Fruit Fusion: Cherries

Well, what started out as a "Oh gosh, I don't think this is going to work" ended up as a card that doesn't look half-bad. :)



I wanted to play with one of PTI's newest sets: Fruit Fusion: Cherries and combine it with a new Cuttlebug embossing folder I got from the "Preserves" set. Here's the result:

Click image for larger version.

Overall, I'm pleased with the card. I'm NOT pleased with how the one tail of the bow is being stubborn and won't lay nicely. That's one drawback of the "Bow Easy". The tails don't lay as I'd like them. :P Ah well, it is what it is. No use crying over spilled milk... or over misbehaving bows, as the case may be.



Here's a close-up of the cute focal image as well as the embossing:

Click image for larger version.

I was going to add a sentiment from the stamp set, but didn't end up with room. So this will be a "generic" card.  :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Fruit Fusion: Cherries (PTI)

Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Real Red (SU!)

Paper:  Simply Chartreuse, Dark Chocolate, Kraft, Vintage Cream, Fruitti Tuitti (all PTI)

Other:  Pure Poppy Twill, Simply Chartreuse Button, Rustic Twine (all PTI); Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Preserves Cuttlebug embossing folder (ProvoCraft); ATG; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

HEC Winner Announced #17! and sad farewell to HEC. :(

Hello all!



It's good to have you here with me and checking in to see who won the latest (and last) HEC! As always, I want to thank those of you who have participated. I have truly enjoyed seeing and commenting on each of your creations!



This will be the last HEC. Seeing as I've done this for nearly one-and-a-half years and I haven't really gotten more than 17 or 18 participants, it just isn't time-worthy for me to continue this for a handful of people.



I have no regrets and I'm grateful for those of you who played along with me during the contests! :)



Without further ado, here's the winning number:



6



(I tried to insert the image from Random.org, but it was causing problems...so there you have it. Even IT doesn't want to do this anymore! LOL!)



So MISTY IS OUR WINNER! :) Misty, please email me at happilyevercrafter at gmail dot com and I'll be getting your PTI gift certificate over to you very soon! :) Email me by Friday, June 3 to claim your prize.



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Happy birthday, Merry! :) (A blog hop for a friend!)

A beautiful young lady, over at the PTI forums, is having a birthday today! So, a few of us have decided to give her a little blog hop, dedicated to just her. :)



Since it was a birthday blog hop, I thought it only appropriate to create a birthday card. Yes, I'm just that in-tune with things. ;)



There's a fun discovery I made when I created the card. I'll explain in a bit.



Here's the card:

Click image for larger version.

I wanted to use my Fancy Flourishes stamps (from PTI), but I wanted them to take backstage. They were to support my main performer (the die cut and the bow). Thus, I had vellum come and lend a hand. I wasn't sure about trying the scoring technique I had seen so much before on other blogs. Basically, you score around the edges of the vellum and this detracts from the adhesive you use. I sort of like the look. It almost appears as the darker tint "frames" the main vellum portion. :) I'll have to remember this!



Here's a close-up of those little rhinestones I added in the bottom corner for balance:

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And a close-up of the double-bow I attempted with my Bow Easy:

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Now, for my discovery...



Take a close look at the die cut with the sentiment (both the image and sentiment are from the Mat Stack 2 Collection (PTI):

Click image for larger version.

 

 

Memorize those last three words. Got them in your head? If not, that's okay... you can scroll back up here to look at them again. ;)



Now check out the inside sentiment from Birthday Basics (PTI):

Click image for larger version.

Notice anything?



That's right! The last three words of the sentiment are the same as on the front. :) I know, I know...nothing TREMENDOUS, but I noticed it AFTER I stamped. (translation: I didn't plan this). But I love when things have happy chance, don't you? It ties it all together!



So happy birthday, Merry! I hope this year gives you many blessings!  :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps:Mat Stack 2 Collection, Fancy Flourishes, Birthday Basics (all PTI)

Ink:  Lovely Lilac, Perfect Plum (both SU!); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper:  Lovely Lilac (SU!); Vellum CS (PTI)

Other:  1/4" Black Grosgrain ribbon (SU!); Rhinestones, Mat Stack 2 Die (both PTI); Zots; ATG; Dimensionals; Bow Easy



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Card Gift Set for SIP Coordinator

Deb, our school's School Improvement Plan (SIP) Coordinator and all-around trooper, has given me her wish list for the cards I'm making for the ladies.



She's informed me that Deborah means "the bee", so has asked that I incorporate PTI's "Honey Bees" into her set. She also enjoyed the looks of "Life" (also PTI).



Well, lately I've been into a more "natural" look for stamping and when I saw Nichole Heady's post here, (you may have to scroll down a bit and look for her card that has the Bible verse in the center). I knew I wanted to try this technique. Yes, I'm sure this technique has been around for years, but it's new to me...which is saying something because I've been doing this for years! LOL! Just goes to show you how daft I am sometimes.



Here's with what I came up:

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Isn't it such a cool look? :) I love how it ALMOST looks like pressed flowers or something. I can't explain it, but I like it and will be using it again VERY soon.



Here's a close-up of it:

Click image for larger version.

and finally, a close-up of the little bee who has found his treasure!

Click image for larger version.

I think the next time I make a similar card, I may try having this focal image on woodgrain or even wood itself! I think that would add to the rustic, "natural-ness" of the card. :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Honey Bees, Life (both PTI)

Ink:  Old Olive, Pale Plum (both SU!); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper:  Apricot Appeal, Old Olive, Pale Plum (all SU!); Rustic Cream (PTI)

Other:  Rustic Twine (PTI); Nestabilities (Spellbinders); ATG; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Card Gift Set for Principal

For the end of the year gifts for the ladies in the school office, I wanted to do something different. I gave them the link to Papertreyink.com and told them to pick out some stamps, colors, etc... and I'd make them some customized cards! I also explained that while I don't have ALL the stamp sets, I do have many.  :P



Well, my principal, Lisa, told me she would like some cards that had "All About You" and "Little Lady". I have to admit that I was a bit nervous about the latter. Yes, I own it... but I haven't had much luck making it "work" on a card. In any case, I gave it my best try!



She wanted three blank cards and three thank-you cards. I obliged:

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and

Click image for larger version.

What I'm most proud of is the ladybug ribbon! You can't buy it in stores! But you can make your own.  :)



I simply grabbed some Pure Poppy twill and with a black Sharpie, went to town. :) Here's a close-up:

Click image for larger version.

I reckon if you wanted some dalmatian ribbon, you can do the same thing with white ribbon.  ;)



Here is another close-up (and the interior of the thank-you card):

Click image for larger version.

and

Click image for larger version.

I'm hoping she'll be pleased with the set. :) I know that pink and green is her favorite color combination so at least that will make her happy (crossing fingers!)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps:  Little Lady, All About You, Inside & Out: Thank You (all PTI)

Ink:  Pink Passion, Gable Green, Real Red (all SU!); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper:  Pink Passion, Gable Green (both SU!); White CS

Other:  Pure Poppy twill (PTI); Sharpie; ATG; Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Notably You - An attempt. :)

Hello all,



Well, I had to break out my ol' Cinch again (I've yet to come up with a name for him!) to make a notebook for the sister of my good friend, Kathleen. If you've been reading my blog, you know that Kathleen is one of my greatest fans (especially when it comes to homemade books!) so it only was natural I'd make a notebook for her sister, who is graduating from law school!



This project shows a couple of "firsts" for me.



One "first" is that I've used my first Gina K. Designs stamp set called "Organize it!" and it's PERFECT for handmade books! I've been wanting the set for some time and finally took the plunge and purchased it! :)



So here's the project:

Click image for larger version.

Now, from the outside, this appears to be any normal notebook. But open the cover and you'll see something special on the inside:

Click image for larger version.

Name.....you!



I've added a small 3" x 3" mirror (found at Michaels) and adhered with Scor-Tape. I figured that many people (especially the ladies) like to have a mirror on hand. What better way to keep it on hand, but inside a small notebook! :)



Here's a close-up of the front sentiment:

Click image for larger version.

I'm going to get so much use of Gina's Organize it! set! :) I can tell.



Yes, the notebook is somewhat weighty with the mirror, but not unbearably heavy. In fact, it's kind of nice to have some "bulk" when you want to jot something down, etc.



I hope she likes this small token of pride for her major accomplishment!



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Organize It (Gina K. Designs)

Ink:  Not Quite Navy (SU!)

Paper:  Fine Linen (PTI); Everyday Tango (My Mind's Eye); Not Quite Navy (SU!); White cardstock

Other:  Cinch (We R Memory Keepers); Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Denim Pearls (Queen & Co.); Fine Linen Twill (PTI); ATG; Dimensionals; Mirror



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Happily Ever Challenged #17 - An addition/apology!

I apologize that I forgot to add the Inlinkz button in the HEC this month!

It's been remedied and you should be able to add your beautiful creations!

Thanks for your patience! :)

Fly Away - Doing it For Dylan

Hello all,



I wish I could start off with my normally humorous self, or at least say something that would put a smile on your face, but the truth is, this post is dedicated to a brave young man, Dylan Shaw, who is dealing with an inoperable brain tumor (diffused pontine glioma). You can read more about Dylan's story by clicking on a blog dedicated to him.



Dylan is nine years old.



My good buddy, Dustin Pike, one of the most generous guys I know, has taken up the cause for this young man and wants to show Dylan that the world does have caring people. And so do I. This is why I'd like to suggest you read what Dustin's doing on behalf of Dylan. In short, he (Dustin) is giving away eight exclusive limited edition images. You will not be able to buy these. What do you have to do? Just send a card to Dylan. Here's Dustin's blog post where you can read more.



To save you time, here's Dustin's address:



Dustin Pike

P.O. Box 901

Roy, Utah 84067



Be sure to include a note with your email address so Dustin can email you the images.



I plan on telling Dylan's story to my fourth-grade students (kids who are Dylan's age) and see if any of them would like to create cards for this brave young man.



I created a card for Dylan (I don't have a whole lot of boy images)...

Click image for larger version.

A close-up of the banner:

Click image for larger version.

And a close-up of the plane:

Click image for larger version.

It may be hard to make out, but the clouds are actually felt.



Yes, I know that ribbon isn't always good for masculine cards, but something about the black and white gingham seemed appropriate.



Please go check out Dylan's blog. I hope to buy a bracelet for $2.00 to help the cause. I can't begin to imagine the costs involved for the Shaw family.



Thank you for your consideration and kindness.





Stamps: Fly Away (PTI)

Ink:  Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper:  Summer Sun (SU!); Blueberry Sky, True Black (both PTI); white CS

Other:  Fly Away Die, Clouds Dies, Felt, Gingham ribbon (all PTI); Sew Mini (Janome); ATG; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,