Mmm autumn!

I love autumn. Not quite so much as I love spring (which means everything is going to turn green again!), but there is something so cozy about the colours, smells and tastes of fall.

This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge was to do a fall/thanksgiving/halloween themed project using this picture as inspiration. My oh my, how I wish I had a front entrance as inviting and festive as that! Alas, mine is about one tenth of the size, crowded, and the only thing rustic about it is the long-forgotten mailbox - which is actually more rusted, than rustic ;)

Last night I was fortunate enough to be a guest at a meeting filled with lovely ladies and lovely projects. Bottom line, it was lovely! We did a project using the Spice Cake DSP, and luckily for me, I had the foresight to purchase it a few weeks ago. So with that beautiful paper in my hot little hands, I created the following:

Every Leaf

(PPA115)

In other news my baby is 1 month old today. I just can't get over how quickly time passes when you get to spend your days in the company of such awesome little boys! :)

Materials used:

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Paper: Spice Cake DSP

Stamps: No stamp! Printed on my computer...

Ink: No ink! I know... for shame.

Embellishments: Ruffled ribbon in Pool Party, brad (random)

-tb:oxo

Thanks for your hospitality

My entry for Pals Paper Arts challenge. What I love about participating in these challenges is that although I may have made this card regardless, same design and vision - I most certainly would not have chosen these colours! And they are lovely!

It helps push my boundries, and sends me miles away from my comfort zone :) Which is an awesome place to be. Goodbye, comfort zone - Thank you for your hospitality all these years.

Thanks

 

(PPA114)

No supplies were harmed in the making of this card!   
Cardstock :: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberr, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie

 Paper :: Pockeyfull of Posies DSP

Stamp :: Kindness Matters
Ink :: Lucky Limeade
Embellishments :: Pearl Dots (MS)
Tools :: Decorative label punch, dimensionals, corner punch (MS)

 

Hope everyone is doing well today! It's gorgeous here, and after a wee snack, my boys and I are going for a walk :)

-tb:oxo

I love lace.

A little while ago my grandmother gave me her old sewing box. Since then, I've found myself digging around in there for so many odds and ends.It's a treasure trove of randomness! And that's my favourite kind of trove :P

This week at Pals Paper Arts, they challenged us to use lace! I was terribly excited to see that. I love lace (despite the fact that I had the song "Chantilly Lace" in my head the entire time I created this card). I opened up the sewing box, knowing full well that I'd find something magical. "Magical" came in the form of a vintage piece of pink lace. It's a very light and delicate piece, so I wondered how well it would show up on the card. Turns out, it's very subtle, but that's what I like about it, I think!

I really like this card. It makes me think of a lot of things that make me happy: The lace from my grandma, the feathers are leftover from our wedding, and the patterned paper makes me feel like I just drank a big warm cup of tea.

Thinking of You

 (PPA112)

No supplies were harmed in the making of this card!
Cardstock :: Ivory, Blushing Bride (SU)

Paper :: ?? Wish I had written down what this was, because i adore this paper.

Stamps :: "Thinking of You" from Essence of Love set (SU)

Ink :: Chocolate Chip (SU)
Embellishments :: Pink lace, feathers, pearl dots,
Tools :: Scallop Oval punch (SU), Large oval punch (SU), Dimensionals (SU), 2-way Gluepen (SU)

Off to rummage through the old sewing box again... :)

-tb:oxo

Twine and combined challenges

My order from The Twinery arrived. It made me so happy. I can see myself using twine a lot in the future.

This card was made for two challenges. a colour challenge put forth by ColourQ, and a sketch challenge over at Pals Paper Arts.

I loved the colours over at ColourQ this week. I don't feel like I did them justice though. Then again, who else but Martha Stewart can make a bunch of stacked dishes look awesome?

Unfortunately, I don't have any Certainly Celery in my collection... I used Old Olive instead.

It's Your Birthday

 (CQC102 & PPA111)

No supplies were harmed in the making of this card!
Cardstock :: Whisper White (SU), Old Olive (SU), Tempting Turquoise (SU),

Basic Gray (SU), Poppy Parade (SU)

Paper :: Plaid from "All About Boys" series (DCWV)

Stamps :: "Its your birthday" (Hero Arts)

Ink :: Poppy Parade (SU)
Embellishments :: Honeydew twine (The Twinery)

Tools :: Balloon punch (MS), 1 1/2 Circle punch (Marvy), Dimensionals (SU)

I'm disappointed I didn't do something a little "extra" with that strip of Old Olive (like add a scallop edge or something). I blame post-pregnancy brain on that oversight! :)

-tb:oxo

Fear and Loathing in Renovations

It feels like I haven't made a card in ages. I've been in serious 'renovation' mode the last two weeks, and have had very little time or energy to sit down and do something!

Not to mention, my whole house has been in disarray and I couldn't find any supplies even if I wanted to :)

That all being said, our living room and dining room is COMPLETE! I will post about that at another time... Also, and even more importantly - A corner of our basement has been transformed into a little "craft" area for me (and the kids!). We purchased a new dining room set, and rather than get rid of the old one (that's ancient, but still rather functional), we moved it downstairs. After extending it as far as it goes, there's room enough for me and my little critter to stamp our hearts out.

This also means all HBo's crafts and supplies are out of the living room as well, making it more of a 'formal' entertaining area, while the basement can be used for "the mess".

So, being able to wait no more, last night I participated in two challenges! It's funny, I find the longer I go without making a card, the more 'rusty' I feel. I can't being to explain how incredibly liberating it was though having all my supplies in one spot, and having my hubby sitting beside me jamming on the guitar while I created.

Challenge #1: Pals Paper Arts had another fantastic colour combination for us this week. One I found incredibly striking, particularly since I just painted my entire main floor gray :)

Colours: Calypso Coral, Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray

I referenced the Paper Crafts "Card Ideas for Paper Crafters" magazine for the sketch. It's found on page 72, and is designed by Jessica Witty.

Cherish

 (PPA109)

No supplies were harmed in the making of this card!
Cardstock :: Basic Gray (SU), Calypso Coral (SU), Whisper White (SU)

Paper :: Riding Hood Red DSP (SU)
Stamps :: Lexicon of Love "Cherish" (SU), Kindness Matters "half doily thing" (SU)
Ink :: Riding Hood Red (SU)
Embellishments :: Brads
Tools :: Cuttlebug, Circles embossing edge

Finished Size :: 6 1/2" x 4"

 

Songs my husband played while I made this card ::

The Backyard Song - An original he wrote about our backyard :)
Going to Acapulco - Bob Dylan
Bobcaygeon - Tragically Hip
Free Fallin' - Tom Petty
Watching the Wheels Go Round - John Lennon
Simple Twist of Fate - Bob Dylan

Challenge #2: The Play Date Cafe had one of my favourite challenges - a splash of colour! I had a wedding card to make for a wedding next (omg! THIS) weekend, so decided to use the "splash of red" challenge for that. Unfortunately, it's likely we won't be attending this wedding, as baby #2 has yet to make an appearance...

Colours: Black, White, Red

I referenced the Paper Crafts "Card Ideas for Paper Crafters" magazine for the sketch. It's found on page 60, and is designed by Latisha Yoast.

Best Wishes

(PDCC97)

No supplies were harmed in the making of this card!
Cardstock :: Very Vanilla (SU), Damask and Polka Dot (Recollections)

Stamps :: Short & Sweet "Best Wishes" (SU)
Ink :: Riding Hood Red (SU)
Embellishments :: Butterfly and pearl dots
Tools :: Decorative Label Punch (SU), Dimensionals (SU)

Finished Size :: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4

Songs my husband played while I made this card :: 

Fade Out - Radiohead
Working Class Hero - John Lennon
Heroin - Lou Reed
Hotel California - The Eagles

Enjoying my renovated house and new craft space...

-tb:oxo

Soft and simple

I've got this compulsive habit of not being able to put back 1/2 a sheet of cardstock. It tends to work out in my favour though, because it means I generally make two cards at the same time. Sometimes, they are the exact same card, sometimes they use the same elements, sometimes they use the same style... Sometimes they aren't much alike at all!

Today's two, however, are very similar. All the same inks/colours were used, and they are for the same occasion (baby). I've been in a baby mood lately...

First off, the colours came from Play Date Cafe. Mint, Ivory and Coral. Naturally, this screamed baby - or wedding.

I chose baby :)

: Welcome Baby :
(PDCC96)

(See supplies list below)

The second card is still using the same colours - but was created with the Pals Paper Arts challenge in mind - Clean and Simple: "Soften the Edges". I often think of using my corner rounder, but rarely do it!

: Congratulations :
(PPA108)

No supplies were harmed in the making of these card!
Cardstock :: Very Vanilla (SU)
Paper :: An assortment of scraps.
Ink :: Sky Blue (SU)
Embellishments :: Pearl dots
Tools :: Scissors, 1 3/4" circle punch, corner rounder

Had an ultrasound today. Baby is measuring big, but he's so perfectly healthy. And my mom got here last night! A great day all around.

Waiting for our little ones arrival...

-tb:oxo

Ho! Ho! Ho! Hold on... it's still August.

I should have forewarned that today was going to be a post-heavy day.

To celebrate my last day of work, I made a bunch of cards. I basically used this evening as a 'catch-up' on all the challenges I've been wanting to participate in that I haven't yet! Earlier this evening, I posted my birthday cake card for the Play Date Cafe colour challenge. And now, I'm going to post a very 'traditional' Christmas card based on the Pals Paper Arts sketch (which I love so much!).

I say 'traditional', and I mean that in the sense that the it's green, white and red. Perhaps 'standard' would have been a better word?

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!
(PPA107)

No supplies were harmed in the making of this card!
Cardstock :: Whisper White (SU), Red
Paper :: Random xmas paper, white/red stripes
Ink :: Riding Hood Red (SU), Wild Wasabi (SU)
Stamps :: ?? can't remember :(
Embellishments :: !!ZERO!! ... I can't believe it ...
Tools :: Dimensionals (SU)

Today is the 1 year anniversary of my step-mother's passing. My thoughts are with my dad today.

-tb:oxo

Dress for Success? I have a hard time showering...

I'm incredibly fortunate in that my employer is allowing me to work from home for the last two weeks before I depart on maternity leave. I've been enjoying it immensely and am actually quite surprised at how much I can accomplish sitting in 'comfy' pants and a t-shirt.

Needless to say, this weeks Pals Paper Arts theme, "Dress for Success", kind of made me chuckle. I do get up every morning and shower, and even attempt at putting on clean clothes, but I'm certainly not getting fancy with my bad self!

Hopefully, their equation for success (1 piece of designer series paper, 1 punch and 1 sentiment) has held true for this card as well.

Very Merry, indeed

(PPA106)

Materials -
Paper :: Riding Hood Red designer series paper (SU)
Cardstock :: Crumb Cake (SU), White, Chocolate
Ink :: Chocolate Chip (SU), Riding Hood Red (SU)
Stamps :: "Very Merry" from the Short & Sweet set + "Dasher"
Etc :: Picot ribbon, Dazzling Diamond glitter (SU), Scalloped punch
*Blue items are my challenge requirements

I was SO excited to get my new "Dasher" the other day. I love that little guy... Also, I got to try out my new regals Designer Series Paper. I like feeling regal.

Already thinking about Christmas...

-tb:oxo

Combination Platter

Today, I combined two challenges into one. I figured I've been entering so many of these (what's this obsession all about, anyways? How can one get addicted so quickly?) that I should perhaps try and combine a colour challenge with a sketch challenge.

All day long at work I'm forced to think about efficiency. Perhaps it's that I just can't help myself but try and find the most effective way to complete two tasks by a given deadline ; )

Not that I find crafting to be a "task". Quite the contrary in fact. I enjoy myself immensely when I can sit and make a card.



Pals Paper Arts challenge is where the colours came from. I'm SO loving the Lucky Limeade (SUs new In Colour), and I find that it creeps up in so many of my cards (take a peek, you'll see!). PPA has also added in Island Indigo and Daffodil Delight (which I don't own, so I had to go generic for that one).





And then over at Mojo Monday, they have a lovely sketch that I followed. I had a hard time picking a sentiment for this card, so I decided to go with "Celebrate" since it's so very generic.

Celebrate
(PPA105)
(MOJO203)

Materials -
*Burgundy text is Stampin' Up! product line
Paper :: "Flight" from the Birdwatching Series by Recollections
Cardstock :: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, White, Yellow
Ink :: Island Indigo
Stamps :: "Celebrate" from the Lexicon of Love set
Etc :: Dimensionals, Kiwi Kiss ribbon, pearl dots


Time to reassemble my dining room and hide the scraps again...

-tb:oxo