Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Top 10 of 2010

2010 has truly flown by.  It was just a little over a year ago that I decided to get into stamping and cardmaking after a long love affair with scrapping.  And I can honestly say, I don't miss scrapping one bit.  It was fun to look at the progress I've made as a cardmaker for this post.  So, without further ado, here are my top 10 creations of 2010 in no particular order:


One of a Kind Friend! (PTI)


hip, hip, HOORAY! (PTI)

For You (PTI)


High Flyin' Birthday (PTI)



Scary Siblings (PCS)


Thank You (Technique Tuesday)


Kind Words (Verve)


Celebrate Your Day (PTI)


Happy Birthday (Lawn Fawn)


Birthday by the Sea
 
I was really hesitant to take the plunge into the blogging world, but I am so glad that I did.  The inspiration and encouragement I've received from my on-line friends has made this adventure so worthwhile.  Thanks for everything!  Wishing you God's richest blessings today and always.  May 2010 leave you with fond memories and may 2011 hold many wonderous possibilities.

{hugs}

Suzanne

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

ribbons & bows

Am I the only crazy person who picks a ribbon then tries to design an entire card around it?  Well, that's what I did with this card and it took me forever.  Thankfully, this birthday card was for a very special friend of mine so I didn't mind spending the time to make it perfect.



I really like the In Bloom paper pack and am thinking that I should invest in the matching stamp set to create my own paper.  It would eventually pay for itself right?  I realized after the fact that the bow was way too big to fit into an envelope.  Lucky for me, my sweet friend lives nearby so I tucked the card inside the bag and hand delivered the gift.  

Not much else to say other than thanks for dropping by again.  It means a lot that people take the time to visit and comment.  And a big special thanks to my followers.  Wow ... when did I get up to 14?  I am humbled.  Really.

Have a great one!

Supplies (all PTI unless otherwise noted)
Paper:  In Bloom (print), spring moss, hibiscus burst (I think)
Stamps:  Plain Jane sentiment (Verve), BB: Retro
Ink:  tuxedo black (Memento), VersaMark
Other:  Tag Sale #1 die & Limitless Layers die set, ribbons (unknown)

Monday, December 27, 2010

joyeux noel

Yeah, I know, Christmas is over.  For some families.  Today is our last family get-together for the holidays and it's going to be great.  There's just something really special about having everyone at my parents place for dinner, presents, fun & games.  I love it.  Even more than I love this swirly, girly card that I made for my mom.  Or maybe I just love not having to clean my house before a holiday dinner. 


Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go play good auntie to the worlds' greatest niece and nephews.  Christmas isn't just for kids, but man do they ever make the holiday more special.  I love spending time with them. So, see you all later.

Details:  (that I can remember)
Paper:  sweet blush (PTI), patterned paper (from my scrap bin)
Stamps:  Peace Be Still (PTI)
Ink:  all Memento dew drops
Other:  Limitless Layers dies, Christmas tree die, and spring moss felt (all PTI), pearls (unknown)

Sunday, December 26, 2010

PTI Blog Hop - Holiday Leftovers


December's Challenge: 
It's that time again for our annual holiday leftovers challenge! Use scraps of wrapping paper, parts of holiday cards, recycle gift tags or bits of ribbon on a paper crafting project. We all have plenty of it laying around after all the holiday excitement and this is your chance to incorporate some of those pretty little things into an amazing piece of art!

You know you're addicted to stamping when someone hands you a present and your first though is, "Oooh.  That paper would be gorgeous on a card."  However, when your second thought is, "YES!!  There's at least 6 yards of ribbon." and you start to happy dance in your head, it's time to get help.  Or prepare to hop, PTI style.


I created an assymetrical frame using a print from The Girl's Paperie that I used for Christmas cards.  The green flower was die cut from a linen textured wrapping paper using Beautiful Blooms #1.  I tucked in a few snippets of the gold ribbon from the same gift instead of making real leaves.  The final step was to put it all on a Pure Poppy scallop base.  Or so I thought. 
 

This card just wasn't doing it for me so I grabbed some rustic cream cardstock, my woodgrain impression plate, and a little tea dye duo.  Et, voila!  C'est fini. 


Now this card works.  Hope you like it.

Supplies (all PTI unless otherwise noted)
Paper:  spring rain, pure poppy, rustic cream, print (the girl's paperie),
Sentiment:  Kind Words (Verve)
Ink:  Rich Cocoa (Memento), Tea Dye Duo
Embellishments:  beautiful blooms die, lemon tart button, rustic button twine
Other:  woodgrain impression plate, large scallop & circle Nestabilities

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas, Friends



Wishing you God's richest blessings today and always.  May your day be filled with family, friends, love, and laughter as you take time to remember the real reason to celebrate.  Joy to the world, the Lord has come.  Merry Christmas, Friends.


Details - all PTI unless otherwise noted
Paper:  rustic cream, red (Bazzill), print (the Girl's Paperie)
Stamps:  Silent Night, filigree dove (Michaels)
Ink:  tea dye duo, VersaMark
Other:  large circle & scallop Nesties, white EP (Stampendous)

Friday, December 24, 2010

shabby, little Christmas


Well, now that the presents are bought I'm getting serious about making cards for the family.  The only problem is, I have more cards to post than I do sleeps 'til Christmas.  So be prepared for a little Christmas cheer leading up to the new year.  Doilies, snowflakes, and vintage/shabby chic seem to be all the rage still so I tried my hand at combining all three.


In keeping with the busyness of the season, and the fact that I still have all my baking to do, I'll get straight to the details.  Thanks for visiting & happy holidays!

Details
Paper:  spring moss (PTI), blue (SU), white (Neenah)
Stamps:  Big & Bold Holiday Wishes & Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers (PTI)
Ink:  Tea Dye Duo (PTI), VersaMark, blue distress ink
Other:  Top Note die (SU), doily (Michael's), blue & silver EP (AC), Corner Chomper

Thursday, December 23, 2010

winter birthday

When I sit down to stamp in December, it's usually for birthday cards.  There are so many birthdays among my family and close friends that it's ridiculous.  I'm trying to use up my paper scraps (since I have two new PTI paper packs en route as I type), so I started with the gorgeous swirly paper as my inspiration.  I used this colour combo a few weeks ago for a Christmas card and just love this patterned paper.  So wintery, yet so girly.



To add some oomph to the skates (which are so easy to line up on the die cut), I used a C1 to line the boot and BG10 to colour in the blades.  I also added some chunky glitter to the skate blades.  A quick wrap of baker's twine and my card was all set to mail.  On time, to boot.  I'm so proud of me!

Thanks for dropping in. See ya tomorrow.

Supplies
Paper:  sweet blush (PTI), solar white (Neenah), print (unknown)
Stamps:  On Ice (PTI)
Ink:  tuxedo black (Memento)
Other:  skate die (PTI), labels 3 (nesties), glitter & glitter glue (Martha Stewart), black baker's twine (papertreats)

Monday, December 20, 2010

Celebrate Your Day

It's been a long time since I've updated the old blog and I apologize.  The funny thing is, I've made cards.  I've photographed cards.  But do you think I've edited or uploaded anything?  That's gotta change.  Last month I had a request for a wedding card and this is the finished product:


I loved the way this turned out and the customer was equally thrilled with the result.  I didn't know the style of the wedding she was attending, so I erred on the side of classy & elegant. 

Thanks for dropping by.  And I promise, I won't let the blog-o sit neglected for this long ever again.  I hope.  *wink* 

Have a great one, friends!!

Details:
Paper:  Smokey Shadow & True Black (PTI), textured White (Bazzill), damask print (Recollections)
Stamps:  Signature Greetings (PTI)
Ink:  Versamark
Other:  satin ribbon (unknown), Mat Stack 1 & medium scallop die (PTI), silver embossing powder (AC)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

kiddie's christmas

Today's post is a sneak peak at the card I made for my youngest nephew.  I love how the distressing on the paper looks a little like snowflakes.  Very festive.  And very much a coincidence. 


I still have to start planning their gift tags/tree ornaments.  When they were younger, they use to hang the tags on their tree.  Well, they're now 11, 13, and 15 and they still expect tags that can be used on the tree.  I love it.  I especially love when you see the ornaments and tags you made a few years ago still being used.  Talk about warm & fuzzy feelings. 

Enough gushing and reminiscing for one day.  What are your special family traditions?  I'd love to hear about them instead of the usual comments. 

Have a blessed day, friends!

Details
Paper:  Certainly Celery & Kraft (SU), Christmas Words (Echo Park), yellow (Bazzill), Solar White (Neenah)
Stamps:  Tiny Treats: Christmas (PTI) *love*
Colouring Mediums:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Copics
Other:  Tag Sale #1 and Limitless Layers (both PTI), grosgrain ribbon (from stash)

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Reindeer Games

Happy Thursday!!  When I first saw the peeks of Alli Miles' new set Holiday Sparkle, I thought it wasn't for me.  Until I caught a peek of this sweet little fella.  I think I bought the whole set for this reindeer alone.  LOL  I am loving how all the images in this set are sized perfectly to fit on PTI's Tag Sale 1.  I don't do a lot of gift tags, but think they look fab on cards.  I especially love how this die cuts out the little reinforcement as well.

This little guy could do with a little more colour, but I stamped him in Staz-On which I know should not mix with Copics.  So, here he is, sparkly nosed, googly eyed, and looking like he's in desperate need of some sun.  As the temperature drops and the snow starts to swirl, I think we all could do with a quick sunshine getaway.  Oh well, a girl can dream.

I do apologize for photographing this against a white backdrop.  The border left on the white card base completely disappears.  If I wasn't so lazy, I would reshoot the pic.  But, I know that means re-editing, re-uploading ... let's just chalk this up to lessons learned & I promise not to do this again.  Okay?

Have a great weekend friends & I'll see you all next week!

Supplies:
Paper - solar white (Neenah), true black (PTI), kraft (SU), print (Echo Park or Girl's Paperie)
Stamps - Holiday Sparkle (PTI)
Ink - black (Staz-On), VersaMark
Other - green metallic EP, Tag Sale 1 (PTI), googly eyes, ribbon, & red rhinestone (unknown)