What I Do Instead of Laundry

Hello, friends. Today's card is one I made to impress Claire (okay, to enter the contest to win her new stamp sets, released on Tuesday). She is simply amazing, and I am so excited for her new little one-woman company, Waltzingmouse Stamps . For the contest, she asked us to create something with our favorite stamp set and use the color green. Since my favorite set is PTI's Friends 'Til the End, I thought a green background would be more appropriate than a green flower. I do love this set, and I don't even mind cutting it out. Paper: PTI Bitty Dot patterned (Spring Moss), Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, SU Garden Green Ink: Versamark, SU Garden Green, Chocolate chip marker Stamps: PTI Friends 'Til the End Other: Filigree white embossing powder, dimensional tape

This month's Papertrey Blog Hop involves recycling some of the packaging which lovingly wraps Papertrey goodies. I can't think of any other mail-order company that takes as much pride in their shipping as PTI. There is cardboard to prevent cardstock corners from bending, tissue-wrapped stamp sets, and extra newsprint paper for filling in the gaps in the box. I chose to use that newsprint here on my card. I dream of beaches with white sand like this... I cased myself, but I really like paper piecing with this umbrella. Enjoy! Paper: PTI Spring Rain, PTI newsprint (packaging), sei (patterned) Ink: Versafine Onyx, PTI Fresh Snow Stamps: PTI Scattered Showers, Green Thumb (pole) and the little birdie from Birds of a Feather's signature stamp

Here is a little one-layer card that I duplicated several times--a set for myself, I suppose. I needed to write all kinds of thank-you notes for dear friends and family and their hospitality while on our vacation this summer. I love this stamp set, but sometimes I am stumped by it. I think this turned out nicely, though. Just a little masking on the large flower and vine and my favorite pink combination--Sweet Blush (new formula is fantastic!) and Berry Sorbet. Paper: PTI White Ink: PTI Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, SU Certainly Celery Stamps: PTI Flower Garden, Rustic Branches

Alright, ladies...It's my turn for a challenge (nevermind the fact that I should have posted this last week--oops!). This one was born out of necessity, as I often find myself low on supplies. Your challenge is to use any colors EXCEPT white or cream (not even ink or ribbon--or anything else white or cream). This summer I was saving up to make a PTI order, and I watched as my precious white cardstock dwindled away. I had to think of alternate ideas, and it was helpful for me to think outside my white box. Good luck, and I'm excited to see what you create. This card uses Borders & Corners Monogram Edition on Kraft for the background and clear embossing on the sentiment. I have trouble with masculine cards, but I think this turned out pretty well. Paper: PTI Enchanted Evening, Kraft Ink: Versamark, PTI Enchanted Evening, SU Real Red, Garden Green Stamps: PTI Birthday Basics, B&C Monogram Ed. Other: PTI Pure Poppy Twill

I'm back to some semblance of order now...School started on Tuesday, so I actually have a little quiet time while my 2-YO is napping. The rest of them are at school full-day. That's right--FIVE kids are gone until at least 3:00. No kindergarten or preschool jail this year (you know, the have-to-be-back-by-noon craziness)! Hip Hip Hooray! So here's a card I made a while ago. It's actually one of a set that I made for someone, then I decided to completely redo her gift. These sat in my drawer for a few months, and when I looked at them again, I liked them. The flower is traced from a Maya Road flower, a hole punched, and ribbon tied in a knot through the hole. Enjoy! Paper: PTI White, Berry Sorbet, SU Cool Carribbean Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, SU Cool Carribbean Stamps: PTI Polka Dot Basics, SU Seeing Spots Other: SU So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Maya Road flower (as a template)