And now it's complete!

I've been searching for the perfect solution for an empty/awkward corner in my house for a very (very) long time... Like, since we moved in three years ago.

We've gone through many 'options'. An extra chair, a rustic bench, a huge vase that held our branches and feathers from our wedding tree, a mirror, and of course the random stuff that piles in corners if there is nothing else there to prevent it from piling up.

Nothing suited.


Until, that is, I found this table! I made it my weekend mission to fill that space and make it something welcoming (it's really the first spot you see when you walk into our house).

The table, believe it or not, is from IKEA. I really hadn't wanted another piece of IKEA furniture - I went to HomeSense, Pier 1 Imports, Winners, and Home Outfitters before I finally gave up and battled the Saturday IKEA crowd. Glad I did though.

So happy to have this checked off "The List"...

-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

Mmmm summer

I love summer - more-so when I'm not 9 months pregnant - but that aside, I love summer.

That's why this week's challenge colours at Play Date Cafe made me really happy! We have a plethora of summer birthdays in this family, so that's where I went with this card. Summer + Birthdays = super awesome.

Wish Big Summer Baby!
(PDCC93)

Materials -
*Burgundy text is Stampin' Up! product line
Paper :: Anne Griffin
Cardstock :: Lucky Limeade, White, Pink
Ink :: Lucky Limeade
Stamps :: "Wish Big" from the Short & Sweet set
Etc :: Dimensionals, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch,
corner rounder, $1 ribbon, brads

This is my first time playing along at Play Date Cafe... but I'm pretty confident it's not going to be my last. I stuck up their badge on my blog to encourage me to play each week. :)

Looking forward to seeing what's next...

-tb:oxo

ColourQ Challenge

After seeing this week's colour palette at ColourQ, I simply could not resist! In fact, I loved the colour combination so much, I briefly considered changing the style of our bedroom... again ;)

I think my desire to constantly change the decor/layout/theme of the rooms in my house is either a Capricorn thing, or I just love colour so much I can't commit to just one combination!

Although I had tons of fun working with the colours in the challenege, I'm forced to wonder, am I in a cardmaking slump? I'm not 100% proud of this card. I think it's the weird dimensions (4" x 9"!)... I might try again tonight using a more "normal" sized card and see what I come up with. Then again, maybe not!

We may have some friends coming by tonight for a couple games of Euchre! And it's been quite some time since we've hung out with these fine folks, or played Euchre. I'll still be playing around with 'cards', just a different variety :)

Best Wishes
*I love the "Short & Sweet" stamp set*

(cQc #96)

How about another view?

Materials -

*Burgundy text is Stampin' Up! product line
Paper :: ?? Can't remember...
Cardstock :: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, White, Gray
Ink :: Island Indigo, Kiwi Kiss
Stamps :: "Best Wishes" + Blossom from the Short & Sweet set
Etc :: Dimensionals, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Circle punch, corner rounder, Pearls, $1 ribbon, brads, multi-sized flowers from dollar store...

Wowza, I feel like I used a lot more than I needed to for this card! However, while at Michael's the other day, I scoured their $1 ribbon bin and found some pretty cute ribbons. This particular one matched perfectly with the challenge colours, so I was pretty amazed with myself and my foresight in that purchase. Indeed, my psychic abilities are astounding.

Off to clean my house...

-tb:oxo

Le Sigh - A Lesson in Mediocrity

Sometimes things just don't work out, you know? And what can you do about it other than learn?

Is this card a disaster? No, I don't think so... But it's not one of my favourites by any means. Regardless, I will post it and chalk it up to a lesson learned.

Lesson = Sometimes I'll make a card that doesn't meet my own standards, but I should accept that and keep moving on.

Birthday Card for a lovely caregiver (Thought her birthday was this Sunday, turns out it's not for another month! I guess I have to thank Facebook for that one!):

Materials -
*Burgundy text is Stampin' Up! product line
Paper :: "Maddi Paisley" by MakingMemories
Cardstock :: Pink & White - random
Ink :: Groovy Guava
Stamps :: "Wish Big" from the Short & Sweet set, and "All in the Family" set
Etc :: Pearls, Taffeta ribbon, Dimensionals, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch

I've recently discovered my love for "challenges"! It's weird, normally I don't like to relinquish control over creativity, but at the same time, sometimes I'm overwhelmed by my options. Having a particular challenge to fulfill keeps me focused and 'on task'.

I think I might try my hand at this ColourQ challenge. Beautiful combination, eh?

I will have to consult my August card list and see if I need anything that this colour combination would fit appropriately. (wedding, perhaps?)

Thinking about it...

-tb:oxo

A Mojo Monday Challenge

I'm all about "firsts" these days! and in keeping with the uncomfortableness of stepping outside of my "own little world", I have decided not only to do the Mojo Monday challenge, but actually submit it.

Look at me grow.

I saw the sketch, and I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with it - until, that is, I noticed (out of my exceptional amazing peripheral vision) this robot paper I had bought ages ago to do something for my son. With his birthday coming up, I knew it was good timing!

Celebrate my son, celebrate like it's your last days as an 'only child' :)

(MOJO202)

Materials -
*Burgundy text is Stampin' Up! product line
Paper :: "Blast Off" from the 'Rockets 'N' Sprockets' set by Recollections
Cardstock :: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Kiwi Kiss
Ink :: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Kiwi Kiss
Stamps :: "Celebrate" from the Lexicon of Love set
Etc :: Dimensionals, Kiwi Kiss ribbon

Now, on with the rest of my August birthday list cards!

August Card List:
1. Step-dad's birthday
2. Hunter's birthday
3. Wedding
4. Birth announcements for our baby (due Sept 8)
5. Birthday "Thank You" cards for my sons b-day party guests.

Enjoying the sun...

-tb:xox

Baby "Thank You"s

Last week I attended another card class. I have to say, I never thought I would be going into strangers houses and sitting down to make cards. Surprisingly, I find it incredibly enjoyable spending time with like-minded individuals, regardless how little I know them! :) Luckily for me, the lovely AP accompanied me again. These things are always better with a good friend.

So, I think it's fair to say that I'm in it for the long haul. I love making cards. I can't stop! I even dream about stamping! The other night I had a dream that I couldn't make my mind up about which stamp set to buy next, and when I finally placed my order and went home, I felt so disappointed that I didn't get a different set. So, I called up the demonstrator and bought 1 of everything. If only!!

My husband has been having stamping dreams as well, only he calls them "nightmares". He had a dream that I was hosting a workshop at our house, and after 2 people had arrived, there was a work crisis and I needed to step out of the house for a minute. As soon as I left, 300 people showed up with beer and various other types of alcohol and trashed our house! hahaha...

Anyway...

Baby Thank You Card (I made two identical cards):

Materials -
*Burgundy text is Stampin' Up! product line
Paper :: "Polka Dots on Text" by K&Company
Cardstock :: Pool Party, Brown and Cream (both cheapo stock)
Ink :: Chocolate Chip and Pool Party
Stamps :: "Thank You" and Diaper Pin from the Short & Sweet set
Etc :: Scalloped Oval Punch, Large oval Punch, Dimensionals

Quite clearly, I don't own very many stamp sets - If it seems like I use the Short & Sweet set a lot, it's because I do... ; ) If only my dream were true and I could add some variety to my sentiments!

Always dreaming...

-tb:oxo