a little message...PDCC191 37

Hi there! I hope you are having a great week! I'm still here, just a little busy working on projects for the upcoming MFT August release that is right around the corner. We're going on vacation to our home away from home in San Diego soon and while there, we will be touring 4 colleges with / for Connor. How time flies!

I'm very excited and honored to be participating this week along side the talented Play Date Cafe DT! Not only am I joining along with the challenge but I am sponsoring it! Julie Ranae, (Owner / Administrator of The Play Date Cafe), has graciously extended the opportunity for me to share some of my My Favorite Things MPD products with her, the DT and one lucky player. Please be sure to visit The Play Date Cafe for some awesome DT inspiration and for complete details. Here are the colors we will be playing with:

For my sample, I first made the background papers using the Petal Pattern stencil, various acrylic paints and the gelli arts printing plate. I then randomly stamped on the polka dot image from Distressed Background Blocks using Kraft ink.

Once the background was dry, I stitched the layers together then added a couple of Orange Fizz hibiscus blooms that were stamped using Tropical Sensations on coordinating die cuts that were made using Die-namics Tropical Sensations dies. I finished it with a sentiment from Just My Type.

For sketch inspiration, I joined along with Cardabilities:

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you hop on over to The Play Date Cafe for complete details!
Be Sweet ;)

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I'm in a NY State of mind...PDCC 45

Hi there! Are you ready for the weekend? I've been counting the days and the time has almost come! Scott and I are taking a trip to New York City leaving bright eyed and bushy tailed Saturday morning! I was born and raised in Up State NY and haven't been to the city since the early 90's. I'm looking forward to paying my respects at Ground Zero and taking in some beautiful sites all around the city. 

 I'm so excited and honored to be joining along as an Alumni Guest Designer over at The Play Date Cafe Color Challenge! They are celebrating their 3rd Anniversary with a BIG celebration that you surely don't want to miss! For COMPLETE details, please be sure to visit their blog ~ click HERE. 

Let me tell you, this color combination was quite THE challenge for me! I couldn't rely on patterned paper to help me with this one because I don't own any in this color spectrum. I made this rather clean and simple card simply by combining a few stamped images along with a dry embossed background. I think the stitching on the card was the most time consuming ;)

I stamped one of the lovely sentiments from MFT Inspired by Autumn on a die cut Natural cardstock tag that was made using Die-namics Tag You're It die. I stamped the pretty leaf images from MFT DC Thankful Leaves on coordinating Whip Cream cardstock die cut leaves made using Die-namics Fall Leaves. 

I wanted to play around in my art journal that has been sitting on the shelf, collecting dust and this is what I came up with:

I combined various sprays and inks, chipboard pieces, metal trinkets and manufactured paper flowers that have been sitting on a shelf in my craft closet for years!

For the splashes of gold, I used the heidi swapp Gold Lame Color Shine and for all the black, I used the heidi swapp Black Magic Color Shine. 

My card layout was based on the current Tuesday Morning Sketches:

Thanks so much for visiting ~ hope you join along in the fun! Have a great day/evening!
Be Sweet ;)

MFT Products Used:
Stamps: Inspired by Autumn, MFT DC Thankful Leaves
Dies: Die-namics Fall Leaves, Die-namics Tag You're It
Cardstock: Whip Cream, Natural, Kraft, Wild Cherry
Other: Hemp
Chipboard pieces: Imaginarium Designs

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just because 44

Happy Saturday! I'm super excited because my sweet sister Tina returns home tonight from her long overdue vacation. She jetted off to Buffalo, NY (our hometown) to visit friends. I missed her terribly and it will be great to see her :) Do you have any big plans?

 I really struggle making masculine cards and CAS so this card gave me a run for my money to say the least! Without boring you with details ~ I made this card for my dear hubby Scott :) While creating this card, I pulled out my collection of PTI stamps and managed to use one stamp set that never kissed an ink pad. Goal met! Not much to chat about ~ pretty CAS. For color inspiration, I played along with The Play Date Cafe challenge #94:

Here are a few pictures of a Quail family wandering around my back yard. The Momma made her nest in one of my succulent pots but before I could photograph them in the pot, they were on their way. If you look closely, you are able to see the little feather on the top of their head! So cute don't you think?

 This little guy managed to grab a cricket that was hopping around!

Thanks so much for visiting! Hope you have a great day! I'll be back tomorrow with an all new CR84FN Color Challenge. Be Sweet :)

Supplies Used:
Stamps: PTI
Dies & Machine: PTI, Spellbinders, Vagabond
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye

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you are MISSED...WMSC39 57

Hi there! Do you have anything fun going on this weekend? I am planning a fun date night with my hubby :) He loves to go the movie theater so I am going to surprise him and take him to this awesome place called iPic Theatre~the ultimate movie experience! Have you ever been? We haven't but I sure have heard nothing but great things so I am looking forward to it!

It's time for another Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge:

and here's my take on it:

What? No patterned paper? Nope, I challenged myself to create my own so I pulled out Big Blooms - Chrysanthemums stamping both sizes of the solid blooms then adding the pretty leaf images from Faux Fun Circles.

For color inspiration, I played along with this week's color challenge at The Play Date Cafe. If you would like to see some wonderful inspiration, be sure to see what the PDCC DT created!

I hadn't made anything using this particular darling pennant image from Bitty Banners as of yet, so I inked up both the polka dot and the plaid image so I did just that! A die template from S5-028 Nested Pennants was used to cut/emboss each little pennant.

That's all I have to share today, so I hope you have enjoyed what I made and maybe feel inspired to play along! Please be sure to stop by the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge site for some amazing inspiration from the Mischief Makers and several other Waltzingmouse DT members :) I'll be back tomorrow with an all new CR84FN challenge. Be Sweet :)

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Bitty Banners, Fancy Phrases, Big Blooms - Chrysanthemums, Faux Fun Circles    
Die Templates and Machine: Spellbinders™Shapeabilities® S5-028 Nested Pennants, S5-029 Nested Lacey Pennants, GC-001 Grand Calibur

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Thanks Sew Much 58

Hi there! T.G.I.F. :) Are you ready for the weekend? I am! Temps are supposed to be back up into the 70's so I am looking forward to riding my bike and not being all bundled up. I hate when my toes get cold in the clip shoes and it seems no matter what gear I wear, the cold air seems to find it's way in :(

Today, I am Guest Designing at My Craft Spot where Kimberly sells Vintage hand dyed ribbon and baker's twine. If you are in need of either of these, I highly recommend visiting her site! I made this card using some stamps that I have had for probably at least 8 months or so and embarrassingly enough, have only kissed the ink pad once! YIKES

ALL of the images seen here are from the Crafty Secrets Sew Special stamp set and paired with Melissa Frances DP that is oh sew pretty :) I love that Vintage elegant dress form image. What inspired me to create this card was the graphic for this week's color challenge over at The Play Date Cafe.

I used a variety of inspired images from Sew Special to create the black and cream patterned paper that is directly below the dress form. The little tag was made using a S4-246 Labels Eleven die template and the pretty seam binding bow was made using Vanilla Bean Vintage crinkly ribbon Courtesy of Kimberly @ My Craft Spot.

Thanks sew much for looking~hope you have a great day! Be Sweet :)

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Crafty Secrets Sew Special
Die Templates & Machine: Spellbinders™ Nestabilities® S5-022 Labels Ten, S5-023 Mega Ovals Large, S5-024 Mega Classic Scalloped Ovals LG, GC-001 Grand Calibur
Patterned Paper: Melissa Frances 
Ribbon: Vanilla Bean Vintage crinkly ribbon Courtesy of Kimberly @ My Craft Spot.

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A Masculine Valentine 76

Hi there! Hope you are all having a great week :) I have to keep this short and sweet - 4:30 AM comes really quick! I had some "me" time tonight so I made this "masculine" Valentine's Day card for my honey :)

I pulled out a piece of Making Memories Paper Reverie Metallique Paper and combined it with a gorgeous fabric flower from my stash and a sweet sentiment from Flourishes Fanciful Flourishes. This card qualifies for two challenges: Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge, FTTC99 where Barb is challenging us all to create using a flower and for color inspiration, I referred to the beautiful graphic for  Play Date Cafe Challenge, PDDC99:

Up close, you can see the sweet WITH Love sentiment showcased inside the ornate metallic frame:

The beautiful Spring Moss wrinkle ribbon was courtesy of Kimberly at My Craft Spot. Thanks for looking! Be Sweet :)

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Flourishes Fanciful Flourishes
Patterned Paper: Making Memories, October Afternoon

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Thank You Kindly...PDCC52 55

Hi There! Here today to share a card I made for the ONE year anniversary celebration for The Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge. Julie has invited me to join along in this SPECIAL event! Please be sure to visit The Play Date for COMPLETE details!

Along with some of my favorite products, I used a special flower that was hand crocheted by my dear sister Tina :) Tina will be surprised to receive this card as I made it for her while out of town this past week at my "home away from home" in San Diego. Have you noticed the stitching on my cards lately? I had to sew the "old fashioned" way using a needle and thread because although I do travel to San Diego with a limited number of supplies, a sewing machine is not one of them! :) LOL

Isn't this color story gorgeous? I love all the pinks, oranges & yellows :) Pure elegance!

Close up you can get a good look at the embossed detail in the lacy heart image from Seasons of Love - Tags. One of the many things I appreciate about Waltzingmouse stamps - not to mention the fact that sooooo many of Claire's fabulous designs coordinate with Spellbinders™ die templates! BONUS & a match made in my stamping Heaven ;)

That's all I have for today but ALL the girls at The Play Date Cafe have some amazing samples to gaze upon so, please be sure to stop by & see what they have to offer for inspiration!

Thanks for visiting - Be Sweet!


Supplies Used:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Seasons of Love - Tags, Rescue Remedies Additions
Die Templates & Machine: Spellbinders™Nestabilities® S4-136 Classic Heart, S4-242 Big Scalloped Borderabilties® Petite, GC-001 Grand Calibur

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All that glitters 61

Hi There! Thanks so much for the positive feedback about Scott's handy work with our my blog :) He truly is gifted with his techie knowledge & abilities! If there is something that doesn't look quite right, please feel free to email me :)


I had a little "me" time today so I made this Thank You card using a few of my favorite products. I love the versatility of Claire's background stamps - not only can they be used for stamping your own "custom" DP but for adding that lil' extra something to embellishments like the butterfly on this card. I inked up an image from Musical Backgrounds with SU Basic Gray ink, stamped then using a Spellbinders™ Nested Butterfly die template to cut/emboss a butterfly embellishment - topping it off with a pearl brad in the center of an obnoxiously bright green fabric flower.

For color inspiration, I played along with this week's color challenge at The Play Date Cafe. I have to admit, this color combo was quite a struggle for me! I embarrassingly bought PTI's Enchanted Evening ribbon, ink & paper about 6 months ago & did not even open it until today! Dark colors are not my thing but I really wanted to challenge myself! I would like to give a special thanks to all the DT girls at The Play Date Cafe for the weekly inspiration & encouragement to try something out of our comfort zone :)

For the lil' polka dot background, I inked up an image from Off Beat Backgrounds - another versatile & fun background set :) To showcase the sentiment from Rescue Remedies Additions, I dug out a naked chipboard scalloped frame & glittered it up.

As we are rapidly approaching the end of September that means it is almost time for October Waltzingmouse previews to begin ;) Thanks so much for looking! Have a great day & Be Sweet :)


Supplies Used:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Musical Backgrounds, Off Beat Backgrounds, Rescue Remedies Additions, Very Vintage Labels No. 4
Die Templates & Machine: Spellbinders™ Nestabilities® S4-114 Standard Circles LG, S4-242 Big Scalloped Borderabilities® Petite, GC-001 Grand Calibur

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Seeds Of Friendship 55

Hi Everyone!

First a FRIENDLY REMEMBER: Just in case you were not aware that The Spellbinders Paper Arts Blog Frenzy Contest is currently in full swing as of July 13th! There are MANY prizes that will be given away so please be sure to visit the Spellbinders Blog (click HERE) for complete details. Good Luck!!!!

I am so happy to have the opportunity to play along with the girls over at The Play Date Cafe :)
This week's color challenge is sponsored by Artistic Outpost Art Rubber Stamps so I inked up my very 1st set Bloom & Grow & joined along in the fun with these beautiful colors chosen by Sarah Anderson.

I inked up the seed packet image with VersaMark ink/embossed then adorned with some Homegrown posies that I made using Spellbinders™ Shapeabilities S4-109 Flower Creations Three die templates.

ALL the girls at The Play Date Cafe has some amazing samples to gaze upon so please be sure to stop by & see what they have to offer for inspiration!Here is something else that you may be interested in:

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.…

Get ready to bring your craft to a whole new level! If you want to know what the big news is BEFORE anyone else… be sure you’ve signed up at http://www.theshapetocome.com!

If you register your email address here before July 25th, you’ll get a special pre-show announcement one day before the CHA Trade Show opens!! One lucky person that signs up between now and July 25th will be chosen at random to win $50 (msrp) of SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L™
products (winner announced on their blog August 2nd)! Good Luck!!!

I will be back Saturday waltzing along with The Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz! Thanks so much for looking - Hope to see you then! Good Luck with all these contests - Please be sure to let me know if you win :)

Supplies Used:

Spellbinders™ Shapeabilities S4-109 Flower Creations Three, W-001 The Wizard™

Stamps: Artistic Outpost Art rubber stamps: Bloom & Grow

Ink: VersaMark, Ranger, Memento

Paper: K&Company DP, SU, PTI

Other: Filigree embossing powder, brads, ribbon, pin, lace & beads from stash

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