Door Nobs..... Spooked..

As promised:

The tag that was hung on my door was a large cutout of a ghost much like the little ghosts I chose to use on my door hangers with the text printed on the front of the ghost. You could use a jack-o-lantern, a bat, a witch or any other Halloween image. I've chosen to use the individually wrapped popcorn balls from WalMart placed in a cellophane bag and coordinating ribbon and a tag to match.

The text:

Your house was SPOOKED during the night by some
one in the neighborhood who wants to give you a fright!
A bag of treats has been left for you, full of
Halloween candy and other goodies too!
Now it’s your turn to give someone a fright by placing
three bags of candy and ghosts during the moonlight
You have only one night to spread your ghosts, so the
whole neighborhood will be haunted to the most!
You will need to make 3 ghosts and 3 bags of
treats to take to 3 houses on your street!
You will need to place a copy of this rhyme in each goody bag
you leave, so the next house will know how to proceed!
Once your house has been spooked, place your ghost
on the door so we will come no more.
Have a Happy
Halloween

Stamps: PTI- 2009 Halloween Tags.
Paper: Summer Sunrise
Ink: Mememto Tuxedo Black
Window Dressing: Scrap Ribbon, Jute twine

Halloween Tags and Traditions

A few years ago just about this time of the month, I had found, as I began my early morning routine of walking the Whippet, an unexpected surprise hanging on my door nob. It was a friendly Halloween ghost cut from white cardstock with a set of instructions written in poem imprinted across its chest. Hanging behind him was a bag of Halloween goodies. I later discovered that it was my Mother who had placed it there. Someone had placed one on her door nob a couple days before and she had followed the instructions written on her ghost. I've decided to revive and share this Halloween tradition with my family and friends. They are nearly finished, but have taken a little different. Once I make a trip to the candy store and fill the treat bags I will share the complete project so if you choose, you can "Trick or Treat" your own family and friends. Above are some of the tags that will accompany my own "Trick or Treats".
Supplies:
Stamps: PTI- Polka Dot Basics II, 2009 Halloween Tags.
Paper: PTI - Kraft, Select White, Summer Sunrise, Lavender Moon.
Ink: PTI - Smoky Shadow.
Window Dressing: PTI- Vintage Buttons, Jute Twine, Corner Rounded Punch, Crystal Effects Spellbinders Nestabilities.

Trying to get back in the swing..

Seems Summer's past like a blink of the eye. My sister and my niece and their two dogs Jake and Fergie have come and gone. The Summer vacationers have put away their sand buckets, sea shells and tanning lotion and have returned from whence they came. The beach is quiet except for the cry of the gulls and a few lazy local walkers taking in the afternoon sun. Abd I am basking in the blessings of Autumn, as I try to get back into the swing.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI- Polka Dot Basics II, Background Basics-Text Style, Beyond Basic Borders, Vintage Picnic, First Fruits.
Paper: PTI - Kraft, Vintage Cream, Summer Sunrise, Spring Moss, Father Knows Best Patterned Paper.
Ink: PTI - Ripe Avocado, Smokey Shadow, Vintage Cream Pigment Ink.
Window Dressing: Jute Twine, Corner Rounded Punch, Copic Markers, Cream Acrylic Paint.

So Many Birthdays.. So Much Fun!

I realised last night that another one of my work associates had a birthday coming up Saturday and that the last day I would see her before her birthday was today.. Friday. I pushed aside the current project I was working on and though for a few minutes. Olive green and blues are her favourite colours so my paper and ink choices were a snap! Heather Nichols' stamp set Around and About Sentiments somehow just magically popped out of the huge stack of Papertrey Ink stamp sets, as I scanned the huge stack for my stamp choices. This is another one of my favourite tried and true sets.




After I photographed the card I decided a small detail was needed to "finish off" the card. A small button from PTI's New Leaf button collection and added it to the center of the little flower by tying white waxed linen thread in to a small bow.


Supplies:
Stamps: PTI- Around and About Sentiments
Paper: PTI - Stamper's Select White, Ocean Tides, PTI - Patterned Paper Polka Dot Parade
Ink: PTI Ocean Tides and Ripe Avocado
Window Dressing: Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Circles , PTI Ocean Tides Polka Dot Satin Ribbon and Ripe Avocado Top Notch Twill, PTI - New Leaft Button, Corner Rounder Punch Create-a-Cut paper cutter.

Tea for Two and You Are Sixty Too! Happy Birthday Becky!

My friendly UPS driver, or was it my friendly USPS driver.. I never know because I am always at work when when they leave my packages, had delivered my Papertrey order yesterday and it was waiting for me when I came home. I'm always excited to receive my PTI packages, but this one was one I was doubly anticipating. The Tea for Two set is a set I've been hoping for for a long time. A friend at work, who is an avid tea drinker is having a birthday on Friday and I wanted to make her a birthday card using this set.
I hope she likes it!

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI- Tea for Two
Paper: PTI - Stamper's Select White, Summer Sunrise, PTI - Patterned Paper Polka Dot Parade
Ink: PTI Ocean Tides, Dark Chocolate
Window Dressing: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four, Ribbon Tags Trio, PTI Ocean Tides Satin Ribbon, PTI Aqua Mist Buttons, Corner Rounder Punch, Button from button jar.

Bitty Baby CD Envelope Case Gift..

One of the things I enjoy most about my crafting is being able to make gifts and cards for family and friends to share with their friends. My sister called me last week from Denver and said she needed a small gift for a baby shower she was attending. The gift needed to be for a little boy and his room colours were to be moss, black, and white. Since both my sister and I enjoy music, I thought it would be a good opportunity to come up with a CD case that would contain hand picked music just for a little baby boy. If you look very closely the spring moss square directly behind the baby elephant is stamped using PTI's Polka Dot Basics in Fresh Snow. The bright early morning sun washed out the stamping from the eye of the camera. The baby gift and enclosure card, which mirrors the CD case is in the mail as of this morning, along with some other surprises for my sister and niece.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI- Bitty Baby Blessings, Polka Dot Basics
Paper: PTI - Stamper's Select White, Kraft, Spring Moss, Patterned Paper Bitty Dot Basics, Vellum, SU Patterned Paper
Ink: PTI Fresh Snow
Window Dressing: Spellbinders Nestabilities Squares and Scalloped Squares, PTI True Black Swiss Dot Satin Ribbon, PTI True Black Buttons

Birthday Wishes for a Friend

One of my many Christmas presents from my sister was a set of Cuttlebug embossing borders. I've really fallen in love with these. The interior Raspberry Fizz scalloped overlay is embossed with the same floral design as can be seen on the outside of the card.When the card is opened the embossed image repeats its self both right and left of the spine of the card which makes an interesting detail to the inside of the card. The embossing on the outside of the card was "lightly dusted" with PTI's Fresh Snow cube. I particularly like using the cubes as they allow me more controlin application. Now to try out the Decorative Circles and Squares Folders she also gave me.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI- Tags fpr Spring, Out On a Limb Sentiments
Paper: PTI - Stamper's Select White, Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, Making Memories-Pink Gingham
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Fresh Snow
Window Dressing: Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles, Nested Birds, Cuttlebug Embossing Borders Folder-Frills and full size folder-Polka Dots, Doodlebug Jewels, Pebbles Inc. Chalks, Create-a-Cut Paper Cutter, SU - Flower Punch, Scor-tape

Easter Wishes..

For I remember it is Easter morn,
And life and love and peace are all new born.
~Alice Freeman Palmer


An Easter Card for my Mother.


Stamps: PTI- Friends 'Till the End, Mixed Mega Messages
Paper: PTI - Stamper's Select White, Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, Friends 'Till the End Patterned Paper
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Versamark
Window Dressing: PTI - Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, White Embossing Powder, Doodlebug Jewels, Wrights Baby Rick Rack and Medium Rick Rack, Trim from Wal-Mart, Corner Rounder, Scor-tape

My Cute Stamps Easter Giveaway!

My Cute Stamps is hosting a Giveaway of one of their absolutely precious stamp sets, Jelly Beans, in celebration of Easter Week. You can read about the the details over at the Creating Cupcakes blog.


My niece was born in Russia so My Cute Stamps Matryoshka Dolls stamp set has special meaning for me.


The Matryoshka dolls or Russian nested dolls is actually a set of dolls of decreasing sizes placed one inside the other. "Matryoshka" or Матрёшка is a derivative of the Russian female first name "Matryona" which was a very popular name among peasants in old Russia.

Matryoshkas date from 1890, and are said to have been inspired by souvenir dolls from Japan, however, the concept of nested objects was familiar in Russia, having been applied to carved wooden apples and Easter eggs. The first "Fabergé egg", in 1885, had a nesting of egg, yolk, hen, and chick.

A set of matryoshkas consists of a wooden figure which can be pulled apart to reveal another figure of the same sort inside. It has, in turn, another figure inside, and so on. The number of nested figures is usually five or more. The shape is mostly cylindrical, rounded at the top for the head and tapered towards the bottom, but little else; the dolls have no hands (except those that are painted). Traditionally the outer layer is a woman, dressed in a sarafan. Inside, it contains other figures that may be of both genders, usually ending in a baby that does not open. The artistry is in the painting of each doll, which can be extremely elaborate.

Matryoshkas are often designed to follow a particular theme, for instance peasant girls in traditional dress, but the theme can be anything, from fairy tale figures to characters of Soviet leaders.

Pictured: The first original matryoshka set carved by Zvezdochkin and painted by Malyutin, located at the Sergiev Posad Museum of Toys, Russia.

A "Cute" little birdie

I woke up this morning to one of my favorite sounds. The little birds were perched in my nearly ready to bloom Magnolia tree just singing their little hearts out. The bird feeder was stocked and the spring rains had filled the little pond just beyond my back porch. Thus the inspiration for another card using those absolutely precious My Cute Stamps set Spunky Nature.


Stamps: My Cute Stamps - Spunky Nature PTI - Sentiment: Birds of a Feather
Paper: PTI - PTI White, True Black, Patterned 2008 Bitty Dot Basics. Little Yellow Bicycle - Love Letters
Ink: PTI New Leaf, Hibiscus. True Black
Window Dressing: PTI - New Leaf Saddle Stitch Ribbon, PTI Vintage Buttons Black and Cream and WhiteSpellbinders Tags Nestabilities Flowers, Londonberry Linen Thread - Black

Just TOO Cute!

These spunky chunky stamps sure hold true to the company name! My Cute Stamps When I recently ran across them I was thrilled to find that they weren't like every other stamp design out there. Crisp and unique, this set was a must have for my sring collection. Take time to check out their other designs.

Supplies
Stamps: My Cute Stamps - Spunky Nature
Paper: PTI - PTI White, Melon Berry, DCWV Textured Mat Stack - Greens
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Melon Berry, Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise,
Window Dressing: PTI - Melon Berry Extra Fine Polka Dot Ribbon, Pop Dots, Cornish Heritage Farms White Flocking, Create-a-Cut Paper, Cutter Copic Multiliner Black, Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" Sanding Grip

What a nice day.. today..

I've been a follower and avid admirer of a very talented lady's blog for sometime but just recently realized we live in the same city. On a recent trip into my local scrapbooking store, Scrapbook Studio, I mentioned to the owner I was a stamper and card maker. She immediately asked me if I knew Becca Feeken and followed her blog, Amazing Paper Grace, I had no idea this lady who's blog I'd been following was just across the bay. I emailed her and promptly received a reply inviting me to the Emerald Coast Stamp Club meeting, a group of stampers and card makers that meet once a month and share projects, ideas, and fellowship. So today I packed my tote and headed to the Michael's Classroom where I met not only Becca but a whole group of talented ladies. I was so inspired I came home and made this card. I look forward to becoming an active part of this creative group. Thank you so much, Becca!


Stamps: PTI- Damask Designs
Paper: PTI - PTI White, True Black, Patterned Paper Black and White Basics, SU Naturals White
Ink: PTI True Black, Berry Sorbet
Window Dressing: PTI - Berry Sorbet Grosgrain Ribbon, PTI - Vintage Button Collection Black, Spellbinders Nestabilities and Tag Dies, Waxed Linen Thread, Sakura Gelly Roll Glitter Pen, Joy Crafts Decorative Pearls

Wishing You Well..

Working part time at our local Senior Center gives cause to making more "get well" cards than I would wish, but when I do it gives me great satisfaction knowing I've brought a little cheer into someone's day. My good friend Ruth is back in the hospital again. Wishing you........ well..

Stamps: PTI- Guide Lines Two, Thanks to You-Limited Edition Anniversary Set
Paper: PTI - Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist, Ocean Tides, Lemon Tart
Ink: Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist, Summer Sunshine
Window Dressing: PTI - Ocean Tides Polka Dot Ribbon, PTI - Vintage Button Collection Cream & White, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Various Circle Punches, Linen Thread.

CPS-104

What a great sketch! And doubly so since it is being sponsored by Papertrey! I had a hard time deciding what direction to go with this, there are so many possibilities, but finally decided to follow as closely as possible the outlined design. I really enjoyed using this layout and will use it often.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI- Tags for Spring
Paper: PTI - Summer Sunrise, White, Father Knows Best Patterned Paper, Vellum.
Ink: Summer Sunrise, Dark Chocolate, Plum Pudding
Window Dressing: White Buttons, PTI Summer Sunrise Polka Dot Ribbon, Stamping Bella Fine Iridescent Glitter

Thanks for looking in.

A new stamp company..

at least to me. Awhile back I was surfing some my favorite blogs when I ran across the cutest dog image. It was a Wire Haired Fox Terrier looking pup holding an envelope. Well, I love dog stamps and my sister has a Wire.. so one thing led to another and my order from Shirley's 2 Girls arrived promptly, and I immediately began creating..

Stamps: S2G - What's New
Ink: Memento - Rich Cocoa
Paper: PTI - Vintage Cream, Spring Moss, Kraft
Window Dressing: PTI Ribbon, Copic Markers, Cuttlebug Embossing Die, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, Bella Bling, Martha Stewart Sugar, Flocking



P.S. Look for more of these darling images!

stampTV! has hit WiFi..

Gina K has developed a new network for stampers that is a site I think everyone should add to their list. The video presentation is absolutely outstanding, her products are quality and her teaching style is superb!

"A totally free place to hang out, make new friends and discuss the episodes and papercrafting techniques from stampTV. Everyone is welcome!"

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A Green Challenge.. What else but a mermaid?

I ran across this new stamp company while surfing for new and different dog stamps to add to my collection. I fell in love with the cute and quirky images that Shirley's 2 Girls had to offer. Not only do the have a whole line of just the most adorable doggie stamps (and they keep adding more!) but great Ladies with Attitude. They will be hosting a Challenge the 2nd 2sday of the month at 2:00 pm. Be sure and stop by their blog and enter their Challenge and check out all the cool stamps they have to offer!


Their first challenge is a GREEN CHALLENGE utilizing a template that is posted on their blog and of course the colour GREEN. I created a little "envelope" to hold a string of pearls that I could give as a gift. The flap closes over a portion of the mermaid and is held in place with a silk "frog" cufflink from an ancient cuffed blouse that I'd long since put in the Goodwill bag (oops..! minus the two frogs). The inside of the envelope box is lined with a handmade oriental style paper and the background surrounding the mermaid is also from the same handmade paper stash. The box was created to hold the string of pearls although they aren't displayed IN the envelope box in the photo.

Supplies:
Stamps: Shirley's2Girls- Mermaid with Sentiment
Paper: PTI - New Leaf, Handmade Paper from Michaels, Arturo Fine Stationery - Cream
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Window Dressing: Copics, Lyra - Rembrandt Polycolour Pencils, Oderless Mineral Spirits - Gina K., Fine Iridescent Glitter - Stamping Bella, Black silk frog cufflink.

Shirley's 2 Girls

Shirley does mermaids too! Actually, I think her "girls" are her trademark stamps, but my original interest in this stamp company was the result of seeing her really adorable dog stamps on a blog I recently ran across. This little mermaid just radiated "sparkle" when I saw her in their online store.

Supplies:
Stamps: Shirley's2Girls- Mermaid, PTI - Polka Dot Basics
Paper: PTI - Ripe Avocado, Everyday Blessings Patterned Paper, Arturo Fine Stationery - Cream
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, PTI - Fresh Snow
Window Dressing: Ribbon - PTI Lemon Tart Grosgrain, Yellow button from my button jar, linen thread, Lyra - Rembrandt Polycolour Pencils, Oderless Mineral Spirits - Gina K., Fine Iridescent Glitter - Stamping Bella.

Papertrey Anniversary Friends to the End Challenge

My submission..


We were asked to create a card for a friend. My best friend is my sister. Although we are ten years apart in age I feel like she is my twin. We share a love of paper crafting and enjoy giving to others. She lives in Colorado and I live in Florida but there isn't a day that goes by that we don't talk on the phone at least once and often two or even three times. She always has time to listen and makes me laugh when I'm down, never judges me when we don't agree and always accepts me for who I am. I love you "little buddy" from the bottom of your BIG BUDDY's heart.

Be sure and check out Nichole's PTI blog for all the new products. The Kits are awesome and I am certain will be a top seller! If you take a look at the CPS blog you will be able to see one of the new stamp sets, "Friends to the End" that will be released February 15th. There are also some great projects using the new set by the CPS Design Team.


Supplies:
Stamps: PTI - Women of Life and Men of Life, Polka Dot Basics
Paper: PTI - Kraft, Vintage Cream, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Desert Sand
Window Dressing: Ribbon - PTI Summer Sunrise Polka Dot, Brown button from my button jar, linen thread.

Thanks for looking!

Card Positioning Systems Meets PTI Anniversary Challenge

Card Positioning Systems and PTI are both celebrating an anniversary and in celebration have teamed up to present a Challenge for all of their followers. The card template Love #102 is shown above. Click here to check out CPS's blog and all they have to offer and to enter the contest.



This is my submission.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI - Flower Garden
Paper: PTI - Patterned Paper Raspberry Fizz Mix & Black and White Basics, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, White
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, PTI - Raspberry Fizz (used on brad), Top Boss - Clear Embossing Ink
Window Dressing: Ribbon - PTI Ripe Avacado, Basic Gray large pink brad, Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel

Thanks for looking. *:)

PTI Second Anniversary Bitty Dot Sketch Challege

For more information on the challenge, the new products, the oodles of prizes, and the February Anniversary Release offered by Papertrey Ink and to download the Connect the Dots Puzzler click on Nichole Heady's blog.
My submission is a quick and simple card.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI - Floral Frenzy, Polka Dot Basics

Paper:PTI - Kraft, Vintage Cream, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate
Ink: PTI - Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado
Window Dressing: Scor-It, The Robin's Nest baubbles

PTI's Second Anniversary Over the Rainbow Challenge

First, be sure and check out Nichole Heady's Blog for her exciting announcement regarding PaperTrey's new Cardstock Sampler that PTI will be offering along with all the details on the PTI Second Anniversary Celebration.

SUBMISSION OF
MY ENTRY..



I fell in love with this clever way to use ribbon in a tutorial that I will have to go back and research and post a link to the blog giving credit to the originator, but due to the fact I am working on a deadline to post this project you will have to check back for the additional information later tomorrow. This is such a great colour combination and I have used it on several cards against a white card base, but I like it equally as well with the Kraft.


Supplies:
Stamps: PTI - Borders & Corners {Square}, Around & About Sentiments, First Anniversary Set Simple Little Things
Paper:PTI - Kraft, White
Ink: PTI - Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides, Memento - Rich Cocoa
Ribbon: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides
Window Dressing: Cuttlebug Embossing Die

Thanks for looking..

PTI's It's In the Bag Challenge

If you haven't visited Nichole's Blog be sure to do so. PaperTrey Ink is celebrating its second anniversary with all sorts of exciting news and gifts.
A thank you gift made for my sister's friend Arlene for taking care of my sisters house while she and my niece were in Florida for the summer visiting our Mother and me. The inspiration came from a project Lisa Johnson, designer of the PTI stamp set Flower Garden, posted on her blog.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI Flower Garden
Ink: PTI Spring Moss, Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding
Ribbon: PTI Spring Moss
Incidentals: Plain cloth bag and cotton napkin from Target, Cuttlebug Dies, Clear buttons from Stampin' Up! A bottle of Pellegrino, a clear plastic glass trimmed in Plum Pudding and Spring Moss (a relatively close match at best), and a bag of homemade spicy cereal mix.

Sarah McLachlan SPCA Commercial