MTME May Release Day!!!

Hello! Today is the My Time Made Easy © May release day! All the products that the team has been peeking are now available in the store HERE!! The team is showing cards today!

I loved all of the new stamp sets this release (6 in all!)! Teacher Appreciation Week is next week, so I took the opportunity to make cards for Sabrina's teachers and para aides. I used a couple of different layouts and made a total of 6 cards. I used some of the new release digi papers. The ABCs Candied Apple print was made by Kristin Bueter, and the fun Trace-It-ABC print was made by Sara Williams! For my first card, I used Sensational Sentiments © (it reads You make me a better person) and stamped the sentiment inside one of the circle borders from Paper Pattern Pieces ©. I cut the circle out with my Spellbinders Circle die and mounted it inside a Spellbinders Star.

I was moving some scraps off of my table when I ran across the decorative front piece that I had cut for the Pucker Up © template. I thought it would look nice on a card front, so I cut a few out of the same ABC Candied Apple print that I used above. I stitched it onto some white cardstock that I ran through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder and stitched on a punched border on the bottom. The flower and sentiment are from Sensational Sentiments © and reads "Thank you for helping me grow into who I am today".

Please be sure to visit the rest of the MTME team today as they are also showing off some of their card creations... you definitely won't want to miss any of it!

Lauren

Dawn

Geny

Lesa

Katie

Mona

Pam

Tracey

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~

Card 1:
Stamps: Sensational Sentiments ©, Paper Pattern Pieces © (MTME)
Paper: One Sheet Wonder, Candied Apple, Sprinkle (Couture), ABCs Candied Apple, Trace-It ABC (MTME)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories: Star and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), ABC border punch (EK Success), Silver brads, Ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Card 2:

Stamps: Sensational Sentiments © (MTME)
Paper: One Sheet Wonder, Candied Apple, Sprinkle (Couture), ABCs Candied Apple (MTME), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Decorative Front from Pucker Up © (MTME), Labels Six Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft), Cornice border punch (Martha Stewart), Markers, Melon glitter pen (Copic), Rhinestones (Kaisercraft), Ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

MTME Sneak Peek Day 3 - Pucker Up!

Hello! Welcome to Day 3 of the My Time Made Easy © May Sneak Peeks! I hope you have had a chance to check out all of the fabulous samples that my fellow teammates have been peeking! Today, I have the privilege of showing you the Pucker Up © template. Be sure to visit Lauren and Tracey for a peek at their template projects. Dawn and Geny will be showing more card creations.. you won't want to miss any of it!!

In Lauren's words, "The is the perfect flat top/bottom gift box, with a little pucker to it! This is a modern spin on the ever popular "pillow box". My own personal issue with the "standard" pillow box was the inability for it to stand alone, not being able to use decorative trims around the bottom or sides (since they angles would make it crooked!) and for it to hold what I wanted due to the flat angled in side panels too! So problem solved! This may have a little Pucker to it, but it is certainly the perfect template to package up something special!"

I absolutely love this box (which is a good thing because I'm going to making a lot of these little boxes in the very near future..)! My first project is a gift set for Sabrina's teacher. She will give it to her on Teacher Appreciation Day (May 4). I used a kraft colored base (Oat from Couture Cardstock) with some red and black thrown in for some bolder contrast. My patterned paper is from Class of 2010 by Libby Weifenbach (Sweet Shoppe Designs). I added a little decorative border using my Apron Lace border punch.

The box opens on either side, so I tied black grosgrain ribbon around it vertically so it won't be disturbed when I fill the box with some goodies (or when the recipient goes to open it)! I stamped the flower/sentiment from Sensational Sentiments ©. The flower was cut and colored twice and popped up for added dimension, and I added a wee red rhinestone in the center. The sentiment reads "Thank you for helping me grow into who I am today." Here's a closer look at the box:

For the matching card, I die cut the smallest apple from Spellbinders Nested Apples and ran it through my stars Cuttlebug embossing folder for some texture. The sentiment "For a Special Teacher" is from another new set, Lunch Box Love Notes Additions ©.

My second project is a gift for a girlfriend celebrating a birthday soon. I used more new goodies that will be released tomorrow! First I created my background paper by using stamps from Puckered Up Patterns ©, first stamping the outline in black then using the matching fill-in stamp in pink. I used a brighter pink ink, which becomes deeper and more subtle when stamped on kraft colored cardstock..

Once I stamped my patterned paper, the rest of it came together fairly quickly since I cut the template files, decorative trim and the circular tags (using the new All Tied Up © Circles cut file) with my Cricut Expression (using the SCAL software). I stamped the decorative circle (it fits perfectly!) from Paper Pattern Pieces © and the sentiment "You are fabulous!" is from Sensational Sentiments ©.

I added some seam binding ribbon (which I dyed using a few colors of Glimmer Mist) and a Prima rose to finish off the project. I used the Mojo Monday #136 sketch again for my round card.

In case you haven't heard, Mona will be leaving the MTME team after this month. I'm so sad to see her go! She is so incredibly talented and sweet.. but she is crazy busy and has a lot of new opportunities that will keep her busy. Farewell, Mona... you will be missed! Silke Ledlow will be joining our team next month -- WOOHOO! If you aren't familiar with her work.. you are in for a real treat! She is full of talent and has a wonderful style! Welcome, Silke!!

That's it for me for today! Please be sure to come back tomorrow as it is release day! All new products will be available in the store HERE. Plus, the entire team will be posting cards using the new products!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~

Teacher Gift Set
Stamps: Sensational Sentiments ©, Love Notes Lunch Box Additions © (MTME)
Paper: Oat, Candied Apple (Couture), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Class of 2010 by Libby Weifenbach (Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Pucker Up template (MTME), Labels Eleven Nestabilities, Nested Apples Shapeabilities and Rounded Tags Sheapeabilities (Spellbinders), Star embossing folder (Provo Craft), Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), Markers, Melon glitter pen (Copic), Ribbon, Bow Easy, Rhinestone (A Muse), Button, Twine (May Arts), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

You are Fabulous Gift Set
Stamps: Puckered Up Patterns ©, Paper Pattern Pieces ©, Sensational Sentiments © (MTME)
Paper: Oat, Tuber (Couture), Rustic Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Pucker Up © template, All Tied Up © Circles cut file (MTME), Circle and Scalloped Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Scalloped Scallop border punch (EK Success), Pearls (Kaisercraft), Seam binding ribbon, Rose (Prima), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Thanks for Believing in Me -- PDCC27

Hello! It's time for another Play Date Cafe challenge. Mona has chosen the inspiration photo above and the colors Light Green, Light Blue and Off White this week. Jen Tapler returns as our Celebrity Guest Designer for one more week, and I am your hostess this week!

Since Teacher Appreciation Week is right around the corner, I took this opportunity to make a card for one of Sabrina's teachers using the Taylored Expressions set, Make the Grade. I kept this one simple for a change, punching some squares from a subtle ABC patterned paper. Here's the finished inside:

I just love this sentiment.. This has been an exceptional school year for Sabrina, and we are so thankful to all of her great teachers and para aides.

Are you ready to play along? We'd love to see your creations! Be sure to go over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC27. And, be sure to visit my PDCC teammates for some wonderful inspiration.

Sarah Anderson

Suzanne Czosek

Ruby 2 Shoes

Savannah O'Gwynn

Mona Pendleton

Julie Ranae

Lisa Somerville
Celebrity Guest Designer, Jen Tapler

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Make the Grade (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), ABC print from Spearmint (Memory Box), Polka dot from Snow & Cedar (Poppy Prints)
Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia
Accessories: Ribbon Tags (Spellbinders), Pinking Scallops border punch (Martha Stewart), Square punch (EK Success), Round-It-All (Zutter), Ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Your Time to Shine

Hello! I had a chance to play with the Mojo Monday #136 sketch, which gave us the option to create a square or round card. I almost always pick the square version as I seem to be "circle challenged". I'm not sure how many times I've started round cards, only to end up tossing them out. Well, this time I decided that I was going to give it another try and stick with it... I love this sentiment (from Verve's Let it Shine), too - it makes me think of my DD, Sabrina.. Speaking of Verve.. the new release was on Friday... and OMGosh.. you don't want to miss any of it.. I got my new stamps yesterday (YES!.. just 2 days after the release.. they (Julee and her DH Mark) are just that amazing..:)))!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! MTME sneak peeks start tomorrow (the first of 3 days leading up to the release on May 1). Be sure to stop by Lauren's blog at midnight EST to see the line-up!

Personal note: I'd also like to say thank you to a couple of my cyber friends who recently gave me blog awards. Mary gave me a Beautiful Blogger award here. Mary is always so sweet and thoughtful (and she shares her wonderful talent on her blog, Where's My Creativity?). The second thank you is very overdue.. Mona (who isn't just a cyber friend since we met in person last week!) gave me a Sunshine award here. She and I became online friends and discovered we live not too far from one another. I am constantly amazed at her incredible talent (see her at Cupcake's Creations) and am honored to serve on a couple of design teams with her. Thanks Mary and Mona!! I am truly honored that you both thought of me. The rules of these awards typically involve passing them on to others. I always have a hard time with doing this because while I am constantly inspired by other bloggers, I also hate to give one person credit and not another... So, hopefully you'll understand that in fairness to everyone, I won't be passing them on, but rather I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has dropped by my blog (whether you subscribe, follow or just pop in now and then)!!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Let it Shine (Verve)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Scalloped Scallop border punch (EK Success), Button (Papertrey Ink), Twine (May Arts), Rhinestones (Kaisercraft), Seam binding ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Thank You

Good morning! I hope you're having a great weekend! I've been busy working on some projects for the upcoming MTME release (you will LOVE it ALL!), but this morning I took a short break to make a card with some of my new Papertrey Ink goodies.

I used the PTI 2009 Anniversary stamp set, Round & Round, and the patterned paper is Dotty Biscotti. I love the fun polka dots on the Kraft background! The layout is fairly simple, but it's one that I like so you'll probably see it again here...

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Round & Round (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Aqua Mist, Kraft, Vintage Cream, Dotty Biscotti (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Circle punch, Deco Fan border punch (EK Success), Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Verve Floral Thanks

Hello! It's Friday.. yea! It's also Verve release night.. yea! Julee has had some fun challenges going on all week which all lead up to the Beach Party Release, and I was finally able to play in one of them. I made this for the final sketch challenge, VSAPRBP3. Here's a link to the entire challenge thread on Splitcoast.

I masked one of the flowers from Feel the Sun so that I could stamp a little flower garden. After coloring them with Copic markers, I added the punched grass. I decided to try something different, so I cut a circle out of a piece of acetate and put it over my flowers, then I stitched around the circle. Finally, I stamped Thanks (a freebie from Julee for placing an order) with StazOn on top of the acetate.

I had planned on working on more of the Verve challenges today, but I was invited to accompany Sabrina's class on a field trip to see the Disney movie, Oceans, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend a fun day with her. It's only her 2nd movie in the theater, and she's very excited to go!

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

Supplies ~
Stamps: Feel the Sun (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Fallen Leaf (Couture), Black from Urban Prairie (Basic Grey), Flights of Fancy (Prima), Acetate
Ink: StazOn, Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Circle and Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Giga Guidelines 1 Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink), Grass border punch (Martha Stewart), Markers (Copic), Crocheted lace (May Arts), Dyed seam binding ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #26

Hello! Are you ready for another Play Date Cafe Challenge? Julie has chosen some southwest colors (rust, pale grey, pale turquoise and pale peach). I'm so excited to let you know that our celebrity guest is... Jen Tapler. Not only is Jen fabulously talented, but she lives in Maui (lucky girl :))! This week's sponsor is Amy Anderson from Mod Podge Rocks.

Living in Arizona, you'd think these colors would be perfect for me.. right? Not so. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a California girl at heart or what... but these colors were extremely challenging for me. But that's what the Play Date Cafe is all about.. a challenge!

My normally very supportive husband even made a face when I showed him my first creation. That one went straight into the trash! He thought that this one was better, so I went with it... I paired some patterned papers from the Kaisercraft Devonshire collection with the February Unity KOTM, Nothing But Blue Skies. I embossed my main image and added a few of Taylor's Tiny Twinkles to a few of the flowers. The sentiment is stamped in Smokey Shadow and reads "miss hanging out with you".

Are you ready to play along? We'd love to see your creations! Be sure to go over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC26. And, be sure to visit my PDCC teammates for some wonderful inspiration.

Sarah Anderson

Suzanne Czosek

Ruby 2 Shoes

Savannah O'Gwynn

Mona Pendleton

Julie Ranae

Lisa Somerville
Celebrity Guest Designer, Jen Tapler

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Nothing But Blue Skies (Unity)
Paper: Smokey Shadow, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink); Devonshire (Kaisercraft)
Ink: Versamark Watermark, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko); Smokey Shadow (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Labels Ten Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Deco Fan border punch (Martha Stewart), Taylor's Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions), Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Rust embossing powder, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

TSC Wednesday... Happy Birthday!!

Good morning! This week, we are celebrating the one year anniversary of The Scrapbooking Cottage! Be sure to check Stacy's blog as she has some fun things going on every day this week (including the chance for you to win some prizes!).

For TSC {The Scrapbooking Cottage} Wednesday, we also decided to host a challenge. The challenge is to make a birthday card or layout. You can create anything you'd like. It is also optional to use the photo above as inspiration. We'd love to have you play along! Stacy will have all the details in her TSC post today.

For my birthday card, I used Cling Changito Cake with some Basic Grey Origins paper. My layout is Mercy's sketch, MTSC70. The sentiment is from Verve's Big Wish.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Cling Changito Cake (Stampendous), Big Wish (Verve)
Paper: Kraft, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Origins (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Octagon and Scalloped Octagon Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Dotted Wave border punch (EK Success), Markers (Copic), Liquid Applique (Marvy), Seam binding ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Mom's Belated Birthday Gift

Hello! I hope you all had a great weekend! After this post, I am off to Copic Certification class.. yay! When I tell non-crafters that I am going to class to improve my coloring skills, they just laugh. They probably picture me coloring with crayons and trying to stay within the lines!

My mom's birthday was on the 10th, and although I got her card to her on time, the rest of her gift did not make it. You may recall the gift that I made her HERE. Before I had a chance to send it off to her, the larger box met with an unfortunate accident (let's just say that paper crafts don't mix well with water). Not being one to duplicate my projects (I really don't like mass production!), I decided to create her a new box. I used the MTME Slip Cover template again, but I changed up the colors. My cardstock is Prism Vibrant Teal and Baby Pink Dark and my patterned papers are from Zoe Pearn's Spring Fling (Sweet Shoppe Designs).

Here's a peek at the inside:

I made a set of 6 very simple all-occasion cards that can be mailed with one postage stamp. I embossed the background with Swiss Dots, then I added some sentiments from Papertrey Ink's Mega Mixed Messages. Finally, I added a little stitching and some of my hand-dyed crinkly seam binding ribbon.

Here are the first 3:

And the final 3:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mega Mixed Messages, Simply Stationery (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Vibrant Teal, Baby Pink Dark (Prism); Choice Buttercream (Taylored Expressions), Spring Fling by Zoe Pearn (Sweet Shoppe Designs), Matte Presentation Paper (Epson)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Slip Cover template (MTME), Fancy Tags and Long Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft), Scroll & Dots border punch (EK Success), Flower (Prima), Seam binding ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Enjoy Your Day

Good morning! I hope you're having a great weekend! I had a little free time, so I thought I'd combine a couple of challenges. Today's card is for JUGS29 (color challenge) and the Mojo Monday sketch 134. It is also Lisa's birthday, so the JUGS twist is to use the colors and create a birthday card... Happy, Happy Birthday, Lisa!!



Here's my creation:

I used Verve's Big Wish for the sentiment and Feel the Sun for my flower. I stamped the flower 3 times, colored, cut and layered it. All of the patterned papers are from Basic Grey Kioshi (except the pink, which is from BG Bittersweet).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Big Wish, Feel the Sun (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Kioshi, Bittersweet (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Lavender Moon (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Rectangle and Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Scalloped Scallop border punch (EK Success), Leaf punch (Martha Stewart), Markers (Copic), Rhinestone (Kaisercraft), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz

Hello! It's time for another Waltzingmouse Blog Hop -- I mean.. Waltz! The theme is Mother's Day. If you just happened to stop by my blog and want to see all of the creations, you'll want to head on over to the The Play Room in the Waltzingmouse Forum and look for the thread for the April Blog Waltz. You need to register to access the thread, but it just takes a few seconds of your time.

For my creation, I thought it appropriate to reach for Roses In Bloom, which I am guessing many others will do as well. I've been drawn to subtler designs lately and decided to create this card for my own mom. I stamped the smaller rose 3 times onto some Webster's Pages patterned paper. I cut out the rose and layered it a few times. I added some crystal microbeads to the center of the flower. I used SC276 for my layout.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Roses in Bloom (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Lullaby Lane & Life's Portrait collection combo pack (Webster's Pages)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Mega Curved Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), D'Vine Swirl embossing folder (Provo Craft), Round-it-All (Zutter), Pearls (Prima), Microbeads (Martha Stewart), Seam binding ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #25

Hello! It's time for another Play Date Cafe challenge! This week is a color splash challenge chosen by Sarah (black and white with a splash of orange). Sue is this week's challenge host and our celebrity guest designer and sponsor is Kelly Marie from Lawn Fawn Stamps.

I don't have any Lawn Fawn stamps (yet :)), so I went with a couple of different stamps today. I sometimes feel like all of my cards look the same... know what I mean? Well, today, I tried to change things up a bit. I actually opted for black and cream with a splash of orange and added some distressing to my normally clean designs. I love it when I see distressed cards, but honestly, when I do it myself I sometimes think it looks like I made a mistake... So here's my card...

I used Papertrey Ink Background Basics: Text Style for my background and also for the flower. I stamped the label from Nina Brackett's Lovely Labels (for GinaK), cut it out with my Labels One Nestabilities then I colored it with some Copic markers and my Orange Spica glitter pen. I made the flower using the MTME Rambling Rose cut file, spritzed it with some Pearl Glimmer Mist and added an orange Candy Dot in the center.

Are you ready to play along? We'd love to see your creations! Be sure to go over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC25. And, be sure to visit my PDCC teammates for some wonderful inspiration.

Sarah Anderson

Suzanne Czosek

Ruby 2 Shoes

Savannah O'Gwynn

Mona Pendleton

Julie Ranae

Lisa Somerville
Celebrity Guest Designer/Sponsor, Kelly Marie

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Background Basics: Text Style (Papertrey Ink), Lovely Labels (Nina Brackett for GinaK)
Paper: True Black, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink); Santa's Beard (Couture)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Labels One Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Rambling Rose cut file (MTME), Markers, Glitter Pen (Copic), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Felt Ric Rac, Candy Dot (Pebbles), Distress tool (Heidi Swapp), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

JUGS Scrapbook Challenge

Hello! I hope your week is going well! Today I'm back with a scrapbook layout. I was excited to see this week's Just Us Girls Challenge (JUGS28) is a scrapbook challenge hosted by Alicia. Isn't her sketch (above) a fun one? Before I started blogging, 90% of my crafting time was spent scrapbooking and the rest was spent making cards and 3-D projects... hard to believe isn't it? I'm trying to get back into scrapbooking (not exclusively, but I would like to make a layout or two each week). This challenge was perfect to get me going. Here's my "Turning Six" layout:

(click on photo to enlarge)

I try to scrapbook "moments" and whatever photos inspire me at the time rather than only "events" and chronologically. Because of this, my layouts are usually heavy on the journaling. This time, however, I wanted to scrapbook an event.. namely, my DD, Sabrina's, 6th birthday in May 2009. This page will be accompanied by several other layouts, so I didn't journal on this one.

The top portion on my layout is patterned paper from My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Mary Mary Happy Birthday collection as are the accessory sticker and die cut. I added a punched border and below it I stamped Background Basics: Spots and Dots. For my title, I used some American Crafts Thickers from my stash, mounted the glittered letters on Labels Four Nestabilities and popped them with foam tape. I added some flowers, pearls, stitching and my homemade ribbon (dyed seam binding) for some added fun.

Stacy and I are taking a break this week, so there will be no TSC Wednesday post tomorrow... She's celebrating her birthday today (so go give her a little love here :)). We'll be back next week as she celebrates her 1-year store anniversary and blogoversary!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Background Basics: Spots and Dots (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Bubblegum, Watermelon (CTMH); Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Mary Mary "Happy Birthday" Grown Up paper (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Embossed Curve border punch (EK Success), Thickers (American Crafts), Tiny letter stickers (Making Memories), Mary Mary Birthday collection sticker and die cut (My Mind's Eye), Flowers (Prima), Pearls (Queen & Co), Seam binding ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Sew Right SFYTT

Hello friends! I was excited to spend some time crafting this weekend, but I've been battling some major allergies. We've been blessed with some wonderful spring weather, but the pollen count is way up there... Anyway, I was feeling a little better this morning, so I headed to my craft room to play a little. Here's what I came up with...

I decided to combine a couple of challenges today. I used Jen's latest Sketch For You To Try for my layout, and this is also for the JustRite Friday Challenge 013: Sew Right! I used Stitched with Love for my image and sentiment. My "ribbon" is seam binding which I dyed using a few different colors of Glimmer Mist. It kind of looks like a blob on my card, but in real life it's crinkly, sparkly and fun to use!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps; Stitched with Love (Just Rite)
Paper: Hawaiian Shores, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink); Flights of Fancy (Prima)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Polka Dot Basics II Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink), Circle punch (EK Success), Deco Fan border punch (Martha Stewart), Markers (Copic), Seam binding ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

MTME Final April Group Post

*** If you are looking for my PDCC post, please scroll down... ***

Hello! Have you checked out all of the My Time Made Easy © April releases? Today, our entire team is showing our final release projects! I haven't had a chance to show my project using the Pick of the Petals © template. Here's my completed gift ensemble...

To make my petal box, I used my Cricut Expression (and SCAL software) to cut my base out of Couture Black Lineal cardstock. Before cutting out the lid, I printed one of Kristin's beautiful floral/script papers (from A Loving Heart © collection) onto textured white cardstock. Here's a close-up of the petal lid before I added the flower:

The lid is so pretty as is, but I wanted to add a little flower to the top. I created a layered flower by die cutting several sizes of white mulberry petals with my Spellbinders Blossom die. I layered them, scrunched them up a bit, then attached them together with a jeweled brad. Here's a close-up of the flower:

I finished the box off quite simply as I didn't want to take away from the beautiful design. I tied some black silk ribbon around the lid and finished it off with a bow. Finally, I added a little gift tag on to the bottom portion of the box and stamped "For Someone Special" from Just For You ©. Wondering what's in the box? For this little gift, I was happy that a small Gold Canyon candle fit perfectly inside!

And, finally, here's a closer look at the card. I embossed the white background with the Floral Screen embossing folder and used scraps from my petal lid. The strip down the center is tied off with the same black silk ribbon and I added some fine glitter on either side of the ribbon. The beautiful image is Lauren's MTME logo and is now available in the set Petal Perfection ©. I heat embossed it with black embossing powder and double matted it. I used the Mojo Monday #133 sketch for my layout.

Please be sure to visit the rest of the MTME team today as they are also showing off their final creations... you definitely won't want to miss any of it!

Lauren

Geny

Katie

Mona

Pam

Tracey

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Just For You ©, Petal Perfection © (MTME)
Paper: Black Lineal (Couture), Textured White (Bazzill), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), True Black (PTI), A Loving Heart © (MTME), White mulberry
Ink: Versamark Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Pick of the Petals © template (MTME), Blossom Nestabilities, Petite Oval, Scalloped Petite Oval Nestabilities and Fancy Tags (Spellbinders), Floral Screen embossing folder (Provo Craft), Black silk ribbon (Creative Impressions), Glitter, Brad, Bow Easy, Black embossing powder, Rhinestones (A Muse), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

The Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge 24

*** If you are looking for my MTME post, please scroll up... ***

It's time for another Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge! Mona chose the lovely photo and inspiration colors for this week. Your hostesses for this week are Mona and Lisa!

One of my favorite things to do is to create my own background paper, so that is exactly what I did for this week's challenge! I pulled out some of my new Papertrey Ink stamps and first stamped the background using Background Basics: Tin Types using Ranger Antique Linen Distress ink. Next I randomly stamped a flower from Beautiful Blooms II in Plum Pudding. Finally, I chose a smaller flower from the same set and heat embossed it with some pearl embossing powder for a subtle look. I kept my layout fairly clean and simple by just adding a simple sentiment and just a few embellishments.

Are you ready to play along? We'd love to see your creations! Be sure to go over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC24. And, be sure to visit my PDCC teammates for some wonderful inspiration.

Sarah Anderson

Suzanne Czosek

Ruby 2 Shoes

Savannah O'Gwynn

Mona Pendleton

Julie Ranae

Lisa Somerville
Celebrity Guest Designer/Sponsor, Kristen Powers

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Background Basics: Tin Types, Beautiful Blooms II, Year of Flowers: Daffodils (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Plum Pudding, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen Distress (Ranger), Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities and Fancy Scalloped Border Pierceabilities (Spellbinders), Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Rhinestone (Kaisercraft), Pearl embossing powder (CTMH), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

TSC Wednesday... Cosmo

*** If you are looking for my MTME post, please scroll down or click HERE to be redirected.. ***

Good morning! For TSC {The Scrapbooking Cottage} Wednesday, Stacy and I are featuring Cosmo Cricket... I chose to make a scrappy card using the Material Girl collection. My paper is from the Material Girl 6x6 mini deck and my main image/sentiment is a cardstock sticker from the Material Girl 12x12 Crafting Kit.

I used Mercy's latest sketch, MTSC68, for my layout (see below). If you can believe it, there is no stamping on this card! I just added some ribbon and Candy Dots to finish off the card.

Be sure to visit Stacy to see her fabulous creation and to get this week's coupon code... 30% off all Cosmo Cricket products in the store!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Paper: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Material Girl 6x6 mini deck (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Material Girl 12x12 crafting kit (Cosmo Cricket), Candy Dots (Pebbles), Ribbon (May Arts), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

MTME Take Time Pocket © Turned Easter "Basket"!!

Hello! Today is my day to share another project from the April My Time Made Easy © release! Be sure to visit Lauren, too (she is posting everyday... lots and lots of inspiration from her!). Today I used the Take Time Pocket © template ...

When I first saw the Take Time Pocket © I thought of all of the spa gifts that I like to give away and how wonderful it would be to package them using this template! I was browsing in Target, looking for some of bath and body products, and instead I found this end-cap full of Hello Kitty products... my 6-year-old DD loves the Kitty as much as I do, so I bought a few of these girly items and transformed this into a little Easter gift for her. I filled Sabrina's box with a little compact bag, chapstick and a mirror. I also got her a little HK purse that was filled with lip gloss (see below for the whole ensemble!).

I cut the template out of Couture Fallen Leaf cardstock. I wanted to add a little Easter touch, so I used my Spellbinders Nested Eggs to cut out two eggs out of pink felt. I hand stitched a portion of the pieces together with a blanket stitch then I slipped it over the back of the box. The cardstock back gave just enough support so that the egg stays straight and doesn't fall over. I tried a version with handles to make it look more like a basket, but it just didn't look right, so I opted not to add a handle. I also added some stitching on the outside decorative panels (see a little close-up below).

I finished off the inside of the box with the same patterned paper I used on the outside. I added some polka dot embossing to the front and added a simple tag by cutting out the So Sentimental Frame ©. I stamped the frame from So Sentimental © and the sentiment "Just for You" is from the set, Just For You ©.  Here's a look at the box empty:

Be sure to come back tomorrow... each of us on the MTME team will be sharing our final April projects!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Just For You ©, So Sentimental © (MTME)
Paper: Fallen Leaf (Couture), Nana's Nursery Girl (DCWV)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Hollyhock (CTMH)
Accessories: Take Time Pocket © template, So Sentimental Frame © (MTME), Nested Eggs (Spellbinders), Welcome Baby embossing & die set (Provo Craft), Felt, Ric Rac Grosgrain (May Arts), Ribbon, Buttons (Making Memories), Rhinestones, Flower (Prima), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Easter Joy

Hello! Happy Easter! I thought I'd pop in and show you some little Easter treat boxes that Sabrina gave to her teachers and para aides.

These little treat boxes came together very quickly. The box is the lower portion of the newly release MTME © Slip Cover © template (minus the cover). To create my double-side paper, I first printed a few different colors from the Fun Flowers © collection and the back side of each is a coordinating green from Darling Dots ©.  Next, I reduced the template by 80% and cut these out using my Cricut Expression and the Sure Cuts A Lot © (SCAL) software.

I created a little tag using Verve's Easter Joy stamp set. I stamped the sentiment, colored with Copic markers, then cut it out using Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio 2. I was so glad that I had a little pocket of time to make these gifts and to play along in this month's Verve Project Parade. The theme is "Fun with Flowers".

To finish these off, I simply tied the tag on to the box with some organza ribbon and added a little rose in the center of each bow. I filled each box with a bag of Lindt chocolate eggs... yummy! Here's a closer view of one of the treat boxes:

Be sure to visit the My Time Made Easy © store to see all the new products! Also, the MTME design team is continuing to showcase the newly released April projects. Be sure to visit Lauren and Geny today for some fabulous inspiration!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Easter Joy (Verve)
Paper: Fun Flowers © and Darling Dots © digi (MTME), Premium Presentation Paper (Epson)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Slip Cover © template (MTME), Ribbon Tag Trio 2 (Spellbinders), Markers (Copic), Ribbon, Rose, Foam tape.

JUGS Sketch Time

Good morning! I hope you're all having a great Easter weekend! That means it's time for a new Just Us Girl's Challenge... JUGS27. As soon as I saw Kristin's new sketch (see below), I knew that I wanted to play along! I've had some new Papertrey goodies that I haven't had a chance to play with yet, so I thought this was the perfect time to do just that!

I loved the background paper (from Kaisercraft's Devonshire collection) as is, but I thought it would be even nicer if I added some embossing. I used Background Basics: Botanicals and stamped one of the fun images then added some clear embossing powder and heat set. Then I cut the paper into strips for the 3 vertical panels. You can see a little more of the embossing detail below.

To create my flower, I used a coordinating pattern from the same paper pad (it repeats the words "Live Dance Sing") and cut flowers using the Beautiful Blooms II #1 Dies. I layered them and attached them with a button and some wire.

That's it for me.. Be sure to check out the wonderful creations by all the girls on the JUGS page.. they are all so wonderful and inspirational!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Background Basics: Botanicals (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Hawaiian Shores, Terracotta Tile, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink); Devonshire (Kaisercraft)
Ink: Versamagic Wheat, Versamark Watermark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Labels Thirteen Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Beautiful Blooms II #1 Die Collection, Button (Papertrey Ink), Embossed Curve border punch (EK Success), Pearls (Prima), Ribbon, Clear embossing powder, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.