Embrace Spring!

Wow!  Did morning come early today.  I am so not a night owl.  I stayed up way too late last night.  I've got myself a new coffee pot so I should be raring to go in a bit.

  A while back I got a mat pack of this really pretty, soft paper by DCWV called Linen Closet.  That title just conjures up such sweet smells to me.  Imagine sticking your nose into a big,, fluffy, white towel that was first hung on the line (then you stick it in the dryer for a fluff cycle so it is fluffy). AHHH!  This winter loving girl is really ready for spring.  So here is my "spring" card.  Hey ABC Toys...I'm entering again...LOL.

I also used those stickers from the dollar store on the top corners, my "Halloween" pearls and a hodgepodge of lace trim.  My flower was created with ribbon and I do have a tutorial on it.  I'll be back later with that.

UPDATE:  Tutorial is located HERE.

  I finally got to use some of my new Verve stamps.  I love this flourishy frame.  The inside sentiment is from a Unity's Bevy of Butterflies.  Do you see my butterfly?  I made that by stamping and layering a heart and flourish from the Verve set.  I love it when a set is multifunctional.  This set is Thankful Accents and it's so pretty!

 I have a few more challenges to enter with this card:
Verve Project Parade....again:)
Hope Stamps Eternal Cupcake Inspiration  
Flutter By Wednesday 100
Card Patterns Sketch 56
Cardvaarks Lace Challenge

Off to wake the kids.  Hope your Tuesday is fantabulous!




What's In It?
Stamps: Thankful Accents, Bevy of Butterflies
Ink: Spring Moss, Aqua Mist
Paper: white, Linen Closet
Other: lace trim, stickles, pearls, EK border punch, Aqua Mist ribbon, stickers, dimensionals

Wish Big

I have been doing a lot of nothing today.  Do you ever have those days where you are running around and then realize that you got nothing done?  That's my day.  My coffee pot broke so I am blaming it all on my lack of caffeine.  I did manage to get some coffee at McDonald's later in the the morning so that may be why I am up late posting this.

Last week an idea for this card popped into my head and I finally got to create it.  It really didn't take me that long even if it looks like it did.  Self adhesive chipboard is a fabulous invention! I started out using a Clean and Simple sketch, but when all was said and done it ended up being a shortened version.  I'm still entering it.  I also got the color ideas from this week's Play Date Cafe.

 If you head on over to the Verve Project Parade you can participate in the challenge to use flowers.  Ummm...I could have a LOT of entries.  LOVE flowers!  I also love VERVE.  I didn't use any Verve stamps on this card, but stay tuned...I have one coming:)

And for my last challenge...I think this qualifies as a Spring-ish card, don't you?  ABC Toys and Crafts Design Blog has a challenge called, "Spring is in Full Bloom".   I am wishing BIG time for Spring so I think the card fits.

Off to bed now.  Night!




What's In It:
Stamps: Short and Sweet
Ink: Antique Linen, Choc chip
Paper: Beloved DP, K&co Bailey DP, scrap light pink
Other:  K&co chipboard, flower, heart doily, spellbinder's labels 11, Webster's lace, sewing machine, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles

So Sweet Treat

 

Good Morning!  It's another Stamptacular Sunday Challenge today.  Priscilla would like everyone to make a PROJECT for a SWEET TREAT.  

Now I have to tell you not to look too closely at this.  I have LOTS of mistakes.  I swear that I am the only person who can be ahead of schedule and yet behind.  

I made my project this week and sent it to Priscilla on Thursday.  That's when it's due.  On Friday afternoon I checked my email and found out that I had actually made my project for the NEXT WEEK'S theme.  So, I'm ahead of schedule there.  However, I had no project for this week.  Now, I'm behind.

My entire day on Friday was meetings, Vday Parties, running kids.  Then yesterday we had the morning FULL of kid activities and my hubby decided to take us into town for various things.  I truly had no time to get my project done until this morning.  So, it's late and won't be up on the SSC blog.  

Go check out some of the really great ideas that the DT has made though.  They are pretty awesome!

Then play along.  Who doesn't want or need a sweet treat in their life?

You could win THIS:

Line is our sponsor this week and you could win this cute Hanglar stamp.

Just a few quick details about my project.  I used a template by Kelleigh Ratzlaff called, "Top Heavy Box."

I created my own mat template for the front, top and sides, by marking on a piece of vellum cardstock.  That way I can keep it with my file folder to just trace and cut.  That heart was leftover from my son's valentines and I created the flower using some tissue paper and a flower die by cuttlebug.  So easy.

I hope you can play along this week.  I'm entering this into the Verve Treats and Tins project parade.  I'm hoping my error can possibly get  me a few free stamps:)  I love Verve stamps! 

Have a great day!  I'll be back later with another creation for Whimsy!

What's In It?
Stamps: Verve Sweet Valentine
Ink: Real Red, Antique Linen (Tim Holtz)
Paper: Bo Bunny, white
Other: heart nestie, box top, red glitter, MS punch, satin ribbon, tissue paper, cuttlebug flower die, velvet brad, embroidery floss, horizontal slot punch, paper piercer.sponge

Encouraging Words

I have something to share today that is for 2 challenges. The Jacksonbelle Embellishments Challenge was to use Vellum. The top of the box has a vellum overlay. I also made this as another submission to the Verve Project Parade.





This is a box I started 2 weeks ago and finally had the chance to finish. The theme over at The Verve Project parade is Encouraging Words.


My box says, "It's the little things that make life BIG."

These are encouraging words for myself. I've been feeling a little stressed and bombarded with things lately. I swear to you that when that happens there are little signs to let you know that the words on this box are so true. You just have to be able to stop and recognize them. I'm sure there have been more, but I am going to show you several of the things that I was able to "see" through the haze of distraction.

Bear with me as I reflect on the 2 people in my life who keep me laughing in such innocent ways.

Last week my son came down dressed like this:


Now normally I might be worried that he was turning "Gangsta rap", but he usually dresses like the white Steve Erkell.

Ok, so not exactly like him. He doesn't have glasses and he doesn't wear suspenders. BUT, I bet he would if he knew about them. He is always afraid his pants will fall down. So Dalton tucks his shirt in ALL THE WAY and cinches this belt around his waist so tight that I think it might cut him in half. Therefore, his pants look like high waters even if they aren't. And yes, he always wears white sock. ( I am really not an evil mom, but I must point out the funny things in life.)

Back to the original picture of him all in black with his sunglasses and cap. That day he went out on the front lawn, with black gloves on too, and played football by himself. I was watching him just as the ice cream man was coming down the street. Dalton proceeds to "get down and boogie" with his football to the music the ice cream truck was playing. Just seeing him in his "gangster attire" busting into these moves to some childrens song had me crying with laughter.

Then later this week while I was on the phone he handed me a note. He is not supposed to interrupt me on the phone unless someone is bleeding or dying. For once he actually followed the rule. So he hands me this note:

TRANSLATION:
Can I have hot COCOA? Yes No

Again, I cracked up with the visual of a hot COW COW.

Now my last little thing to share...

I walked into the bathroom on Monday morning feeling VERY tired and immediately smiled.

This is what I found on the bathroom sink greeting me:

This is my daughter's pencil sharpener. It has little suction cup feet. I guess she figured the bathroom sink was the perfect place to put him. How can you not smile at seeing this little fellow at the start of your day in such an unexpected place?

The little things really DO make life BIG. I have a BIG, BLESSED, FUNNY life! My kids always make me smile in such simple, little ways.

Don't waste time waiting for some BIG thing to come along and make your life happy and stress free. Take note of all the little things in each day that should bring a smile to you. They are there if you take the time to notice.

I hope you chuckle today!
Nikki

What's In it?
Stamps: Happy Harmony, Unity KOTM Sept. Making Memories Autumn Splendor
Ink: Tim Holtz Vintage Photo, Choc Chip Craft
Paper: Digi Chick Our Story, white, vellum cardstock
Other: Nesties, button, clear EP, Twine, dimensionals, Martha Stewart boxes, paper piercer, choc chip marker

Breezy Bird

 YOU FOUND IT!!! BONUS FUN BLOG HOP SCAVENGER HUNT!

 I have many favorites sets.  However, I chose this set because it is so versatile.  You can make something fun and cute or fancy and elegant.  Below is a card I made just this month using the bird.  I don't  care for birds IRL, but I love this bird.  It's just so pretty! 

Now don't forget to leave a comment stating that you found my favorite stamp set.  Also, to qualify for my additional giveaway you need to email Priscilla and get her address so that you can send her your completed challenge cards.  All cards will be donated to the cancer patients at The Toledo Clinic.  Please include a new, non sealed , non addressed envelope with each card.  You may sign you name if you wish.

 I forgot to add Priscilla's email.....  misscill@yahoo.com

Now head on over to DEE'S blog for more hunting:)

Just a quick post today. I feel like each morning when I get up the shotgun fires and we're OFF!

Another busy day with errands for home and for the school. I'm "Popcorn Lady" again tomorrow. I guess there are worse things the kids could call me.

I made a card today that uses Beate's Weekend sketch again. I made this for the Verve Project Parade. I haven't participated in any Verve challenges in sooo long. I love Verve stamps! They are the first set of acrylics I ever tried. Julee has the most elegant images and beautiful quotes. You should play along. There is a chance to win some VERVE BUCKS!

My card also using the Faux Suede technique featured on Monday's Splitcoast Technique challenge. Admittedly, the little bit of the techinique that I used was not my original thought. That never worked out. (That seems to be the case as of late) So I used what was left of my "suede" paper to make the little twig that the bird is standing on. This card has an over abundance of pearls. I lost several of them trying to pick them up and put them on. I almost lost an eye in the process. Who says stamping isn't dangerous? The other thing that I love about this card is that I used THREE different stamp companies. I think it is so wonderful how they all "worked together" to complete this card.

Hope you have a fun day!

Only 8 more days left to participate in the BLOG CANDY FOR A CAUSE, as well as, the MAKE A CHILD SMILE CHALLENGE.

What's In It?
Stamps: Always, Celebrate Today (MCS), Beautiful You (verve)
Ink: Baja Breeze, Choc Chip, versamark, soft sky
Paper: vellum cardstock, retired DP, soft sky, white, choc chip
Other: Pearls by Recollections, scalloped circle nestie, various flowers, iridescent ice, paper piercer, sponge

A Tisket, A Tasket, An M&M Filled Basket

Does it get any better than that? Yummy! This is the time of year when my pants feel REALLY tight. How do you pass up all that yummolicious Easter candy? I can't. It's as simple as that. The other thing I am in love with is this little chick from A Good Egg. I hope you aren't getting sick of it because I will have at least one more card using this lovable little creature. My project today if for the Verve Project Parade. You have until Saturday to participate for a chance to win some Verve stamps. Go check it out.

Now a little bit about my "basket". It is actually a template called Qbee's flower pot box template. This woman has some fabulous templates over on Splitcoast. Click on the link and it will take you to the place where you can print out the template right on your cardstock. Well, you can if you don't have MY printer...that refuses to print on SU cardstock...the one that makes me trace each template from a copy paper printed one...sorry, I digress. I made my own handle from a scrap piece of Pink Piroette. I scallop edge punched it on both sides, layered with a strip of So Saffron and then affixed some daisy lace on top of that. I LOVE the look. I used glue dots to secure the lace. This is for my friend's little girl who turns the big 4 today. It's not very birthdayish, but I don't think she will mind:)

Here are a few tips on creating this box:

1. I make my flaps for securing the box a little bit longer than the template shows. I simply cut out about an eighth of an inch past the lines. I just feel that it makes the box a bit sturdier for filling it with goodies:)

2. ALWAYS use sticky strip to adhere the flaps. This is almost a must for keeping the box together.

3. You MUST do any altering to the side flaps at the top BEFORE ASSEMBLING. How do I know this? "Experience:)" That is why my flaps are only scalloped in the center.

SEE ?
Basic Recipe:

Stamps: A Good Egg
Ink: Basic Brown
Paper: Pink Pirouette, So Saffron and So Saffron Textured, Whisper White
Other: Pure Color Crayons, Prismacolor Pencils, Baby Oil, Blending stumps, Uniball gel pen, Oval Nesties, Scalloped Edge Punch, Ribbon, Lace, Cuttlebug


Thanks for stopping by today!

Rushed Week

I lost a day somewhere this week. If you find it give it back, ok? Really I am a day behind. So, imagine my panic when I realized yesterday that my project deadline for the Verve Kid at Heart January Project Parade was due by 8pm today. EEK! I literally had to take the picture with the project still wet. But here it is:
This is the top view of the oragami box project on Splitcoast a few weeks back. All the details on how to make it are here.


This is a picture of the inside and next is a picture of it closed. I know my pictures aren't so great this morning. I'm working on better pictures.

This is a gift for my daughter for Valentine's Day. I am still working on the one for my son. I will be back later to give details as I need to get my kids to school. So stay tuned!

Here are the deets: I used some old SU paper from a Simply Scrapping kit for the oragami box. I then adhered DP from the Paper Studio to some lightweight chipboard. This can be problematic I think so I am working on an alternative way. The frame chipboard is from SU and I painted it white first, then rubbed a Sage Versamagic ink on it. I then coated it with Stardust Stickles. The inside is stamped in RHR with a verse from Hundred Hearts (Verve) and a heart from the same set in Barely banana. The heart inside was stamped first onto scrap paper and then onto the Vanilla cardstock. This is known as stamping off. The flower in the upper left is from SU's Pretties kit and was rubbed with Barely Banana chalk to color it. The flowers on the bottom are from Target dollar spot and the centers are SU brads Soft Subtles. These were both glued with Crystal Effects.

The inside uses a Red cardstock from DCVW, Cert. Celery and Vanilla. I stamped the hearts onto Barely banana using versamark. I then clear embossed and used Iridescent Ice Ep while the clear EP was still tacky. They are cut out and a small section of dimensionals is added to the right corner of the heart only.

The whole thing closes with Ribbon from SU. I think it is So Saffron or Barely Banana. Sorry, no time to look. I feel like I am constantly rushed this week. So please excuse my posts.
Not sure that it will get any better in the next week. Ok, I'm off to run errands.
Thanks for hanging in there with me today!