March Jiffy Girls

We made the March post just in the nick of time!  Every month the J(ust)F(or)F(un) girls get together for a fun challenge using the same patterned paper and stamped image.  Julie picked our very sweet image from My Cute Stamps called Picnic with Little Red and Carole picked our fresh and spring like patterned paper from the Jillabean Soup. The paper and image coordinated perfectly this month. 

Supplies:

Stamp Set(s): images from Picnic with Little Red by My Cute Stamps, sentiment from Everyday Button Bits by PTI

Ink: True Black by PTI

Cardstock: Dark Chocolate by PTI, Vintage Cream by PTI

Patterned Paper: Jillabean Soup

Accents: Ribbon by PTI, Thread by PTI, Button by PTI

Tools: Nestabilities by Spellbinders

Make sure to check out the other card variations by my very talented jiffy friends...we are a full house for the second month in a row! 
Carole Burrage
Julie Campbell
Kim Hughes
Lori Craig
Michele Boyer

Hope you have an extra special Wednesday!!
Alli

Let's Get Together!

It's hard to believe March is almost over.  The days are flying by right now.  Perhaps it's the long "to do list" that is causing it to go by quickly or perhaps it's the kids' activities.  In any event, I have been working on behind the scenes things but wanted to stop by and share a card with you this morning.  I have had Lisa Johnson's On My Couch set for quite some time but could you believe this is the first time I have used it?!  I adore this set and her creations.

Supplies

Stamps: On My Couch by PTI

Ink: Pure Black by PTI

Cardstock: Vintage Cream by PTI

Patterned Paper: Little Miss Muffet "Delight" Purple Plumes Paper from Quite Contrary collection by MME, Mary Mary Happy Birthday Grown Up Paper from Quite Contrary by MME, Graph Paper by Scenic Route

Accents: Spring Moss Buttons by PTI

Hope you are having a super day.

Alli

Flowering thoughts.

This is just a quick post today.  I am working on report cards and want to maximize my time as we have family arriving in the next few weeks.  My awesome and talented friend Glenda teaches classes in my city from time to time and was up a few months ago when we swapped some stamped images.  I absolutely love A*Muse stamps, particularly those made by Julie Ebersole!  She has a keen eye for design.  And can I tell you she is the SWEETEST gal ever!!!  I met her at Winter CHA a few years ago and her bubbly personality left me in smiles.

Today's card was created using two stamps from A*Muse.  While I don't like making sympathy cards sometimes they are necessary.  Fortunately this one will just sit in my collection for the time being.

Supplies:

Stamp(s): Chrysanthemum Open by A*Muse, With Deepest Sympathy by A*Muse, Polka Dot Basics II by PTI
Ink: True Black by PTI, Plum Pudding by PTI
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White by PTI, Mustard from Prismatics by Bazzill, Grey from Prismatics by BAzzill, Enchanted Evening by PTI, Plum Pudding by PTI
Accents: Ribbon by PTI
Tools: Cuttlebug Pindot embossing folder, Scallop punch by EK Success, Nestabilities by Spellbinders
Markers: Copic

Hope you are enjoying a fine Sunday!

Alli

Life's Simple Pleasures

I had a pretty nasty computer virus for the past day and a bit so I am relieved to be back in the land of technology.  Luckily I had another computer to use but all my important files and e-mail accounts were off limits since Thursday night.  In my world of online school teacher, homeschooling mum, stamp designer, online forum frequenter, google reader, facebooker, and e-mailer I was VERY lost!

Now onto today's card. I was challenging myself with a little blast from the past and was delighted with the outcome.  I created a card using Shapes by Design.  You'll see I used a pretty colour pallette and stamped coordinating coloured images.  I just love the versatility of Shapes by Design and I use it time and time again to create cards for my family members especially the guys.  There is something masculine about a bunch of stamped shapes :) As you'll note, I added a splash of pink to this card.  Couldn't resist!

Supplies:

Stamps: images and sentiment from Shapes by Design by PTI
Ink: Snow Cap by PTI, Raspberry Fizz by PTI, Pure Avocado by PTI, Terra Cotta Tile by PTI, Orange Zest by PTI, Scarlet Jewel by PTI
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White by PTI, Raspberry Fizz by PTI, Pure Avocado by PTI, Terra Cotta Tile by PTI, Orange Zest by PTI, Scarlet Jewel by PTI
Other: Paper from a book
Accents: Ribbon by PTI, Terra Cotta Button by PTI
Tools: Crop-a-dile corner cutter, scissors


Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you have a fab weekend.

Alli

Go to Sketches

As some of you are aware a new and must have magazine hit shelves on March 24 called Go To Sketches by Paper Crafts Magazine.  It's an issue FILLED with fabulous sketches and cards to compliment them.  It will certainly be my "go-to" inspriation. Read more about it HERE and HERE.

I had two cards selected for the issue but wanted to share my fav...just love those buttons and birds!!!

Supplies:
Stamp set(s) Everyday Button Bits by PTI
Ink: Dark Chocolate by PTI
Cardstock: Vintage Cream by PTI
Patterned Paper: Ducks in a Row collection by October Afternoon
Accents: Buttons by PTI, Flower by Prima, Button brad by Bazzill
Other: Marker for eyes

Hope you are having a great day!

Alli

Life's inspirations.

Hope you have had a great start to the week.  If anything I have been enjoying homeschooling this week more than ever.  I think I am really in my groove right now and so is my son.  We have been following Molly the owl and working on animal habitats, lapbooking and more!

Today's card was inspired by life.  Hope you are inspired too!

 

Stamp set(s) sentiment and image from Vintage Butterflies from The Saturday Evening Post collectionn by CHF
Cardstock: Vintage Cream by PTI
Patterned Paper: Mary Mary Wonderful Sensational Spots Paper from Quite Contrary Collection by MME, Little Miss Muffet "Celebrate" Happy Houndstooth Paper by MME
Ink: True Black by PTI
Accents: Clear Jewels Trinket Pin by Maya Roads, Gems by Prima, Ribbon by PTI
Tools: Nestabilities labels by Spellbinders

Have a super day!
Alli

Friends.

Our weather continues to be beautiful today so I will likely be in my backyard digging a hole for the foundation of our shed and weeding so I can finally plant "pretty stuff" in my yard!!  Tonight I get the pleasure of finishing up my brother's wedding invitations with my mum (we need to label the envelopes) and start planning the table numbers, guest board etc.  I have a busy day ahead but am looking forward to it.

So as I have been on a blogging roll these past few days I figured I'd stick with it! lol...  Today's card features some sweet images from the kit of the month from Unity.  I have received those kits every month for the past 7 months and really love the variety of images and sentiments included in them.

Stamp set: images and sentiments from Delightful Moments December Kit of the Month by Unity Stamp Company
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White by PTI
Patterned Paper: Mary Mary Wonderful Sensational Spots Paper from Quite Contrary by MME, Graph Paper by Scenic Route
Ink: Chocolate Brown by PTI, Raspberry Fizz by PTI
Accents: White ribbon by PTI, Zva Gems
Marker: Brown Tombo marker

Hope you have a terrific day and that you are enjoying a fantastic first day of spring!

Alli

Thank You Teacher

I am always thankful when it's Friday.  Our weekends are usually less busy then our weekdays so there is more time to hang out with the kiddos and of course work on the yard (never ending saga right?--for those that followed me during our "yard" creation I will post more photos in a few months time).  And this weekend couldn't be any better.  The weather temps may be record high for this time of the year...time to break out capris and a t-shirt!

While the end of the school year is still a few months away I put together a thank you card for one my daughter's teachers.  We have been very lucky to have her in our lives.  She is a true blessing.  One of her son's has asperger's and while Andrew (our son) has not been formally diagnosed (he is considered borderline) she is very compassionate towards our family. As many of you know I homeschool Andrew and while we are active with the homeschooling groups in our community, we don't always get extra socializing time.  Well would you believe she has invited us in the classroom to participate in drama, music, and field trips?  She even has a desk for our son to use any time we are at the school.  Andrew is known by all the kids and when they see me at the school without him they always ask how he is doing and when he will be back.  I can't tell you how happy that makes me and how important it is to him.

I digress... but of course she is the one who inspired me to put this card together :)

Stamps: image and sentiments from Teacher's Apple by PTI
Ink: Pure Black by PTI
Cardstock: Vintage Cream by PTI
Patterned Paper: Story Hour from the REport Card Collection by October Afternoon, Mary Mary Happy Birthday Grown Up Paper from Quite Contrary by MME
Accents: Vintage Cream Ribbon by PTI

 Have a super day!!!

Alli

Cute and cuddly

Hard to believe two posts in two days hey?  I found a few minutes today to complete a card again.  I think the hardest part is taking the photo and uploading the card however on a sunny day I don't have to set up my light tent so it goes by ten times as fast.  That is one thing I miss about my old stamp room, I had room to leave the tent up all the time.  Now I have to set it up each time I take photos..those 3 steps take time! lol.

I am such a sucker for buttons.  I almost have all the PTI buttons in my collection and every month or two add a few more.  When Nichole created a button set I was head over heals so you can imagine how excited I was when she added even more button sets.  This one is no exception!

While my style is often CAS (clean and simple), from time to time I like to make cards more detailed especially when I LOVE the patterned paper.  I have so much older patterned paper that I have decided to start using it again...it needs some lovin'!

Stamp Set(s): Baby Button Bits by PTI
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White by PTI,
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket and dotted paper by Making Memories
Ink: True Black by PTI
Accents: Ribbon by PTI, Buttons by PTI, Thread by PTI
Tools:Copic Marker C-1 (for outline), sewing machine, nestabilities by Spellbinders


Have a super day!

Alli

Mmmmm cupcake.

Is it a miracle?  A post from me?  It's been a busy month as we are now starting to prepare for my brother's wedding, add report cards and pub submissions and throw in spring break for the kiddos...you get the point.

I truly have been looking forward to posting again.  Just when I think life is going to slow down it gets busy again.  So while I have a moment I planned to pop in with a post.  I am setting a calendar goal of a minimum of 2 posts a week.  Let's see if I can manage that and more :)  It's about time I have some fun again.  On that note I was also finishing up some of my stamp designs for the year...one in particular for this fall...it's so stinkin' cute! 

Today's card is one of my favs.  I love a combination of patterned paper and paper piecing.  While paper piecing can be too fiddly for some I just love coordinating .  In fact you can call me a junkie when it comes to that...I need the matching EVERYTHING in a collection.  There was a post in the PTI forum about "completists" and I am SOO one of those people.  I like matchy matchy things and I am not afraid to say that out loud.  It's the perfectionist type A personality in me.

Stamp Set(s): Baby Button Bits by PTI
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White by PTI,
Patterned Paper: Christmas Ivy from White Out Collection by We R Memory Keepers
Ink: True Black by PTI
Accents: Ribbon from PTI, Button by PTI
Tools:Copic Marker C-1 (for outline), sewing machine, Crop-a-dile corner cutter

I hope you are having a marvelous St. Patty's day.  We are having green pancakes for supper.  Sound appetizing? lol...at least the kids will love it.

Alli

P.S. If you are a web designer and can assist me with my blog layout for a minimal cost I'd be happy to have your help.  I have my blog banner and side bars ready to go but am having problems with blurry images.  Not sure what is happening.  Also I am looking to have side bars both left and right.

Update and a card...

Hello everyone!  As you may have noticed not much has changed on my blog.  We came across a few problems with a haze around my uploaded items.  We are still trying to figure it all out.  Yes...I said we.  My husband and I.  He's WAY better at that stuff than me.

Just popped by to tell you I have been a card making machine lately but a lot of my cards were made for pub submissions.  I need to find a good balance of pub work and blog posts but at the end of the day I also need to find at least 5 more hours.

On that note, I just wanted to share one of my cards was posted on the Papercrafts Connection Blog HERE.  My card is the middle one and was published in the beautiful and AMAZING A Card a Day publication.

Alli

Pardon the mess...

I have been working on a blog re-design.  As many of you know I put a call out there for sites and professionals who do this sort of thing.  There are some really talented people out there some I am sure could knock the socks off my blog.  But what I have found is that I am a "plain Jane".  I like simple things.  My blog banner can be busy but generally I like a simple layout on my blog.  As such I decided to attempt the unthinkable LOL.  I decided to try this thing on my own.  I am really not that tech savvy.  I only learn what I need to in order to get a job done.  On the plus side I have had lots of work in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop so that side of things is the easiest for me.

So over the course of the next few days if you notice things upside down, sideways, way too big or crazy you know it's because I am working on my blog and I have no idea what I am doing ;)

I am hoping to have some card creations for you too very soon!

Alli