Butterfly Birthday Wishes

I realized the other day that I need to restock my non-cupcake birthday card stash. Almost every birthday card I've made recently has been cupcake-related, and sometimes that just won't do!

I came across this beautiful card on Dawn Easton's blog and was immediately inspired by it. I had this paper from Kate at i {heart} papers that had gorgeous embossed butterflies on it, and a Martha butterfly punch (or two) that would work well with it. The colors are not accurately represented in this photo (bad lighting), but they are Regal Rose and Rose Red. They match the patterned paper (from the Chocolat line) perfectly. The bottom of the piece is punched with the Fiskars Threading Water punch, and it's tied up with some white tafetta ribbon.

For the sentiment, I dragged out an oldie but goodie from SU! - Elegant Greetings, and cut it out with my Nestabilities, sponging the edges of the white layer with Regal Rose while it was still in the die. To dress up the punched butterflies, I added a little bling, also available from i {heart} papers.

I think I'll whip up a few more of these to have on hand!

Me? Fabulous?

Well, maybe not me, but my blog, according to Kate at i {heart} papers, who has bestowed upon me this cool blogging award! Wow!

Interestingly, the rules for this award require me to list 5 of my obsessions. If you're a dedicated reader of my blog, you know that obsessiveness is the curse of my Scorpio-hood (Scorpio-ness? Scorpio-tude?) Hmmm. How to limit it to just 5...

OK, current obsessions:

1. Obviously, papercrafting stuff. I've long been obsessed with beautiful papers, but now have come to include such things as ribbons, stamps and bling in my hoarding habits.
   
2. On a related note, but enough to warrant their own number, are Copic markers. I'm slowly building my collection, and will be attending a Copic Certification class next month. I'm so excited!
3. Cupcakes. Anything to do with cupcakes. 'Nuf said.
4. Spelling and grammar. I am blessed/cursed with the ability to spot a typo or grammatical error a mile away and have been known to take a red pen to notices posted on the walls of my workplace. Fortunately, at least my boss appreciates this particular obsession.
5. Days of Our Lives. Don't shoot me! I know it's one of the cheesiest soap operas around, and I never intended to get sucked into it. I used to keep the TV on for background noise after I watched the Today show and Ellen when I was home (unemployed), and all of a sudden I realized I was starting to care about the characters and story lines. I DVR it every day. (Isn't it interesting how "DVR" has become a verb?) Ahhhh, the DVR. I think I'll save that obsession for another day...
   

And now to pass this award on to 5 other fabulous bloggers:

1. Jannie (aka Chicken Girl), my fabulous soon-to-be daughter-in-law. She's an uber-talented illustrator, and I'm gently trying to drag her into the world of stamping.
2. Debbie Olson, whose blog I am only too happy to "click through" in my Google Reader to see her wonderful designs.
3. The 3 ladies who comprise Clean&Simple Stamping. I've just recently discovered this one and have come to rely on Harriet, Natasha and Becky for inspiration.
4. Marianne, at I Like Markers. She gives me my "fix" of Copic marker techniques and has in large part contributed to my current obsession with the things.
5. Nichole Heady of Papertrey Ink, whose talent makes me love/hate her with every fiber of my being. I wish I had the amount of creativity she has in her pinky nail. I wanna BE her when I grow up! Maybe in my next life...
   

DT Challenge!

This month I challenged the i {heart} papers design team to create a Valentine's Day card (or project) for someone other than a significant other.

Inspired by a sketch on Clean & Simple Stamping, I came up with this cutie for a friend. I'm loving the Sweet Hearts set by Impression Obsession. I'm also loving the Basic Grey Urban Prairie paper (yes, Kate does still have a few of the 6x6 pads left!). This particular sheet goes really well with SU's Riding Hood Red and Soft Sky (yes, it's last year's color, but this year's Baja Breeze would work just as well).

For the main image I used my Oval Nestabilities and colored with Copics, and to add a little detail (it's all about the details, isn't it?) I whipped out my Ranger Glossy Accents for the hearts, and Matte Accents for the flower pot. When I first heard of the Matte Accents, I couldn't imagine what I would use it for. But it really does give some nice dimension to things that you wouldn't necessarily want to be shiny. Oh, and a little birdie told me that Kate might be carrying both of these at i {heart} papers soon!

I know that Kate has taken the challenge, but I'm not sure who else on the team has (or what time they might be posting it), so you'll have to go and check them all — several times today. Or you can just subscribe to all of our blogs so you'll never miss anything!

Sarah Anderson
Cathleen Torina
Loretta Lock
Amber Kroening
Kendra Wietstock
Lori Tecler
Deb Felts
Tracy Schultz
Meredith Socha
Dee Jackson

So Sweet!

I am so in LOVE with the Basic Grey Bittersweet paper! Maybe they market it for Valentine's Day, but those brown and pink patterns say year-round to me!

I was also smitten by a sketch I found on a blog I somehow only just discovered -- clean&simple stamping. How could I have never seen this before?!!! What an awesome blog! Anyhow, I pulled out one of my favorite cupcake stamp sets that I recently got from Kate at i {heart} papers (she also carries the Bittersweet paper) and made a super-quick card.

I had a lot of fun with that cupcake. I busted out my Liquid Applique and some cute little colored micro-beads that I've had forever, and then I covered the cherry with some dimensional glaze to make it really pop! (Note to self: remember to punch out cupcakes first, then add dimensional stuff!)

What I used:
Stamps: Birthday Cupcake (Inkadinkado)
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber, Copic markers
Paper: PTI white, SU! Chocolate Chip & Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey Bittersweet pad
Other: SU! circle and scalloped circle punches, Liquid Applique, Ranger Glossy Accents, microbeads

Let's Pretend...

OK, I'm gonna pretend that this card came out just the way I imagined it would, and because you are all my bestest friends, you're gonna make believe, too.

I can't really say how I thought it would look, but I can say that it is a (very) loose adaptation of Jamie's Bella Sketch Challenge, which really inspired me today.

I will also say that in my original plan, among other things, that heart in the corner was going to be a ghost heart, which I had airbrushed with a pink Copic marker. The heart looked really cool. I was very excited. And then I messed it all up trying to glue it onto the card (with the wrong adhesive). And when I tried to clean it up, I took blotches of the ink off. And when I tried to re-spray it, I realized I was completely out of canned air. So I tried to color it directly with the marker (like I knew I shouldn't, which is why I airbrushed it in the first place!) and completely screwed it up. So I used the messed up ghost heart to trace the shape onto the paper, and outlined it with a marker to make it stand out a little.

Is it any wonder that my mojo has gone awanderin'?

Anyhow, I have decided to embrace the card. I will love the card as if it were exactly what I planned. That is my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

What I used:
Stamps: Out on a Limb, Green Thumb, Heart Prints (all PaperTrey Ink)
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber, PTI Raspberry Fizz and Ripe Avocado
Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, PTI white, Basic Grey Eva collection

Help!

If anyone has seen my mojo wandering around, could you please send it back to me?

I finally cleared off my table enough yesterday to do a little creating, and nothing was coming out the way I wanted it to. I've done a little wandering around the blogiverse today and found a couple of inspiring sketches, so maybe tonight...

I'm so bummed!

Happy New Year!

Dear blog followers (all 3 of you),

I had hoped to post something adorable to send the old year on its way, but time got away from me, and I never did finish anything post-worthy.

One of my New Year's resolutions (that's a lie — I don't make resolutions) is to spend less time on my butt in front of the computer and TV during evenings and weekends, and more time on my butt at my table making wondrous and amazing things to delight you. Since I did not receive the Sweatin' to the Oldies DVDs on my wish list, I can only assume that the universe is OK with my lack of exercise.

I am profoundly grateful for the friends I have made through this wonderful world of stamping. I hope you have enjoyed what I have posted for the last few months, and I promise I will try to be more diligent in posting in the future. I wish all of you a new year filled with peace, love, health and prosperity. And lots of new stuff to play with!

Happy New Year!

Cuppa Love

Well, my table is NOT cleared off, not even halfway, but I couldn't wait to play with some of the new goodies I just got from i {heart} papers. This is the simplest of cards, but it just makes me soooo happy!

First of all, I love how the stamp picks up the swirls in the paper. (Read below for all the details of what I used.) I love almost anything that's brown and pink, and this paper is to die for. I love how soft and luxurious the faux suede ribbon feels. I love how a little bit of Stickles makes everything special. But most of all, this card reminds me of the most amazing Raspberry Mocha Latte that I got at Border's bookstore last month. I can't remember who holds the coffee concession at Border's , but OMG, I am salivating thinking about that coffee. I know it has a gajillion calories, but it's the kind of stuff that makes you want to hug the stranger that made it for you! Seriously. I think the woman behind the counter was looking at me a little strangely by the time I left. It might have had something to do with the near-orgasmic noises I was making while I was drinking it.

OK, here's what you need to make this card yourself. Most of it is available at i {heart} papers.
Stamps: Sweet Hearts
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber and New Canvas, Copics
Paper: Basic Grey Bittersweet, PTI white
Other: Labels 1 Nestabilities, Stardust Stickles, Light Fuschia Faux Suede Ribbon

So you survived?

Now that we've survived Christmas 2008 (hope yours was merry and bright!), I can finally make an attempt at cleaning off my table and creating some non-holiday stuff — or at least move on to another holiday! I hope to have something to show you later in the day, but no promises.

Santa brought me some wonderful gifts, and one of them was an awesome Heidi Swapp clock kit that I can't wait to play with! My kitchen wall clock has been non-functional for almost a year, and I haven't been able to find another one I liked, so I'm gonna make my own. Good thing Santa looked at my Amazon wish list!

And if Santa didn't bring you everything you wanted this year, here's some exciting news — Kate at i {heart} papers is having a one day sale, JUST TODAY, with 15% off EVERYTHING in the store!!! That includes already-discounted stock, and even Nestabilities! And she's got lots of new stuff that just came in! Just type in the promotional code IHPgift at checkout and get yourself what you really wanted.

Want more good news from IHP? The lovely and talented Dee Jackson has joined our design team. Check out her blog, StampincuzILuv2, and see just how talented she is. Welcome, Dee!!!

OK, one more cup of coffee and then I'm gonna go see what I can do with my table. Stay tuned!

BLOG CANDY WINNER!!!

It was lots of fun reading everyone's comments. Thanks for entering!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

22 

Timestamp: 2008-12-23 03:27:41 UTC

That means the winner of the Valentine's Blog Candy is Rhonda Kelly!

Rhonda K. said...

Those are fabulous goodies, thanks for the chance to win.
I usually make items for my co-workers, my DD's teachers and my DD. Usually candy related items/treat boxes.

Rhonda, e-mail me (cmustopa@verizon.net) with your mailing address so Kate can send your goodies out directly from i {heart} papers!

Congratulations!

Desk Calendar

When I first saw these desk calendars posted on Nancy Morgan's very awesome blog, Paper Smiles, I knew I had to make some. As I mentioned in the last post (wow - 2 today!), I made 8 of them this weekend. Why 8? Because that's how many pieces you can get out of a 12x12 sheet of designer paper for each season. And because her tutorial makes it so easy. And of course, because I never know when to stop!

I've packaged them up in clear envelopes. Here are shots of the individual sides.
If you look at Nancy's, you'll see that I didn't really change much. I used different colors and designer papers, but it's pretty much the same — if it ain't broke, I say... And if you look closely at mine (you can click on the images for a larger view), you can see that my trimmer needs a new blade!

Everything you need to know to make them is on her site, and you still have some time before the new year to make one for yourself. Or 8 for your friends.

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah to all of my Jewish friends! My menorah is lit with the first candle of this season of miracles, and what a busy weekend it's been. I wish I had made some yummy potato pancakes to celebrate, but I never got around to it. Instead, I've been crafting all weekend.

The card above uses the Papertrey Ink set called Mazel Tov, and is actually more elegant in person than it appears in the scan. The gold menorah is embossed on brushed gold cardstock, which doesn't show up too well, and I filled in the candles with my blue Spica glitter pen.

These are some candy canes I decorated for people at work. I work in a college that is run under Jewish auspices, and while many of the students, staff and faculty are not Jewish, many of them are. So I got some blueberry-flavored candy canes and dressed half of them up for Hanukkah following Nancy Riley's example. And then, for the other half, I used my favorite little snowman. I guess I made a total of about 40.

Also, for my immediate co-workers, I made some 2-4-6-8 boxes, following Julie Buhler's example. I used some old retired SU designer paper for these, and Papertrey's 2008 Holiday Tag set. You can see that I messed up on one of the flaps, and I did take another picture leaving that one out, but I believe in truth in advertising! They are filled with an assortment of candies.
I also made (I told you I was busy!) 8 desk calendars using Nancy Morgan's awesome tutorial. I'll try and get a picture of one later, but really, they are remarkably similar to hers, except for a different choice of papers/colors.

Whew! Time to kick back and enjoy the last few hours of the weekend. Don't forget about my Valentine's blog candy (scroll down one message). I forgot that I'll be out after work tomorrow with friends/family, so you actually have a few extra hours to enter, since I won't be home until around 10:00.

Enjoy!

Valentine's Blog Candy!!!!

This blog candy offering is now finished. Congratulations to winner Rhonda Kelly!

OK, I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of making Christmas cards! It's good to have another holiday to think about, even if we haven't quite gotten through Christmas (OMG, one week away!), Hanukkah (even closer!) and New Year's Eve. So in the spirit of Valentine's Day, Kate at i {heart} papers has generously given me some goodies to give away to one of you!

Aren't these so sweet?!!! Just think what you could make with them... Now, I don't have a honey to give a Valentine to (don't cry for me — seriously), but I sure love making Valentine's stuff.

So here's what you have to do to win these goodies: Leave me a comment on this post telling who, besides your hubby/significant other, you make Valentine's stuff for. I'll take entries until Monday evening, say 6:00 EST, and announce the randomly chosen winner shortly thereafter.

i {heart} papers Team Challenge

This month our i {heart} papers team challenge was to create a holiday Thank You card. I'm gonna blame my mother for the fact that this habit was never drilled into us (but that's not really gonna fly, is it?). What better way to use up those bits and pieces of beautiful holiday papers, or what better excuse to buy more?!!

Here's one that uses a 2" strip of beautiful paper from the daisyd's Snowflakes & Holly pad at i {heart} papers. It's layered over a slightly wider strip of Garden Green cardstock, and then onto a white base. I first stamped snowflakes from the Alpine Frost stamp set onto the top half of the base with Bashful Blue.

My favorite part of this card is the circle. I used my JustRite Small Letter Set to spell Thank You all the way around. It took a bit of time, but it was easy, and while I was at it, I stamped a whole bunch of them. I used my Nestabilities to cut the circle and its coordinating scallop.

For this one I stamped the same snowflake into the center, and then accented it with Crystal Stickles to give it the necessary bling factor. You can use any kind of small image in the center to change it up for any occasion. Then pick an appropriate paper from your stash, and coordinating color for the scallop, and you have a limitless idea. Now how awesome is that?!!!

Check out my other team members' sites throughout the day for their takes on this challenge:

Sarah Anderson

Cathleen Torina

Loretta Lock

Amber Kroening

Kendra Wietstock

Lori Tecler

Deb Felts

Tracy Schultz

Meredith Socha

I really am going to try and send (some) Thank You cards after this holiday is done. But first I need to get my darned holiday cards out!!!

So excited!!!

Wow! A few days ago Taylor VanBruggen (of Taylored Expressions) contacted me about a card I had made and posted on SCS using her sweet cupcake stamps from Stamp a Sweet Impression (SASI). It was this one, which I had also posted on my blog a couple of weeks ago. And she asked me to be this week's Friday Friend on the SASI blog. Wow, what an honor! I created another card using her Season's Sweetings set for the occasion. So hop on over there and check out my interview and catch my 5 minutes of blog fame!

I had been hoarding this one piece of Heidi Grace paper since last year. It's so scrumptious — the background is shimmery, and the design is flocked. And it went perfectly with this little holly cupcake, so how could I resist? The sentiment is stamped on a piece of white satin ribbon that I scavenged from a gift (couldn't let it go to waste, could I?). The top of the cupcake is covered with Candlelight Shimmerz to give it a vanilla glow, and the cherry on top has red Stickles. You can't see it too well in the picture, but I also gave the holly leaves a dusting of shimmer with my clear Spica pen.

Oh, and check me out! I'm finally getting the hang of the airbrush system for my Copic markers. After I've wasted practically the whole can of air trying to get it right.