Apology and guest spot! :)

Hello all,



First off, I'd like to apologize for being MIA.Seems that over my vacation I got the hare-brained idea to swap my computer room with my craft area. While I'm past exhaustion, I'm very happy to have my own Crafting Cave! :) Woot. (Pictures and/or video tour will be soon... watch for it!) :)



Secondly, I was very honored by Nancy, over at Stars and Stamps, who asked me if she could include my video tutorial on heat embossing. Of course, I said yes! I was quite flattered and appreciative of the opportunity to help a blog/site with such a good cause! You can see her blog entry here. Thanks so much, Nancy!



I hope you all are enjoying the remnants of February. I can't believe that March is just around the corner. Weren't we just taking off the tinsel from our trees?!


God bless your Spring. Thanks for stopping by!



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Congrats on your pregnancy!

I just learned recently that two of my friends are expecting their second child. :) So, this weekend, I found some time to create a card for them.

Click image for larger version.

And a close-up

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Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Baby Button Bits, Congrats All Ways (both PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Classic Kraft (PTI)

Paper: Classic Kraft, Stampers Select, Scarlet Jewel (all PTI); Linen Closet (DCWV)

Other: Simply Chartreuse felt, Scarlet Jewel twill, Scarlet Jewel button (all PTI); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); Zots; ATG; Baker's Twine



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Friends Furever - A TSG 143 Color Challenge

This is my first color challenge (located at the There She Goes Stamps blog). It's a great color combination we're required to use - Regal Rose, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry (all Stampin' Up! colors) Thankfully, I have them all! :)



Here's my card:

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and some close-ups:

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It was a fun challenge! I'll look forward to more of them! :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Puppy Love (TSG)

Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine); Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: Old Olive DSP, Rich Razzleberry, Regal Rose (all SU!); Stampers Select (PTI)

Other: Copics; Fresh Snow Twill, Scarlet Jewel button, Rustic twine (all PTI); Nestabilities (Spellbinders); ATG; Dimensionals; Zots



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Happy Belated birthday, Elizabeth!

I learned (a bit too late) that my friend Susie's mom, Elizabeth, was celebrating a birthday today (or tomorrow?) In any case, I rushed to whip up this card and send it off to her in hopes it would be fairly close to when she has/had her special day! :)

Click image for larger version.

And a close-up:

Click image for larger version.

Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Argyle background (MSS); Love Lives Here (PTI), sentiment (from stash)

Ink: Blush Blossom (SU!); Fresh Snow, Classic Kraft (both PTI)

Paper: Sweet Blush, Classic Kraft (both PTI); Certainly Celery (SU!); Wal-mart White

Other: Key Tag punch (EK Success); Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Love Lives Here die (PTI); ATG; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Thank You - Tree Tops

Well, I FINALLY got to use my Tree Tops (PTI) and I had a lot of fun. I'll admit I wasn't that interested in them, but then saw some fellow PTI forumers use them and was smitten. So I thought I'd give them a try. :)

Click image for larger version.

and a close-up

Click image for larger version.

Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Tree Tops, Think Big Favorites #4 (both PTI)

Ink: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum (both SU!); Tea Dye Duo (PTI); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper: Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum (SU!); Dearest Jane (PTI)

Other: Rustic Twine, Ripe Avocado button, Tree Top die, Linen Impression Plate (all PTI); ATG; Zots; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Papertrey Ink Stamp Sets

Listing the PTI stamp sets I own... too often I'm not at home and can't recall which sets I own. :)



A Little Argyle

All About You

All About You Additions

All Booked Up

Autumn Abundance

Autumn Acorns

(2009) Autumn Tags



Baby Button Bits

Background Basics: Christmas

Background Basics: Farm & Barn

Background Basics: Sheet Music

Background Basics: Text Style II

Background Basics: Tin Types

Banner Builder

Beautiful Blessings

Beautiful Blooms 1

Beautiful Blooms 2

Beautiful Butterflies

Bells & Boughs

Big Birthday Wishes

Big & Bold Wishes

(A) Big Thank You

Birds of a Feather

Birthday Bash Sentiments

Birthday Basics

(2012) Birthday Tags

Blooming Button Bits

Boards & Beams

Borders & Corners: Circles

Borders & Corners: Rectangles

Borders & Corners: Squares

Botanical Silhouettes

Boxes, Bags, & Tags

Boy Basics: Frog Hop

Boy Basics: Simple Circles

Butterfly Dreams

By Invitation



Calendar Basics

Celebrations

Christmas Blessings

Christmas Labels

Communique Curves

Communique Curves Sentiments

Congrats All Ways

Crackled



Daily Designs

Daily Designs Sentiments

Delightful Dahlia

Delightful Doilies

Distressed Stripes

Dot Spot



Egg Hunt

Enjoy the Ride

Est. 1776

Everyday Blessings

Everyday Button Bits

Everyday Classics

Everyday Treats



Fancy Flourishes

Father Knows Best

Faux Ribbon

Fillable Frames #1 to 12

Flower Fusion #1 to 12

Fly Away

For the Graduate

Framed

Framed Out #1-5

Fresh Alphabet

Friendship Jar

Friendship Jar: Fall Fillers

Friendship Jar Fillers

Friendship Jar: Holiday Fillers

Friendship Jar: Spring Fillers

Friendship Jar: Summer Fillers

Friends 'til the End

Fruitful

Fruit Fusion: Apple

Fruit Fusion: Berry

Fruit Fusion: Cherry

Fruit Fusion: Grape

Fruit Fusion: Melon

Fruit Fusion: Pear



Garden of Life

Get to the Point

Get to the Point Sentiments

Giga Guidelines

Global Greetings: Spanish

Gobble, Gobble

Green Thumb

Guidelines

Guidelines 2



Half and Half

(2009) Halloween Tags

Happy Day

Happy Hexagons

Happy Trails

Healing Touch Sentiments

Heart-2-Heart #1-5

Heart Prints

Heart Prints Sentiments

Hello Sunshine

Holiday Button Bits

Holiday Sparkle

Holiday Spirit Sentiments

(2009) Holiday Tags Collection

Holiday Treats

Holiday Wishes

Honey Bees

Honey Bees Sentiments



Iconic Images

In Bloom

Inside & Out: Holiday

Inside & Out: Thank You



Just For You

Just the Ticket



Lace Bouquet

Larger than Life

Leaf Prints

Let Freedom Ring

Library Card

Library Ledger

Life

Lighten Up

Lighten Up Sentiments

Limitless Labels

Little Bitty Bird

Little Lady

Love Birds

Love Lives Here

Lovely Layers

Lovely Trees

Luck of the Irish



Mailbox Greetings

Masculine Motifs

Mat Stack 1 Collection

Mat Stack 2 Collection

Mat Stack 3 Collection

Mat Stack 4 Collection

Mat Stack 5 Collection

Mazel Tov

Mazel Tov Additions

Mega Mixed Messages

Mehndi Medallion

Men of Life

Merry Little Christmas

Mother

Movers & Shakers Sentiments



Nativity Silhouettes

Nativity Silhouettes Additions



On My Couch

On My Couch Additions

Outlines Alphabet

Out on a Limb

Out to Sea



Peace, Be Still

Places, Please

Polka Dot Basics 1

Postmarks

Pretty Peonies (2012 Anniversary Set)



Quilter's Sampler



Recipe Box

Recipe Box Label

Rhythm & Soul

Rosie Posie

Round & Round



Scattered Showers

Scattered Showers Additions

School Time

Scrambled Eggs

Script Sentiments

Sending You

Signature Christmas

Silent Night

Simple Sunflower

Spooky Sweets 1

Spooky Sweets 2

Star of Wonder

Star Prints

Stitches & Swirls

Stocking Prints

Strawberry Patch

Strawberry Patch Sentiments

Super Stars

Sweet As Can Be

Sweet Spring



Tag-Its #1 to 12

Tags for Spring - 2008

Take a Bough

Take Note

Take Three: Fall

Take Three: Spring

Take Three: Summer

Take Three: Winter

Tea for Two

Tea for Two Additions

Teacher's Apple

Think Big Favorites #1 to 17

Through the Trees

Tiny Tags

Tiny Treats: Birthday

Tiny Treats: Christmas

Tiny Treats: Halloween

Tiny Treats: Valentine

Top Ten

Top Ten Additions

Tranquility Trilogy

Tree Tops

Tree Trimming Trio

Turning a New Leaf



Up, Up, and Away

Up, Up, and Away Sentiments



Vintage Labels

Vintage Picnic

Vintage Picnic Sentiments



Warm Happiness

Warm Happiness Too

Whale Wishes

Wildflower Garden

Winter Penguin

Wise Owl

With Sympathy

With Sympathy: Loss of Child

With Sympathy: Loss of Pet

Women of Life

Women of Life Additions

Wonderfully Whimsical

Wreath for All Seasons



Year of Flowers: Carnations

Year of Flowers: Daffodils

Year of Flowers: Gladiolas

Year of Flowers: Larkspur

Year of Flowers: Lily of the Valley

Year of Flowers: Marigold

Year of Flowers: Morning Glories

Year of Flowers: Mums

Year of Flowers: Poinsettias

Year of Flowers: Roses

Year of Flowers: Sweet Peas

Year of Flowers: Violets

A Doggone Great Valentine!

When I saw this stamp at Michaels, I knew I'd have to get it to make a Valentine for my pup-lovin' pal, Curt. I'm hoping by now, he's received the card, so this won't ruin any surprise. ;)

and a close-up of these two unlikely friends:

Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Gingham background (MSS); Dog & Bird (Michaels); Tiny Treats: Valentines, Mat Stack 3 Collection (both PTI)

Ink: Pacific Point (SU!); Pure Poppy (PTI); Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: Wal-mart White; Pacific Point (SU!); True Black (PTI)

Other: Copics; Ridinghood Red Grosgrain (SU!); Mat Stack 3 Die (PTI); 1 3/4" circle punch (EK Success); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); ATG; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Friends from the Start - There She Goes Stamps

Hello all and good morning (if you're reading this before noon... I'm entering it WELL before noon. :P )



As you may (or may not) know, when I first start trying out a new stamp company, I like to write a little review here...or at least introduce you to the stamp company. Well, a week or so ago I requested on Split Coast Stampers some dog stamps. I have no idea why. I don't own a dog, nor do I plan on getting a dog. But I digress...



In any case, some people recommended Puppy Love (from There She Goes Clear Stamps). Well, I looked at the stamp images and fell in love with the adorable doggies there. :) So, I took the plunge (as I had never used their stamps before) and purchased it. I'm very happy I did! (Sorry, but as of this writing, it seems that stamp set it out of stock... so I feel lucky! :) )



The stamps came in a clear package and quite quickly, I might add. Of course, they're based in Washington state and I'm here in California, so that may have something to do with it. ;) Jessica, the owner, wrote a personalized thank-you on the invoice. That was an impressive touch to me.



I took out the stamps and stamped with them and the image was quite sharp and clear. You can see this below. No noticeable blurring or foggy edges.



Okay, enough rambling...here's the card. :)

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And some usual close-ups:

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Click image for larger version.

Overall, I'm quite happy with the purchase (I got 39 images for $18.00) and I'll be shopping with them again. :) Thanks to Jessica and I look forward to continued business.



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Puppy Love (TSG)

Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper: Dark Chocolate, New Leaf, Stampers Select (all PTI); Latte (DCWV)

Other: Copics; Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Key Tag Punch (EK Success); New Leaf twill (PTI); Dimensionals; ATG; Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Bookmark and Card

Okay, remember when I said I was going to rage through these to get many done for this challenge on Nichole's blog?



Yeah... well, I just could not do it! I started on this card and then stopped to think what would look good with what and how I could best place the ribbon!



I sometimes really hate my perfectionism! :P



Here's my card (hardly perfect, by the way! :P )

and with the bookmark outside the card. :)

Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: All Booked Up (PTI)

Ink: Enchanted Evening, Dark Chocolate (both PTI)

Paper: Lemon Tart, Vintage Cream, Enchanted Evening, Dark Chocolate, Dearest Jane patterned paper (all PTI)

Other: Bookmark die, Mat Stack 3 dies, Lemon Tart and Dark Chocolate twill ribbon (all PTI); 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/4" circle punches (all EK Success); Scor-tape; ATG; Xyron; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Just B!

Another interactive card for Nichole's challenge, found here.



Okay, a bit of explanation. I've never created a pop-up card before... I know, my students would hang me!... but it wasn't all that hard (at least for me...which is saying something!). :)



A happy surprise is that the Mega Mat Stack 4 die cut allowed the large circle from PTI's Borders & Corners: Circles to fit nicely in it! :)



Here's my card, without further ado...

and inside:

Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Just B (SU!); Mega Mixed Messages, Borders & Corners: Circles (PTI)

Ink: Autumn Rose (PTI); Ballet Blue (SU!); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper: Blueberry Sky, Vintage Cream, Autumn Rose (all PTI)

Other: Mega Mat Stack 4 die (PTI); Happy Birthday embossing folder (Provo); Ticket Corner punch (EK Success); ATG; Scor-Tape



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Happy Spring, Butterfly! - a PTI challenge

Well, I was excited to see the latest challenge from Nichole on her blog. She asked us to create an interactive card. :) I don't make these that often, so I welcomed the chance!



(Also, you should check it out... because there's a $500 PTI gift certificate at stake! So, I plan on making many! ;) )

Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Egg Hunt (PTI)

Ink: Perfect Plum (SU!); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper: New Leaf, Lavender Moon, Vellum Cardstock, Egg Hunt patterned paper (all PTI)

Other: Key Tag punch (EK Success); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); Scor-Tape; New Leaf twill (PTI); ATG; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Feel Better - another PTI challenge. :)

Well, today marks another day to celebrate PTI's anniversary...and what better way than to be offered a challenge by Nichole on her blog!



Today's challenge was to make a card with butterflies and leaves. I went right to work!

Click image for larger version.

Some close-ups:

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and

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Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: All About You, Turning a New Leaf (both PTI)

Ink: Classic Kraft (PTI)

Paper: Classic Kraft, Vintage Cream, Vellum Cardstock (all PTI)

Other: Copics; Butterfly Kisses embossing folder (Craft Concepts); Classic Kraft twill (PTI); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); Out to Sea rhinestones (Queen & Co.); Scor-tape; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Many Thanks - PTI's Lace Bouquet

Well, I finally broke out Lace Bouquet (Papertrey Ink) and went to work.



I can't say I'm going to use this often... for some reason, it's not an image that speaks to me. :)

Click image for larger version.

And some close-ups:

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Click image for larger version.

Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Lace Bouquet, Fillable Frames #1 (both PTI)

Ink: Kraft (PTI); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper: Canyon Clay, Classic Kraft, Plum Pudding (all PTI); Chocolate Chip (SU!)

Other: Plum Pudding buttons, Rustic Twine, Double Banner dies (all PTI); ATG; Zots; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,