Breathing a Sigh of Relief

Well, I never thought I would be done but I finished my thesis this evening. I have a 25 page paper to turn into my mentor professor who will then review it and I will probably have some corrections to make but there's nothing like having that behind me. I just have about 3 and a half or so pages left on one more paper for the semester and an exam in my linguistics class before I can call it done! My final presentation of my thesis is on April 22nd but I feel so much better now that I have those 25 pages done.

I feel like I haven't been able to look at all of my regular blogs in a few days nor have I had a chance to post. I truly have been keeping my nose to the grindstone. Now, I have to prepare for a conference this Thursday where I am a workshop presenter...what did I get myself into?

Anyway, I should be able to post a card tomorrow. I have to photograph the three that are done and I want to do it in good lighting...not the dark.

Thanks all who stop by even if I haven't added a card in the past couple of days.

Just a Little Something

I actually have a post that is not using PTI products. I really do have a lot of different products from a variety of companies but since PTI is my favorite, I tend to just work with it and ignore my other supplies at times. Today's card highlights the Cotton Scraps available through Crafty Secrets. I really love this company and their completely vintage feel with their products. I went a bit button crazy on this card but I love how they look. My green button container is now depleted though! I also used the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder which is awesome.


Supplies:
Rhonna Farrer buttons
Bazzill cardstock
Crafty Secrets Cotton Scrap
Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder
Crafty Secrets medium bird stamp set for saying
PTI white cardstock for stamping on the saying
giant ric rac from Joann Fabrics

Thanks!

First of all, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that commented and visited my blog for the Blog Hop hosted by Papertrey Ink. It was such a blast to participate, visit everyone's blogs, and work on a great challenge. I am looking forward to next month's challenge too.

The card for today uses PTI stuff again...it's hard for me not to use it because it just comes together.


Supplies:
PTI white cardstock
PTI Aqua Mist cardstock
Palette ink in Aqua Mist and Waterlily Green
PTI Aqua Mist grossgrain ribbon
PTI Polka Dot Basics stamp set
PTI Spiral Bouquet stamp set
PTI Green Thumb stamp set
Making Memories white brads
Random rhinestone from stash which matches really well

Blog Hop: Ways to Use Ribbon

Well, I must say that this was a true challenge for me. We were supposed to use ribbon in a unique way and I had a picture in my mind. It sort of looks like the card...doesn't that happen a lot? Anyway, I got up close and personal with my sewing machine. Now, I have a business sewing purses so I should be familiar with my machine but it's different when you are zig-zagging on a piece of cardstock and trying to ruffle ribbon with sparkly thread at the same time. Needless to say, I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out. It's not perfect but I like it as is. Then, I used Polka Dot Basics in the background. I stamped the smallest dots with Versamark and then applied clear embossing powder. It just gives it a little something. Along the bottom of the card I used more of the Aqua Mist ribbon and added a Making Memories "congrats" tag.
I hope the colors come out right...I have such a hard time photographing this color.

I think the colors look better on this card.

Close up of one of the ruffled letters:

Supplies:
PTI white cardstock
PTI aqua mist cardstock
PTI Polka Dot Basics stamp set
PTI aqua mist ribbon
Versamark ink
Tsunsinki embossing powder
Sewing machine with shiny thread

PTI...Need I Say More!

Here's yet another PTI card. I saw something similar done, I believe it was on Debbie Olson's blog and thought it was a great use of the Cuttlebug. I can't find the link now though...bummer.

On a good note, I got one of my Master's papers done last night...printed and research books ready to go back to the library kind of done. It was a sense of relief but I have two more to finish. I can do this though! One page at a time will get it done.


Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
PTI white cardstock
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Cuttlebug flowers die
Palette ink
Rhinestones from Michael's $ section
PTI Beautiful Blooms stamp set
Martha Stewart ribbon

Celebrate with Cake

I have another PTI card. I don't think there are any of their products that I don't love! I can't wait to get out of my Master's program so I can make more money with my purse business and keep myself well-stocked in PTI supplies. The good news is that I just finished one of my papers tonight. It was 10 pages or a bit longer and it felt good to print it out. Just to finish my dual language education paper and my final paper then give my presentation. I can really see the light at the end of the tunnel!

We also learned some rockin' news this past weekend when we went to my brother and sister-in-law's house. My sister-in-law is three months pregnant! We are all so excited for her and her husband.

Well, the card for today could be used for a few different things. I took the picture in natural lighting and it turned out a bit dark when I went to edit the picture on my computer. When I tried to edit it, the colors turned out all wonky so I left it as is so it's a bit dark overall but the colors are more real.

Supplies:
PTI cardstock
PTI patterned paper
PTI Piece of Cake stamp set
PTI ribbon
Palette Ink in Aqua Mist and Water Lily Green

Vicki Chrisman's Challenge

About a week and a half ago, Vicki Christman issued a challenge to use certain supplies that she would send and then we had to make a card using those supplies. Go here to check out the original post and make sure you hang out at Vicki's blog for a while because she does awesome stuff! If you want to go straight to Vicki's blog where you can see all of the different cards go here.

I just used what was in the package as well as some ink for distressing and Stickles on the floral paper. To me, it looked like a wall in a house with the wallpaper on the bottom and then painted part on the top. The picture reminded me of a wall hanging so the ribbons must be the wainscoating.

I {heart} PTI

Wow! That's how I'm describing the week. Monday, I came across some unexpected jobs at work. I was getting ready for being gone from work yesterday to talk with the ELL director and then I was given a document to translate for school on top of trying to write sub plans for the following day. Quiz in last night's class and a presentation for tonight's class has wrapped up my week so far. The good news is that I have four weeks of class and then my final presentation. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Okay, onto the fun stuff! The card I made for today uses PTI stuff, which I just love. I don't know how much I say that...okay, it's a lot. Today's card uses the Polka Dot Basics set and Green Thumb. I love the little grasshopper and thought he's look cute in spring moss. I like how the colors look nice together. I'm working on the polka dots and making them straight. If anyone has any tips, they would be greatly appreciated!


Supplies:
PTI cardstock
PTI ribbon
PTI Green Thumb stamp set
PTI Polka Dot Basics stamp set (notice a pattern?)
Me & My Big Ideas rhinestone

PTI Butterfly Kisses

This is close to one of my most favorite cards that I have made. I just love the glittery butterflies, the transparency behind them, the three panels of color, the stamped images. It just came together well. In my mind, I love it! When I glittered the butterflies, I was concerned that you wouldn't still see the stamped image but it was no problem. I used Martha Stewart glitter and glue which I love! I stamped the butterfly trails on the transparency with my Palette ink pads and it seemed to dry just fine.

On another note, I've been asked by my principal to go to Owensboro tomorrow to talk to the ELL (English Language Learners) director and a teacher there about their program. We are getting a lot more ELL students in our district and we need to be ready. I'm actually very excited to be able to leave the school but still be on the job.

Well, the instructor that is working with me on my thesis has set a date of April 11th to have it ready to submit to him. The final presentation is April 22nd so the good thing is that I should work harder to get it done. That's the key word here...done....I just want it done! Don't these professors know that there are more important things than huge papers...like stamping. Wonder if I stamped 2/3 of my pages if that would count? :)



Close up of glitterfied butterfly:

Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
PTI Butterfly Kisses
PTI Limitless Labels (for the saying)
PTI Little Lady for the butterfly trails
Stampin' Up markers to color saying
Transparency from Wal-Mart
Making Memories brads
Martha Stewart glitter and glue
Palette ink pads

Fuzzy Bunny

First of all, I love looking for cool blogs and projects as part of the Inspirational team. I already love to check out all sorts of blogs but now I look with another purpose. Well, I can't stay long today. I'm trying to work on my presentation for this Wednesday and then I need to work on my papers, some purses, and I would love to make some cards this evening.

The card for today uses Martha Stewart's bunny punch. I started the card out as a regular size card but messed up the bottom so I decided to cut it down into a smaller square and I think it's cute. I love the Cuttlebug embossing folders! This is one I just got although it's been out for forever.

Close up of fuzzy bunny:

BTW, to make the fun flock stick to the bunny, I just ran it through my Xyron little X sticker machine. I ran it through top side down, covered it with Fun Flock and then just dumped off the excess (of course back into the container). I didn't have to wait for it to dry nor get my fingers flocked in the process. Very easy!
Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Fun Flock
Martha Stewart bunny punch
Making Memories brads
Black organza ribbon from Michael's
Cricut machine for cutting out circles

Paper Trey Just Hatched

I'm taking a break from working on my three Master's papers. I just don't know what will motivate me to get them done. I have done two pages in probably the past three hours sitting here at the computer. I guess when I have just a weekend to get it done, I'll do it. The good news is that I have this much done: 2 out of 10, 3 out of 7, and 13 out of 25. It's still a ton to do though so I may be scarce in April when they are actually due.

Well, this is a card that I entered for the guest submission at PTI. I didn't win but I still like my card. There is some tough competition over there.



Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
PTI cardstock
PTI Just Hatched stamp set
Me & My Big Idea rhinestone
Palette ink
Michael's ribbon
Heidi Swapp ghost flowers
fake Dew Drops colored with Copics to coordinate with paper strips

Hi Bunny

Here's a new card for tonight. My DH got back from a trip to Florida with his dad to see the shuttle take off so I have my camera back. I have a few cards that I've already taken pictures of but don't really like the cards so I'm not sure if they will see the light.

With the card for tonight, I used the Martha Stewart bunny punch. I really like the three different colors on the card. It's pretty basic though...I actually didn't use ribbon but now wish that I did.

Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
My Mind's Eye patterned paper
Martha Stewart edge decorator
Martha Stewart bunny punch
Me & My Big Ideas rhinestones
Heidi Swapp chipboard letters

Blog Candy Winner!

My DH (he's such a great random number generator) said that the number is 9 so Kelsey is the winner of the blog candy! Congrats to you. Just email me your address so I can send your goodies. Thanks to everyone who left a comment.

Tonight I'm going over to a friend's house to crop so I'm hoping to get some cards done for a swap I'm in. It's the first swap I've signed up for; it's for a card using Hanna stamps. I'm excited but nervous too.

Maybe I'll share a piece of that card later tonight.

Don't forget: it's release night and party over at Paper Trey Ink....hope we don't crash the site again!

Inspirational Craft Blogs

I'm very excited to say that I was just asked to join the team at the Inspirational Blog. Here's a link: http://inspirationalcraftblogs.blogspot.com/ and it's also listed under my favorite blogs.

This is a wonderful blog in that all of the team members work to find inspirational work made my bloggers. I think it's such a great way to see what is really out there. There are so many awesome crafters that are, at time, overlooked.

Make sure you check out the site to see some great projects that are already posted there.

I'll post a card later tonight. Don't forget...blog candy deadline for my blog ends tomorrow night at midnight. It really is for a bunch of goodies!

Hey Girlfriend

That's what I think when I look at this card...a bunch of girl friends ready to go shopping or hang out. I love the Crafty Secrets stamps and can't wait for a few new sets to come out so I can make my next purchase.

I am feeling better but took tomorrow off to kick the rest of this ickiness. Thanks to those of you who gave me well wishes.

Don't have much to say tonight but wanted to go ahead and post a card before I head to bed.

Oh yeah, don't forget to enter for the blog candy...a comment needs to be posted by midnight on the 13th of March.



Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
PTI cardstock
Daisy D patterned paper
Crafty Secrets Sew Special (I stamped the ladies three times)
Copic markers
buttons from stash
velvety soft Prima ribbon
brown distressing ink

I really like how this card turned out!

Under the Weather

Well, I have the crud that is going around. I'm sitting here in my pjs with a fever and feeling very tired. Throw in a cough and it's down right unpleasant. I'll post a card tomorrow.

On another note, make sure you enter for the blog candy. It's further down the page and it ends on March 13th.

Papertrey Happy Thoughts

I have spent the morning shoveling out of the apartment. My landlord, who is more of a friend, helped me out so much to get my car out and ready to go. It was on a thick sheet of ice plus about 6 inches of snow after we shoveled off over 6 additional inches. I never thought it was going to go but we got it. Now, it's in a position that makes it easier to get it out tomorrow. I hope we have work tomorrow; we have had 12 snow days so far (I think) and we just don't need any more.

On another note, I've been playing tons with my Papertrey Ink stamps. I seem to make a ton of stuff with one company, move to another, and then come back. There are so many great companies but my favorite are: Papertrey Ink, My Favorite Things, Stamping Bella, Crafty Secrets, Hanna Stamps. They are all awesome!

I made my own patterned paper for the card today. I wasn't sure how it would come out because my last try ended up in the circular file. I also glitterfied the butterflies with my Spica atYou purple glitter pen. My favorite part is the baubles on the bottom right side. I found those at Michael's in the clearance section. I think they are supposed to be attached to clothes but I thought they would be perfect on cards.

Here's the card for today:

Supplies:
PTI cardstock
Bazzill cardstock
Palette ink pads
PTI Papertrey stamp set
PTI Butterfly Kisses
PTI Green Thumb
Spica atYou glitter pen
Baubles from Michael's

Waiting for Spring

This morning looked like a winter wonderland. We had over a foot of snow and it was still coming down really hard. I'm not sure how much we ended up with but it is beautiful. It was so nice to get up and see all of the snow before the plows came through and people walked around in it. On another note, my poor husband has the flu; he started getting sick Thursday night but it's full blown flu now. We couldn't get to the health center because everything is closed. Of course, we didn't find that out until I had been out to start and clean off the car.

The card for today uses the new Hanna Route 66 set. I just love Hanna on her motorcycle and it looked like it needed a very hip design so I used my Love, Elsie collection.


Supplies
PTI cardstock
Bazzill cardstock
Love, Elsie embossed paper
Love, Elsie epoxy stickers
Love, Elsie rubber sticker
Hanna Route 66 stamp
Rhinestones from stash
Heidi Swapp brads
Pink ribbon from Michael's Easter section
Spica atYou markers used on headlight and helment
Copic markers

Beautiful Blooms

We didn't have school today. It's no surprise but it seems like it actually is worth it. We've had about 3 inches of snow and are supposed to have a total of 10-12 inches of snow. That's the most we've had all winter! It is so pretty but no fun to drive in or sweep off the deck! It gave me a chance to work on my thesis...I got about four pages done...just eleven more to go to have my 25 total pages.

Here's another card using Papertrey Ink that I made after being inspired by Heather Nichols. Here's a link to her card: http://pinefeather.typepad.com/pine_is_here/2008/02/make-it-new-aga.html.

She showed a tutorial on using this set and the Twinkling H2Os. I didn't have any of those but I loved her suggestion on cutting the image after stamping. I also liked having the three flowers together in the center.

Here's my card:


Supplies:
PTI cardstock
Bazzill cardstock
Beautiful Blooms stamp set
Palette ink pads
Martha Stewart seam binding ribbon

Owl on a Limb

Do you like that title? I combined "Out on a Limb" which is the set I used with the little Sassafras Lass owl and got "Owl on a Limb". I know, it's not funny.

Well, we are supposed to get a lot of snow tomorrow so I suppose we won't have work. I hope we do have school though because we have enough days to make up. On the other hand, I could use that time to work on one of my three Master's papers. Within six weeks it will all be done. That just doesn't seem like very much time at all but this semester has just been flying by.

Don't forget that I'm offering blog candy for reaching 5000 hits. For me, that's a big deal so I am not "known" like many of the famous awesome bloggers. Just another thanks to those who stop by! Oh yeah, and the candy rocks.

Here's the card for today. I was somewhat amused with my idea :).

I used lots of Papertrey Ink stamps and their products! Love them :).
PTI cardstock
Bazzill cardstock
Polka Dot Basics stamp set
Out on a Limb stamp set
Sassafras Lass owl
Martha Stewart ribbon
Cotton Candy Stickles
Palette Ink in Burnt Umber...also available at PTI!

I just wish I could take a good picture. I just downloaded a picture taking tutorial from 2 Peas in a Bucket but haven't had a chance to read it. I have a Canon Digital Rebel XTi so it isn't the camera. I just need to take a class and learn how to use my camera. Maybe when my Master's classes are done and I can it for fun!

Just Mousing You

I got the most adorable mouse stamp from Whipper Snapper and couldn't resist paper piecing his recliner. The little mouse was colored in with my Copic markers...I think I'm getting the hang of it and then was popped up. It actually took a long time because I stamped the image, then stamped it on the patterned paper, cut out the recliner, cut out the place where the mouse would be in the patterned paper, then cut out the mouse and popped him up....whew! Is there an easier way :). I love how it looks though so it was worth it. I used my wonderful My Mind's Eye paper.

Here's the card:

Supplies:
Whipper Snapper stamp
Papertrey Ink "just" and "you" from Papertrey Ink set
"Mousing" is Technique Tuesdays Williamstown alphabet
American Crafts ribbon...Michael's carries lots now!
My Mind's Eye patterned paper
PTI cardstock
Me & My Big Ideas rhinestones
Copic markers

Blog Candy Time

Wow! I've had 5000 hits on my blog. First of all, thanks to everyone who comes to look at my stuff and reads my extra comments.

It's definitely time for some blog candy! Just post a comment here and I'll do a random number drawing (AKA DH) on March 13th. I think the new candy will have some stamping goodies and some other lovely embellishments. I may add a picture when I get the stuff all together.

I'll post a card later tonight!

Paper Trey Ink card

Today is the day I start recognizing that I have three papers to write by the middle of April. The only thing that consoles me is that these are the last three papers I should ever have to write.

Today's card is using the new Papertrey Ink polka dot basic stamp set. I just love how well they stamp and how they look on the paper. I also used the new Aqua Mist paper, ribbon, and ink. I stamped "Celebrate" from Mixed Messages onto the ribbon three times. I also used my Cuttlebug to cut out the flowers and put a rhinestone on top.

Here's the card:


Supplies:
PTI cardstock, ink, and stamps
Cuttlebug
Flower dies

Happy Spring...or so I Hope!

I didn't realize I haven't posted since Tuesday. This has been a long week and very busy with studying for a midterm with another one next week and trying to work on three research papers.

It's the first day of March and the weather here is actually nice for a change. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and in the 60s so I hope it stays nice. Either way spring is on the way and I'm so happy about that. Spring is my favorite time of year with all of the flowers blooming, the smell of rain, opening the windows, cleaning and organizing, and the end of my Master's this year. There are so many things to look forward to. I made this card with some patterned paper that I found at my LSS which unfortunately closed yesterday. I guess I will be looking for new online stores...any suggestions? I already frequent Papertrey Ink, Eclectic Paperie, Whipper Snapper, My Favorite Things, Stamping Bella. I need to find nice resources for paper and embellisments. Guess I'll be doing a search!

The card for today uses my new cling mount stamps by Anna Wright for Whipper Snapper. I love the stamps and it was so fun to color them with my Copics. I paper pieced the pail and overlayed the flowers using a post-it note.

Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
PTI white cardstock
Junkitz patterned paper
Whipper Snapper stamps
Copic markers
Spica atYou markers
sewing with machine
Making Memories brads
gingham ribbon from Joann Fabrics
Me & My Big Ideas rhinestones
Making Memories flower
Making Memories velvet brad