Paper, Scissors and Superheroes

Gypsy girl...

Good morning.  It's a dark, dreary, rainy day here and I'm trying to get myself motivated to do anything besides crawl back in bed!  How 'bout some sunshine today?  I've got some colorful cards for you to peek at today...and a little info on how you could win a fabulous prize...

Just a small peek...

and a little look...

and a quick glance...

To see these cards in their entirety and read more about the objects and images that inspired them, head over to Moxie Fab World.  I had the privilege of chatting it up with Cath...who I finally got to meet in person last month at the Paper Crafts board meeting and it was a pleasure.  She was as sweet and kind (and organized!) as I knew she would be.

And there's a little surprise for you there today... Just by leaving a comment over there, you could win some Papertrey Ink stamps and buttons (the new Holiday Button Bits and Holiday Button Mix!!!!).  OR Gypsy from Provo Craft!  Yes, a Gypsy, courtesy of my friends at Provo Craft...such wonderfully generous folks they are.  I got mine yesterday and I am in love....Anyone that reads my blog knows I love my Cricut, and well, the Gypsy makes it even easier and I have a feeling you're going to be seeing even more Cricut cuts showing up on projects.  So quick, head over to Moxie Fab World and leave a comment on my interview post...I'd love to hear what inspires YOU...you have until midnight on Sunday the 25th.

Ok...off to be ambitious...I've got a lot to accomplish today, so I'd better get to it.  Have a Moxie Fab day, friends.   
 

Ornament Tutorial...

 

Hey ladies!  Here is the tutorial for those 3-D ornaments.  Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions!

 

Stamps: Vintage Ornaments and Additions
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush (bulb ornament)
Cardstock: Vintage Cream
Other: Hibiscus Burst, White, Scarlet Jewel and Auqa Mist buttons, Rustic Cream button twine, beads

Stamp the ornament image four times for each ornament you wish to make.  At this time also stamp and of the extra design elements and add glitter if desired.  I use a popcicle stick to spread a little liquid glue, then sprinkle with glitter.  Allow to dry.

Cut out each ornament.  Score down the center and fold. 

Now begin adhering the ornaments together.  I like to use my liquid glue because it lets me get into those tiny spots like the tips of the ornaments, but you can use whatever adhesive works best for you.

Keep going until you have all four ornaments adhered together.

 Note:  If you used liquid adhesive, let your ornament dry before moving on to this next step or you may tear your cardstock as you're pushing the needle through. 

Thread a needle with button twine.  Insert needle through ornament and thread bead onto twine.  Insert needle through other side.

Keep threading beads until all sides are beaded.  Knot thread and trim ends close to knot.

Note:  You can also use buttons for this step instead of beads like I did in the bulb shaped ornament at the top of this post.
 
 
 

Insert needle through top of ornament.

Thread jute through button holes.  I like to put a needle on boths ends of my twine...it makes threading it through the holes much easier.

Keep going until you have as many buttons as you wish, then top with a bead and knot at the top.

Done!  Fun and easy.  :-)  This also works for the other ornaments in the set...the bulb shaped ornament turns out really pretty too.

Enjoy!  Let me know if you have any questions.  :-)

Autumn Harvest...

What a perfectly beautiful autumn day we had here.  The sun was shining after about three weeks of clouds, so we were thankful for some sunshine today!  The little flu bug is still bugging my little one...she's fine as long as she's got motrin in her, but as soon as it wears off she's back on the couch with a fever.  She did miss her field trip and birthday party...but she was a really big girl about it.  Kinda helped that we got in some good snuggles and lots of finding book fun...her favorite!

A few things to share with you tonight.....and as soon as I'm done with this post I'm off to work on the tutorial for the 3-D ornaments.  Check back here tomorrow for that...  :-)

First off is a card from last week's CPS sketch (I'm a little behind, I know).  Our sponsor for the week was Clear & Simple Stamps.  I had the opportunity to meet the owners at the Copic class in Minneapolis last month, so it was fun to put a face with the stamps.  I used the Harvest set for my card.

 
 
Stamps:  Clear & Simple Harvest
Patterned and diecut paper:  Basic Grey
Ink, cardstock, jute, button:  Papertrey Ink
Diecut label:  K&Company
Other:  ribbon, vintage text paper 

Next is a card using the new Holiday Tree set from Papertrey.  I love pink and red and green for Christmas..such a light and pretty feel. 

 
 
Stamps: Holiday Tree, Polka Dot Basics II
Ink:  Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy
Cardstock:  Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, Rustic White
Other:  New Leaf buttons, Rustic Jute button twine, glitter, pink marker, Fiskars border punch

Goodnight!  Stay healthy!    

Bags and bugs...

I'm hoping you all had a restful weekend!  It was pretty quiet here, which was a good thing considering I had some things that needed to be finished up over the weekend.  I'm afraid to say though, that it seems as if the flu bug has hit our house.  Julia woke up with a fever this morning...and it got a little worse as the day went along.  We'll see how the night goes and hopefully by morning she'll be feeling better.  She's got her very first school field trip tomorrow with a birthday tea party to follow...she's broken hearted that it's likely she'll have to miss.  We shall see.  Flu season...bah-humbug. 

I was hoping to have my ornament tutorial ready by now, but in the best interest of my sanity, I decided to spend a few hours cleaning on Saturday.  Don't worry....it's coming.  Soon.  :-) 

Hopefully I can make it up to you by sharing another Papertrey card with you tonight, using the new 2009 Holiday Tag Collection.  I used a large glassine bag to create a gift holder card.  Don't you just love those glassine bags?  They are so simple and pretty and there are a gazillion uses for them!  For this card, I folded the bag in half and a pocket is formed by two rows of stitching across the front.  The insert to hold the gift card is just a cardstock tag, topped with one of the images from the new tag set. The inside of the card is left blank so you can add a sentiment. 

 
Stamps:  2009 Holiday Tag Collection
Ink:  Spring Moss, Pure Poppy
Cardstock:  Rustic White, Pure Poppy
Patterned paper:  Holiday Cheer
Other:  Vintage Cream Grosgrain, Pure Poppy Buttons, Rustic Jute Button Twine, Large Glassine Bag, berry sprigs

Have a great start to the new week!   

Gift tag turorial...

Hey ladies!  Heard ya loud and clear on the tutorials...  :-)  Thanks for all your kind words...you definitely all made my day!  I have the little gift tag tutorial ready to go today, and hopefully if all goes as planned this weekend, I'll get the ornament post ready and have it up by early next week.  So stay tuned.

Ok...the little gift tags....and for those who asked, the patterned paper is from the Eskimo Kisses line by Basic Grey.  I used that on my ornament gift bags as well. 

There are quite a few steps, but they go pretty quickly if you do them assembly-line style.  You can get eight of them from one sheet of cardstock...plus a little extra for the tag inserts and some scraps to stamp the bows on.  That's a whole lotta fun from one sheet of cardstock.  :-) 

Here we go....

Stamps:

Holiday Button Bits, Polka Dot Basics II, 2009 Holiday Tag Collection
Ink: Aqua Mist, Hibiscus Burst, Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, Spring Moss
Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush, Spring Moss
Other: Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist and Hibiscus Burst buttons, Rustic Cream button twine

Start by cutting an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of Vintage Cream cardstock in half length-wise to form two 4 1/4" x 11" strips. Then score each piece length-wise as shown: 

1 3/4" - 1/4" - 1 3/4" - 1/4"  - 1/4"

Cut the scored cardstock strips into 4 1/4" x 2 1/4" blocks.  You will get 4 from each strip with a small piece left over - for a total of eight pieces -- enough to make eight little boxes. 

Now score these blocks as shown:  1/4" and 1/2" from right edge.

Trim away along score marks until you get this:
(I also angled away the corners on the flap that gets tucked inside -- just makes it easier when tucking it in.)

Then stamp the surface of the box with Polka Dot Basics II.

Stamp the bow

Stamp the sentiment

Punch a small hole near the top edge of the spine of the box

Fold and assemble your box -- I like to use liquid glue since it's such a tiny area.

Stamp bows onto a scrap of cardstock - one for each of your boxes

Cut out only the bow.

Adhere with foam adhesive

Top with button.  Tie a loop of button twine through hole in spine of box.

Cut one 1 5/8" x 1 5/8" square of cardstock for each tag to use as the insert.

Stamp insert with Polka Dot Basics and "To, From" image from 2009 Holiday Tag Collection.

Tie jute through button, leaving a loop.  Adhere to top of tag.  Insert tag into box.

Done!

The eight tags in this bowl came from one sheet of cardstock - plus some scraps for the inserts and the bows.  Fun!  Enjoy!  Let me know if you have any questions!

 
 

October Papertrey!

So excited to share my projects with you all again this month.  October marks my one year anniversary with Papertrey....doesn't seem like it's possible that it's been a year already!  Such fun!  I'm going to make this short and sweet...it's been a long day for this momma.  So, without further ado....

2009 Holiday Tag Collection...

Holiday Tree

Giga Guidelines...

Holiday Button Bits.....

I was thinking of doing a tutorial on these little "box" tags....let me know if you're interested in something like that and I'll put it together.....

They were so fun that I made a whole bowl full....

And I saved my personal favorite for last....Vintage Ornaments gift bags using the new Around Town Tote (small version)....

 

In true vintage ornament style.  I also thought about doing a tutorial on these little guys...again, let me know if you're interested. 

Alrighty...off to beddie-bie.  For complete supply lists you can visit the Papertrey Gallery.  'night ladies!  
 

2009 Holiday Card Making 101

Good evening ladies!  The Papertrey gals are back for a second group post for this month's countdown!  Seems like everyone in the paper crafting world is gearing up for the biggest season of crafting....Christmas.  I love crafting for Christmas....it's my personal favorite.  Tonight the team is bringing you a whole collection of simple, reproducible holiday cards.  Each team member has designed a card...complete with instructions...right down to the cutting sizes for the cardstock and ribbon and...well, every little detail!  We're all about making your life easy!  :-)

I chose to create a simple card that has a vintage, almost post-card feel to it.  The circle tag stamped off the edge reminds me of a postage mark...a look I always love.  The embossing is done with a Cuttlebug embossing folder that is super simple to use, but gives a dramatic look.  Add a little stamping, a jute-tied button, a few gems and you're done.  Simple.  Click HERE to download the complete supply and instruction sheet.

Be sure to hop around to all of the Papertrey girls!  I love how everyone's cards are different and really show their own personal style.  I think I could have picked them all out even without their names attached! 

• Lisa Johnson
  
• Becky Oehlers
  
• Dawn McVey
  
• Debbie Olson
  
• Geny Cassady
  
• Heather Nichols
  
• Lauren Meader
  
• Melissa Phillilps
  
• Michelle Wooderson
  
• Niki Estes

 

Take Note Inspirations

It's group post time again in Papertrey land and I'm so excited about this month's topic (as usual!).  This is a set you're going to LOVE.  I know I'm hooked and I can't wait to make more of these little gems....not sure I did Mishie justice with mine...she's the notebook queen, but it sure was fun.  Nichole and Michelle collaborated on this set and I love the result.  So many fun possibilities! 

I created my little notebook with my six year old daughter in mind.  She loves music....LOVES it.  A while back we were given a hand-me-down piano and even though it's sorely in need of a tuning and the pedals need some work and there's no bench, we've been having so much fun tinkering around on it.  I've played for years...not real well, but I can master half-way difficult songs if I practice enough.  But I haven't played since the kids were born.  Now though....Julia loves to listen to me play...she'll even ask me to play.  I love that.  We've been wanting to get her started on lessons and have her name on a few waiting lists. 

I made this little notebook with her in mind...for the day she starts lessons.  I was going through some old papers the other day and found my lesson notebook from when I was a child and it brought back memories, and gave me this idea to make one for her.  I used the "Take Note" sentiment and added the note images from Birds of a Feather. 

There are actually two notebooks wrapped up in a cardstock wrap.  One to keep track of her weekly assignments and the other to keep a practice log. 

The front is covered in bright patterned papers and the wrap is stamped with the cute cloud image from Dawn's Scattered Showers Additions.  Very cute and girly.  :-)  A simple ribbon tie holds everything together. 

Stamps:  Take Note, Birds of a Feather, Scattered Showers Additions, Honey Bee (flowers)
Ink:  Berry Sorbet, Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream, Summer Sunrise
Cardstock:  Berry Sorbet, Vintage Cream
Patterned paper:  Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon
Other:  Hibiscus Burst Twill, Papertrey lined pads, chipboard heart from Cosmo Cricket, vintage sheet music, safety pin, scallop circle punch

But wait, there's more!  Nichole also issued us an optional challenge of creating a card using the same sentiment from the Take Note set.  I chose to create a thank you card with a sort of office product feel, but with a touch of femininity. 

 

 

Stamps:  Take Note, Giga Guidelines, Star Prints
Ink:  Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, Aqua Mist
Cardstock:  Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist
Patterned paper:  Bitty Box Basics, Cosmo Cricket (stripe), Collage Press (journaling card)
Other:  Aqua Mist Grosgrain, Pure Poppy, Orange Zest and Summer Sunrise buttons, paper clip, Doodlebug brad, Fiskars star punch, Rustic Cream button twine

Okey-dokey.  :-)  That was fun...can't wait to make more of these little cuties.  Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team gals to see how they put this set to use!  And guess what?!  We'll all be back tomorrow for a second group post!  Yippeee!   

• Lisa Johnson
  
• Becky Oehlers
  
• Dawn McVey
  
• Debbie Olson
  
• Geny Cassady
  
• Heather Nichols
  
• Lauren Meader
  
• Melissa Phillilps
  
• Michelle Wooderson
  
• Niki Estes

Boys, boys, boys.....

and more boys!  It is my son's 9th birthday tomorrow and he got to have three friends overnight last night.  whew.  I had kind of forgotten that exponential noise factor that boys that age seem to have....I mean, it's not just noise x 4....it's more like noise to the 4th power.  And lots of giggling.  Don't forget the giggling. 

They had so much fun though.  We went took them to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and they loved it....I thought it was pretty funny myself.  Then some pizza, cake and lots of video games.  Can't forget about the video games.  Finally got them settled down and to sleep at nearly midnight.  At 5:30 this morning I was awakened to a round of cheering as someone passed the finish line on Mario Cart.  5:30???  Seriously.  I had to tell them to keep it down as some of us aren't crazy about video games so freakishly early in the morning.  Other than that, I bit my tongue and held back most of my normal mommy mantras like..."not so loud"..."keep it down"...."not so wild, please"...."settle down now"...etc, etc, etc... and let them have a good time.  I mean, you only turn 9 once, right?  :-) 

Here's a peek at his party invitations, which you can read more about on the Paper Crafts Connection blog!

Well, I'm a bad blogger once again this week....you know...in my mind have lots of wonderful projects to share with you here...something new and fabulous every singe day....but then real life kicks in.  And those projects end up staying right where they're at in my head... only a figment of my imagination. Sorry 'bout that.  Besides birthday plannning and partying, my mother in law also had knee surgery and we've been busy keeping an eye on her, we've had some extra school activities and pretty much any thing else you could imagine thrown into this week.  :-) 

BUT, good news ahead...I've been filling my spare moments with lots of new Papertrey goodies and I'll have tons to share with you next week!  I have this week's CPS card for you to peek at tonight...

We were sponsored by Gina K this week...such cute stamps.  :-)  I used the Spooky Silhouettes set on my card, based on sketch #136.

This little guy just went up in my Etsy shop along with a bunch of other things.  I'm kicking off a Holiday Card Extravaganza over in my Etsy shop....lots of holiday cards to list over the next week, so stay tuned and check back!  The fact that it snowed here last night mixed with all the holiday projects I've been doing the past week...I'm ready for the holidays! 

Alrighty...this sleep-deprived mommy needs to head to bed.  Have a great rest of the weekend!
 
 

Recap...

HappyTuesday!  Did you all have a fabulous weekend celebrating World Card Making Day?  It was a busy one here...but so fun.  I got to spend the day at Scrapbook Your Life in Sioux City, IA...one of 5 retail stores to win a class from Paper Crafts, sponsored by American Crafts, Cosmo Cricket and October Afternoon.  The gals there were so nice and we had two great classes.  The cards were so cute and I think the ladies had a great time getting together to create.  I have a few photos to recap the day...

 

And don't foget...the coupon code for the Paper Crafts store is good through Monday the 12th, so you still have time to head on over and stock up on some inspirational issues to get you creating!  The coupon is good for 25% off your entire order!  What a great deal!  Just enter this code at check out: 8WYA-JKME-KMMA

Well, I am busy working on projects for the October Papertrey release (ooohhh..you're gonna love it!), so I don't have a lot I can share right now, but I do have a card that I made for the last release and never got posted.  This one uses the new Vintage Labels set, along with a My Mind's Eye diecut and some Fancy Pants Kraft Kut papers.

 

Ok...have a GREAT Tuesday...I'm off to get these little girlies some lunch, maybe a little playtime, then back to my stamps. :-)