Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!

Here is my tag with frame for today's challenge. Since its dark now, and I have no natural light, I have to scan my card in.




Thanks for peeking!!

Tree

PTI's Fourth Anniversary Celebration!!

There's a great anniversary party going on here:

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/


So many prizes and challenges! It's like heaven!

If you follow the link above, there is a free download and a challenge to create something from the download for a chance to win a spot as a guest stamp designer for Papertrey Ink!! Which is why I am up at 4:00 in the morning, trying to get my entries in because I've never wanted to win a prize so much in my life!!
Here are the creations I made with the free download...

Melissa Bickford's tag design----

PTI Anniversary Tag...Tiffany's design

Tiffany Pastor's tag design---

PTI Anniversary Tag...Alli's design

Alli Mile's tag design---

Thank you so much for stopping by!!
Tree

PTI January Blog Hop!!

Beautiful Blooms II, Fillable Frames 4, Honeybees, Polkadot Basics

Through The Trees. The best stuff I've ever found for masking is this stuff here. The entire back is sticky so it stays put while you buff your background color on.

I have the Friend Jars/Fillers as well as the dies, but hadn't even used them yet. So I thought it'd be neat to make a gatefold card. I cut the Graphix sticky back transparency sheet using the Jar die and stick it right over the paint brush. Then I used the sentiment "You color my world" from the TT: Valentines set which I thought was a perfect fit for this stamp combo! I photographed this card at an angle so you can see the shiny transparency. Makes it look like a real jar, plus it was so easy just to stick that die cut on since its back is sticky. Looks like it came from Hobby Lobby (price tag), but I think I got it at a yard sale for like a quarter or something. Score!

Here is the card showing off the gatefold a little better.

The Challenge:

Use stamps you haven't used before. Not hard for me since I haven't used 90% of mine!!

I'm changing my tired old graduation avatar to this one. I like that it's fuzzy. Kinda makes it sexy and mysterious.

Thanks for hopping by!!
Tree

Prayers again, please

My beautiful, sweet friend, Katie Renz, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer. She has 3 young sons who need their mama. Please band together with me and pray that God restores her body so that she can be there to raise her sons. I know without a doubt that God has the power over this dreaded disease and that He is able to send her a miraculous healing. If you would, please take a moment and get to know this lovely woman by visiting her blog and please be sure to leave her some encouraging words.

http://katiespaperhaven.blogspot.com

Prayers please

Eric broke his leg this weekend. He broke both his tibia and his fibula on his left leg right above the ankle. He was in surgery over 3 hours yesterday and in the recovery room for an additional 3 plus hours. He is in dire pain at the moment. All prayers are certainly appreciated.

"Papertrey august Blog Hop Challenge"

The Challenge:

In honor of school going back into session everywhere, we thought it would be fun to issue a Brown Bag Challenge. We want to see what you can do to dress up, alter, change and ordinary brown lunch bag into a paper crafting work of art. You could modify it to become a gift bag with handles, create a card base by folding it in half (complete with a slide out tag), add a window to it or whatever else you can dream up. After the hop is through, we should have plenty of inspiration to help us create amazing projects with inexpensive brown bags!

Here's my take on the challenge. I made a little Owlie hand puppet out of my brown paper bag. Tomorrow I'm going to pack my baby's school lunch in it. Then when he's done with lunch, he'll have something to play with!

Supply Equivalents:

PTI CS- Hawaiian shores, Ripe Avocado, Lemon Tart, Orange Zest, Dark Chocolate

1 3/4 circle punch (for whites of eyes and eyelids)

1 1/4 circle punch (for eyeballs)

PTI Large Scallop Die

I cut the wings and ears out by hand.

Thanks for looking!

I'm in awe...

http://thepinkcouch.blogspot.com/

Howdy Y'all!

Thank heaven for good friends! I love you, Brandon, Nikki and Kaitlyn!!!

Starting graduate school in Engineering Management on June 8th. Let the fun begin again.

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!

This month's blog hop challenge was to use tissue paper in a creative way. So I made a tissue paper flower using the Beautiful Blooms flower Die #1.

Remember: Click on the picture for a bigger look! :o)

Happy Birthday



Here are some bonus cards, since I haven't posted in a while.

Berry Sweet


I combined my tools and cut out a strawberry with my Cricut and then embossed it with PTI's tin types embossing folder. I popped the texture with fresh snow ink to make the strawberry's seeds. Fun!

Some non-PTI cards for your viewing pleasure...

Monkey Love

Pointer: If you're using flock on a project, as I did with the balloon, color it in first (I used a red copic marker) and then flock it, that way any "bald" spots you might have aren't so visibly noticeable.

Clear Card- Hello

Did you know you can actually emboss on clear cardstock/transparency sheets? Give it a try some time!

Joy Spinner Card

Dental floss is fun for creating spinner cards, as I've done with this Christmas card. Just cut a hole in your card (I used a nestie) and then "suspend" your object of interest inside the hole using floss sandwiched between your floaty.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies:

Happy Birthday:
Cardstock: All PTI- New Leaf card base, Stampers select white, Raspberry Fizz
Stamps: PTI Polka Dot Basic, Fillable Frames 1
Tools: PTI Beautiful Blooms Flower Die, PTI Tin Types
Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz
Embellies: Microbeads, Ribbon from Michael, 7 Gypsies felt butterfly
Technique: Masking
Copic Marker R83

Berry Sweet:
Cardstock: All PTI- Kraft card base, Stampers select white, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, New Leaf
Stamps: PTI Lucky frame, SU! tiny tags
Tools: PTI Tin Types, PTI Large Scallop Die, Cricut
Ink: PTI Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy
Embellies: PTI Button twine, PTI Vintage button, MS glitter
Technique: Sewing

Monkey Love:
Cardstock: All PTI- New Leaf cs, Stampers select white, Raspberry Fizz
Stamps: Changito
Tools: SU! Border punch,
Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz
Embellies: Flock, Ribbon from Michael
Technique: Masking

Clear Hello:
Cardstock: PTI- Clear cardstock, Hawaiian Shores
Stamps: SU! Medallion, Fillable Frames 1
Tools: PTI Beautiful Blooms Flower Die, PTI Tin Types
Ink: Palette Noir, Versamark, Seafoam Embossing Powder
Embellies: Black rhinestone- Kaiercraft
Technique: Embossing

Joy Spinner:
CS: SU! Chocholate Chip
PP: SU!
Stamps: SU!
Ribbon: Michaels
Ink: Versamark
Embossing Powder: Ranger Red Tinsel and Gold Tinsel
Other: Floss

Today's ramblings...

Hi everyone! After struggling with stomach issues, I finally went to see my doctor about it and found out I am the proud owner of a nasty ulcer. I am happy to report that I am half way thru my 14 day regimen of medication where I have to take 4 different pills FOUR (yes 4!!) times a day! Blech!! I guess when I worry and stress, I keep it in and it has manifested itself as an ulcer in my stomach. I know, I know- TMI. ha ha. Not really playing the sympathy card, just want you to be proud of me for enduring this horrible medicine situation. I know. Things could be worse. Thank God it's not cancer, which is something I worried about, which I'm sure only contributed to the ulcer's happy party in my stomach. Ok. enough.


Now on to happy talk!


I went to a card party last night with my SU! guru, Donna LaPorte where we made 5 cards and one gift item for $15.


Here's what we did:
(all items are from Stampin Up unless otherwise noted)

A bleach technique was used with the Upsy Daisy stamp set. I love finishing the inside of the card with the same stamp set but inked with Melon Mambo ink. When the card bleaches it turns a pretty vanilla color, which goes well with the vanilla grosgrain.

Isn't this baby buggy card cute? To make the buggy, just take a circle punch and cut a wedge out of it. The button wheels are made with a small circle punch and a paper piercer was used to make the holes. The buggy frame is made with SU! gold cord. The slit punch on the bottom holds the top flap in place. The sentiment is from Whimsical Words in the SAB flyer.

Isn't this lovely and lacey looking? The "lace" was done by first inking the bottom with a sponge and soft suede ink. Then it was cut with a scallop border punch (found in the SAB flyer). This punch can be earned free. Ask you demo about it. The stamp set is a new feature of SU! which is an unmounted stamp. It clings on to an acrylic block so you can see better where you're stamping. This stamp set is in the new occasions mini (I think!).




Last but not least is this Easter card done with the chocolate bunny stamp that's in the occasions mini as well. The bunny was stamped with Versamark, then embossed, then fussy cut and placed on the mats. A cuttlebug folder was used to create the grass. The leaves are a SU! die that was cut out on a Big Shot. The sentiment was from Teeny Tiny Wishes (I think) and the tag was used with the Oval Window and Modern Label punches.

If you don't have a demo, you can either contact Donna (above) or a new, sweet friend I just met on SCS who is also a demo, Jamie. She can help you as well. Or just email me what you want and I'll find a way to get it to ya!!
And there you have it! Enjoy!

Papertrey Ink Party Continues!!

There's an anniversary party goin on at Nichole Heady’s Blog!

Today's challenge was to pick a color scheme from one of 12 designer's favorite color combo's. Of course I chose Erin Lincoln's combo because she is like one of my most favorite crafters ever! I had the privilege of meeting her a couple years ago at CHA and I immediately clicked with her.

So here is Erin's fav color combo-





And here is my take on the challenge:



I had to substitute a different orange cardstock since I didn't have any Terracotta Tile in my stash. I used 2 PTI stamp sets- Beautiful Blooms and Life. I used Versamark for the leaves in the background. It's hard to tell but I chalked my focal point using the Spellbinders Nestabilities die as a stencil. The ink I used was PTI Ripe Avocado and Chocolate. I needed some chocolate on my card so I just cut out 3 little circles with my handheld hole punch.


Thanks for looking!
~Tree

Papertrey Ink's Third Anniversary!!

There's a party goin on at Nichole Heady’s Blog with tons of give aways to boot!

Today's challenge was a Paint By Number based on a sketch and the color palette we were assigned was one that had to do with the first letter of my message board name, which is "T" of course.

Here's the sketch:



Here is my color palette based on the first letter of my MB name (T):




And Voila! Here is what I came up with titled, "Follow Your Own Star":




Here is a close-up:


I thought the blues in the palette lent itself nicely to a manly card, so I substituted the scalloped edge for a pinked edge. I popped up my star with foam tape to give it interest and dimension. I also thought it'd be fun to kinda curve the sentiment- you know, making it look like a shooting star.
Here's my formula per the sketch:

1. Aqua Mist
2. White (used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder on it)
3. Enchanted Evening- didn't have it in my stash so improvised with Bazzil Smoothie in Huckleberry Pie
4. Kraft
5. Spring Rain

Stamps used are all PTI: Polka Dot Basics, Text Boxed and Star Prints.

So hop on over to Nichole's blog and play along. There are fun challenges and prizes galore!!

Remember to click on the photos for a better look!

While I have your attention (hee hee) I wanted to show you that I've actually dusted of my Copics and tried my hand at coloring today! After a long dry spell of no crafting, if feels good to put some of my supplies to good use!! You'll see on the left two hummingbirds colored in and on the right is the before picture. The first one I colored was the top left and thought it needed some work on the tail feathers. There wasn't enough light reflecting off the feathers, so I tried it again and the lower one is my second attempt, which is the one I like better.

Last, but not least. I altered a journal that I found in the dollar spot at Mike's for a dear friend of mine who is going through the scary situation of being tested for cancer. I filled it with a bunch of inspirational quotes throughout the journal that I stamped with some stamps I've been dying to use.

If you turn your head to the side (oops!) you can see the inside cover of the journal.

Thanks for looking!!!

~Tree
XOX

It is finished!!!

Finally, after so many years of working and raising a family while commuting to school, I finally finished my degree! I graduated Magna Cum Laude last Saturday from MS&T (Missouri University of Science & Technology) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Chemistry. I'm interested to see where God will lead me next.

Time flies. I can't believe my little man is 6 years old already. Isn't he a dolly baby?




Merry Christmas and lots of love to everyone!

I'm an official blog slackard!

I know, I know. I'm a worthless blogger right now!

I deleted my Facebook account so don't think I "defriended" you. Just don't have time for all the silliness on there.

I started back to school this week. I am so ready for December to be here! I'm so ready to graduate!!

Josh got married.

Josh's beautiful bride, Rachel. It's so funny. When I was pregs with Josh his name was going to be Rachel if he was a girl. Well it looks like I got my Rachel after all! LOL!

Emily will be 1 on August 31st. Can you believe that little stinker has been walking since she was 9 months old? She's just like her daddy. Josh walked at 9 months old too.

Isn't she perfect? I just love how she's colored like Eric- red headed and brown-eyed. Isn't that funny? She's our little strawberry. tee hee...

Ryan is coming home to graduate from Sullivan High.

Connor started first grade.

Eric and I have been together for 7 years as of August 16th.

Sorry so brief but I have an 8:00 a.m. class tomorrow!!

Tree

XOX

Back from Texas!

Gosh, I shoulda posted this a month ago. It has been sitting in my drafts since May 29!!

I can't believe my baby graduated Kindergarten this year. Here he is on the last day of Kindergarten with his bff, Michael.

We went to Texas for a really quick trip over the Memorial weekend.

I finally got to hold my baby for the first time.

Here is a photo of Emmy and her mama, Rachel.

Connor loves his baby niece

My sister's baby, Savahn, is finally getting some hair and man, is she ADORABLE or what in her little Mexican dress?! Tee hee!

As promised, here is a pic of my new piano. I've always loved music, as you can see of this photo of me with my little toy piano at age 2.

Here I am many, many, many years later. Lots of things have changed in my life but my love for music will always remain the same.





About the RAK, anyone who posts on this thread will get a small token of my appreciation of our friendship. I love making cards, so you will get a little card kit put together by me!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Did everyone have a wonderful Mother's Day??

I had such a great day! I actually won a prize at church for being the youngest Grandma!! LOL!!

After church we all went to lunch. I ended up crying so hard on and off all day because I missed Shirley so much. I also missed Ryan's Grandma, Ruth Ann, who passed away unexpectedly exactly a week after Shirley. So those two things together left me so sad amd with a splitting headache!! Has your head hurt so bad that you felt like throwing up? Well that was me yesterday. We went to see Star Trek yesterday evening (I know, I'm a nerd) and it was FANTASTIC!!!! You should go see it! Even as sick as I was, I still enjoyed the movie.

But on a brighter note, I want to share the most recent picture of Emmy and her mom Rachel. I've only got to see Emmy in pictures because she's in Texas and I'm stuck here in Misery, umm, I meant Missouri. I can't wait to hold her for the first time!

As I said, Eric bought me a piano for Mother's Day. He also got me another hummingbird feeder for our front porch as well as some hanging baskets of flowers. I don't know where the camera card is to my Nikon, so as soon as I find it, I promise some pics of it.

ALSO, Eric bought me a piece of furniture to use as a scrap desk in my scrap room, so this motivated me to clean up what the tornado left behind in there! Hee hee....

While doing so, I came across some stuff that would make GREAT RAK prizes!!

SO stay tuned for:

1. Picture of my new piano

2. RAKS!!!!!!

Tree

XOX