One Year...Already, Seriously?!?

One year ago today, I posted my first post on my blog. It is so hard to believe it has already been a year. When I started my blog, I did so to motivate myself to create more and to have a journal of the things I created. It has turned into so much more than that. I have developed some great friendships along the way. I have also learned so much. I knew nothing about blogging when I started and I am really proud of how far I have come. Thank you all for reading my blog and befriending me...and for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it and it means so very much to me.
This card uses the digital stamp, Carl the Clown, it is from KLM Designs. I colored him with prismacolor pencils and OMS. I used shimmer chalk to color the background and soften it. I added a little bit of shimmer with Spica glitter pens to the flower and the hat band. I used mini brads for the buttons. I used a classic rectangle nestie to cut it out and matted it onto Pure Poppy cut with a scalloped rectangle die. The background cardstock is Spring Rain and I used polka dot basics for the polka dots. I stamped the outline polka dots in Versamark so that I would have the outline of the stamp and it wouldn't be to over powering. I randomly stamped the solid polka dots with Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise and New Leaf and the rest with a glue pad and added glitter. The sentiment is stamped in Pure Poppy and I used a ribbon tag die to cut and emboss it. I threaded New Leaf twill ribbon through it and added a button threaded with twine.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Supplies
Stamps-Carl the Clown (KLM Designs), Polka Dot Basics (Papertrey), Expressions (HOTP)
Paper-Spring Rain, White, Pure Poppy (Papertrey)
Ink-Versamark, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, New Leaf, Glue Pad (Tsukineko)
Accessories-prismacolor pencils, OMS, glitter, Spica Melon and Lemon glitter pens, mini brads, New Leaf twill ribbon, twine, button, classic and scalloped rectangle nesties, ribbon tags (Spellbinders)

Free Stamp...Go Get It!

KLM Designs has this Patriotic Dog stamp available for free for a limited time. This is a wonderful opportunity to try the images at KLM Designs. I am sure you will not be disappointed.

I used kraft cardstock as my base and Let Freedom Ring to make my background. I colored the image with prismacolor pencils and used a W-1 Copic marker for the shadow. I also used a clear stardust gel pen to color in the stars. I used a rectangle nestie to cut the image, then I distressed it with my Heidi Swapp distresser and my fingernail. I lightly went over the edges Chamomile distress ink from Papertrey. I also used this on the edges off my card base.

So head on over to KLM Designs to get your free stamp and see what you can do with this adorable patriotic dog.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies
Stamp-Patriotic Dog (KLM Designs), Let Freedom Ring (Papertrey)
Paper-Kraft, White (Papertrey)
Ink-Starry Night (Palette), Pure Poppy, Chamomile and Chai Distress (Papertrey)
Accessories-rectangle nestibilities, Heide Swapp distresser, prismacolor pencils, OMS, clear stardust gel pen, ribbon, W-1 Copic marker

Clean & Simple Challenge

The Clean & Simple Challenge on SCS this week is paper piecing. I chose to use this set from The Angel Company called Sweet Thing. I stamped the image in Palette Noir ink then embossed around it with a Square nestibilities die. The paper for the cupcake holder is from my stash and the paper for the cherry is Bitty Star Basics. I traced all the lines with Stardust Stickles. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from Sentiments, a retired set from The Angel Company.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. We are going to the Fireman's Carnival tonight. The kids are so excited. Fireworks at 11pm...I sure hope I can stay awake that long. One thing is for certain, I will definitely wake up when they start going off. I am the morning person in the house, everyone else is a night owl. That's nice for me, I love my alone time in the morning.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies
Stamps-Sweet Thing, Sentiments (The Angel Company)
Paper-Gina K 120# White, blue pattern paper (stash), cherry (Bitty Star Basics, Papertrey)
Ink-Pure Poppy
Accessories-square nestibilities, stardust stickles

KLM Designs: Tulip

One of the Designing D.I.V.A.S. Secret Sister Challenges was to make a card using something from around the house. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to use the paper napkins that I bought eons ago because I thought would look so beautiful on a card. The paper napkin is the green background. If you click on the picture you can see that the napkin has a sheen to it. It is really pretty. The image is Tulip by KLM Designs and I colored it with prismacolor pencils and OMS. I also added some glitter using a clear Stardust pen around the lines. I used a Label Four die to cut and emboss the image. I matted the napkin layer onto Hibiscus Burst cardstock and cut a strip of Sweet Blush and punched one side with my doily lace border punch. I wrapped the ribbon around the cardstock and tied a bow. I secured the Sweet Blush button to the bow with embroidery floss.

My summer seems to be flying by-probably because my to do list is so long. I have been working on finalizing this school year and getting ready for the next one. My big summer project is giving our school room a complete overhaul. I have lots of stuff to purge now that my babies are no longer babies and are official students next year. It's so sad and exciting all at the same time. It is amazing how fast time flies!

Have a blessed day!

Supplies
Stamp-Tulip (KLM Designs)
Paper-White, Hibiscus Burst, Sweet Blush (Papertrey), paper napkin (Ideal Home Range)
Accessories-ribbon, sweet blush button, embroidery floss, Labels Four die, doily lace punch (Martha Stewart), clear stardust pen

KLM Designs Release Day

This adorable elephant is Ella and is available now at KLM Designs. I colored her with prismacolor pencils and OMS and used my circle nesties to cut and emboss her. I colored the flower and her bow with Spica glitter pens. I used pink, melon and lemon. You can see it better in the close-up picture below. The paper I used is All Dressed Up by DCWV. I matted the background paper onto Bazzill pink cardstock and adhered that to my card base of Smokey Shadow. I used my mini hearts border punch to cut a border on the horizontal strip and added my ribbon. I just cut a strip of ribbon and glued it to the back and then took another small strip of ribbon and tied it to the strip on the front. It makes for a perfect knot every time. I added the three Hibiscus Burst buttons to the corner with glue dots. The image is raised up on foam tape.
Don't forget to stop by and see what else Katy has in her store. She has some amazing new images that I just can't wait to play with.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies
Stamp-Ella the Elephant (KLM Designs)
Paper-All Dressed Up (DCWV), Bazzill pink, Smokey Shadow (Papertrey)
Accessories-classic and petite scalloped nestibilities, mini hearts border punch (Martha Stewart), ribbon (Offray), Hibiscus Burst buttons (Papertrey), embroidery floss, prismacolor pencils, OMS, lemon, pink, melon Spica glitter pens, foam tape

KLM Designs: Ballerina Emily

This is a sneak peek of a digital stamp that will be released on Monday at KLM Designs. Her name is Ballerina Emily. I colored her with prismacolor pencils and OMS and used my curved rectangle die to cut and emboss it. The pattern paper from Basic Grey Two Scoops pad was my color inspiration. I wanted to give her a soft, vintage feel. I am not sure how well I pulled it off, but I like it. Check it out, I even used my sewing machine on the edges. Well, don't look too close, my sewing skills need improvement. I had to clear away all the stuff that always seems to get piled up in front of my sewing machine. After sewing the edges, I used my fingernail to distress the edges. I used a classic oval nestie to cut and emboss a mat behind the image and another curved rectangle nestie to cut some Bazzill cardstock to layer that on. The gems are cell phone bling that I colored with a BG72 Copic marker to match the paper. I think the ribbon is from Michael's but I am not sure. I just overlapped the edges of the ribbon and used a little piece of ATG tape to stick it together then tied a button from the Rhonna Farrer Christmas collection around it to make the bow. I added a glue dot to the back to stick it to my card.

Hey, have you checked out KLM Designs lately? Katy has added a lot of new digital stamps to her store. Some really fantastic images.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies
Stamp-Ballerina Emily (KLM Designs)
Paper-Bazzill, Two Scoops (Basic Grey), PTI White
Accessories-prismacolor pencils, OMS, cell phone bling, BG72 Copic marker, ribbon, button (Rhonna Farrer Christmas)

Anniversary Tea

I love this image of these two bears having tea and thought it would make the perfect anniversary card. The image is Tea Time from Dustin Pike, I colored it with prismacolor pencils and OMS. The paper is from a paper pack I got from Walmart ages ago called ATD Vibrant. I used dark chocolate cardstock as my base and to mat my image. The sentiment is from Damask Designs and is stamped in Burnt Umber ink on Papertrey white cardstock. I used my labels trio die to cut and emboss it and added gems and a little bit of dark chocolate twill ribbon. The image and the sentiment are adhered with foam tape.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day!








Supplies
Stamps-Tea Time digital stamp (Dustin Pike), Damask Designs (Papertrey)
Paper-Dark Chocolate, White (Papertrey), ATD Vibrant
Ink-Burnt Umber (Palette)
Accessories-scallop dot border punch (MS), Labels Trio, Classic and scalloped rectangle dies (Spellbinders), Summer Sunrise stitched ribbon, Dark Chocolate Twill (Papertrey), gems (me and my big ideas), Prismacolor pencils, OMS, foam tape

A Birthday Card (I'm Title Challenged)

I'm back! Sorry for the little sabbatical. I have been busy, but quite honestly I just needed a little break. My parents and my brothers and their families were all here for my son's graduation and since my mom's birthday was two days later, we thought it would be nice to celebrate it when we were all together. I think she was surprised, I know she wasn't expecting it. I made her favorite cake which I think is also my brother's favorite as well (they sure did enjoy it). It is actually a long time family favorite recipe. It was so nice to actually be able to celebrate my mom's birthday with her.
This is the card I made for her. My mom is a bird lover, so I used my new Bird Watching set that I won. The card base is Rustic Cream. I love this new cardstock. It is really heavy. The image is also stamped on this and I tried a new technique I have been wanting to try for some time. I colored the image with distress inks and a waterbrush. I cut the image with a classic square nestie. I cut some melon berry cardstock with two label one dies to make the frame and then stamped Text Style with melon berry ink on it. I adhered it to the image with foam tape. I love the dimension you can't see in the photo. The paper on the top is from Green Tea leaves and the bottom is from Chocolate Remix. I wrapped melon berry satin ribbon around it after adhering the pattern paper to Melon berry cardstock, then tied a New Leaf button around the bow with twine. The tag is from Tag Trio, I stamped the sentiment in Ripe Avocado, adhered it with foam tape and added a melon berry button.
On the inside of the card, I adhered the middle part of the frame that I cut with a Label One die on the front of the card. I stamped my sentiment from Birthday Basics in Ripe Avocado. I had some green flowers from Michael's Bride collection that I wanted to use but they were the wrong color so I went over them with a YG97 Copic marker. It worked perfectly. I added a clear gem from my cell phone bling collection to each flower and adhered them with glue dots.

Photo Accountibility--I am really not doing very well with my picture a day challenge I issued to myself, but I am doing better at using my camera more often. So, I guess I am not a total flunk...yet.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies
Stamps-Bird Watching, Background Basics: Text Style, Birthday Basics (Papertrey)
Paper-Rustic Cream, Melon Berry, Chocolate Remix, Green Tea Leaves (Papertrey)
Ink-Ripe Avocado (PTI), Burnt Umber (Palette), Distress Inks (Ranger)
Accessories-Labels One dies, Classic Squares die, Tag Trio die (Spellbinders), Melon berry satin ribbon, melon berry button, new leaf button, rustic cream twine (PTI), flowers (Michaels), YG97 Copic marker

Congrats, Son! You did it!

My son graduated from high school this past Sunday. I am so incredibly proud of him! The graduation was held at the Historical Gettysburg Hotel and the ceremony had a historical atmosphere with period music and a speech by a President Lincoln impersonator. He graduated with 43 other homeschoolers. It was a really great time.
This is the card I made for him. I typed the scripture and printed it, then used a Labels One die to cut it. The numbers were cut with my Cricut using the Street Sign cartridge and the graduation cap is a Sizzix die. I made the tassel using embroidery floss and wrapped it around a button. I adhered the cap with pop dots to give it dimension.
Have a blessed day!

Supplies

Paper-White, Pure Poppy, True Black, Black & White Basics (Papertrey)
Accessories-Labels One dies, Cricut Street Sign cartridge, mortarboard & tassel thin cuts die, true black button (PTI), embroidery floss, pop dots

Family Time

My family all came for my son's graduation. We had such a nice time together. We decided we would go to the strawberry farm and pick strawberries together. Strawberry picking brings back such sweet memories for me. I have wonderful memories of going strawberry picking with my grandfather. I treasure those memories and I was so excited that my children will have memories of picking strawberries with their grandfather. Here are some pics.
I thought this was such a sweet picture of my dad and my niece working together. Aubrey was such a serious strawberry picker.
And the reward. We actually picked two and half of these. It sure doesn't take long when you have 20 people picking. They were so delicious!
Thanks for letting me share a little about my family. I will be honest and tell you that I have missed a few days of my "picture a day" challenge. I think I made up the difference when my family was here. I took a lot of pictures.

Have a great day!

KLM Designs Release Day!

Today is the release day for KLM Designs. Here is another card I made using "You've got mail." I colored the image with copic markers and used oval nesties to cut and emboss it. I matted it onto pure poppy cardstock, cut and embossed with a Labels Four die and then matted that onto pattern paper by My Mind's Eye that I cut with a Labels One die. The background is Olive cardstock that I embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The sentiment is also included in this set. I used a ribbon tag die to cut and emboss it and threaded my twill ribbon through it and added a button that I tied with twine. I really love the versatility of this image, it can be used for so many things. Don't forget to swing by and check out the new images at KLM Designs.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies
Stamp- You've Got Mail (KLM Designs)
Paper-Pure Poppy, White (Papertrey), Olive (The Angel Company), My Mind's Eye
Accessories-Labels One, Labels Four, ribbon tags (Spellbinders), cuttlebug folder, twill ribbon, rustic button (PTI)

KLM Sneak Peek #3

Isn't this the most adorable image? It is called Karah's Cupcake and will be released Monday, June 8th at KLM Designs. I colored her with Prismacolor pencils and OMS then die cut the image with a curved rectangle nestibilitie die. The sentiment is one of the three that is included with the image. The other sentiments are "celebrate one cupcake at a time" and "Happy Birthday little one." This image has so many possibilities. I hope you take a moment to go check out KLM Designs, they are really great.

Have a blessed weekend!

Supplies
Stamp-Karah's Cupcake (KLM Designs)
Paper-Raspberry Fizz, White (Papertrey), green (Bazzill), Uptown Girl pp (The Angel Company)
Accessories-curved rectangle nestibilities, tag trio, cuttlebug flower, cupcake ribbon, MS doily punch, hibiscus burst button, embroidery floss, prismacolor pencils, OMS, foam tape

KLM Designs Sneak Peek #2

Here is another adorable image from KLM Designs to be released on Monday, June 8th. I colored her with copic markers and used my curved rectangle nestibilities to die cut the image. I stamped the polka dots from Polka Dot Basics in Fresh Snow ink on Hibiscus Burst cardstock and then added some glitter while it was still wet. I was concerned about it coming off, but it stayed really well. My base cardstock is Aqua Mist and the ribbon is Aqua Mist grossgrain. This is one of the three sentiments that comes with this image. The other two are "Best Friends!" and "You're too sweet". I just printed it then used my petite oval nestibilities to cut it and highlighted the word birthday with a BG11 copic marker. Don't forget to go by KLM Designs to see what they already have released, they have some really great images already available. I know some of you may feel intimidated by digital images, but you really should give them a try. You just might get hooked when you realize how easy they are to use--and they are really inexpensive. Where else can you get a stamp in a million different sizes for just $2.50.

My son graduates this weekend and my family all starts to arrive today. I can't wait to see them all and spend time with them.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies
Stamps- Anna Banana (KLM Designs), Polka Dot Basics (Papertrey)
Paper-Aqua Mist, White, Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey)
Ink-Fresh Snow (Papertrey)
Accessories-copic markers, curved rectangle and petite oval nestibilities, glitter, aqua mist grossgrain ribbon

Design D.I.V.A.S. Challenge

The Design D.I.V.A.S. challenge this time around was to make a card using red, white and blue. I used my very first Papertrey stamp set Text Boxed for the main image. This was the stamp that got me started with my Papertrey addiction. I also used my newest stamp set Let Freedom Ring that I won as part of the I want it all package. Let me just pause a minute here and say that winning the I want it all package was the best birthday gift EVER! I was on a high for days and when that box landed on my door step I was ecstatic.

Ok , back to the card. I stamped the image with Versamagic Night Sky ink on Cryogen White cardstock, then stamped the little stars in Pure Poppy. I stamped over the stars with my glue pad and sprinkled glitter on top. This was the first time using my glue pad, I was surprised at how well it worked. I matted the image on pure poppy cardstock that I die cut with the scalloped long rectangle die. The star border is stamped in the Night Sky as well. I tied pure poppy stitched ribbon around the card and through a star ghost shape. This card only took me about 15 minutes to make. I actually made it while I was making dinner. That's one benefit of having your craft room off of the kitchen.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies-
Stamps-Text Boxed, Let Freedom Ring (Papertrey)
Paper-Cryogen White, Kraft, Pure Poppy (Papertrey)
Ink-Versamagic Night Sky, Pure Poppy
Accessories-glue pad, scalloped long rectangle, pure poppy stitched ribbon, star ghost shape (Heidi Swapp)

KLM Designs Sneak Peek

Isn't this image just wonderful? It's called "You've got mail" and will be released June 8th. I love those little birds! This image also comes with three sentiments, "Missing you!", "Just dropping you a note", and "Better late than never". The great thing about this image (and all of KLM Design images) is that you can size it to whatever size you want. So you can choose if you want it to be the focal point or an accent. You can't do that with rubber stamps!

I started this card with Kraft paper and stamped Polka Dot Basics in Versamagic Aegean Blue ink. I went over all the edges with Colorbox Chalk Creamy Brown ink. Versamagic is also a chalk ink. Chalk ink has a very soft effect to it. Love that! I then stamped a flourish from Fancy Flourishes in Berry Sorbet ink. I used my trimmer with a scalloped blade to trim just a hair less than a 1/4 inch and added the blue cardstock on the inside. I colored the image with copic markers and then used my curved rectangle nestibilities to die cut it, then added my little button treatment.

If you haven't tried KLM Designs yet, go check them out.

Have a blessed day!

Supplies
Stamps-You've got mail digital stamp (KLM Designs), Polka Dot Basics, Fancy Flourishes (Papertrey)
Paper-Prism (blue), Gina K 80# white, Kraft (Papertrey)
Ink-Versamagic Aegean Blue, Colorbox Chalk Creamy Brown, Berry Sorbet (Papertrey)
Accessories-curved rectangle nestibilities, ribbon (Offray), Berry Sorbet button (Papertrey), twine, foam tape

Pic of the Day

I challenged myself to use my SLR camera everyday in the month of June. Our new little puppy loves to nap on the marble around our fireplace. When I spied him here all covered up, I knew it had to be my picture of the day. The kids covered him up with a blanket. Isn't he just adorable? He is such a brat, though. He tires himself out chasing my other dog who wants nothing to do with him.

I'll be back tomorrow with sneak peeks from KLM Designs. Just wait until you see the new releases coming June 8th. They are absolutely adorable.

Have a blessed day!