Hotter Than Hot

It's hot here. Incredibly hot. Insanely hot. It's 103 degrees. Now, I realize that many of you may think that's nothing, perfectly normal for the end of July. Well, here in Washington State, we are not used to this weather. Not at all. We are use to rain and mild temperatures. Any extremes and we get cranky. Okay, so maybe it's just me that's cranky, but I doubt I'm the only one! You know it's a rough day when going to the dentist for 2 1/2 hours sounds good. What can I say? It was air conditioned and I was in a restful, reclined position...lol! So, having said that, I'll keep this short and sweet so that I can peel myself off the seat and go back to sitting in front of the fan.

I wanted to share with you another baby card I made, since I'm on a roll:

This type of card is one of my favorite kind to make. Simple and classic. The little onesie was stamped on patterned paper and cut out. My Nestabilities dies made the oval layers. This time I embossed the oval to add a little more pizazz. I added a little distressing around the edges with ink, and called it good!

Okay, really, I gotta go find something cold to eat. Darn it, I have to eat more ice cream!

Stamps: Bitty Baby Blessings (PTI)
Cardstock: Kraft, Vintage Cream, Ocean Tides (PTI)
Patterned Paper: K&Company
Ink: Dark Chocolate, True Black, Vintage Touch ink (PTI)
Tools: Classic and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders)
Ribbon: Aqua Mist swiss dot (PTI)
Other: foam mounting tape (3M), buttons

Baby Cuteness

Remember this sweet little baby? Well, his baby shower was just a few weeks ago and it gave me the excuse to make more cute baby stuff! It all started with a trip to the craft store, where I found clearance baby boy stuff! How lucky am I? I went home and got right to work on this little project:




This little scrapbook started out as a blank chipboard book from Maya Road. I took the pages apart, covered each one in adorable coordinating patterned paper, then bound it with my Bind-it-All (still lovin' it!). I embellished the front cover with more chipboard pieces covered in patterned paper and added a rub on. I used my computer to print out Julian's name then cut it out with one of my tag dies. A little ribbon, a couple of buttons, and it's done! I just love the way it turned out!

While I was shopping for scrapbook supplies, I bought extra to give to my sister-in-law. She, like me, has dabbled in scrapbooking. I knew that with four kids, she wasn't going to have a lot of time to scrapbook. So, I put this basket together to make things easy:

Inside is the scrapbook I made, along with coordinating embellishments such as stickers, rub ons, patterned paper mats, ribbons, cardstock, and another scrapbook for her to use. It was plain when I bought it, so I added more rub ons and the most adorable embellishment - baby Julian himself!

With all this at the ready, I was hoping to make the scrapbooking process so much easier. It's so important to capture those early moments, but also very time consuming for a busy mom.

Hope you are all having a great weekend. We are leaving the house soon to do something I haven't done in years and years. It involves us getting dressed up and taking a present. Any ideas what I'm going to do today???







Patterned Paper: K & Company, My Mind's Eye
Tools: Bind-it-All, double ended tag die (Spellbinders)
Other: Ribbon, rub ons (K & Company), chipboard star (Stampin' Up!), chipboard book (Maya Road)

Buttons!

When it comes to trends in crafts and stamping, I usually don't jump on the bandwagon right away. It takes me some time. I have to think about it. Really decide if I like it, or if I'm just falling for it because it's trendy. Such is the case with buttons. But I'm slowly coming around with the help of the new Everyday Button Bits set from Papertrey Ink:


Look at the buttons! I especially love the button with the black "stitching" around it. I adhered my buttons using glue dots. I find that it's easier and faster than stitching them on, although I may try that next. I have to admit, it's a lot of fun to dig around in my button stash and find just the right ones. I can't wait to try out another button card now!

Hey, don't forget to jump over to Purple Onion Designs and do a little shopping while everything is still 25% off! You only have until July 31 to save, so don't wait! If you have any questions about how to use their stamps, feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to walk you through it. Or you can read more here.

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI)
Ink: True Black, New Leaf (PTI)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Lemon Tart & Raspberry Fizz Bitty Dots (PTI)
Ribbon: Hibiscus Pink luxe satin (PTI)
Tools: corner rounder punch (Fiskars)
Other: Hibiscus Pink Vintage buttons (PTI), dark pink button, foam mounting tape (3M), glue dots

Purple Onion Giveaway #2

Well, I can hardly keep up! Michele at Purple Onion Designs has a second giveaway up on her blog. Click here to check it out and submit your entry no later than today, July 18, by 8:00 p.m. EST. Then be sure you visit the store tomorrow, July 19, to do a little shopping - everything will be 25% off! That's right - everything - including the new stamps! And speaking of new stamps, here's a summer time card I made with POD's new Citrus and What's the Scoop? stamp sets, both available tomorrow:

I made the glass using clear cardstock from Papertrey Ink. It's very similar to acetate (transparencies), but it's a heavier weight. I used my oval Nestabilities die to create the top of the glass, then cut the top off. A little strip of the clear cardstock created the stem and then I used a circle punch to make the base, cutting off the bottom half. Finally, I punched out two squares to create ice cubes. I'll admit, this took me a lot longer than I wanted it to, but the end result was worth it. The final touch was to add the "lemonade" (patterned paper) and a slice of lemon. Yum!

Doesn't this make you want to go get a glass of lemonade?!? Keep cool and enjoy your weekend! Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Stamps: What's the Scoop? and Citrus sets (Purple Onion Designs)
Cardstock: Kraft, Lemon Tart and Clearly Creative Cardstock (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Lemon Tart Bitty Dots (Papertrey Ink), K & Company
Ink: True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Tools: circle and square punches, oval Nestabilities die (Spellbinders)
Other: chalks (Stampin' Up!)

Want Free Stamps?

Then you need to check this out! Michele of Purple Onion Designs is giving away free stamps, and you don't want to miss out on the chance to win! Not to mention her annual anniversary sale starts this Sunday, July 19. And new stamps will be available starting Sunday! Here's a card I made with the new What's the Scoop? set:

Isn't that little ice cream cone too cute?!? The whole set is adorable, and I love the font. It's fun and funky all at the same time. The scalloped oval was punched out and I added more detail by paper piercing all around the scallops. A little Glossy Accents on the ice cream made the whole thing look more realistic (click on the photo to get a better view). I can't wait to create a few more cards with this set, which contains another ice cream cone image and a popsicle, too!

So don't forget to enter to win free stamps! Go ahead, do it...now!

Stamps: What's the Scoop set (Purple Onion Designs)
Cardstock: Hibiscus, SS White (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Bitty Dots (PTI)
Ribbon: Hibiscus satin (PTI)
Tools: oval and scalloped oval punches (Marvy Uchida), paper piercing needle
Other: Hibiscus button (PTI), wood less colored pencils, foam mounting tape (3M), Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Christmas in July

It's only July, but it's never too soon to think about making Christmas cards. Especially if you (like me) intend to make them all by hand. Just the other day, to my shock and amazement, I actually made my very first Christmas card of 2009:


It wasn't planned, it just happened. I was feeling very inspired by Papertrey Ink's new color, Scarlet Jewel. This is a great color for Fall and holiday projects. And I had yet to really venture out with the new gray colors, so before I knew it, there I was creating a holiday card! It's simple, but a touch elegant. I love the DecoColor liquid silver paint pen. I used it to outline the dark gray cardstock and it gave it that "holiday" special something. Although it's hard to see in the photo, I also added a dot of the silver on a few of the flourishes. And, for me, nothing says "holiday" like some gorgeous satin ribbon. And this ribbon, in this color, is so, so, pretty!

I was feeling so pleased with this card that I entered into this month's Guest Star Stamper contest at Papertrey Ink. I was thrilled to get an Honorable Mention last month for this project, so we'll see what happens. It really is a lot of fun to play along, and who knows...somebody's gotta win!







Stamps: Fancy Flourishes, Merry & Bright Additions (PTI)
Ink: Smokey Shadow, Scarlet Jewel (PTI)
Cardstock: Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow, Scarlet Jewel, SS White (PTI)
Tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), ribbon tag die (Spellbinders)
Ribbon: Scarlet Jewel satin (PTI)
Other: foam mounting tape (3M), extra fine liquid silver paint pen (DecoColor)

Sugar & Spice

Boy, is anybody else glad it's the end of the week?!? I'm so sleepy I can barely type, but I wanted to share my first cupcake card using my new Cupcake Collection set by Papertrey Ink:




There is just something about a cupcake that makes me happy! Even one I can't eat...lol! I added some "sprinkles" to this one by punching out cardstock with a handheld paper punch. It makes the perfect shape to use for sprinkles. A little glitter is a nice touch, too. I've never seen real frosting that sparkles, but for some reason it works on paper cupcakes! And lastly, I really like this color combo - fun, bright and cheery.

Okay, I'm off to bed soon. First I have to paint my daughter's fingernails. She's sooooo into fingernail polish these days. Tonight's request is for purple. Coming right up...






Stamps: Cupcake Collection, Favor it Baby (PTI)
Ink: Hibiscus Pink, Summer Sunrise (PTI)
Cardstock: Hibiscus Pink, SS White (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Summer Sunrise Bitty Dots (PTI)
Tools: paper punch, classic and scalloped square Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders), CuttleBug (ProvoCraft), tiny tag die for Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft)
Other: Hibiscus button (PTI), twine

Use it Up!

So, have you all recovered from your Fourth of July weekend? I still have a mountain of potato salad left in the fridge, but I'm sure we'll work through it eventually. And the fireworks were still going off in our neighborhood last night, but I slept right through it.

Every once in awhile I make myself create something using scraps I have leftover from previous projects and cards. Here's an example, created for Purple Onion Designs last month:

That little heart button is from Valentine's, but it was still hangin' around, so I put it to good use! And the notebook patterned paper from My Mind's Eye is amongst my favorites at the moment. I cherish every scrap and will use every last inch of it!

So, I have a true confession to make. I made my very first Christmas card of 2009 this weekend! And I liked it. Can you believe it? I know, but the whole "Christmas in July" thing got me thinkin' and I broke out some of my holiday stamps. I made a card I absolutely love, but I'm keeping it under wraps until after I submit it for Papertrey Ink's Guest Star Stamper contest this month. So keep your fingers crossed for me...







Stamps: Doodle Heart Set (Purple Onion Designs)
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Ocean Tides, Chamomile & Chai Vintage Ink Duo, True Black (PTI)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Bitty Dots Raspberry Fizz (PTI), My Mind's Eye
Other: heart button, pink button, aqua button

Let Freedom Ring...

Does anyone else have that Martina McBride song in their head today?!? Anyway...Happy Fourth of July to you all! I had the uncontrollable urge to create a huge amount of potato salad and this...





This is a very simple card, made even easier by the use of star punches by Fiskars. I'm just now getting into the Star Prints set by Papertrey Ink. I love the font combination. I'm a sucker for good fonts! I also used one of my square Nestabilities dies and a white gel pen to make the outline and left a section open for my sentiment. Easy peasy!

Have a fun and safe Fourth of July weekend!









Stamps: Star Prints (PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy, Fresh Snow (PTI)
Cardstock: Night of Navy (SU!), Kraft, SS White (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Bitty Dots (PTI)
Tools: Star punches (Fiskars), classic square Nestabilities die
Other: Filigree Clear Embossing Powder (PTI), white gel pen (Signo)

You're So Sweet

I thought this would be an appropriate card to share today. A "thank you" of sorts to all of you who visit my blog and leave the sweetest comments. And...do you know what today is? Yes, it's July 2, but more importantly...it's my blogiversary! That's right - one year ago today I typed this, my very first blog post! And here I am, nearly 200 posts later!

In preparation for celebrating today, I thought I'd share a few fun facts about my blog:

1. I have had 78, 339 hits (and counting) since July 2, 2008
2. This is the post that has received the most comments to date - 71 in all.
3. This is one of my favorite projects I've posted to my blog.

And now, I'm breaking open the blog vault to share a post I've had saved for forever, but never posted...until now! In order to get to know me a little better...I present...Fun With Flickr:

I randomly happened upon this blog one day and read her post about a fun way to create a mosaic about yourself. If you want to try it, follow the directions provided on this post. I found that it works best if you have three windows open at the same time - one for the Flickr search, one for the mosaic maker, and one for the questions (or write them down before you start). Here are my answers to the questions to create the mosaic, above:

1. What is your first name? Jennifer (Apparently this is a doll named Jennifer. I would look great in that jacket.)
2. What is your favorite food? Tamales

3. What high school did you go to? Tumwater High School (I was shocked to find it on Flickr!)
4. What is your favorite color? Black (weird, I know)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? I can only pick one?!? Okay...Jude Law

6. Favorite drink? Caramel Machiatto
7. Dream vacation? Spain

8. Favorite dessert? I can only pick one again?!? Caramel brownies
9. What you want to be when you grow up? Graphic Designer
10. What do you love most in life? Laughing uncontrollably

11. One word to describe you? Creative

12. Your Flickr name? simpleflourishes

I think I learned something about myself through this process. There's definitely a pattern here (Spain, Dulce de Leche, tamales...). I think my inner Latina is breaking free!

Thanks again to all of you who visit my little blog and take the time to let me know what you think of my crafty creations. I've "met" some very nice folks along the way. It's been a fun year and I can't wait to keep bloggin' about the things I love the most!


The following photos were used for the mosaic, above: 1. Jennifer 2. Pork and Chicken Tamales 3. Tanya's Graduation... 4. black.sky 5. Jude Law 6. Caramel Machiatto 7. El Alcazar Toledo Spain 8. Brownies Dulce de Leche 9. Chris A... 10. Zhinus and Sandra 11. Creative Hands 12. Altered Box Closeup










Stamps: Green Thumb and Cupcake Collection (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus, Ripe Avocado, Chamomile and Chai Vintage Ink Duo (PTI)
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Vintage Cream, Hibiscus, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Bitty Dots (PTI)
Tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), classic and scalloped oval Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders), threading water punch (Fiskars)
Other: foam mounting tape (3M), twine, Hibiscus vintage buttons (PTI)