.

It is that time of year where Papertrey Ink challenge crafters to create cards and learn new techniques.  This year’s theme is about cooking, or whippin up recipes using paper and ink!!!!

My first challene is my craft room or introduction.   Well since I am in the middle of remodeling the craft room, I prefer just to show the work desk.  Whipping (no pun intended) out my dies, stamps, copics and the recipes cards, I prepared myself for a day of learning!!!!

Sadly I discovered my camera battery was dead, dead, dead.  So I am using my iphone to take some pictures until I can get it charged up!!!!

.

I like nothing better than making hand made cards

What I like even more than that is making a card for someone who needs a little inspiration and or love from people who care.

Maddy is a young girl who is fighting cancer.  (see link)

http://simonsaysstampblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/please-send-smile-to-maddy.html

Thought I would make her a card to cheer her up.  Since this is her second round of cancer and she really enjoyed receiving cards from around  the world, I thought I would send her one from my corner of the world.

Here’s to you Maddy, may God give you the courage for this battle and may God bless you and cure you from cancer once and for all!!!!

For this blog challenge I wanted to use some of my stash.   But I was struggling with the rubber stamp set that would look cute.   I found an older stamp set from The Cats Pajamas Rubber Stamps.  It is a really cute stamp set with a forest scene called Happy Camper.  Since it was a camping scene I pulled out my October Afternoon Campfire paper pack.  I stamped the bear twice on the two different brown papers in the Pyrus paper pack and cut out tummy and nose and glued it onto the brown bear.    I sewed strips of paper onto the card stock to give the feeling of sky and forest.  I used foam tape on the back of the sign so I was able to stick the toothpick into the back.

Supplies

• Brown card stock
• Happy Camper Stamp set by The Cats Pajamas (http://www.thecatspajamasrs.com/HappyCamper.htm)
• Basic Grey Pyrus Paper
• Rustic Cream Button Twine by Papertrey Ink
• green button by Basic Grey
• Burnt Sienna chalk ink by Color Box

I did a close up of the bear so you can see the different papers!   I think he is cute!!!!  And no, that is not a stray hair….the twine has some loose bits and pieces…..

Another exciting blog challenge from my friends at Simon Says….. using washi tape.   I have to admit that I am addicted to washi tape, but short of just slapping it onto a page or card I am a bit stumped.  I did some research and saw a card designer use washi tape like gingham (Clare Buswell at Clare’s creations).  Ohhhhh that appeals to me.  I love gingham.    I also love Cosmo Cricket and those who know me….know I LOVE pictures of fruits and vegetables.  Don’t ask me why, I will just assume that I get that from my long ancestrial line of farmers.  Let it be noted that I can kill a cactus.   I guess it skipped a few generations, but I still love the images!!

Just a Close up , so you can see the Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety paper thru the embossing powder

Supplies:

Cardstock from Stampin Up! Garden Green and Basic White
Washi Tape from Target
Stamp Set by Farm House Paper Company – Fall and Autumn sets
Bakers Twine
Embossing Powder – Zing Green and Stampendous Fire Dragon Red
Hand Dyed button from Etsy – Little Red Cottage
Paper – Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety
EK Success Scallop Diamond Punch

Why do I always wait until the last possible minute to do a card for these challenges.   LOL.   I guess I need 6 days to ponder it and 1 day to panic and put it together.

The new Simon Says Stamp challenge is a card that is black and white with a dash of color.

The funny thing is, I actually had some black and white paper on my desk and some butterflies.  This challenge allowed me to do something with that paper.

OK, to be honest, this is not my favorite…but what the heck.

Butterflies are from Jenni Bowlin
Black & Pink Cardstock (unknown)
Music paper by Echo Park
Thankful die cut by Papertrey Ink
Martha Stewart Punch (flower)
Epoxy Stickers by Recollections
Anna Griffin Washi Tape

Simon Says 2013 January Card Kit

I received my January Card kit in the mail and just had to play.  So far I just have two cards but working on several more.

I really like hexagons and the hexagon paper was just too small for a card.  So I used my Papertrey Ink hexagon impression template and cut out the small hexagons from the paper in the kit.

Supplies:

January 2013 Simon Says Card Kit
Papertrey Ink Hexagon Template
Stampin Up Mini Vintage Tags
Recollections Rhinestones

I wanted something with Glitter and glam!  I loved the Swiss dot paper in the kit and wanted to highlight the elegance of the paper

I cut out an opening using Spellbinders Small Labels #4 and laid the paper from the kit underneath.

I edged the opening with my Kyron Gold Leaf pen and added the buttons from the stamp set and a few that I had bought from Joann’s.  Sorry I don’t remember the brand.

I thought the card looked pretty for someone special!!!

Supplies:
January 2013 Simon Says Card Kit
Spellbinders Label #4 Small dies
Recollections Rhinestones
Kyron gold leaf pen

So I have recently become addicted to Simon Says Stamp and their blog entries…

I checked out the Challenge Blog and the challenge was ANYTHING GOES.  Which basically means, anything, absolutely anything.  I can relate to that.   I was going to make a card and then thought, maybe I can do something different.

Since I was getting ready to go back to work (after a very nice 6 month rest) I thought  what would better than a “Back to Work” item.

I made a test tube holder and added some workplace essentials.   Paperclips…..cute magnets from Target….and of course M&M’s.   What a better way to start off a new job.

Because I am cleaning out my scrap room I wanted to use products on hand.  Some may not be out there anymore, but almost any paper you have on hand would work.

Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 paper and stickers

Stampin Up Kraft Card Stock and Cherry Cobbler Card Stock

Martha Stewart Test Tubes

Tom Holtz Idea-ology Buttons

Studio Calico “Time Flies” Stamp Set

Test Tube Holder Template by Lisa Somerville (www.lisasomerville.com)

I just LOVE Tim Holtz and his embellishments

Thanks for looking!!!!

Howdy!

I decided to make my Block of the Month with October Afternoon Farm Fresh Fabrics.

For anyone who knows me…I love pictures of fruit, veggies  country plaids and animals.  This fabric has it all.  I decided for the solid background to go for Kona Fabric “Mocha”.  A nice milk chocolate brown that will bring out the accents of the fabric.  Started the first blocks…..can’t hardly wait!!!!

I have decided to quilt along with the Craftsy.com with Amy Gibson. Her new class The Craftsy Block of the Month is inspiring and exciting. And it is FREE!!!!! learn two new blocks each month with great videos and instructions. Join me!!!!

I took a class from Renee Pearson that teaches you how to create your own templates. I decided to take a stab at it. I figured most layouts can be found in the nearest magazine.

Here is my inspiration:

From this I created this template

Finally, this is what the template looks like with papers and photos added!!!! I Love it!!!!