Mojo Birthday Wishes

This is for my SIL, Mary, who will celebrate her birthday next week. Happy {early} Birthday, Sis! And the fun part is that I will in MN to celebrate with her!


I used Julee's Mojo Monday #88 sketch for my card. This doubles as my card for the Mojo Monday challenge and also for Stampin' Out Alzheimers (SOA). My starting point was the big bird on the pink patterned paper. It was so cute that I didn't want to cover it up, so I moved the rectangular panels and sentiment to the left side. See the big green button? It's not really a button -- it's actually a punch! Pretty fun, huh?!

Personal Note: I'm going to take about a week off while we take a vacation to visit family in MN. I had planned on having some scheduled posts for while I was gone, but my cervical disc issues have really slowed me down -- it is nearly impossible to tie ribbon with 2 numb fingers! I'm hoping to relax a bit while I'm gone and hopefully the time off will help speed up the healing time. As always, thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful week! I promise I'll back soon!

Supplies
Stamps: Wishful Elegance, Circular Sayings (Verve)
Cardstock: New Leaf, Hibiscus Burst (PTI); Solar White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: SU!
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Accessories: Long Rectangles and Peony Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Apron lace border punch (Fiskars), Embossed button punch (Martha Stewart), Twine, Pearls (Kaisercraft), Foam tape.

Masculine Viva La Verve

Phew! I managed to finish the May Viva La Verve challenges! I used Amber's sketch, VLVMAY04, for my card today. The "twist" was to make it masculine. I don't do masculine all that well, so this is as good as it gets for me!

Julee has released some fabulous new stamps, including some Father's Day ones, so I hope they will help me in the masculine department. They are enroute and will be here today, but sadly for me, they will stay at our PO for a week while we are on vacation. She's having a huge sale in the Verve store, too, so be sure to check it out!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies

Stamps: Wishful Elegance (Verve)

Cardstock: Smokey Shadow, Ripe Avocado (PTI); Solar White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: SU!

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Accessories: Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Houndstooth embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft); Dotted wave border punch (EK Success), Brads, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Viva La Verve Favorites

My card for today uses Amber's 3rd Viva La Verve sketch for May, VLVMay03. The "twist" was to use your favorite color combination, favorite Verve set and favorite embellishment.

I think my card is pretty self-explanatory, but here is a list of my current favorites:
1) Color combination - pink and brown
2) Verve set(s) - For the sentiment, I chose one of my all-time favorite Verve sets, Floral Whimsy, which was one of the very first Verve sets that I purchased about a year ago {I won't mention just how many Verve sets I now own...}. The image is from one of the sets released last month, Because of You.
3) Embellishments - brads, rhinestones and ribbon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps: Because of You, Floral Whimsy (Verve)
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus Burst (PTI); Solar White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Bittersweet (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Hibiscus Burst (PTI)
Accessories: Mega Curved Rectangle Nestabilities, Fancy Scalloped Border Pierceabilities (Spellbinders); Just My Type Border, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft); Ticket punch (SU!), Brads (Basic Grey), Ribbon, Rhinestones, Paper piercer, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Serenity Viva La Verve

Good morning! As this is the last full week of May, I'm trying to play catch up with the Viva La Verve weekly sketches. This month was busy with birthdays and end of the school year, so I got a little behind on my challenge cards.

My card uses Amber's Viva La Verve #2 sketch for May. The "twist" was to use any shade of green and blue along with a neutral. I really struggled with this challenge. I decided to choose a patterned paper and let that be my inspiration. This was my 3rd or 4th attempt (it's no wonder why it took me so long, huh?!).

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful week!

Supplies
Stamps: Serenity (Verve)
Cardstock: Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Early Bird (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen Distress (Ranger)
Accessories: Inverted Scallop Squares and Small Labels Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Cornice border punch (Martha Stewart), Ticket punch (SU!), Candy dots (Pebbles), Paper piercer, Foam tape.

Verve SOA Thanks

Today is the first day of the week long stamping event, Stampin' Out Alzheimers (SOA). All proceeds will go to the Alzheimer's Association. Most, if not all, of us have been affected by Alzheimer's in one way or another. Any contribution, no matter how large or how small, can make a difference. There are many challenges {and prizes donated by the generous sponsors} that will be taking place all week. Even if you are not a stamper, scrapbooker or crafter, you can still donate here.


My card is for the Verve SOA Sketch Challenge. The sketch can be found here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps: Because of You, Circular Sayings (Verve)
Cardstock: Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream, Spring Moss (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Early Bird (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Spring Moss, Pure Poppy (PTI); Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Mega Curve Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Scalloped scallop border punch (EK Success), Scalloped corner rounder (Fiskars), Ribbon (CTMH), Rhinestones, Foam tape.

Medallion Thank You

Good morning! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

My card for today uses Julee's Mojo Monday #87 sketch. I used the Medallion Plain Jane stamp to create my own patterned paper which covers the majority of my background. I stamped the same medallion in second generation and stamped "Thank You" from Grateful Elegance atop it for the circular image/sentiment panel.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps: Medallion Plain Jane, Grateful Elegance (Verve)
Cardstock: Hibiscus Burst, Aqua Mist (PTI), Black (CTMH), Solar White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Ducks in a Row (October Afternoon)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Hibiscus Burst (PTI)
Accessories: Circle and Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Thanks embossing folder and Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Tiny scallop border punch (EK Success), Velvet flower (Maya Road), Paper piercer, Foam tape.

Sunshine Verve Challenge

I made this card for the Verve release challenge. The release party was last night, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend because we had friends visiting. When I mentioned to Dan that there was going to be a release party, his immediate response was "NO, we have guests". I did sneak on my computer to order the new stamps, though! Not only are there new stamps, but Julee is also having a big Memorial Day sale in the store.

I used Julee's sketch which can be found here. I used Miracles Blossom and stamped the flowers twice, colored both, then cut one set out to pop on top of the bottom image. The sentiment is the Hey There, Sunshine Plain Jane.

Supplies
Stamps: Miracles Blossom, Hey There, Sunshine Plain Jane (Verve)
Cardstock: Intense Teal Dark (Prism), Solar White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Cherry Hill (October Afternoon)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Mega Curved Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Fleur de Lis border punch (EK Success), Brads.

Thanks a Latte

Edit: I just use a regular sewing machine and needles to sew on my cards. You may have to check your tension and you'll want to try it out on scratch paper first, but I didn't have to do too much in the way of adjustments. The only thing I have to do periodically is clean the adhesive build-up off the needle! Hope that helps!

I am in dire need of some thank you cards now, so that's what you'll probably be seeing for awhile! My card for today uses Jen's Sketch For You To Try from 5/16/09. I started my design by following the sketch pretty closely, then once I got creating, I veered from it a bit. Does that ever happen to you?!

I used the newly released set from JustRite stampers, Just a Little Caffeine Borders & Centers, for my center image. You can purchase this from The Scrapbooking Cottage. The border is from the JustRite set, Celebrations Demi Phrases. This is also the last day to save 15% on Copic Ciao marker sets in the store.

I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Just a Little Caffeine Borders & Centers 2", Celebrations Demi Phrases 2" (JustRite)

Cardstock: Hibiscus Burst (PTI), Solar White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: Ducks in a Row (October Afternoon)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Accessories: Circle and Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Scallop circle punch (Marvy), Flowers (Prima), Buttons (PTI), Brads, Ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Monogram Gift Card Sets

Good morning! Today is Sabrina's last day of Kindergarten, and the song that I have stuck in my head starts like this "There's a 104 days of Summer Vacation, and school comes along just to end it..." {you'll know the tune if you've seen Phineas and Ferb}.

These are the gifts that Sabrina will give to her teachers, para aides and school therapists. I made a set of 6 monogram cards for each of them. I used the American Crafts Everyday patterned papers again -- I just love the colors as they are bold and fun! I wanted to keep these "mail friendly" {i.e. one 1st class postage stamp}, so I didn't go crazy with the embellishments. I did use foam tape to pop up the monogram circle and embossed the lower cardstock strip for some texture.

Thanks for stopping by!




Supplies
Stamps: Simply Stationery, Fresh Alphabet (PTI)
Cardstock: Solar White (Neenah), Brown (Bazzill), Crystal Blue, Baby Pink, Hollyhock (CTMH)
Patterned Paper: Everyday (American Crafts)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Accessories: Swiss Dots embossing folder and Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Circle Punches (EK Success, Marvy), Scalloped scallop border punch (EK Success), Ribbon (Offray), Foam tape.

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Gina!!! I hope you have a wonderful day!

This is the card that I made for her. I used Taylor's sketch, TECC68 for my Riley cupcake card. Since I can't celebrate her day with her, I am sending her some blingy cupcakes (can't you just smell the chocolate yumminess?!).

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps: Baking Riley (Hanna Stamps)
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Baby Pink (CTMH), Solar White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Sweet paper stack (DCWV)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder and Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Candle border punch (EK Success), Velvet flower (Maya Road), Crystal Stickles (Ranger), Red rhinestones, Ribbon, Foam tape.

Simple Thanks

Good Monday afternoon!

I'm trying to get back into the week routine. My neck/back is bothering me more than usual this morning, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Sabrina had a great 6th birthday and now it's time to thank everyone who spoiled her. I made some simple thank you cards to give to her para aides at school. I couldn't believe it when I picked her up from school last week and she needed help bringing her presents home! I let the floral/butterfly patterned paper be my main image and kept my card simple, but cheerfuly and a little blingy.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and as always, thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Cuppy Love (Stamps and Smiles)

Cardstock: Summer Sunrise (PTI), Solar White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: Blossoms & Butterflies stack (DCWV)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Accessories: Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities and Double Ended Tags (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Rhinestones, Ribbon, Foam tape.

Happy 6th Birthday, Sabrina!

If you came here looking for something crafty, please see the post below... !

Six years ago, our lives changed forever and for the better. Despite the 25+ hours of labor, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Sabrina Grace Kraft was just 7 lbs., 4.5 ounces and 20.5 inches long. That seems like a lifetime ago. Today, Sabrina turns 6 and is about to graduate from Kindergarten. How time flies...

This morning, at breakfast, I took 125 photos. This was one of my favorites...

Love you, Sabrina.

Mother's Day Mini Album

Edit: Regarding the small page protectors that I used for my project -- I bought a Bazzill Board Book at my local scrapbook store. It came with 2 chipboard covers, 10 cardstock inner pages and 2 page protectors. I only used the page protectors, which fit my 4.25" x 4.25" pages. You can also buy the page protectors separately. Here is a link for all related products: http://store.scrapbook.com/babobo.html. Hope this helps!


My project is for the Verve "It's a Girl Thing" Project Parade. I made this mini album for my mom for Mother's Day. Pages are 4.25" x 4.25". It goes with the card that I made her here.

Here are the rest of the pages:





Today is Sabrina's 6th birthday and some family is coming into town to celebrate, so I will be taking a few days off the blog. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend. As always, thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Because of You (Verve)
Cardstock: Hollyhock, Crystal Blue (CTMH); Brown (Bazzill), Solar White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Everyday (American Crafts)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Antique Linen Distress (Ranger)
Accessories: Labels Four and Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Tiny hearts border punch (Martha Stewart), Rhinestones, Ribbon, Flowers (Prima, Maya Road), Pearl (Kaisercraft), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

So Blessed...

to call you... Mom!


This is the card that I made for my mom for Mother's Day. I used Julee's Mojo Monday #86 sketch. I will give the card and a matching mini album (photos tomorrow) to my mom when I see her tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Because of You (Verve)
Cardstock: Crystal Blue (CTMH), Brown (Bazzill), Solar White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Everyday (American Crafts)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Hollyhock (CTMH), Antique Linen Distress (Ranger)
Accessories: Labels Four (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Tiny hearts border punch (Martha Stewart), Rhinestones, Ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Bunches of Thanks

Good morning! This is a short post for me as I'm still having some problems with my neck/back. I'm pretty sure that I have a pinched nerve, so I am trying to limit my stamping/computer time. My card for today uses Frances' sketch, MFTSC80.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies

Stamps: Flopsey Flowers (My Favorite Things)

Cardstock: Kraft (PTI), Pansy Purple (CTMH), Solar White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: Wisteria (Basic Grey)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Accessories: Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Ribbon, Foam tape.

Get Well

Good Morning! I used Taylor's sketch, TECC67, for my cuppie card today. I was going through my stash the other day and realized that I don't have many "get well" cards, so it was a perfect excuse to pull out one of the new Taylored Expressions sets, Doctor's Orders.

I hope you have a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies

Stamps: Doctor's Orders (Taylored Expressions)

Cardstock: Aqua Mist, True Black (PTI); Solar White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: American Crafts

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Floral Screen embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft); Markers (Copic), Scalloped scallop border punch (EK Success), Ribbon (PTI), Black rhinestone (Kaisercraft), Foam tape.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and all the Moms out there. I hope you all are having a wonderful day!

I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try for my simple card today. The crochet flower embellishment was made by my SIL, Mary! She sent some to me a few days ago and I couldn't wait to use one of them! Thanks, Sis - I hope you are having a wonderful day!

Supplies:

Stamps: Happy Mother's Day Plain Jane (Verve)

Cardstock: Hibiscus Burst, Sweet Blush (PTI); Solar White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: American Crafts

Accessories: Mega Curved Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Arch Lattice border punch (Martha Stewart), Crochet flower (MKL Designs), Foam tape.

Thanks So Much

I made this very simple card using Amber's Viva La Verve sketch, VLVMay01. The "twist" was to draw inspiration from something. My inspiration came from the Palo Verde in our front yard. It is just loaded with tiny yellow flowers that adorn {and litter our yard} it's green trunk and branches.

I decided to use the oh so bright and colorful Lime Rickey paper from Basic Grey.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you're having a great Mother's Day weekend!

Supplies
Stamps: Thanks So Much single (Verve)
Cardstock: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Lemon Tart, New Leaf (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Lime Rickey (Basic Grey)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Accessories: Swiss Dots embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft); Ribbon.

Mojo Just Because

Good morning! Happy Friday!

I still had some scraps of the Abbey Road patterned papers out on my desk, so I decided to use Julee's Mojo Monday #85 sketch. I'm getting a lot of mileage out of these pretty papers. I started with the Bo Bunny Heart and Home Word Album Kit, then I had enough leftovers from it to make some cards.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for stopping by!


Supplies
Stamps: Because of You, Circular Sayings (Verve)
Paper: Spring Rain (PTI), Solar White (Neenah), Abbey Road (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Rectangle and Octagon Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Tiny Scallop border punch (EK Success), Ribbon, Sponge dauber, Foam tape.

Sweet Friends

Happy Cupcake Thursday! I tried to stamp a little yesterday and my back/neck bothered me so much that I had to stop. So, I tried again this morning, and I managed to finish a card! Yea! I think I will need to ease back into it, though... I needed a thank you card for a friend of mine and I didn't want to just pull one from my stash (she would know.. LOL!).

I used Taylor's sketch, TECC66, from last Friday. I stamped and colored the cuppie friends, then cut them out and popped them up with foam tape.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies

Stamps: Downtown Diva (Taylored Expressions)

Paper: Kraft, Spring Rain (PTI); Solar White (Neenah), Abbey Road (Bo Bunny)

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)

Accessories: Curved Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Dotted Wave punch (EK Success), Rhinestones (Kaisercraft), Buttons (Bo Bunny), Ribbon, Foam tape, Twine.

Taking a Little Break...

... hopefully just for a few days. I'm not sure if I pinched a nerve or just spent too much time bent over the table at the scrapbook event last weekend. I have a really big knot in my upper back and my left arm/hand is tingly. I went to the chiropractor on Tues. and may need to go back again soon. I'm hoping a few days of rest will help and that I'll be able to stamp again by the weekend.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're having a great week!

We Appreciate You Notebooks

This week is Staff Appreciation Week, but today specifically is Teacher Appreciation Day. For awhile now, I've been wanting to use Michelle Wooderson's idea to make covered notebooks. I needed a small gift for each of Sabrina's teachers, para aides and therapists at school, so I thought this would be perfect. After all, who doesn't like notebooks?! These are junior notebooks that were cut in half to make skinny notebooks (approx. 2.5" x 8") which are perfect for lists. I purchased a pack at Office Max, then I went over to their printing/binding desk and asked them to cut them in half for me with their heavy duty guillotine paper trimmer.

I stamped and colored Teacher Anya with Copic markers. Then I cut her out and popped her on the Nestabilities label. I added Star Dust stickles to the apple for some bling. On the left is the front cover of the notebook and on the right is what it looks like inside.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful week!

Supplies:

Stamps: Teacher Anya (The Greeting Farm), Teacher's Apple (PTI).

Paper: Hibiscus Burst (PTI), Solar White (Neenah), Berry Sweet (K & Company)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Accessories: Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Word Window punch (SU!), Felt ribbon (K & Company), Rhinestones, Foam tape.

May Day Photo Friday

Good morning! It's good to be back! After feeling crummy most of this week, I feel energized for the weekend. I don't have a card to share with you today, but it is Photo Friday, so I'm sharing a photo of Sabrina, taken this morning at breakfast. This is the last spirit day of the year at her school. It's hard to believe that my little baby girl only has 3 weeks of Kindergarten left. In 13 days she will turn 6 and in just 108 days she will be a 1st grader... not that I'm counting or anything... sigh...

I'm off for a 3-day scrapbook event with my friend, Stacy. I've been so busy stamping and making cards that I haven't scrapbooked in months! I hope I remember how!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I will try to be back with some fun things next week.