was so frustrated, that I actually threw him in the pool to the swim instructor!!

Here is my dilema...we are moving at the end of the month/begining of July. Our new house has a pool in the back yard. He NEEDS to know how to get himself out of the pool if he accidentally falls in. On one hand I want to push him...kicking and screaming...through swim lessons. On the other hand, I realize that this is one of those things that he has got stuck in his head that he won't do. When Ryan gets "one of those things" in his head...there is NOTHING that can change his mind. If he says the sky is green...there is NO telling him otherwise!!

But, his safety is the issue here. After he swam to the wall a few times with the instructor and was able to push himself up to get a breath, I do feel that (1) He CAN swim enough to get himself out of a pool and (2) He is afraid enough of the "deep" water in the pool that he won't go near it to accidentally fall in.

So...I have decided that I won't force him to do swimming lessons since he is so afraid. However, I told him that he WILL work with ME each time we go to the pool.

On top of all that...he threw up this morning. Don't know if it was anxiety about swimming lessons or if it's a stomach virus. Our neighbor was sick all weekend with a horrible stomach virus. So, we will just have to see how the day pans out. In the mean time, we still have to take Ansley to swim lessons.

I plan on coming home afterward to work on some more of the Whiff of Joy Women of Delight previews. Hopefully I can upload something later.

Don't forget about my blog candyhere. Oh, and a little birdie told me that there is more candy coming this weekend...so stay tuned!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Laugh

I bet you already knew that May was National Scrapbooking Month! So, why is it that it's May 28th and I am making my FIRST layout of the month?! Its because I have been sooo busy with end of school year stuff, looking for a house (which we found and have a contract on), keeping this house spic and span in case a realtor wants to show it, and dealing with full time kid duty when my husband is away!

But I had to make sure I did at least one layout before the end of the month. AND I wanted to participate with another Stampin' Out Alzheimers Challenge! This one is a sketch sponsored by Sweet Shoppe Designs (a digital scrapbooking store). Unfortunately, I am not digi get, so I had to rely on good 'ol ink and paper! They did say we could use it as a sketch for a paper layout.

Click on the pictures for a larger view

Let me tell how much I LOVE this layout! Too bad I can't photograph a 12x12 page well!! Maybe I should get a scanner...any suggestions anyone? I guess that is the bonus for digi scrapbooking, right?!

Anyway, I fell in love with the sketch (you need to be registered to see it, though). So I knew I wanted to play along.  However, I was a little intimidated since I have only made one other scrapbook page using only 1 picture!! But this picture says enough on it's own!

I used mostly all Stampin' Up products except a sewing machine, the Large Retro Flower Punch (from EK Success that I got at JoAnns), the black buttons and black ribbon are from PTI, White Ric Rac ribbon from JoAnns and white embroadery thread.

Here is a closer view of the details...

I used Sweet Slumber Specialty Card Stock by SU for the papers. I used the Large Scallop Circle Sizzix die cut and Scalloped Border Punch from SU. The white flowers and hat pink are from the Pretties Kit . And the title is alphabet chipboard (3 different fonts from the On Board Lots of Letters set). I roughly stamped the chipboard with Black Stazon Ink directly with the ink pad...I wanted it to be a distressed look and I really like how it turned out.

The flourish is Baroque Motifs stamped in Black Stazon. I inked up the edges of all of the DP layers with Chocolate Chip ink (including the punched flowers). Not much other stamping on this layout...oh, the month was stamped from Full Calender and I wrote in the year.

I really wish you could see it in real life! The one good thing about paper scrapbooking is all of the texture and layers you get! I like to touch and feel things. Although, I am sure one day I will jump on the digi bandwagon!! I was late on getting a Digital Camera, too!! LOl

Since we are talking about scrapbooking, Stampin Up is currently having a sale on Designer Paper packs to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month. You can get more details on my SU Website (as well as place an order- US only).

But, in summary, you get 1 FREE pack of Designer Paper when you order 3!

There is no limit, so you can buy 9 packs and get 3 packs for free!!

If you want to place an order through my website, just make sure you order the most expensive one last to be your free item!! For instance, if you want 3 of the $9.95 packs and 1 of the $11.95 packs, make the $11.95 pack your free one! If it doesn't work on-line, let me know and I can place the order for you.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Stampin' Out Alzheimer - Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge

As I mentioned before, Stampin' Out Alzheimer event this week is just jammed packed with challenges and giveaways. I wanted to participate in another challenge...this one is a sketch challenge hosted by  Taylored Expressions.

You get 2 chances of wining if you use a TE stamp, but I don't have one (yet), so I will only have 1 chance of winning. Anyway, here is my card...

You will have to make a small, one-time donation of $5 and go onto the challenge forum in order to see the actual sketch!! But here is Taylor's sample as well for another idea. I pretty much stuck to it except my card is 5 1/2" square instead of an A2 card (standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

I used one of the older High Hopes stamps. This is Bethany Angel. I embossed her in black and watercolored her with Twinkling H2Os. The button is from PTI. The ribbon I got from Michaels. The Linen Thread is SU. And I have no idea where I got the rhinestone stickers. The Card base is SU Chocolate Chip and the DP is MME Bloom and Grow that I got from Precious Scraps.

The inside was kept simple...

The sentiment is from the newest release, but still works well with this image.

Here's a close up of Bethany...

If you want to play along, all you need to do is make a one-time donation to SOA!! The challenges will continue through May 31st, but hurry up...you are missing in on the daily drawings for free stuff!!

I am hoping to participate with one of the scrapbook challenges later. But I also need to get those baby shower party favors finished up by friday.

In the mean time, I have been getting some stuff together for my overdue blog candy. Hopefully I will have that uploaded by the end of the week!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Creatively Cute - Sweet Stuff

If you missed my post yesterday, make sure to see the High Hopes Blog Challenge #28 to see my awesome news!!

I was finally able to play along with the new Creatively Cute Blogger challenge #5 - Sweet Stuff. Laura is hosting this challenge and here is what she had to say...

Challenge # 5 Sweet Stuff
Whoo Hoo! I’m excited to finally be the hostess with the mostess!!!
Creatively Cute Blogger’s Challenge #5 is a theme challenge:
SWEET STUFF!
So create a paper craft item of your choice using, what else, sweet stuff!! This can be candy, cake, cupcakes, ice cream cones, sundaes, cocoa, coffees, chocolate, fancy drinks, etc…..use your imagination and use your special sweet stuff stamps to create something quite DELICIOUS!!!
Please use keyword CCB05 when uploading your challenge cards. This way we can find all of our cards and view them all in one place. Below is a link to the gallery so you can see your upload and everyone else's.
PM or Email me with your vote for your favorite CCB05 challenge item between May 3-May 5th. I’ll break any ties that occur by random drawing.Let’s get stamping, ladies!!!
CCB05 Gallery

Here is my card...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

For card, I used the adorable ant from the newest High Hopes Release called Sweet Little Thing . Isn't he adorable?! I embossed him in black, then watercolored using Twinkling H2Os and an aquapainter. I added Worn Lipstick Stickles to the candle and sprinkles...

For the layout, I used SC225. I used Pumpkin Pie for the 5 1/4" square card base. The DP is MME Magnolia. I added some primas, buttons (from PTI), and a SU paperclip with some ribbon.

I carried the layout on the inside.

If  want to play along, make sure to upload your card to SCS using keyword CCB05.

Here's a closer view of the image...

I have a ton of stuff to do this week. I was hoping to get a lot of cards made today and schedule some posts. But I ended getting a call to show the house, so I had to leave the house for a little (which interfered with my plan for the day). Oh well, maybe that means we will sell the house soon! Anyway, as soon as an order comes in this week, I need to work REALLY fast to get 30 babyshower invitations for a friend done!! Yikes!

Regarding the house and move, we have put our house on the market (obviously since we are having showings) last weekend and have already gotten a few showings! We have the appraisals today for our "Relo" package. Therefore, we should know what our buy-out option is soon. That will allow us to start looking for a home in South Florida once we know how much money we will have to put down.

My husband's 40th birthday is coming up (May 17th). I really wanted to do something special for him since it's a huge birthday! But with the move, it doesn't look like we will be able to do much since he is traveling so much right now. Maybe after the move we can do something special!

Anyway, thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

March PTI Blog Hop...Backgrounds

It's time for another Papertrey Ink Blog Hop. This month's challenge is to create backgrounds. Here is the info from the website...

March Blog Hop

Background building sets have rapidly become one of Papertrey's signature traits.  For this month's Blog Hop, we want to see all of your very best backgrounds.  They can be multi-colored or monochromatic.  Simple or elegantly detailed.  They can be created with a set originated for that purpose or a reinvention of images that were not.  Be sure to include a separate photo of your completed background BEFORE you add it to your project so we can see it in all its glory!  

For my project, I used the same concept that I did with my basket for last month's blog hop.

Click on the pictures for a larger view...

I used PTI's Friends 'Til the End set. I just LOVE this set!! I didn't take pictures, because only a little part is covered.

Here is another card with the same concept, except I left a litte "white" in the middle...

Here is the basket I made for last month's blog hop...but it has the same design...

Last month I mentioned that I was going to create a tutorial for this basket. In case any of you are only here for the blog hop, here is the basket I made for the tutorial...

And here is a link to the tutorial if you are interested.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Friday Sketcher CD holder for a friend

One of my friends from my neighborhood is moving away. We live in an area full of Military (mostly Navy) so every 3 years or so, everyone moves on. Crystal was in my stamp club when I first started with Stampin' Up so I know she appreciates a hand-made card.

So, I decided to use the sketch from Friday Sketchers #44 this week for the layout...

Here is my card...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

I didn't have much time to work on the card since I made her a set of cards, too (which I will post later). I had this image (Melinda Hugging Heart) already colored...which helped a lot with the time it took to make this card.

I made the background/designer paper using the Stampin' Up set Fifth Avenue Floral (here's a card I made with the same idea but different colors).

The inside is a CD Holder...

The sentiment if from Papertrey Ink Friends 'til the end. The top of the mat is not sewn to hold the CD...

 This is another one of my CD's that I had burned earlier when I made some for other friends using High Hopes Candi Tooth Fairy stamped in Black Stazon directly onto the CD. If I had the time to burn another CD, I would have used the same stamp as the card...but I was rushed for time so I used the angel that I already had.

On the inside of the card front, is the playlist (a list of some of my favorite Contemporary Praise and Worship songs...

Wow! While putting the categories on this post, it occured to me that I used 4 different stamp companies on this card (Whiff of Joy, High Hopes Rubber Stamps, Stampin' Up, and Papertrey Ink)...but I think they really worked together well!! That just show how versatile stamping can be!

Anyway, this was a fun sketch that I will probably use again later.

Twelve ladies went out last night for a going away dinner for Crystal at The Melting Pot. I had everyone sign the card. I think she like it!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

PTI February Blog Hop

It's time for another Papertrey Ink (PTI) blog hop. Here are the details for this month from the PTI website...

February Blog Hop

Easter and other spring celebrations will be here before you know it!  And besides, there's nothing better to beat the winter doldrums than to turn our minds towards those first spring flowers bursting through the ground and the birds returning with their sweet songs.  Your challenge this month is to put a little "spring" into your step, by incorporating the flowers, familiar sights and colors of spring into a project.  Think birds nests containing newly laid eggs, flowers in pretty pastels, new green leaves, baby chicks and anything else that speaks to your creative soul! We look forward to seeing all of your interpretations of this fun challenge!

I didn't have much time to play...honestly, I got my new stamps yesterday and I totally forgot about the blog hot until this morning (at least I didn't miss it!). I had to work all morning, was home for only 1 1/2 hours, then back out to pick up Ansley from school and take the kids straight to Gymnastics. Wednesdays are our busiest day of the week. So in the short time I was home this afternoon, I threw this together.

I have been thinking about what to do for my stamp club next month (to make sure I already have the supplies or need to place an order). And with Easter around the corner, I wanted to make a basket. So this project helped me to spend a few minutes to make it work.

I need to finalize the dimensions then I plan on making a tutorial.

In the mean time here is my basket...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

I created the sides using Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White CS. It's so thick; perfect for a box. In fact, any time I make a white card, I use PTI white because of the thickness.

I stamped the new Friends 'Til the End flowers randomly over a piece of CS. Then I ran it through my cuttlebug with the SU Top Note die. I messed around to create the smaller side and bottom panels and attached it with Sticky Strip/Red Line Tape.

Here is a view of the side...

And here is another view...

I punched some holes with my Crop-a-Dile, added some SU Pewter Jumbo Brads, and some PTI Pure Poppy Polka Dot Satin Ribbon for handles.

I'm really happy with how it turned out since I had less than an hour to figure it out, make it, and take pictures!!

Make sure you check back within the next few days for a tutorial. I'm sorry I don't have it ready right now.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

So many things...

There are so many things happening right now! Make sure to check them all out!

1. High Hopes Rubber Stamps is hosting a Guest Design Team call on their blog through February 22nd. As I former Guest Designer, I can not say enough about this experience!! It was such a pleasure to be able to get to know the Divas and Tina (the owner) and my life and crafting has changed so much from this experience. Not to mention the TON of free stamps I got!! Wow! Anyway, make sure to check out the details here.

High Hopes will also have a new release on Feb 15th with sneak peaks starting on Thrusday.

And the High Hopes Feb Project of the Month is currently available which happens to be all from the new release.Here is more information.

2. Whiff of Joy has another release coming out on the 14th. Katharina will also have a chance to win some free stamps on Feb 16th. I have added a link in my sidebar, but here  is another link. The design team will also be having sneak peaks throughout the week so check it out!

3. Michelle "Mommy Time" has some blog candy to celebrate 20,000 hits. I have a link to her candy in my sidebar, but here is another link.

4. Crafty Monkey's Challange Blog for ages 16 years and under has a new challenge. Make sure to check it out. I think it is so wonderful that the little crafters in our lives have a place to participate.

5. And speaking of the little crafters in our lives, Ansley has a new post on her blog. She participated with the High Hopes Blog Challenge this week. Check it out and show her some love!

6. Lastly, you have GOT to check out all of the awesome announcements about Papertrey Ink on Nicole's Blog!! Wow!! They are celebrating their 2nd anniversary in a HUGE way!

Wow! So much info and love to share!

I am currently working on my stamp club project for tonight along with Valentine's cards for Ryan's preschool class. Make sure to check back later this week when I get these posted.

~Lacey

Over the Rainbow...PTI Challenge

Wow! Today's announcement at Papertrey Ink is that they will be offering cardstock sampler with all of the colors that PTI offers (except the neutrals)!! That is awesome!

By the way, this is the 2nd post today...scroll down for my other PTI challenge I posted today.

The challenge today is called "Over the Rainbow". You can read the details about the challenge and the cardstock sampler here.

The Challenge calls for Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, and Ocean Tides...you can substitute if you don't have those colors. That is great for me because the only non-neutral PTI color I have so far is Aqua Mist. I guess I need to take advantage of the new sampler when it becomes available, huh?!

Here is my card...

You can click on the picture for a larger view.

Since I still had Guide Lines out from my other project, I just grabbed another image from that set. The sentiment is from Women of Life.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

 

It's in the Bag...PTI Challenge

Have you heard all of the wonderful news over at Papertrey Ink? There have been some awesome announcements on their blog to celebrate their 2nd Anniversary.

And one of the best things I've heard is that they will be participating with the new Retail portion of Summer CHA in Orlando, Florida in August!! I only live 2 hours away so I really hope to be able to attend. You can read about it here along with the details of the "It's in the Bag" challenge.

For this challenge, I decided to make a simple Valentine's Day gift for my husband. He will be away working at the Daytona 500 Race (as he has been for the past 5 years), so we usually don't do anything too special for Valentine's Day.

But the only thing I had that would work for this challenge, was a plain old brown paper lunch bag. So I used Niki's bag for inspiration, grabbed my Guide Lines set for a more masculine design (he's not so much about the hearts) and got to work...

You can click on each of the pictures for a larger view.

 

I created wrappers for some Reese's Heart Shaped peanut butter candies...my husband's FAVORITE candy...to put inside the bag!

To get started, I stamped one of the stamps all over a piece of Kraft CS with Chocolate ink onto a full sheet...

I cut it so I would have 2 pieces of 4 1/2" x 8" pieces. Then I scored each piece so it would wrap around the candy...

I added some Red-Line tape to the right side...

Then wrapped the cardstock around the candy...

Then I created a belly-band to go around. I took a piece of Chocolate 1 1/2" x 11", and a piece of Chocolate Remix Patterned Paper a 1/4" smaller (1 1/4" x 11") and scored those at the following...

I wrapped that around the candy and added some Polka Dot ribbon...

Here is the full set together again...

I hope you like it!! I know Scott will (well, at least he will like the candy...he may think the wrapping takes too much time to get to the good stuff...hehe)!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

January PTI Blog Hop

This is my second post today. So make sure to check down for the my normal Sunday post... 

It's time for another PTI Blog Hop! I am glad I can play along this month. The challenge...to create a birthday card.

 This was taken off the PTI store...

January Blog Hop

With January being the beginning of the year, it is the perfect time to build up a stash of birthday cards!  This month's challenge is to create your very best version of a birthday card. The card can be geared towards a female, male or child; it's your pick!  With the collaboration of all our ideas in one central spot, we will have more than enough inspiration to get us through the entire year!  We look forward to seeing what you cook up!

So, I pulled out my PTI stamps and created this card...

You can click on the pictures for a larger view...sorry for the photos, it was cloudy today and I couldn't get the light colors to focus well...

I used Women of Life set for the image and the sentiment. And I used Polka Dot Basics to create the dots on the background mat.

To go with the "build a stash" Nicole suggested in the challenge...I did just that! I went ahead and made 5 identicle cards and a matching box!

I used these dimensions...

 

With full tutorial here.

 Here is another view of the box closed...

The box can hold a few more cards, but if you wanted to go with 10-12 cards, you would need to use the "Large Box" template...

I can't wait to see everyone else's creations!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

Simple Masculine Card

I am always in awe of many designers who can make simple masculine cards that look wonderful (like Debbie, Julia, and Nicole). So I decided to just do...put away the ribbons and scallops and make a simple card for my friend.

I found some great perfect paper in my My Mind's Eye stash and attached it to an A2 card. I used my corner rounder punch on the coners. Added some Chocolate Chip CS and scored 2 lines onto Kraft SC. I stamped the sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Father Knows Best in Chocolate Chip and added some buttons.

This was so easy to make....I think I will go ahead and make a few more for my "I need a card at the last minute" stash!

Make sure to check back tomorrow...the High Hopes Blog will be starting their weekly Sunday Challenges again!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

PTI Blog Hop

    

Tonight is the November Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!! Here is this month's theme taken from the PTI website...

Floral Frenzy Challenge
I don't know about all of you, but I am ready to pull out a few non-holiday images in my studio, just for a bit of a break from all the holiday-themed projects I have been doing lately.  Well now is your chance!  This month's challenge is to build your own floral embellishment for a card or 3D item.  It can be created with die-cuts, punches, stamp images that have been cut-out and layered, slit scalloped punches, you can crochet or sew one, the list could go on and on!  You can use interesting materials like newsprint, felt, fabric, metal, cork, vellum, patterned papers, etc...  Be sure to provide some brief instruction as to how you created your one-of-a-kind embellishment so others can learn from your example! Thank you and we all look forward to seeing all of your amazing projects!

So, for my card, I decided to make a flower out of PTI Ribbon...

Here is a close up of the ribbon flower...

See below for instructions on how I made the flower.

For the card, I used Riding Hood Red (I don't have Pure Poppy CS yet) as the card base. I stamped the large circles from Polka Dot Basics (I've been wanting this set FOREVER and I finally just got it!!) and I inked up the edges as well. I took a strip of Kraft CS and scored 2 lines. Then I stamped the sentiment from Heartfelt Basics...I love this new set..there are so many uses for the sentiments and I love how you can change out words and stamp them in different colors.

Anyway, to create the flower, I took a 1 3/8" Circle Punch and cut out a piece of red card stock...

Then I cut Pure Poppy Swiss Dot Satin Ribbon into 3 1/2" strips...

 I used glue dots to secure the edges together...

Then I used more glue dots to attach the ribbons to the red circle while overlapping a little...

Next, I punched out a 1" circle out of Stampers Select White CS and inked around the edges (I used SU Kiwi Kiss because I don't have Spring Moss)...

I embellished with a SU Large Filigree brad and a Red Rhinestone (attached with glue dots)...

I attached everything together with more glue dots. Then I attached two pieces of Spring Moss Ribbon under the flower using glue dots...

Let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

PTI Blog Hop

 

It's time for another PTI blog hop!! This month's challenge was to use Polka Dots. At first, I didn't think I was going to be able to participate because I don't have "Polka Dot Basics" (on my wish list, but never seem to remember when I am placing an order). However, I do have some things PTI that qualify...

I totally cased Niki Estes idea with her recipe box here. But I changed my up a little...and let me tell you...this was NOT an easy one for me!! Niki masked and painted her stripes, so I thought...I can do that with dots!! Not exactly! Let's just say I tried masking dots punched out with transparency paper...none of my punches or Nestabilities could cut through the transparencies that I have. I tried using a stencil with card stock with holes punched out...um...too messy, the paint leaked under. I tried stamping paint...didn't look good (I don't know how Heather dones it...maybe it was just because I painted the box with a gloss paint. I also tried using a sponge cut out in circles and hand drawing circles with paint!! In the end, I ended up punching out card stock and attaching them with Modge Podge!! Finally!

I used the Dark Chocolate Swiss Dot Satin Ribbon to decorate the lid.

On the inside, took out the insert of the Egg Box then lined the inside walls with some ChocolateRemix DP and covered that with Modge Podge (just to protect it).

I made a matching card (although I don't plan on giving this box way...you can't have too many "friends" cards, can you?). I used the large dot and sentiment from Women of Life for the background.

Now, painting the box was not the only challenge I had with this project!! I created the box because I needed somewhere to store my unmounted High Hopes Stamps. So I cut sheets of Transparencies and attached my stamps.

Well, that was until I told someone what I was going to do and they said they heard that it wasn't good to store Ez-Mounted stamps on Transparencies! So I nixed that idea and just placed them in the box...

At least they are all in one place (well, not all of them...I have more on the way). 

So, I have a question...do you have an idea for an alternative that I can use so they will be more organized? I head laminating sheets...I have those, but wasn't sure.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

September PTI Blog Hop

This month's PTI (Papertrey Ink) blog hop should be a fun one. I didn't have much time to play with some ideas, so I just have a simple card. Anyway, here were the challenge details...

Heartfelt & Homemade Holiday Challenge
The holidays are upon us and will be here before you know it!  Why don't we use this month's Blog Hop as a way to help each other plan for the upcoming holidays?  We want to see you best holiday inspired projects.  This includes gift ideas and holiday cards.  Gift packaging, wraps & tags.  Home decor and tree decorations.  Recipes & traditions.  We wanna see it all!  I hope many of you will participate as we take the opportunity to learn from each other and make this one of the most heartfelt & homemade holidays yet for all of our family & friends!

You can find all of the details of the Blog Hop here.

Unfortunately, I don't have any of the new holiday stamps from PTI. But, I did have something that would work for Fall so I made a Thanksgiving Card.

I used Father Knows Best to create a fall tree. I used the solid leaves first stamped with Saffron, then I added some Rust ink around the edges and a little in the center. Then I used the outline leaves stamped in Cocoa. I randomly stamped some of the solid double leaf image in the same colors to create falling leaves. I cut the circle out with a Coluzzle (my Marvy Punch broke and I don't have the regular circle nestability yet). I matted that onto a layer of Rust cut with a scalloped circle nestability die. I added that to a Chocolate card base.

For the background, I randomly stamped the solid double leaf in Mustard onto  Mustard CS then added a few of the dotted outline leaf stamped in Cocoa. I added another larger scalloped circle in Pumpkin CS randomly stamped with the dotted leaves.

The ribbon is from PTI. The leaf chipboard was made with a Sizzix die cut out of coaster and inked up with Saffron, Rust, and Cocoa. I added two buttons. The sentiment is from SU. 

Here is a closer look at the cluster...

I bet this would make a great name plate for a table setting. Or even a great embellishment for a custom picture frame for a great fall picture of your family. Maybe this would be a great way to decorate a gift box filled with supplies for homemade pumpkin or apple pie! You get the idea!!

Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to see everyone else's creations.

~Lacey

Another Gift Set

My sister's birthday is this weekend so I wanted to make her some notecards.

I used mostly Papertrey Ink supplies for this set...Aqua Mist and Dark Chocolate CS, Guide Lines Stamp set, satin ribbon and the brown polka dot designer paper. Other supplies used SU vellum cardstock, 2 cuttlebug folders, and Fiscars Threading Water Border Punch.

Here is a close up of one of the cards. This one uses one of the Cuttlebug embossing folders...

This set was super easy to make. I think it only took me an hour for the complete set!

This post is a quick one...we are going out of town this afternoon (again)! I still have to pack. Have a wonderful and safe Holiday!!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey