Sweet Sentiments

Hey all! TGIF! I've had a crazy busy week around here...& unfortunately, I've got a busy weekend planned AND another busy week next week. Hoping I can hang in there for a little while longer...

Just wanted to pop in & share my card for Papertrey's first Make It Monday. This week we were challenged to use our sentiment stamps.

I started with one of my favorite sets--Everyday Button Bits. Once I chose the cherry image, I decided to gather up all of my "sweet" sentiments to make a little thank you card.

Hope you like it!

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Cupcake Collection, Signature Greetings (PTI)

Paper: Old Olive, Sweet Blush, PTI white

Ink: Real Red, Sweet Blush

Accessories: Nestabilities Lacey Circles, PTI buttons, The Twinery twine

Get Sketchy #5

Happy Friday! Time for another Get Sketchy challenge. This week's sponsor is one of my personal favorites--Paper Blooms! Leah's crocheted and felt embellishments are all handmade and the perfect finishing touch for any project. This week's winner will receive a gorgeous assortment from the Paper Blooms Etsy shop!



For my card, I chose to use 3 crocheted butterflies from Paper Blooms, and I added some pearls as accents. I paired my butterflies with one of my favorite sentiments from Verve. Plus this fun sketch allowed me to shake things up by creating a Gate Fold card.

I'd love to see you play along with us! Create a card that follows the sketch, and as a bonus (just for fun) you can add your own handmade embellies to your card. Then link up your creation on the Get Sketchy blog. I can't wait to see what you create!

Stamps: Beautiful You (Verve)
Paper: Regal Rose, Aqua Mist, white, BasicGrey dp
Ink: Rose Romance
Accessories: crocheted butterflies (Paper Blooms), pearls (Kaisercraft), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, Nestabilities circles & scalloped circles, dimensionals

Cupcake Wishes

Hi, all! Just popping in with a quick card I whipped up using Laura's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You. I've been wanting to play with this yummy felt cupcake from Paper Blooms, and when I came across this scrap of paper in my stash, ta-da! This card practically made itself.

Hope your week is going well. I'm looking forward to the weekend already...

Stamps: Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)
Paper: Taken with Teal, Sweet Blush, SU dp
Ink: Taken with Teal
Accessories: felt cupcake (Paper Blooms)

What Inspires You?

Well, I can't believe it, but it's my last Paper Blooms challenge as a member of the design team. For this challenge, we were asked to choose something that inspires us and use it to create a project.

I'm frequently inspired by interior design, whether it be in the magazines I read or the blogs I visit. The colors, patterns, and textures often translate into card ideas for me.

I found this girl's bedroom while surfing the net, and I was immediately drawn to the colors.

I used Brocade Blue, Berry Sorbet, and white on my card. I used one of Leah's blooms, a butterfly, some yummy satin ribbon, and pearls as my accents since the room is for a young female, and I wanted to reflect that femininity in my card.

So, what inspires you? Nature? Your family? Maybe a special keepsake or your very own home decor? Whatever it might be, why not use it as inspiration for your crafting? We'd love to have you play along. Just link up your finished project on the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT have to use any Paper Blooms; however, if you've got some, why not use 'em?

Paper: Brocade Blue, PTI white
Accessories: crocheted flower (Paper Blooms), Martha Stewart classic butterfly punch, buttons & ribbon (PTI), pearls (Jenni Bowlin, Kaisercraft), rub-on (SU)

Enabler Alert!

Eeee!!! Check out the yummy new stuff over at the Paper Blooms shop!

How cute are those butterflies? You know you want some...



And what about this sweet cupcake? How cute would that look on one of your projects?

Head over to the Paper Blooms shop to see the full collection of goodies.

Memories of You

This week's Paper Blooms challenge is to create a project for a dad or special man in your life.

My dad died when I was little, so a card was out of the question, and I don't scrapbook, so...I finally decided to create this keepsake tin to hold memories and photos of my dad. This is a versatile project that you can create for any special person, not just a dad.

I decorated the front of the tin with this definition stamp, some silver pearls, and of course, one of Leah's blooms.

Then I made some simple cards to slip inside the tin.

You can write special memories on each one. I think this would be a great way for each child or grandchild in your family to write down their thoughts. There's room to add photos or other mementos, too.

Wanna play along? Just link your finished project to the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT need to own any Paper Blooms to play along, but if you've got some, we'd love to see 'em.

Stamps: Define Your Life (SU)

Paper: Old Olive, Night of Navy, PTI white, SU dp

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories: crocheted flower (Paper Blooms), button, silver cording, ribbon (SU), pearls (Michaels), corner rounded punch, recycled tin (SU)

Paper Blooms Triple Play

This week's Paper Blooms challenge is to use at least 3 flowers on your project. I chose a mixture of pinks--one came furnished with a pink button and twine, and I added green buttons to the other two. My card base is actually SU dp, but it's cardstock weight (thanks to Chloe for the idea).

Wanna play along? Come on, I know you've got plenty of flowers in your stash! Just link your finished project to the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT need to own any Paper Blooms to play along, but if you've got some, we'd love to see 'em. I'm looking forward to all the fabulous creations!

Be sure to stop by tomorrow...I'll be revealing my card for round 2 of the 2S4Y Ultimate Card Showdown!

Stamps: Sunny Hello (Hero Arts)
Paper: Kiwi Kiss textured, Whisper White, SU dp
Ink: Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: crocheted flowers (Paper Blooms), buttons (Oriental Trading Co.)

Paper Blooms Sketch Challenge

This week's Paper Blooms challenge is a sketch designed by the lovely and talented Leah. I struggled with this one for some reason--too detailed for my CAS brain, maybe?

I do love the American Crafts paper I used, though. I made my circle with vellum so it wouldn't hide that yummy polka-dotty goodness. And check out those blooms! I topped each with a pearl, then finished it all off with a bit of ribbon.

Wanna play along? Just add a link your creation on the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT need to own any Paper Blooms to participate, although if you have some, we'd love to see 'em! Can't wait to see all the fabulous creations!

Stamps: A Little Birthday Cheer (SU)
Paper: PTI white, American Crafts dp, vellum
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: crocheted flowers (Paper Blooms), Nestabilities circles, ribbon (Michaels), pearls (Kaisercraft)

Paper Blooms Technique Challenge

This week's Paper Blooms challenge is to use the embossing resist technique. I'd never done this before, but it's SO easy! I used the technique on my butterfly.

Wanna join in on the fun? You can find instructions for the embossing resist technique here. Then play along with us and link up your creation on the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT need to own any Paper Blooms to participate. I can't wait to see what you create!

Stamps: Winnefred Street (Heidi Grace), Best Yet (SU)

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, PTI white

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories: crocheted flower (Paper Blooms), Nestabilities butterflies & Labels 1, clear embossing powder, sponge, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, rhinestones (Kaisercraft)

Sweet Paper Blooms Challenge

This week's Paper Blooms challenge is to use the color combo of red, white, and blue in honor of Memorial Day.

Since Memorial Day kicks off the beginning of summer, I went with that idea for my card. The gingham ribbon reminds me of a picnic tablecloth, and the cherries represent all the yummy fresh fruit to be had.

So, want to play along? Just link up your creation on the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT need to own any Paper Blooms to participate, although if you've got some, we'd love to see them!

Stamps: Cherry on top (A muse)
Paper: Bazzill textured white, Real Red, Summer Picnic dp (SU)
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: crocheted flower (Paper Blooms), ribbon (Michaels), scallop circle punch, pearls (Kaisercraft)

Paper Blooms Mini-Kits

Exciting news from the Paper Blooms shop! In addition to her gorgeous crocheted blooms, Leah is now offering mini-kits: a variety of coordinated embellishments just perfect for your next project. Check out this cherries mini-kit. How cute is this?!

Be sure to stop by the Paper Blooms shop to check out all the mini-kits being offered.

Got Ribbon?

Hey, all you ribbon hoarders out there! This challenge is for you! For this week's Paper Blooms challenge, we're asking you to include three pieces of ribbon or trim on your project. I chose to play with two new trims and a scrap from who knows where.

Wanna play along? It's easy: just link up your project on the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT need to use any Paper Blooms to participate, although if you've got 'em, use 'em!

Stamps: Garden of Life (PTI)

Paper: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Pretty in Pink

Accessories: flower (Paper Blooms), button (PTI), trims (Webster's Pages, unknown), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, corner rounder punch

Paper Blooms Challenge #6

In honor of Mother's Day, this week's Paper Blooms challenge is to create a card/LO/gift for a woman of influence in your life. I decided to make this little purse for a friend who's a single mom.

I came up with the bee theme after looking at this unloved BasicGrey Urban Prairie paper. I had the brads & buttons from this line as well, and the PTI Honey Bee Sentiments set worked perfectly with it, so it fell into place pretty easily.

This purse is so easy to make. I started with a 12"x10" piece of cardstock. On the 10" side, score your cardstock at 2" & 8". On the 12" side, score at 5" & 7". Then just fold and adhere. Embellish the front as desired. The handle is 1"x12" and is attached with brads.


Check out that flower. I layered two crocheted blooms, then added the bee brad.










Wanna peek inside?
















I made 6 cards using 3 different designs.



































So, ready to play along? You do NOT need to use any Paper Blooms on your project, although if you have some, we'd love to see them. Just link up your project to the Paper Blooms blog. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Stamps: Honey Bee Sentiments (PTI)
Paper: Barely Banana, Basic Black, Baja Breeze textured, PTI white, BasicGrey Urban Prairie dp
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: flowers (Paper Blooms), buttons and bee brad (BasicGrey), black brads (Doodlebug), ribbons (SU, Michaels, Hobby Lobby), dimensionals, circle punch

Paper Blooms Inspiration Challenge

This week's Paper Blooms challenge is to use some of Leah's gorgeous dishes as your inspiration. I was immediately drawn to the colors and large flowers and used those as my starting point.

I tried to go elegant with this card, since I thought it fit well with the pattern on the dishes.







I embossed this paper flower with the Swiss Dots folder, then added one of Leah's blooms, a stick pin (also from Paper Blooms), and pearls.

I'd love to see you play along with our challenge this week. Just link up your card to the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT need to own any Paper Blooms to participate, although if you've got some, we'd love to see them. I can't wait to see what you create!

Stamps: Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)

Paper: Real Red textured, Certainly Celery, PTI white

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: crocheted flower & stick pin (Paper Blooms), paper flower (Heidi Swapp), pearls (Kaisercraft), Martha Stewart scalloped dot punch, oval punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Paper Blooms Goes Green!

Happy Earth Day! To celebrate, the Paper Blooms DT is going green. We challenge YOU to recycle or repurpose something and use it on your project.

I used the clear packaging from a Papertrey stamp set to create my acetate butterfly. I simply cut off one edge of the box, placed it on top of my Nestie butterfly, and ran it through the Cuttlebug. I finished it off with one of Leah's gorgeous blooms.

So, are you up for our green challenge? Just link up your project on the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT have to own any Paper Blooms to participate, although if you have some, we'd love to see them. You have until Tuesday night to upload your project. Have fun and go green!

Paper: PTI white, dp (unknown)

Accessories: flower (Paper Blooms), Nestabilites butterflies, word window punch, rub-on (SU), pearl (Kaisercraft), dimensionals, clear acetate box (PTI)

Paper Blooms Challenge #3

This week's Paper Blooms challenge is the 5 B's--use a bloom, bling, butterfly, brown, and a sentiment/title beginning with the letter B on your project.

I altered a round coaster to create this monogrammed wall hanging. Those of you who follow my blog know that I had no trouble using a butterfly and LOTS of bling! I used a glittered chipboard letter, a rhinestone brad, and some tiny rhinestones on my butterfly.

So, ready to play along? Just link up your project on the Paper Blooms blog. You do NOT have to own any Paper Blooms to participate, although if you have some, we'd love to see them. You have until Tuesday night to upload your project. I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Paper: Ski Slope dp (SU), polka dotted dp (unknown)
Accessories: flower (Paper Blooms), brad (Oriental Trading Co.), chipboard letter (Making Memories), Martha Stewart classic butterfly punch, ribbon (Hobby Lobby), rhinestones (The Paper Studio), coaster, hole punch, sanding block

Paper Blooms Challenge #2

This week's Paper Blooms challenge fits perfectly with the season: create an Easter or spring themed basket/box. I chose a gorgeous pink bloom as my starting point and decided to go sweet and girly with my design.

The finished box measures 4x4. I filled it with white basket shred to create a little nest for my white jelly beans, then used my scallop dot punch to create a border around the top.

I couldn't resist adding this adorable sentiment from My Cute Stamps.

I finished it off with some ribbon and a pearl in the center of my bloom.

So, are you up for the challenge? Create your Easter or spring themed basket/box and leave a link to it on the Paper Blooms blog. You have until next Tuesday to join in on the fun.

Stamps: Jelly Beans (My Cute Stamps)
Paper: Pink Pirouette textured, PTI white
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Accessories: flower (Paper Blooms) Martha Stewart scallop dot punch, ribbon (Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby), pearl (Kaiserscrapbook), basket shred, clear treat bag, jelly beans

Paper Blooms Challenge #1

Today is the start of the Paper Blooms blog challenges. This week's challenge is both a sketch and color challenge using lavender, green, and white/cream.

One thing I really love about Leah's blooms is that some are already embellished, like the one at the top of my card, and some are unadorned so you can embellish them yourself. I chose to added a punched vellum butterfly and a Dew Drop to mine.

Stop by the Paper Blooms blog to play along with this challenge. If you participate, you'll be eligible to win a set of gorgeous flowers from the Paper Blooms shop.

Stamps: Beautiful You (Verve)
Paper: Pale Plum, Mellow Moss, PTI white, vellum
Ink: Mellow Moss
Accessories: flowers (Paper Blooms), Martha Stewart royal butterfly punch, corner rounder punch, Cuttlebug Houndstooth, Dew Drop (Robin's Nest)

New Blooms and a Sketch

Yay! I finally got to play with some of Leah's gorgeous handmade flowers from Paper Blooms. I wanted to showcase just how lovely they are, so I used one as a focal point for this week's CAS sketch challenge. I added a stick pin, too (also available from Paper Blooms). Stop by and check out all the yummy colors and designs Leah has in her shop.

FYI: The Paper Blooms design team will be starting challenges this Wednesday. Be sure to stop by the Paper Blooms blog to find some beautiful inspiration. Of course, visit me, too, as I'll be showcasing more of these lovely flowers.

Paper: Bashful Blue

Accessories: flower (Paper Blooms), stick pin (Paper Blooms), ribbon (Dollar Tree), rub-on (SU)

Ladies & Gentlemen, May I Have Your Attention, Please...

I'm on a design team!!! That's right, I've been chosen for the inaugural DT for Paper Blooms. Leah creates the most beautiful handmade embellishments that are sure to give your projects that extra special touch.

To celebrate the new design team, we're giving away 12 beautiful flowers and 3 stick pins. You can visit the Paper Blooms blog for all the details, and be sure to check out the Paper Blooms store as well!

We will hold challenges on the Paper Blooms blog beginning in April. There are other surprises in store, too, so stop by often so you don't miss out on the fun!