Be Mine and Homeschooling

It's been a busy April!  I can hardly believe it is almost over.  I am currently preparing for our homeschool convention.  Every year I participate in the event both as a teacher and as a parent.  There is something exciting about buying new curriculum!  Are you a homeschool parent?  Do you have any awesome curriculum suggestions or sites to share?  I am homeschooling my son who will be in grade 3 this coming year but because I work with homeschool students ranging from K-9 any resource suggestions would be appreciated.

I have been working behind the scenes again for the past few weeks and will have lots to share in the coming weeks but for now I will leave you with a card I made a few months ago.  It's a simple card that can be easily created using paper, ink and embossing powder.

SUPPLIES
Stamps: Daily Designs by PTI, Daily Design Sentiments by PTI
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White by PTI, Poppy Red by PTI
Ink: True Black by PTI, Versamark by Tsukineko
Accent: Cranberry Adirondack emboss powder by Ranger

Have a super day!
Alli

Something spooky in spring...

Hello everyone!!  Before you think you have stepped into a time zone, it is spring and yes, I am sharing a Halloween card.  You'll often notice us "off season folk" as those who are working on pub calls.  Sometimes it is SO hard to put yourself in the right season mind frame.  Imagine...end of winter/early spring you are working on fall, spring you are working on Christmas, summer you are working on last call Christmas and winter, fall you are working on spring etc.  The challenge is the best part.  Here was a card that didn't make the cut but one I like...which is actually saying a lot because I don't like Halloween (and don't celebrate it) LOL...it is THE MOST difficult card type I create. 

SUPPLIES
Stamps: Spooky Sweets by PTI, Polka Dot Basics II by PTI, Holiday Button Bits by PTI
Ink" True Black by PTI, Plum Pudding by PTI, Summer Sunrise by PTI
Cardstock: True Black by PTI, Plum Pudding by PTI, Summer Sunrise by PTI, Stamper's Select White by PTI
Patterned Paper: Colorful Christmas by MME
Accents: Gingham Ribbon by PTI
Tools: Martha Stewart Punch, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 circle punch by EK Success

Have a super day!
Alli

P.S. Just a shout out to my very best friend in the whole world Ellen...happy birthday sweetie!  We've been best friends for 25 years.  She is that friend that even if we haven't spoken to each other for a while we can pick up the phone and talk like we talked yesterday.  Love her to pieces!!!

And the winner is...

Again, thank you all for leaving me wonderful comments and links.  I loved reading through all of them.

Random generator picked #15!  Congrats to Anthonette who said

Hi Alli,
There are so many paper crafters that I love (Nichole Heady, Julie Ebersole, Jennifer McGuire, Julia Stainton, and you, of course).

I love clean and simple designs. I would have to say Kristina Werner was the first to inspire me, because she is the reason I started my blog. Her Make a Card Monday videos and her color inspiration challenges introduced me to this whole big world of paper crafters online. I'm forever thankful for that!

Anthonette, please contact me with your snail mail and I will get your stamp set sent out as soon as possible :)

Have a super day.
Alli

It's JIFFY time!

As always I am super excited to share a post with some of my favourite peeps!  Every month the J(ust)F(or)F(un) girls get together for a fun challenge using the same patterned paper and stamped image.  Michele picked our cutie patotie image called Izzie has a Daisy by Stamping Bella and I picked the girly patterned paper called Delight from the Quite Contrary collection by MME. Once again, the paper and image coordinated perfectly this month.

Supplies:

Stamp Set(s): Izzie has a Daisy from Stamping Bella, Thanks a Bunch by A*Muse

Ink: True Black by PTI

Cardstock: Scarlet Jewel by PTI, Vintage Cream by PTI, Clear sheet

Patterned Paper: Delight from the Quite Contrary Collection by MME

Accents: Button by PTI

Tools: Sketch Copic Markers, Beautiful Blooms II #3 dies by PTI

Make sure to check out the other card variations by my very talented jiffy friends...we are a full house for the third month in a row! 

Carole Burrage
Julie Campbell
Kim Hughes
Lori Craig
Michele Boyer

Hope you have a great Monday.

Alli 

Stitched with love.

It is always exciting hearing from you!  Thanks to all who have entered my blog candy draw.  I have been visiting all the sites you have shared with me and have even added a few to my google reader.  You have until the 20th to get your name in to win my stamp set called Take Three: Spring.

I am so excited today because my stamping friend Glenda Wyatt  is coming to visit me again!  She will be teaching a class in my city this morning and then stopping by this afternoon so we have planned to stamp together.  I can hardly wait.

Today's card is a special one.  Spring is in the air...and that means love is too right?  On April 19th, DH and I will have been together for 11 years (we've been married almost 10 now).  While most people don't celebrate the day they were "officially" a couple DH and I never take that day for granted.  And every year we make sure to tell each other what that day means to us often reminiscing about the things we did as a couple--you know before the marriage, the kids, the dog, the cat, the truck, the house, the bills, the RESPONSIBILITY!

DH and I have been friends since 1995 and officially started dating in 1999.  In friendship we supported one another through the ups and downs of life (and at the time other relationships).  One January (1999) I noticed his name on a blanket e-mail sent out by one of my friends and decided to send him a note.  It read: "I'm finally single and I am finally getting to know myself."  (I was in a relationship for years as not to be alone).  It wasn't long before I had a reply "I'm single too.  Maybe we should meet for coffee and chat."  A few weeks later we met for a few hours and parted ways.  We continued chatter over daily e-mails (would you believe I still have the entire stack of e-mails we sent back and forth too?).  A few of those e-mails led to "friends going out" and continued over the course of months...until that day in April, when I looked into his eyes and something changed.  An epiphany actually.  Upon realizing that I could spend the rest of my life alone if I had to I was willing to let a piece of my heart become attached to someone else again.  I still remember the restaurant we went to...that "moment of change", the conversation we had, the feeling I had within and "the kiss".  This was the guy I had been pushing away for years.  The one who showed interest in me.  The one who made me laugh. The one who challenged me.  The good looking guy that I could never tell I thought was good looking because I didn't want it to go to his head.  This was the perfect guy for me but the one I was afraid to let into my life because why should I be so lucky?!  Within 3 months of dating, he dropped to one knee at the end of the pier and asked for my hand in marriage.  It was all too quick and yet was years in the making.  The timing was finally our timing.  We were married 13 months later.  Life always has ups and downs.  And while the 11 years haven't been "easy" sailing they have been the best .  And while I didn't think it was ever possible, I love my husband more today than ever.  And that is why today's card is stitched with love. 

SUPPLIES
Stamps: sentiment from Daily Designs Sentiments by PTI
Ink: Pure Black by PTI
Cardstock: Vintage Cream by PTI
Other: Paper from a book
Accents" Buttons by PTI, Floss by Bazzill
Tools: Heart Punch by Fiskars, Scor-Pal

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Create card base 4.25x5.5.
2. Score lines around the edge.
3. Punch hearts and thread buttons onto hearts.  Adhere to card.
4. Stamp Sentiment.

I hope you have a fabulous day.  Don't forget to enter the draw if you haven't already.

Hugs;
Alli

An inspired card and a treat for you!

The days are flying by!  We had some weird flu/cold go through our house this past week.  It was a mixture of symptoms and as such I couldn't even begin to classify it but ALL the adults in the household including my mum who came for a visit got it.  Fortunately we are on the mend.

I recently created an "inspired by" card from the front cover of the March/April issue of Paper Crafts Magazine (the button trees).  Debbie Olson is one of my stamping heroes.  She is such a sweetheart too.  We enjoyed some good talks back at winter CHA in 2009 and it was really neat to hear her take about card design.  I love how she has the ability to masterfully craft cards that are both simple or detailed.  I have learned a lot from her over the years (especially about Copics!) and am sure will be inspired by more years to come.  Thank you Debbie for all your contributions to the paper crafting world and your inspiration!!

SUPPLIES
Stamp Set(s) sentiment from Teacher's Apple by PTI, image from Beyond Basic borders 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
Ink: True Black by PTI
Accent: Buttons by PTI
Tools: Crop-a-dile corner rounder, sewing machine

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Create card base.
2. Cut strips.
3. Sew Strips to card.
4. Stamp image and sentiment.
5. Adhere buttons.

As a special treat, I'd like to offer you a chance to win my Take Three: Spring stamp set in exchange to hear from you.  Which paper crafter inspires you?  and why? Make sure to include a link to their blog/work.  I'll leave this post open for the next 5 days.  I'll draw a name using random generator and announce a winner on April 21st so be sure to check back!

Thanks so much for visiting today.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Alli

April Click Simple Sneak Peak

I was so excited to be a part of this month's Click Simple release through Papertrey Ink.  I am always amazed how a flat sheet of cardstock can be turned into such a magnificent work of art with a few folds, adhesive and some decoration!  And this month's template called Artisan Window Box is no exception.

Who doesn't love a go to item?  The Artisan Template tops my list of user friendly items that can be easily made to store a special gift whether it be 3x3 cards, gift tags, or sweet treats.  Using a modern colour palette, I combined trendy butterflies and pearl flowers to enhance this delicate box.  I also scored many of the pieces to add some texture to give it visual appeal.  I left the window open to giave a sneak peak of the goodies inside too.  And who wouldn't love the hinged backing--you'll never have to worry about misplacing the top.  Just think, once you have finished with the goodies on the inside of the box it can be used or re-gifted again!

Are you a bride to be?  This is the perfect box to present jewelery to your attendants.  Even better, it can be color coordinated to match your wedding colors.  I also plan to use this box to give as a gift to those who have accommodated me.  A small token of appreciation is the perfect way to say thank you.

The complete supply list, detailed instructions, and photos of this project are included with the Artisan Window Box template download, available for purchase on April 15th.

Are you looking for more AMAZING peeks?  Make sure you pop over to the following blogs:
Melissa Phillips 
Kelly Lunceford
Laurie Schmidlin
Charmaine Ikach

Thanks so much for the visit today!
Alli