For an Awesome kid

It's Friday, which means my boy gets a little something extra in his lunch. I like to throw in something fun (non-food) to brighten up his day, cause you know... it's Friday! It's Friday!!

I think I've used the Mario set I carved for Hunter maybe once or twice since finishing it. Truth be told, I kind of forgot it even existed! Thought I'd whip it out for Avery's fun challenge over at The Friday Mashup this week.

Check out the challenge! This is my first time trying the ink blowing technique. I made a huge mess.

1. Create a project with "Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry & Basic Black"
2. Create a project with the "Ink Blowing Technique"
3. or Mash it Up! and create a project with "the colours above & the Ink Blowing Technique"

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Supplies:

Stamps: Cool Kid, Undefined Mario

Ink: Basic Black, Bermuda Bay

Paper: Basic Black CS, Bermuda Bay CS, Crushed Curry CS, Whisper White CS, Project Life DSP

Tools: Scallop Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, 2" Circle

Gift Box Punch Board for Colour Me...!

So, I've been completed addicted to the Gift Box Punch Board. I'll admit it, I was skeptical at first... But now that I've got my hands on it, I can't put it down!

This little box is ~ 1-3/4" x 3-1/4" and is just too cute for words! I created a little band to go around, that I stamped with the adorable Little Buddy Birthday set. 

The sweet dino was coloured with Blender Pens and punched out with the 2" circle punch. See those little yellow pearls? Those were coloured with Daffodil Delight Blendabilities! Yes, you can colour those pearls and make them shine in any colour :)

Check out the challenge this week:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Supplies:

Stamps: Little Buddy Birthday

Inks: Sahara Sand, Blushing Bride, Pool Party, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Sahara Sand CS, Pool Party CS, So Saffron CS, Whisper White CS

Embellishments: Blushing Bride 1/4" Cotton Ribbon, Linen Thread

Tools: Gift Box Punch Board, Dotted Scallop Border Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1/8" Handheld Punch

Feeling Sketchy at Sunday Stamps

Good Sunday morning, friends!

Holly is our hostess this week at Sunday Stamps and she has a wonderfully simple sketch for us this week. I kept my card simple too, as I really wanted to show off this fabulous DSP from Sale-a-Bration (this is probably my favourite design in the pack, but they are all gorgeous!). Have I mentioned that this DSP has Sahara Sand in it? Yes? About 100 times? ... Alright then, just so you know ;)

And here's the sketch:

We'd love it if you swung by, took a look at the other fabulous projects from the Design Team and played along with us this week!

Thanks for stopping by today.

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies:

Stamps: Friendly Phrases

Papers: Sahara Sand CS, Tangerine Tango CS, Sycamore Street DSP

Embellishments: Designer Builder brads, Sycamore Street Buttons

Tools:  Pinwheel Sizzlits Die, Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch

Spring Catalogue Sneak Peek Week - Project #1!

Hello!

Well, it turns out my scheduled post wasn't scheduled right and this didn't make it up last night at 6:00pm as promised :( So, Day 1 of the Spring Catalogue Sneak Peek Week is going to be combined with Day 2. Check back tonight at 6:00pm to Project #2!

Sneak Peek Week - Project #1

This card has a lot of goodies to look at - Primarily the Artisan Embellishments Kit. This is a fabulous kit that gives you a little bit of everything to enjoy! On this card, I've used the hearts tag, the love ticket, the Primrose Petals Seam Binding ribbon, and a piece of lovely lace.

Moving on we have a Designer Builder Brad filled with a bit of Tea Party DSP. The background DSP is from the same pack - and let me tell you, it's awesome. The sentiment and the chevron oval are from the Oh, Hello stamp set (I dare you not to fall in love with it!).

And last but not least, the circle backing to the designer builder brad and the little roses are made with the Print Poetry Paper Pack. Yes, that's right, another paper pack (like the one in the Holiday Catalogue) with so many oh-so-beautiful designs.

If shabby-chic/vintage is your style, you will certainly not want to miss out on the Artisan Embellishment Kit! There are so many possibilities!


Hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek. I'll see you back here tonight at 6pm for Project #2 featuring even more delicious new product :)

-Tara
xox

Back from under the Holiday dust!

Good morning, Friends!

The holiday dust has (somewhat) settled and I am back to blogging with a new Friday Mashup challenge. It feels like it's been forever since I've posted something... But that's all about to change :)

Starting this evening at 6:00pm EST, I will take you on a journey through the awesomeness of the Spring catalogue (with maybe a little bit of SAB in there too) in my "Spring Catty Sneak Peek Week!".

Before we get to that though, let's check out the fun challenge from Amanda this week:

I kept my card for this week's challenge fairly simple. I made the little bird a shaker frame and would normally add some embossing or something to the background panels, but fought the urge and let it go 'naked'.

I loved the saying from Winter Memories so much and hadn't used it yet this season, so it seemed like the best time.

Here's the Mashup:

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project using "Snowflakes".
2. Or Make a project with the colors "Whisper White, Pool Party, Midnight Muse, and Basic Black".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Snowflake Project with the colors Whisper White, Pool Party, Midnight Muse, and Basic Black".

Thanks for stopping by today! I'll see you later tonight for Day 1 of Spring Catty Sneak Peek Week :)

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies:

Stamps: Four Seasons, Winter Memories

Paper:  Midnight Muse CS, Pool Party CS, Basic Black CS, Whisper White CS

Embellishments: Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Tools: 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle punch, Shaker Frames, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

Jacks turns one!

I knew someday I would write these words... it just doesn't feel like I should be writing them now. Not yet...! Our baby boy, Jackson, is 1 today.


Happy birthday to my sweet baby Jacks. We are so grateful to have you in our lives - you're a hoot.

List of supplies:Stamps: Owl Occasions
Paper: Early Espresso Core'dinations
Colours: Early Espresso, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie
Tools: 2-1/2" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch, Sanding Blocks, Woodgrain embossing folder, Big Shot

 

Photo: Becka Yates (http://www.miaouphotography.com)

Edit to add:
In the excitement of my baby's birthday, I forgot to enter this card into the Freshly Made Sketches challenge! The lovely ladies over at FMS are celebrating 1 year!! I'm so excited to play along with them this week. I credit Freshly Made Sketches with helping me to develop a more 'clean' style. I tended to make more vintage and 'worn' looking cards in the past, and FMS challenged me to put down the sponges and find beautiful in the 'clean'. "Step away from the sponges!".

I chose to use sketch number 44. I played along with that challenge when it was going on, and I wasn't 100% happy with the results, so I wanted to give it another go. Here's the sketch:

Be sure to visit tomorrow for a really fun new Friday Mashup challenge!

-Tara
xox

A Black Tie Affair!

Hello! It's time for another Friday Mashup challenge, ad I'm your hostess this week. I'm trying something a little fancy, so I hope you enjoy ;)

We're getting all dolled up for a Black Tie Affair!

For the Newlyweds

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Elements of style

Embellishments: Antique Brad, Rhinestones

Tools: Scallop Circle punch

Here's the challenge this week:

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project using " Black N' White Only ."
2. Or Make a project with " Some Bling ".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a " Black N' White Project with some Bling! "

Thanks for stopping by today! : )

-Tara

xox

Sunday Stamps #6

It's time for a sketch challenge at Sunday Stamps! :)

Thinking of you

Colours: Perfect Plum, Pool Party

Stamps: For the Birds

Embellishments: Linen Thread, Stitched Grosgrain ribbon

Tools: 1-3/8" Circle punch, Scallop circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch

Here's the sketch!:

We would love to see you play along this week! Stop by some of the other Design Team blogs for more inspiration and then link up your card! Can't wait to see it!

Holly Endress

Lisa Johansen

Monica Hornof

Hayley Kew

Joan Jeffery

Also... Happy Canada Day, my fellow Canadians!

It's supposed to be a beautiful day here, so I'm planning on heading with the boys to some Canada Day festivities with a friend of mine and her little one. There's a midway, music and fireworks... should be alright ;) Hubby is playing at a music festival out in the boonies, so we're kicking it solo for the night!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

The Friday Mashup punch art challenge!

Welcome friends! It's time to mash things up with The Friday Mashup again! This week I had a big "oops" moment. 

There are so many Leo's in our family (hubby, son, FIL, SIL, Step-dad, step-brother... on and on!). Here I was thinking that my nephew was a Leo as well, and I made this card for his 2nd birthday and I was so happy with it! Turns out, he's a week shy of being a Leo, and is in fact a Cancer (which is a crab, I think?). For the record, I had his birthday right in my head, just didn't realize the cut-off for Leo was a week after that date :P

Regardless, he's still going to get it, because I think it's cute. I'm sure he's not going to mind!! Maybe next year I'll try a punch-art crab. :)

Happy 2nd Birthday

Colours: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade

Punches: 1-3/4, 1-3/8", 3/4" 1/2" circles, Large oval, Boho Blossoms, Scallop Circle, Fancy Flower

Lili has a fantastic mashup challenge for this week. Take a look:

1. Make a project with " Punch Art ".
2. Or Make a project featuring your " Favorite Animal ".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project " with an Animal made from Punches ".

I do hope you play along - punch art is SO much fun. There are a lot of fabulous tutorials online, and don't worry if you don't have all the right punches - in my little lion I followed a tutorial that had his head, cheeks, and ears much smaller... but I didn't have the right punches so upgraded him ;)

-Tara

xox

Friday Mashup & SUPER exciting news!

Glorious Friday morning! The sun is shining, and I anticipate a lot of water play and park fun in the next few hours :)

The fabulous Amanda has a really fun Friday Mashup challenge for us this week - but before I get to that, I have some really exciting news!

Last night I got a call from Stampin' Up! to tell me that I was chosen as one of the 20 finalists for the Artisan Design Team!! I was tickled pink! Since I won't be going to convention, I won't find out if I was one of the winners until afterwards... But nonetheless, I'm ecstatic! :)

OK, now on to today's challenge!

 Stamps: Flock Together, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Tiny Tags

Paper: Birds of a Feather DSP, Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals

Ink: Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Primrose Petals

Extras: Stitched ribbon, Baker's twine

Toos: Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Oval punch

Here's the mashup challenge for you this week:

1. Make a project using the " Party Time " theme.
2. Or Make a project using the " Box in a Bag " tutorial.
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Box in a Bag with a Party Time theme."

If you have never made a Box in a Bag before, Amanda has a great tutorial over on her blog, here.


So, head on over to The Friday Mashup and lets get the party started! :)

-Tara
xox

Merry Monday and Freshly Made Sketches

When I saw the Happy Hour stamp set in the new catalogue, I fell in love! I was open to all the possibilities, but I knew the first time I used it would be for a Christmas Card.

Christmas Cheer

Previously, I had only owned one Christmas set and I didn't want to keep making the same card, so I didn't participate with the Merry Monday challenge created by Lesley. Alas, now that the new catty is out (and I've had a sneak peek at the Holiday catalogue coming out in August) I know that I will have a surplus of holiday cheer to choose from :)

Here's this week's Merry Monday sketch.

I also played along with Freshly Made Sketches to make this pretty little birthday card for my sister-in-law who turns 30 today. I LOVE the Stippled Blossoms set SO much. I knew it was pretty... but I didn't know how pretty it was until I actually used it. For this one, I used Primrose Petals on the bottom layer of the flower and Raspberry Ripple on the top. For the leaves I used Lucky Limeade on the bottom and Gumball Green on the top.

Birthday Wishes

Here's the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

I have some cute Father's Day cards to share as well, but I'll wait for tomorrow for those :) 

Edit to add: So excited that my SIL's birthday card got a "Perfect Princess" nod at the Freshly Made Sketches - Thank you! :)

A Merry Monday Challenge!

Christmas was long enough ago now that I can start thinking about it again ;) And so, I took part in the Merry Monday challenge today and started my Christmas card stash. Wow, it feels amazing!

I love this non-traditional colour combination for Christmas cards. The tree was inked up in Pool Party, and before I stamped it, I went over the "dots"/swirls with Island Indigo marker. Turns out I missed a few, so don't look too hard!

The snowflakes were stamped on Vellum cardstock, and then punched out using various punches; the big snowflake was punched with the scallop circle, the medium snowflake was done using the first setting on the Triple Layer Doily punch, and the smallest snowflake was punched with the 1/2" circle punch. They may not coordinate perfectly, but I think they're pretty close!

The DSP is from the Sweet Shop suite from the Occasions Mini. Never thought I'd be using that paper for a Christmas card :)

Really looking forward to playing with this challenge more often! Here's this week's fun sketch from Lesley:

Hope you all have a wonderful day :)

-Tara
xox

Edit to add: So excited to have received an honorable mention for this card :) Thank you!

Sgt Floyd Pepper!

Ok, this is a wicked Friday Mashup challenge! I'll get straight to the card and do my rambling afterwards :)

happy birthday dear you!

The birdcage on this card is empty for a reason! The central image is actually a removable thaumatrope. The bird on the opposite side is the same as the bird that's sitting atop the sentiment. I thoughtit would be a fun element for a kid's card. Maybe more suitable for a kids card if we lived in the early 1800's, but whatev ;) The twine runs behind the framelit and into the inside of the card. It's held with a bow. Once the bow is undone, the thaumatrope can be removed and played with.

On the inside are some instructions on how to use it, just in case :)

Here's the Mashup challenge:

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using "Your Favorite Muppet Color Combo".
2. Or Make a project " for kids".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a " Project for a Kid using your Favorite Muppet Colors".

Sgt Floyd Pepper was my inspiration. He's just too cool for school, this guy! Check it out. I used the colours from his face: Pink Pirouette, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and Whisper White.

Initially, I wanted to do a card that actually was Sgt. Pepper... And I tried, but I wasn't terribly happy with the results. There wasn't enough room for his sideburns, and I really think that makes him what he is. The 'likeness' just wasn't there enough for me to be thrilled with the end result.

However, I had to post a pic anyways, because there are certain elements I do enjoy! The eyebrows and moustache were made with fibres from white satin ribbon (the moustache was coloured with Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker).


So there you have it, my homage to Sgt. Floyd Pepper.

-Tara
xox

Edit to add: So excited that this card was selected as a "Glamette" this week at the Friday Mashup! Thank you :)

Bright Wreath

My grandma was looking for something to hang on her door at the nursing home. She commented on how so many of the other residents have something 'pretty' on their doors, and hers looked so plain.

I've been wanting to try one of these rosette wreaths for so long, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to try it out and to brighten up her entrance.

Bright Wreath for Grandma <3

 

The fabulous spring colours come courtesy of the ColourQ challenge this week.

 

My husband is serenading me with an ad-lib song about our new green, shag carpet. It's incredibly entertaining... I didn't realize just how many things in our living room were actually green until he started listing them in verse! ;) And by the way, the carpet is actually really cool. It's not nearly as 70's as it might sound.

-Tara
xox

Edit to add: So excited that this card was selected as a "Colour Coutier" this week at the ColourQ. Thank you! :) 

A green and yellow basket :)

A little basket made for my son to collect his Easter eggs in this year!

Last year was his first time collecting eggs. It was, by far, one of the cutest moments I've ever witnessed. After collecting them all, he decided he wasn't done, so he put them all back into hiding, and redid the whole process! :)

 Las Easter: can't believe how much he's changed in 1 year...

Can't wait to see what he does this year with this little 'basket' of his!

Thanks to the Friday Mashup team for this challenge!! I probably wouldn't have done this otherwise, and I'm so happy I did! You guys are the best.

Here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "colors Green & Yellow".
2. Or Make a "3-D project that's a Basket or a Treat Pouch".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Treat Basket/Pouch using the colors Green & Yellow".

Materials used to make this basket:
Cardstock: Whisper White, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi
Stamps: Delightful Dozen
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, White (gel pen)
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Top Note die, Scallop circle punch, Scallop oval punch, Large Oval punch, 1/2" circle punch, (hole punch), Dotted Scallop Border punch

I think I got it all covered there ;)

-Tara
xox

Edit to add: So excited - This card was chosen as a "Glamette" with the Friday Mashup! :)

 

The Sky's the Limit

Up, Up & Away is one of my favourite stamp sets. It's fun, versatile, and just so darn cute! It's my go-to in times of uncertainty ;)

It's been way too long since I played with the Freshly Made Sketches challenge... and I couldn't let another challenge pass without participating! So, here's my card:

The Sky's the Limit

(FMS21)

This was the sketch I was working with. Love it. It's yet another one of the Freshly Made Sketches that I've saved for use another time. It's in my "rainy day cardmaking" inspiration folder ;)

Materials used for this card:

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White

Stamps: Up, Up & Away!

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Soft Suede

Embellishments: Ruffled Ribbon

Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, Circle punch

Hope you enjoy your Sunday!

Until next time - Happy Stamping :)

-Tara

It's your day!

I intentionally waited for the last minute to post this. My brother's birthday is tomorrow, and this was made for him, so I wanted to leave as little time as possible for him to stumble upon it by accident.

The gift card holder was made awhile back, back when the Friday Mashup team posted this challenge! The challenge asks for you to either use the sketch provided, use something new in your stash, or mashup it up and use something new whilst using the sketch!

Oddly, one of the newest things in my stash right now is the Curly Label punch... and I've had it for a little while now. Regardless, it's the "new" item I chose for this project :) I also wanted to use it a little different... so I used the tutorial by Mary Fish using the Decorative Label punch trick and applied it to the Curly Label.

It's your day - Opened

Materials used in this card:

Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Paper: Just Add Cake DSP

Stamps: Up, Up & Away, Outline Occasions (SAB)

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze

Embellishments: White baker's twine

Tools: Curly Label punch, Labels framelits, Scallop Circle punch (for the cloud details)

Now, for some awesomeness! Stampin' Up! is offering free 30-day trials of My Digital Studio Express! Yes, this is very, very exciting. If you have ever thought about digital scrapbooking or cardmaking, now is your chance to grab the proverbial bull by the horns and download this fantastic program! I've only had it a few short hours and am head-over-heals in love. 

This is my first project using the product that came with the MDS Express, as well as some other freebies that I've been collecting over the months knowing that some day I would have this program in my hot little hands.

Until next time - happy stamping! :)

-Tara

Oh, how time flies!

Today, my baby is 4 months old. I thought time went by quickly with the first kiddo, but if it's possible, it seems as it's going even quicker! Now I'm not just watching one beautiful boy grow up, I'm watching two, and I can't keep up.

 My boys when Jackson was only a couple weeks old.

Let's move on before I become weepy ;)

If there is one type of card I always seem to be in need of, it's thank you cards. And I know of a bunch of others who travel in the same boat I do.

This week at the Friday Mashup, they challenged us to make a thank you card, or make a card using designer series paper, or mash it up and make a thank you card with designer series paper!

I really love the Pocketful of Posies DSP. There are sheets like this one, that have large, bold prints on them that can be used as stand-alone pieces, but it also includes perfectly coordinating 'overall' patterns (like the small section used on the bottom). have a look-see:

Sending Many Thanks

I've been looking for the perfect occasion to use this section of the DSP, and I think I found it! Paired with the oh-so-awesome pleated ribbon from the Occasions Mini, I think it's a great way to make use of a very simple layout.

The sentiment is actually a layer behind the rest of the card! First, I punched out a 1 3/8" circle from Rich Razzleberry, then I centred and punched the scallop circle punch over it to make that small frame. After I layered this onto the DSP, I then re-punched the 1 3/8" circle to make a window for the sentiment in behind :)

Materials used for this card:
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Paper: Pocketful of Posies
Stamps: Petite Pairs
Inks: Baja Breeze
Embellishments: Baja Breeze Pleated Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle Punch,

I'm going to leave you with this little gem!! Go ahead, click it. You won't be disappointed! :)

Until next time - Happy stamping!

-Tara