V-day Card #13: Sweet Confetti

Okay, so I originally planned to fill the cup with red M&Ms.  I had a 2 pound bag of them from Christmas and I was going to cull out the red ones to use here.  However, the mysterious and sneaky creature named Not Me appears to have made off with my bag.  Hmmmm......3 children and a chocoholic husband......I wonder which one or ones made off with the goods. 

So my valentine isn't as sweet as I wanted it to be.  Confetti is cute but not very good to eat, LOL.  This is a take off from Becky's challenge only slightly modified in proportions.  I might add a strip of red glitter right above the border punch.  What do you think? 

Stampin Up Sweet Treats stamp stamp set and treat cup, SU Real Red cardstock and ink, SU Pink Pirouette cardstock, SU Black cardstock, SU Modern Window punch, Martha Stewart scalloped heart border punch, random hearts confetti plus some MS tiny heart confetti, Bazzill pink brads, PTI fresh snow ink, and random red satin ribbon from the Offray ribbon outlet. 

Only one more to go.  I need to make #14 uber special.  Any ideas you'd like to share???

Thanks for looking.  I love to read all your comments; they make my day.

V-day Card #12: CASE'd

Day #12 of my Valentines and my creativity is running low.  So I decided to do what any good card maker would......CASE a card from someone much more talented than me.  :-)  In this case, this came from Becky's challenge on her blog.  I changed the color from Melon Berry to Raspberry Fizz and then rest is exactly the same.  Surprise, surprise, I really like how it turned out.

 I tried it with the pail and shovel from this set, but it was smaller than the puppy and it looked lost on the heart.  I also tried a scalloped heart punch I have but it was too big.  I guess the image that Becky chose is like Baby Bear.....just right. 

PTI Kraft, Vintage Cream and Raspberry Fizz cardstock, Raspberry Fizz saddle stitched ribbon and button, EK Success heart punch, Momento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers, and Stampin Up Dimensionals. 

In the home stretch now.  Only 2 more to go. 

V-day Card #11: Embossed Simplicity

I've been itching to use this embossed frame since I bought it last year.  And the Scarlet Jewel/Sweet Blush/Smokey Shadow combo has been calling my name. 

So this is what happened on a snowy Saturday afternoon when I combined the two.  I thought that the frame with the bling was ornate enough to carry the front without much else. 

PTI cardstocks, Simple Valentine stamp set, embossed frame by Sizzix, and Kaiser rhinestones. 

Taking a note from much more accomplished designers, I also decided to decorate the inside of the card.  The embossed frame cuts out this heart in the center of the frame.  I wanted a sentiment in the middle on the front, but waste not, want not so I used it on the inside. 










On a side note, we are expecting about 6 inches of snow here in DC today.  We were only supposed to get a dusting, but the forecast changed overnight and now we are getting dumped on.  It's been snowing since about 9 am here with no signs of stopping; we have 3"+ already.  Winter has been harder here than it has been in years.  The kids are loving it and it reminds me of home (near Pittsburgh, PA).  I think we're off to go sledding.  Ciao!!!

V-day Card #10: Stars

So I was not feeling overly crafty tonight, but hubby decided to watch the State of the Union speech on TV and I didn't last more than a few minutes.  Even though I live in the Washington DC metro area, I'm not big on politics. 

So I headed to my studio and this is what happened.  I was trying for a more masculine color scheme.  I recently saw a blog post using Ocean Tides and decided to pull it out as my base.  I bought the Unity September store kit of the month a while back at my LSS, so I pulled it out to give it some inky love.  I've been on a bit of a border punch kick so I grabbed one of those too.  I added the bling at the end because it just sort of seemed blah and needed something.  I don't know if they helped or hurt, LOL.  For better or worse, just like us, it is what it is. 

PTI Ocean Tides cardstock, saddle stitched ribbon and ink; Vintage Cream cardstock; Bitty Stars patterned paper in Dark Chocolate; Scarlet Jewel ink and Star Prints stamp set.  Unity phrase stamp, Kaiser rhinestones, Martha Stewart stars border punch. 

Only 4 more to go!!!  I think I might actually get this done.  :-)

V-day Card #9: Ribbon

Day #9 of my Project Romance the Hubby.  Today is the traditional red and white color scheme.  It reminded me of the red cellophane wrapped candy filled hearts that DH loves to buy for me.  Of course, he immediately eats all the chocolate covered nuts or anything with nuts to "help me out."  LOL~  Gotta love a man that ranks chocolate almost as high as you. 

PTI Pure Poppy cardstock, dotted ribbon and ink; PTI Fresh Snow ink and Stamper's Select cardstock.  PTI Sweet Blush Pigment ink.  EK Success medium heart punch, Marth Stewart lacy heart border punch.  Dazzling Diamonds glitter and Momento Tuxedo Black ink. 

Thanks for looking!

V-day Card #8: Sweet

I know, I know....kinda of girlie for a man.  Oh well, he gets what he gets, LOL.  I really love the combo of Sweet Blush and Berry Sorbet.  Add in the Dark Chocolate and I felt it added just enough of a manly touch to make this not out of the realm of possibilities for a guy card. 

The cupcake is a subtle nod to the fact that I *LOVE* cake but I love my wonderful hubby more than cake.  That's a big deal in this house.  :-)

PTI Berry Sorbet cardstock, ink and ribbon; Sweet Blush cardstock; Dark Chocolate ink and ribbon.  Tiny Treats:  Valentine and Background Basics:  Hearts stamp sets.  Prima flowers; SU Dazzling Diamonds glitter, rhinestone brads and Dimensionals. Circles cut with Circle Nestabilities and Petite Circle Nestabilities. 

Hopefully more tomorrow, but life is crazy busy right now. 

V-day Card #7: Bling

Have you ever had a great idea that doesn't turn out so great when you move from concept to execution?  Well, this is one of those for me.  It looked so cute in my head.  The reality is a little less polished than I might have hoped for.  But I'm not perfect, so I figure that my cards don't have to be either for my sweetie to love them.  He loves me with all my imperfections, right? 

Stampin Up Regal Rose carstock, SU Rose red craft ink and ribbon, VersaMark ink, 5/8" white satin ribbon and white satin flowers from the Offray Ribbon outlet, PTI Enchanted Evening cardstock and Kaiser rhinestones. 

Halfway done!

V-day Card #6: Retro

I found these cute heart string beads at my LSS.  They looked like those red hot heart candies that I loved as a child.  I think I'll leave a pillowbox of those for DH along with this card.  Red hots for my hubby who's a major hottie himself.  Somehow, that seems like a good idea to me.  ;-)

Stampin Up Rose Red cardstock, SU patterned paper from the Saleabration paper pack, SU Pretty in Pink cardstock, SU Taken with Teal cardstock, SU Whisper White ink, SU Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Making Memories white "I" rub-on, white ribbon from the Offray Ribbon outlet, head string beads from my LSS. 

Thanks for looking!  Hasta tarde!

V-day Card #5: Vintage

I totally stole the idea to use these labels to make a vintage-y background from Dawn McVey.  In fact I ordered this set just to be able to do this.  I really love it!

My man has been on a travel kick lately.  He's been bugging the living daylights out of me to go on a cruise, to take a religious tour of the middle east and Israel, to jet off to the Caribbean.  Me, I'm a home-body.  I'm much happier sleeping in my own bed, cooking in my own kitchen and having all the comforts of home just a few steps away. 

We're compromising, so I thought this sort of looked like the old-style travel stickers that you used to see on luggage.  Maybe we'll try a short cruise this year and save the longer, further-away adventures for when the kids are a bit older. 

PTI Vintage Cream cardstock, Scarlet Jewel CS and button, rustic white twine, heart punches and stampset.  Stampin Up Pretty in Pink cardstock and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  Embellished heart punch by Martha Stewart. 

Thanks for joining me on my Valentine's Day card journey.  Later, y'all

Valentine's Day Project: Day #4

Okay, not exactly a traditional Valentine.  No valentine colors, no hearts, no cupids, no glitter, no nuthin'.  But I think it conveys the message that I'm trying to send to my honey with this project.  I appreciate the fact that he is there for me through thick and thin, all the time. 

And I couldn't resist the couch.  We playfully bicker over who gets the recliner every night after dinner.  It's generally first come, first served, but if either of us have had a bad or long day, we defer to the other.  So for Christmas this year, hubby bought me a new brown leather sofa and matching recliner.  The best part is that the soft itself has a recliner on either end.  So we both get to kick back in comfort and yet at the same time sit next to each other so that we can hold hands.  Awwww......isn't that just too sweet? 

SU Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke cardstock, SU Soft Suede polka dot ribbon, SU patterned paper from the hostess Level one paper pack, SU wide oval and scalloped oval punches.  PTI On My Couch stamp set, Vintage Cream cardstock, and Dark Chocolate ink.  Corner Chomper and random rub-on from my stash. 

More tomorrow.....

V-day Card #3: Checkerboard

I totally stole this idea from the scraps challenge on the PTI DT blogs.  I don't *love* how this turned out, but when you have 15 Valentine's to make, you have to expect that some will wow you more than others, LOL.  This one kind of makes me dizzy, but hubby has much better balance than me so hopefully it's all good. 

SU Real Red and Pink Pirouette cardstock, SU scalloped square punch, PTI Pure Poppy twill tape, Sweet Blush buttons, Hibiscus Burst Pigment Ink, Simple Valentine PP and stamp set.

V-day Card #2: SWAK

I saw this "lips" stamp at a large chain craft store and I knew I had to have it.  Simple and playful is the look I was going for.  My husband and I are always giving each other little "pecks" for no reason at all.  My son who is 7 is convinced that boys and girls kissing is how you make babies, so it totally grosses him out.  He is emphatic that he does NOT want more little brothers and sisters.  After 7 kids, I have to say that I agree with him, LOL.  I think this card captures the essence of my marriage.  Kinda sweet, lots of goofy, but after 17 years still totally, head-over-heels, make googlie eyes at each other in love. 

Neenah white cardstock, Versamark ink, Zing poppy embossing powder, SU gold cardstock, Making Memories white rub-ons, SU Dimensionals, and black satin ribbon from the Offray Ribbon Outlet.  I cut the heart out with my Cricut Expression using the Sweethearts cartridge. 

Card #3 up tomorrow and hopefully more in the days after as I'm going to a crop tonight and have my bag all packed with Valentine's Day stamps and embellishments. 

Christmas gifts....

I decided to give hand-made gifts this year to many of the people that you want to give a little something to, but don't want to spend a lot of money.  Coaches, piano teacher, bus driver, etc.  This little set is something I made for my daughter's piano teacher.  She has a 5 month old baby, so I thought making lists would be right up her alley. 

A set of note cards with a treble clef, a note pad and an RSVP pen lined with matching paper.  I have no idea who made the patterned paper as it was from my ginormous stash (trying to use what I have).  The cardstock and ribbon is Scarlet Jewel from PTI.  The stamp (retired) on the card is from Stampin Up! and the stamp on the notepad is from PTI's Take Note. 

Love is in the air....

I just got ALL the Christmas decorations put away.  I *love* Christmas; it's one of my favorite times of year.  Green and red and holly and candy canes, and....and....and..... LOL~  There are wreaths on the front doors, the french doors, over the sofa, etc.  There is garland draped from the staircase railings with HUGE bows on each newel post.  Table cloths, candles, flower arrangements, holiday china, holiday everyday dishes, etc.  Be careful if you ever come to my house, if you stand still too long, you'll find yourself draped with garland and ribbons, LOL!

But......that's all done for the season.  And now it's time to move on to Valentine's Day.  I have the best husband in the world.  Really.  There is nothing he won't do for me.  And even after all these years, I love him with all my heart, soul, and being.  He's one of the only truly selfless people I've ever met.  And he deserves so much better than what I usually give him.  I'm a bit (okay, a LOT) of a grump when I get stressed and all these kids will definitely stress me out.  So this year, I'm aiming to leave him a Valentine's Day card and small surprise on the seat of his car every day from Feb 1 to Feb 14.  Which means that I need 15 cards for him.  Yikes!  I'd better get it in gear~   So this is the first of them. 

Hibiscus Burst cardstock, ink, and ribbon; Sweet Blush cardstock; Raspberry Fizz ink and rhinestones.  Martha Stewart heart and border punch.  PTI Heart Prints stamp set. 

Later gators!

This one's for Ted

My most humble apologies.  I can't believe I haven't updated in over 2 months.  I'm going to claim holiday immunity and leave it at that.   

But my good friend Ted was asking about star lovers so I thought I'd post these two quick and easy cards just for him. 

This is a card that I made for a male birthday.  I struggle making cards that are not too frou-frou.  The red, white and blue theme as well as the complete absence of flowers seemed to be the best I could do, LOL. 

Stampin Up Pacific Point and Real Read cardstock and ink.  SU Pacific Point ribbon and SU word window punch.  PTI Star Prints stamp set. 


















I was in charge of a large fund-raiser event at work this year (and the last 16 years, LOL).  People donate food and time and I wanted a little something to say Thank You!  I whipped up 30 of these little beauties in only about 20 minutes.  The theme was Be a Star in Someone's Life, so I thought this worked really well.  The campaign colors were red and blue, so I echoed those in my design. 

Neenah white cardstock, SU Brilliant Blue and Real Red inks, PTI Fancy Flourishes, Star Prints and Giga Guidelines stamp sets.

















Well, that's all for today.  Hopefully, I'll have a new post for you in a day or so.  We got snow last night, although nothing like the 25 inches we got before Christmas, so I'm staying home to play in my studio today.  I need to get out all my Valentine's Day sets for inspiration. 

Later folks!