Thank you BERRY much!

Hello there!
Just a super quick post to share the goodies that I put together for the boys' teachers for the end of the school year. Summer break starts tomorrow! :) Inspired by something I saw on Pinterest, I ordered these cute ceramic berry baskets from Sur La Table, and filled them with Strawberry scented goodies from Bath and Body Works along with some cute strawberry shaped drink coasters. I jazzed up a little chalkboard garden stake with PTI's Strawberry Patch & Strawberry Patch Sentiments sets and coordinating dies, and sent along matching cards for each of the teachers.

I just took a super quick picture before the sun went down, as I was packing them up last night.





And here is a picture of the cards - showcased this one on my blog a few weeks back :)



That's all for now... off to get some things done on my last kid-free day until August! :)

Flower Pot Pen Holder

Today I am sharing with you another project for the Sweet Stamp Shop Design Team call.



I am so excited about how this project turned out. I must reinforce once again, my love for the Target Dollar Spot. While shopping the other day, I came across some adorable mushroom pens for $1 each. Normally I would never be drawn to mushroom anything, but immediately, I thought about my Gnomies stamp set and knew what I wanted to make - a pen holder.



I used a small terracotta pot and added a handful of cotton balls to the inside. Styrofoam would probably work, but I was worried about damaging the pens. They are styrofoam themselves. The cotton balls hold them upright with no problem. I stamped each of the Gnomies and colored them, then cut them out and adhered them to a toothpick. I added a layer of moss to the top, and stuck everything in. Finally I added a raffia bow and a tiny mushroom tag using PTI's Tiny Tags die.

Here are some more pictures:





Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Stamp Shop Gnomies
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Tea Dye Duo
Paper: PTI Stamper Select White
Dies: PTI Tiny Tags
Other: Copic Markers, Toothpicks, Terracotta pot, artifical moss, Mushroom Pens (Target), Raffia, PTI Pure Poppy Twine

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge - Entry #3

I have had some extra crafty time lately, and I am loving it! :) Do you ever pick up cheap odds and ends with no real purpose in mind, and then tuck them away for a rainy day? Well, it has been pretty rainy here in Florida, and often too hot to go outside (when is fall coming to Florida?!?!) so I have been hybernating in my craft room, and loving every minute of it.

Anyway, back to cheap odds and ends... I LOVE the Target Dollar Spot. A long while back, I picked up a few of these large plastic clothespins for a buck. I believe they still have wooden ones in the frames section of Target, but they are about $6. I have been trying to challenge myself to make something other than cards, so when I came across the giant clothespin that I had hidden, the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge came to mind. The inspiration photo is of a baby onesie held on a line with clothespins. I took one of my favorite pictures of my hunky husband and I, printed it in black and white, and altered the clothespin using the Perptual Bliss stamp set.

I have it sitting on my shelf in my craft room :)





Supplies:
Stamps: Paper Smooches Perpetual Bliss, Falling for You, Spiffy Scooters (tiny heart)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Papertrey Ink Sweet Blush, New Leaf, Hibiscus Burst
Dies: PTI Limitless Layers 1.75", Double Ended Banner Die
Other: Copic Markers, Sakura Stardust Pen, Striped Ribbon & Clothespin (Target Dollar Spot)

Welcome Baby Jackson Conner!

I was married very young, and became a mom about a year after we were married, but alot of my friends are just now getting married and starting their families. One of my dearest friends just had her first baby, Jackson Conner. Little Jackson is definately a perfect little miracle baby. Jacque, my BFF, had 3 miscarriages before she was blessed with Baby J. He is perfect and healthy and definately getting his share of love from his elated family! They still live at home in PA, and I am here in Florida, but I have plans to go home to meet him before the snow starts falling up there! ;)

I made a name picture like this for my nephew, Malakai. Jackson's room is also done in a jungle theme, so I thought he needed one too. We didn't know until he was born that he was a boy, and Jacque and Mike kept his name a secret too which I think is so cool.





And of course, no present is complete without a card. I got to use my PTI Hanging Out stamp set. SO fun! :)



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):

Framed Print:
Stamps: Outline Alphabet, Tiny Treats: Birthday, Merry Little Christmas
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, Orange Zest, Terracotta Tile
Paper: Stampers Select White
Other: Copic Markers

Card:
Stamps: Hanging Out, Been Boo'd
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides
Paper: Stampers Select White, Ocean Tides, Road Trip PP
Other: Hanging Out die, Pop-Dots, Chocolate Bakers Twine

Back to School Treat Jars

Back again with another project using the MIM Glitter Window techique at PTI this week. After seeing the cute treat jars that my buddy Ted made for his coworkers, I wanted to make some for the boys' teachers. We go to "Meet the Teacher Day" at school next week and they will be able to give these to their new teachers then. I haven't gotten the candy yet, so just pretend it's in there. LOL!



And here is a close up of the cards that I made using the Lunchbox Note die, the Apple die and stamp set , and the Glitter Window Technique.



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Fruit Fusion: Apple, Polkadot Basics, Vintage Picnic
Ink: Pure Poppy, Memento Rich Cocoa, Versamark
Paper: Rustic Cream, Pure Poppy, Simply Chartruese, Distressed Dots
Dies: Lunchbox Note, Apple, Limitless Layers 1.75"
Other: Copic Markers, Clear Packing Tape, Prisma Glitter, Pure Poppy Bakers Twine, Tinery Honeydew Twine, Hole Punch

Recipe Box

Awhile back, my sister hinted about wanting a recipe box, so for her birthday, I made her one. Thanks to my friend Michele, I was able to borrow Papertrey Ink's Recipe Box stamp set, and I am so thrilled with the results. I also used PTI's Friendship Jar Fillers to make a tag for the front, along with the Tag Sale #4 die.

The interior divider cards are cut from cardstock and patterened paper, but I used the Limitless Layers dies as well. For the recipe cards, I used ruled 4x6" index cards which I stamped using the Recipe Box stamp set as well. Her kitchen is done in black, white and bright green, with lots of damask prints so I chose patterned paper to coordinate. The tin itself was plain white, and metal. I got it at Michael's awhile back and used spray craft adhesive to adhere the patterned paper to the inside and outside.

I gave it to her yesterday and she was THRILLED. I just love when homemade gifts are well received! :)

Here are some pics!














Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Recipe Box, Recipe Box Label, Friendship Jar Filler
Paper: Stampers Select White, Simply Chartreuse, Patterned Paper from Michael's
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tea Dye Duo
Dies: Tag Sale #4, Limitless Layers 1.75"
Other: Simply Chartruese Dot, True Black Grosgrain, and other miscellaneous ribbons, Copic Markers, Elmers Spray Adhesive, 1.75" circle punch, Simply Chartreuse Button, 4x6" ruled index cards

Home Decor with Papertrey Ink

I have been wanting to make one of the 7 Gypsies printers trays for the longest time, and I figured that since my mom's newest grandson has finally arrived, it was time. My mom's birthday is Wednesday, but we celebrated yesterday and I gave her her gifts, so it's safe to share on my blog now. I am very pleased with how it turned out, and she loved it. I used My Mind's Eye Gertie papers, and a bunch of different Papertray Ink Stamps and other products. I will share closeups of each opening, with the supply list for each listed under each picture.



My nephew Malakai, 2 weeks old:


Supplies used:
Paper: MME Gertie PP, Dark Chocolate CS, Rustic Cream
Stamps: Merry Little Christmas, Little Bitty Bird
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Tea Dye Duo, Ripe Avocado, Berry Sorbet
Dies: Tiny Tags,
Other: Chocolate Bakers Twine, Pop Dots


My sisters and I:



Supplies used:
Paper: MME Gertie PP, Rustic Cream
Stamps: Fillable Frames #10, Garden Variety
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Tea Dye Duo, , Berry Sorbet
Dies: Fillable Frames #10, Edgers #2, Butterfly, Signature Series Butterfly
Other: Berry Sorbet Satin Ribbon, Scor-tape

My boys:



Supplies used:
Paper: MME Gertie PP, Spring Moss CS, Dark Chocolate CS, Coasterboard
Stamps: Button Boutique, Little Bitty Bird
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Tea Dye Duo
Dies: Double Ended Banner, Button Card, Buttoned Up #2, Love Lives Here
Other: Rustic Jute Twine, Pop Dots

My boys:



Supplies used:
Paper: MME Gertie PP, Hawaiian Shores, Rustic Cream
Stamps: Garden Variety, Flower Fusion #3, Label Basics
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Tea Dye Duo, Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet, Ripe Avocado, Smokey Shadow
Dies: Angled Labels, Garden Variety, Flower Fusion #3
Other: Rhinestone, Pop Dots

All three of my mom's grandsons:



Supplies used:
Paper: MME Gertie PP, Berry Sorbet, Kraft CS
Stamps: Little Bitty Bird, Tiny Tags, Botanical Silhouettes
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Tea Dye Duo, Ripe Avocado, Berry Sorbet
Dies: Tiny Tags, Fence, Little Bitty Bird
Other: Rustic Jute Twine, Pop Dots

My newphew Malakai:



Supplies used:
Paper: MME Gertie PP, Hawaiian Shores, Rustic Cream
Stamps: Tag Its #2
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Tea Dye Duo, Ripe Avocado, Berry Sorbet
Other: Rustic Jute Twine, Pop Dots, 1.75" circle punch

And finally, a matching Birthday Card:



Supplies used:
Paper: MME Gertie PP, Rustic Cream, Kraft CS, Berry Sorbet
Stamps: Honey Bees, Big Birthday Wishes, Tag Its #1
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Tea Dye Duo, Ripe Avocado, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise, Scarlet Jewel, Hawaiian Shores
Dies: Fence, By Numbers, Tiny Tags
Other: Rustic Jute Twine

Papertrey Ink May Blog Hop

It's that time again! Time for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!

May is the month when many flowers finally go into full bloom after a long winter's sleep. For the blog hop this month we want to see your favorite take on flowers. You can stamp backgrounds, create custom floral embellishments, showcase unique flower center additions (buttons, rhinestones, beads, etc...), flowers die-cut from different materials (like fabric, felt, vellum, etc...) or anything else you can dream up! We are looking forward to seeing all of your amazing creations!

This month, there were several great flower and garden sets released, just when I needed them! For the end of the year gifts for my sons' teachers, I decided to make gardening buckets. I started gathering the content several months back, and was so excited to see garden themed stamps this month! They arrived on my doorstep just yesterday, and I had to dig right in!

Using Label Basics , Garden Variety and a few sentiments from The Year of Flowers Collection, these buckets went together pretty easily and were SO fun to make. I am thrilled with the results and can't wait to share them with you!

I did each bucket in a different color scheme. One is pink and yellow, and the other is orange and green. Both have the same contents - a garden shovel, garden rake, gardening gloves, a bag of wildflower seeds, and a wooden birdhouse stake. I have made the birdhouses before, and you can see that post here. To make all of the tags, I used Label Basics and coordinating dies. Each tag has a diecut using the Garden Variety dies. They are so adorable!! I added some shredding paper as filler, and made a tag for the front of each bucket that says "Thank you for helping me grow!" handwritten by each of the boys.

For Logan's teacher:









For Joshua's teacher:










Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Label Basics, Garden Variety, Year of Flowers Collection, Little Bitty Bird
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Berry Sorbet, Orange Zest, Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz, Palette French Lilac
Paper: Rustic Cream
Dies: Label Basics Angled Labels & Rectangle Labels, Garden Variety, Tag Sale #4, Little Bitty Bird
Ribbon: Berry Sorbet Satin, Orange Zest Satin, Rustic Jute Twine
Other: Copic Markers, Paper Shred, Pop Dots, Wooden Birdhouse and Garden Tools (Target)

Mother's Day Presents for my Mom!

Happy Mother's Day Mom! We love you so very much!

One of my favorite pictures of my mom and my boys:


My mom knows by now that she can expect handmade goodies from me for special occasions. LOL! I got her a Lilac scented candle from Bath and Body Works. Along with that, I made a few things. The other day, I was walking through Walmart of all places, and came across a this large mason jar with a butterfly inside. I picked it up, played with it, and put it back. But I couldn't stop thinking about it so I went back and got one for Mom. It is the coolest thing. The butterfly is not real, but it sure looks it. It is battery operated, and on a very fine wire. When you tap the lid of the jar, the butterfly moves. Depending on how many times you tap it, it will either open and close its wings, or flitter around the jar. Even the noise it makes sounds so real! It is so relaxing to watch, and sometimes, I even forget that it's not real ;) I plan to go back and get one for myself to put on my desk because I could look at it all day long. It had a gold lid with the words "butterfly collection" printed on the top. I didn't like it, so I added some fabric, raffia, and a tag using PTI's Friendship Jar and Butterfly Dreams.



Along with that, I made her a framed home decor piece. It was inspired by this beautiful card by Nerina. I used PTI's Love Lives Here and Bitty Background Blocks and corresponding dies. It is 5"x5" square.






Supplies (All PTI unless noted):

Butterfly Jar
Stamps: Tag Its #3, Friendship Jar, Butterfly Dreams
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Creamy Brown, Raspberry Fizz
Paper: Stampers Select White
Dies: Jar, Jar Toppers, Butterfly
Other: Fabric, Raffia, Copic Markers, Jute Twine

Home is Where the Heart Is
Stamps: Love Lives Here, Bitty Background Blocks, Button Boutique
Ink: Scarlet Jewel, Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado, Tea Dye Duo
Paper: Rustic Cream, Vintage Cream, Scarlet Jewel
Dies: Button Card, Love Lives Here
Other: 5x5" frame