Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A Birthday Card

Lately, I have been making lots of birthday cards. I have been stock piling them for when I need a special card for a special someone! I have been using SRM birthday stickers to make my job a tad easier and Papertrey Ink dies to stick them on.
All put together on a couple layers of pretty paper! Here's a similar one with different colors:
Do you LOVE that music note paper from My Minds Eye? It's practically singing the birthday song for you! So, now I have a few birthday cards in my stash... I just hope I can remember to send them out! ;)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Papertrey Blog Hop!

Good afternoon, crafty person! Today is the Papertrey Ink blog hop! They provided us with a photo challenge, which I LOVE! One of my favorite colors is yellow, so this was a wonderful inspiration photo for me! 
Make something wonderful using that photo above?! No problem-o! It's so happy! So, this is what I made:
I used the new AC Dear Lizzy Neapolitan paper (the yellow polka dots), Maya Road ruffled ribbon, a scrap of silver glittery paper that I used a border punch on and the buttons, stamp, ink in Shadow, die cut and twine are all Papertrey Ink. The stamp was a complimentary exclusive stamp and I love it! I have used it so many times and it fits perfectly in that label die!

If you want to participate in the blog hop or just see all the creations to gain some inspiration, CLICK HERE. Have a happy Sunday, friends!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

I did some scrappin'! I know you are surprised... it's been a while. This is Elan and some of his many hats. He loves hats, helmets, hoods, and plays the part when he has one on! I captured a picture or two for every season from last year and it was so fun to compare how much he has grown.

Supplies: White and Kraft cardstock, Smash polka dot tape, Studio Calico cloud chip shapes and Mister Huey in white, AC Dear Lizzy paper garland, Fiskars punch, SEI letter stickers, Chipboard letters, and
October Afternoon stickers and letters.

I hope to scrap some more very soon! I have pictures printed and everything! It's just finding a couple hours to make something wonderful! Hope you find some time this weekend to create.
Enjoy, and GO CARDS! ;)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Cards for Boys

Mornin', y'all. It's so beautiful here this morning! Spring has sprung! Just a quick share today, cards for boys! It's so easy to make pretty pink girly cards, but boy cards are a bit more challenging! Here are a couple I made fairly quickly:
I made this one for my nephew, Bo. He just started wearing big boy undies! I added treats and stickers inside the envelope for a little something extra. All kids love to get mail!
All stamps are from Papertrey Ink.

This one was for a new baby boy in the family. I just used scraps from my Echo Park kit, a few stickers and punched and inked the star before adhering with foam tape.

That's it! Get out and enjoy the weather! I'm running the St. Pat's Dash tonight and then heading over to a local Irish pub for my St. Patrick's Day "taper." He he...

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Making Tile Coasters

Good morning, friends! Last week, I had a friend over and while we drank coffee, nibbled treats and chit-chatted, we made some tile coasters! It was so much fun and so easy! I made several sets at once to save for gifts. So, I'm going to show you my easy as 1-2-3 step process:
Gather your materials:
4.5 inch square tiles from Home Depot- $0.16 each!
1 jar of Mod Podge- we used the matte finish- $6.99
1 Can of Krylon Sealer to spray over the finished coasters
1 Bottle 3in1 Glue by Beacon
Sponge Brush
Pretty Scrapbook Paper
Felt (for the bottom of the coaster)

First, I decided what paper I wanted to use. Then, I got into my felt stash. I have so much felt that I was able to match my paper to the felt. I cut all my paper in 4.25 inch squares and then used my paper as a guide to cut my felt squares.

Then, I glued my felt to the bottom of each tile. Use your 3in1 craft glue for this part. 

After your felt is glued to the bottom of your tile, you're ready to adhere your pretty paper. Apply a coat of Mod Podge on top and then lay your paper on to adhere it. Smooth it out with your fingers and then add another coat of Mod Podge to the top and edges.
Once the first layer of Mod Podge is dry, add another coat and then repeat. You should do at least 3 coats of Mod Podge.

When you're finished with your last coat of Mod Podge and it's good and dry, take all your tiles outside and line them up. I put mine on our deck. I placed them very close together and then sprayed the Krylon sealer on them. I went back and forth a few times to make sure that I got them all real good. 

The spray finisher dries very quickly, about 30 minutes. Once the tiles are dry, you can stack them and package them any way you like. This is how I did mine:
Simply tied with beautiful satin ribbon in a coordinating color. This set was done with the owl paper and moss satin ribbon from Paper-Source.
This project did take some time, but I also made 7 sets of 4 coasters. So, if you plan to make a bunch as gifts, set aside a full day and do the process with a friend or while you have a bunch of laundry going! ;)
Enjoy your day!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Birthdays are Sweet!

Good morning! It's another beautiful day here... sunny and in the 60's! You can't beat that! I wanted to share another birthday card I made recently:
I used some leftover scraps of that cute banner paper, seam binding ribbon, SRM Stickers and Sassafrass felt embellies. It came together quickly- which I love.
I desperately want to do some scrapbooking, but my desk is such a mess that I can't spread out and work. Todays agenda is to clean it up! Hope you can get out and enjoy some of this day!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Send a Card & Feel Better...

I woke up this morning to snow flurries. Only in Louisville, KY can you have 70 degrees with tornadoes one day, and snow the next. We all escaped the tornado path here, but our friends up the road in Indiana weren't so lucky. My family has been devoting lots of prayers to the victims who lost homes, family, friends, animals and special belongings.

I recently visited my local Archiver's and saw the new Dear Lizzy line, Neapolitan. *LOVE.* Everything about it reminds me of spring and summer! I especially loved the 12x12 paper "twinkling lights" that is filled with empty jars. Those empties leave a lot of room for creativity! Here's a quick card I made:
Sentiment stamp, raspberry felt and twine: Papertrey Ink; strawberry card base: Paper-Source;
Background paper: K&Co., Sweet Nectar.

I think the watercolor effect on the jars is super cute! Looks like I added that... but didn't! Anyway, I think I will make a few more of these. They were easy, fun and sadly, we have several sick people in our lives right now. I think getting a card like this would brighten their day, don't you?

I encourage you to make/buy a card for someone that needs a boost. This person doesn't need to be sick, but choose someone that needs encouragement or a lift of happiness. Let someone know you care. Hugs!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Sweet and Simple

I whipped up this card last week so fast... it's sweet and it's simple. I love it when you let patterned paper do all the creative work for you!
I used a Martha Stewart doily as my backdrop for my crepe paper flower. The center buttons and seam binding tape are vintage. The sentiment is from Papertrey.
Cute for a springtime birthday!
Have a good weekend!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

GROW

I haven't shared a layout in sooo long! I took these pictures of the kids while they played outside in the tree last August. When I saw the colorful tree paper from Little Yellow Bicycle in September, I knew exactly what I was going to do. Sadly, the paper and the photos sat on my desk until just yesterday.

I added some other papers, fringed the green to make it look like grass with my Martha Stewart scissors, and a Dear Lizzy glittered chipboard "grow." The little embellies next to the pictures are from Fancy Pants.

I always say how fast the kiddos are growing up. I want them to grow, but just a little s l o w e r. I miss the days where they just want to cuddle on a lap and read a book. Now, they play soccer together in the mud and have to strip down in the garage before even thinking of coming in the house. Anna reads to Elan and Mac is loosing all his teeth. Elan makes himself a snack without wanting any help and they all go on "path hiking" adventures together. I sit home and wait for someone that needs a hug or kiss... and I'm not ashamed to say that I bribe them with treats so they will sit and talk to me.
Grow on little buddies...