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.

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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! :)

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And a close-up:

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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. :)

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and a close-up

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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 #1-4
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 Trails
Healing Touch Sentiments
Heart-2-Heart #1-4
Heart Prints
Heart Prints Sentiments
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 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 16
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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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!

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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. :)

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And some close-ups:

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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,