My Favorite Things

Scattered Showers Revisited

Hello there, Dearies!!  I'm so happy to be chatting with you again today.  Bartley and I are home from our romantic London & Paris trip, we've enjoyed a relaxing Memorial Day holiday weekend and now we're settling back into our regular routines around here.  It's so wonderful to travel and discover new sights and sounds and foods and.....just to enjoy new experiences as we spend time together.  But in the end, there's just no place like home.  (And I'm not just saying that because we live in Kansas!  Ha.)  We're grateful to have gone on such a wonderful trip but we're also extremely grateful to be home.  

All that being said, I know that some of you are probably already looking forward to peeking at our trip photos.  Let me just tell you that I took just over 600 photos, so it will probably take me a bit to sort thru them all and get them edited and uploaded to share with you here.  So bare with me as I work thru that process as time allows.  As you know, it's almost time for the Papertrey Countdown to start up again and I've got several work items on the agenda before that begins so we'll just see how fast I can get the pictures ready.  Don't you worry though.  You can be sure that I'll share them here as soon as I can!  I haven't even uploaded them to the computer yet, but honestly, I'm pretty excited to see them again myself!  ;)

As for today, it's the first of JUNE!  How the heck did that happen?  Wasn't it just February the other day?!  It's full-on summer here now.  I sat outside yesterday to eat my lunch and was HOT by the time I came in.  You won't hear me complaining about that heat though -- it was cold and windy a lot of the time we were in London and Paris, so I'm thoroughly enjoying this warm weather!  My flip-flopped feet are lovin' life.  :)

Along with the first of June, comes the next Senior Design Team Challenge at Papertrey Ink.  This month, Nichole has given us another fun challenge.....we're pulling out our Scattered Showers and Scattered Showers Additions stamp sets and having a bit of fun with them again.  They've been such popular stamp sets since they were released back in 2009.  I had no idea when I designed them, how much you all would grow to love them!  It's been wonderful to see you embrace these sets and use them on so many projects of your own!  So if you've already got the Scattered Showers sets, then perhaps you'll gain a bit of new inspiration today, to pull them out and use them again.  And if you don't have them yet, then maybe you'll decide you need to add them to your wish list!  *wink*

For my card today, I decided to go the less obvious route and use one of those umbrellas in a much more unconventional way!  Let's get right to the details of the project, shall we?

I started out with an aqua mist card stock base and I used my new Cane Print impression plate on the background.  I must say, I'm still loving that impression plate so much!  The impressions are deep and clear and the pattern just goes with so darn much!

In the upper right corner of the card, I added a little sentiment strip of rustic cream card stock that was stamped with the, "Cheer up, Buttercup" sentiment from Scattered Showers.  I just love that sentiment.  Some simple machine stitching added a bit of detail.

Now for the fun focal point.  Are you still looking at the card, trying to figure out where the umbrella image is?!  It's there....I promise.  If you look closely at the red "square" layer in the back, that is actually an umbrella top, stamped four times with the tops facing each other to create a scalloped square.  Look at the corners, and you can see where the umbrellas overlap just a bit.  Cutting the square out provided the perfect back layer for a fun flower!

Next, I added a raspberry fizz card stock layer that was die cut with a limitless layers: 1 3/4" circle die.  After that is a rustic cream scalloped layer that was die cut with a beautiful blooms II die and stamped with the "sun" image from Scattered Showers Additions.  I love the detail the sun image provided as the flower's center!  Topping it off are a couple of buttons -- one raspberry fizz and one pure poppy, stitched together with a bit of rustic cream button twine.  A few kraft leaves are tucked in here and there -- they were die cut with one of the leaf prints dies.

 

I wanted to further add to the overall sentiment, so I added a strip of rustic cream card stock along the bottom of the card that was stamped with the "this too shall pass" sentiment from Scattered Showers Additions, which works perfectly with the "cheer up" at the top of the card.  The cream layer was die cut with an Edgers #3 die.  A thin strip of hawaiian shores card stock was stitched just under the flower for a bit of added detail.

I hope you've been inspired to pull out your own Scattered Showers stamp sets and get a bit inky!  Be sure to visit Nichole Heady and the Senior Design Team girls today, for lots more inspiration!

Lisa Johnson
Betsy Veldman
Heather Nichols
Mish Wooderson

Thanks for visiting me today.  I hope you are having a wonderful week!

much love, 

 

{Cheer up, Buttercup supplies}
Paper: rustic cream, kraft, aqua mist, raspberry fizz, hawaiian shores
Stamps: Scattered Showers, Scattered Showers Additions
Ink: pure poppy, raspberry fizz
Other: Cane Print impression plate, Edgers #3 die, leaf prints die, limitless layers: 1 3/4" circle die, beautiful blooms II die, raspberry fizz & pure poppy buttons, rustic cream button twine, sewing machine/thread

Papertrey Ink-May Release - Adventure Awaits

Hi there!  Happy Memorial Day to my US friends!  It's a Monday holiday here which means that Bartley has the day off -- woohoo!  I love Monday holidays.  :)

I've got one more May Release project to share with you -- this one highlighting the Road Trip stamp set by Heather Nichols.

 

I made this card for Bartley.....gave it to him a couple days before we headed out on vacation!  

Whatever you do with your Monday, whether it's a holiday where you are or not, I wish you a fabulous day....maybe even with a bit of adventure thrown in for good measure!

Smooches,

{Adventure Awaits supplies}
Paper: vintage cream, kraft, it's official
Stamps: Road Trip
Ink: smokey shadow, berry sorbet, pure poppy
Other: Edgers #3 die, Cane Print Impression Plate, limitless layers: 1.75" circle dies

Papertrey Ink-May Release - Thank You!

Hello, Dearies....how are you today?  I hope you're doing well.  

I wanted to pop in and share another May Release project with you today.....this one focusing on Flower Fusion #4 and the coordinating die by Melissa Bickford.

The pinked-edge die from the button card die collection was perfect for layering pretty patterned papers behind each cheery little flower.  The leaves were just hand cut from simply chartreuse felt.  Simple, but super colorful and fun too!

Have a great Sunday, Everyone!

{Thank You! supplies}
Paper: stamper's select white, berry sorbet, hawaiian shores, new leaf, summer sunrise, 2009 Bitty Dot Basics, It's Official, Distressed Dots
Stamps: Flower Fusion #4
Ink: versamark, dark chocolate
Other: flower fusion #4 die, button card die, simply chartreuse felt, rhinestones

Papertrey Ink-May Release - God Bless America

Hi there!  Happy Saturday to you....

Today's May Release project highlights the new est. 1776 stamp set by Tiffany Pastor.

I also worked in some Background Basics: Newsprint for a fun twist.  I love how the vintage newspaper look works with the distressed Americana images.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend, Peeps!  

Chat soon,

{God Bless America supplies}
Paper: vintage cream, kraft, enchanted evening
Stamps: est. 1776, Background Basics: Newsprint
Ink: smokey shadow, enchanted evening, pure poppy, vintage touch tea dye
Other: mat stack 3 die

Doily Garland

Hey there!

I have a really fun and SUPER easy tutorial to share with you today, for how to make a doily garland!  You can use it to dress up your crafty space, a kids room, fireplace mantle, hang it across the windows in a baby room, or even across a dining room hutch.....really, you can make this little garland work for just about any room in the house, just by the colors of papers you choose for the garland!  I made one for my Grandma's room at the nursing home and she just loves it!  

A while back, a sweet blog reader sent me a link to this adorable doily mobile tutorial using fabric, over at the Tatertots & Jello blog.  (Thanks, Melissa!)  I thought the mobile was adorable, but given the fact that I don't have any babies in the house :) I don't really need to make a mobile.  However, it got me to thinking about how much fun it would be to adapt the project a bit and instead, create a doily garland and instead of using fabric, I could use some colorful patterned papers.  That, my friends, is precisely how this project came about!  Thru a little bit of toying and tweaking, I've put together a quick and easy tutorial that you can use to whip up your own doily garlands in no time flat!

To get started, I die cut 15 white paper doilies from stamper's select white card stock using the Parisian Lace doily die.  

Next, I used the Limitless Layers: 2 1/2" circle die to cut out 10 patterned paper circles.

I adhered one patterned paper circle to each of 10 doilies.  This should leave you 5 extra doilies that will serve as the backs of each little hanging doily.

Next, you'll want to score each of the 10 patterned papered doily right down the middle and fold it over.

Now, you can adhere one folded-in-half doily to one side of a blank/flat doily, and then adhere another folded-in-half doily right next to it, on the other side of the blank doily.

Once you've got all of your doilies adhered together, all that's left to do is to string them up on a bit of baker's twine!  You can finish off the twine by tying a bow at each end and obviously you can add more or less doilies to the twine as needed, to fit your own space.

You could also easily add further embellishments to your doilies if you'd like, such as a sweet little butterfly or flower here and there, or you could keep them simple like I've done here.  This would even be a great project to work on together with your kiddos!

I took this little doily garland to my Grandma, who lives in a nursing home, and it looks so cute hanging on her wall.  I love the bright pops of color!

 

I hope you've been inspired to create your own little doily garland!  

Thanks for stopping by, friends......hope you're having a wonderful week!

{Doily Garland supplies}
Paper: stamper's select white, 2009 Bitty Dot Basics, In Bloom, Sweet Symphony, Green Boutique, Distressed Dots
Other: Parisian Lace doily die, limitless layers: 2 1/2" circle die, chocolate baker's twine

Papertrey Ink-May Release - A Note of Thanks

Hey-oh.....

Back with another May Release project to share with you today.  This time, we're focusing on the new Wildflower Garden stamp set by Heather Nichols.  I couldn't resist pairing the flower stamps with the new picket fence die.  A match made in Heaven!

A few rhinestones were added to each flower for a bit of accent.

And notice the woodgrain pattern on the fence?  Stamped with Background Basics: Woodgrain using vintage touch tea dye ink!  LOVE!

Wishing you a wonderful day,

{A Note of Thanks supplies}
Paper: vintage cream, kraft, ripe avocado
Stamps: Wildflower Garden, Background Basics: Woodgrain
Ink: ripe avocado, raspberry fizz, pure poppy, vintage touch tea dye
Other: picket fence die, pink & red rhinestones

Papertrey Ink-May Release - God Is Our Refuge

Hello,

Today's May Release card showcases the new Beautiful Blessings stamp set, designed by Nichole Heady.  I love how this card turned out. 

I used the new seed packet frame die to create a pop-up frame that surrounds the scripture from Beautiful Blessings.  Of course, the pretty frame stamp is from the new Garden Variety stamp set.  

The little flower & leaves combo at the top of the frame, in conjunction with the looped ribbon were the perfect little finishing touches.  Goodness, what did we do before we had so many different die options?!  Haha.  I think I use them on just about everything these days.  

Hope your week is going well!

Toodles,

{God is Our Refuge supplies}
Paper: rustic cream, aqua mist, dark chocolate, 2009 Bitty Dot Basics
Stamps: Beautiful Blessings, Garden Variety
Ink: dark chocolate
Other: seed packet label die, beautiful blooms II die, turning a new leaf die, aqua mist classic grosgrain ribbon, aqua mist button, rustic jute button twine

Papertrey Ink-May Release - Celebrate Today

Hey there, 

So today's May Release card features Tag-Its #4 by Heather Nichols.  I mentioned the other day that our twin nieces are graduating this year and the card I showed you on Sunday is the card I made for one niece, and this is the card I made for our other niece.

I used my sheet music impression plate on the background and used the new seed packet die -- this time, horizontally -- to create another little money holder on the card front.....the perfect place to tuck a graduation gift.  Let's face it -- every graduate can use cash, right?  :)

I also used the Boy Basics: Rock On stamp set and die, to add an electric guitar to C's card to make it a little more personal for her.  

The "Celebrate today" sentiment is from the new Think Big Favorites #4 stamp set and was heat embossed for the perfect finishing touch.

That's it for me today.

Have a goodie!

{Celebrate Today supplies}
Paper: stamper's select white, new leaf, simply chartreuse, ripe avocado, hawaiian shores
Stamps: Tag-Its #4, Think Big Favorites #4, Boy Basics: Rock On
Ink: hawaiian shores, ripe avocado, versamark
Other: seed packet die, rock on die, sheet music impression plate, limitless layers: 1.75" circles dies, 1" circle punch, clear embossing powder, rhinestones

Make It Monday - With Heartfelt Sympathy

Hi there!

Happy Monday to you.  Just wanted to give you a head's up that this week's Make It Monday Video over at Nichole Heady's blog is one that I put together for you, all about making sympathy cards.  I've incorporated a few suggestions to keep in mind when making your own sympathy cards.  I know that's a subject that is sometimes difficult for crafters to know just how to approach, so I created a sympathy card to share with you in the video, and included a few tips for you as well.  I hope it helps you, going forward, as you create sympathy cards down the road.

 

 

We'd love for you to play along in this week's Make It Monday Challenge!!  If you want to play along, simply create a sympathy card and head over to Nichole's blog where you can add a link to your project!  I'd love to see what you come up with!

And don't forget that those of you that play along with the challenge will be entered to win a free Papertrey stamp set of your choice!!  Wouldn't it be nice to get one of those stamp sets on your wish list.....for FREE?!  :)

Have a fantastic week, Dearies...

P.S.  A complete supply list for this card can be found at the end of the video!

Papertrey Ink-May Release Project - Hooray For You

Hi-ya...

Just popping in to show you the first of my May Release projects for Papertrey Ink.  This card features Wonderful Words Additions and one of the coordinating Wonderful Words dies.  

I also used the new seed packet die to create a little money holder....the perfect place to tuck a gift for a graduate!  

We have twin nieces that are graduating this month, and this is the card I created for one of them!

As you can see, I also used the new Tag-Its #4 stamp set for the adorable circle label.  Love how well everything works together here.

Chat with you soon.

Have a goodie, Friends!

{Hooray For You supplies}
Paper: vintage cream, kraft, simply chartreuse, orange zest, distressed dots, in bloom
Stamps: Wonderful Words Additions, Tag-Its #4, Turning a New Leaf
Ink: dark chocolate, orange zest, summer sunrise, versamark
Other: Wonderful Words die, seed packet die, turning a new leaf die, limitless layers: 1.75" circle dies, limitless layers: 2.5" circle die, medium scalloped border die, summer sunrise buttons, pinking sheers, 3/4" circle punch