A Tower Of Giraffes.

I am always up for learning a new collective noun or two.  So when I created this baby card using this darling pastel trio of giraffes, I wondered what they'd be called?  Thank heavens, Google to the rescue.  From my reading, the collective form of giraffes is called either a tower, a corps, a journey or a herd.  Seeing that a tower of giraffes sounds so much cooler (mind you, I don't half mind a journey of them either), I thought I'd go with that:  A tower of giraffes.

I created the baby card below for this week's The Shabby Tea Room Challenge.  Not sure why I persist with entering their challenges, as I feel so out of their league, but I suspect the glutton for punishment that I am has me coming back for more.  What's the definition of insanity?  Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result?  One can live in hope now can't one?  The inspiration for this week is a lovely image engendering all things relaxing and enjoyable using the colors Pink, Green, Yellow and a Neutral as pictured above.  The reason why a baby card was inspired by this picture, was because as the mother of 7 that I am, a relaxing bath (particularly if it could be in one as fabulous as the one pictured above) daydreaming about being on a wonderful African safari would be bliss.  Ahhh, Calgon...take me away!

Without further ado, I present to you, with love, my tower of sweet baby giraffes:

Thanks a beautiful bunch for stopping by.  I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Papertrey Ink's Bundle of Love and It's A Jungle Out There
• Paper:  Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream and Prima DP.
• Accessories:  Tim Holtz Ornamental Frame Alterations Die, Pinking Sheers, PTI It's A Jungle Out There  and Tiny Tags Dies, Papertrey Ink It's Animal Prints Impression Plate and Fiskars Texture Plate in Stripes.  Sparkly yellow button (from stash), and Pastel Green Grois Grain Ribbon (also from stash) and PTI Vintage Cream Jute.  Jo Sonja Acrylic Paints in Metallic Gold and Turquoise and about half a bottle of Pearl Glimmer Mist.  

July Papertrey Ink Blog Hop.

Talk about a crafty eleventh hour!  Don't look too closely or you might just spot some glue still drying!  Crazy days. Even though I know of the theme of PTI's next Blog Hop from the 15th of the month, I always seem to leave it to the last minute.  Incorrigible I know.  This little number was whipped up using the inspiration photo below.  It was one of those times where I had no idea what I was making until I was making it!  Do you know those times?  Only delectable Papertrey Ink goodies were used in the rather slapdash (but full of frenzied fun) making of this card.  Lots of yummy PTI dies and spritzing of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists were used (gee, the mists really didn't photograph well).  Being the aficionados that you are, I won't bore you with the supply details.  But, absolutely,  do let me know if you want to know anything further.    It would be my pleasure.  

So without further ado...my card made with only minutes to spare.  Whooooooey! *wipes brow*

Thanks a big bunch for hopping by!

Love At First Sight.

Ever see a stamp for the first time and are instantly smitten?  Well, I was head over heels for this shell Stampington & Company woodblock stamp.  I first saw it in a magazine and just HAD to have it.  So, I marched in to my favorite local purveyor of fine stamps and asked (read: begged) them to "pretty please, with a cherry on top" order it for me.  It actually took quite a few weeks but I eventually ended up with this beauty in my hot little hands.  Ahhhhh.  Needless to say, I joyously whipped up this card featuring my favorite stamp du jour.  I have no idea what it says as my once "sketchy at best" high school french has left me long ago, but I remain enamored by this stamp's vintage charm. Fingers crossed it doesn't say anything  (too) rude.  

When making this card, I felt that this stamp was really all that was needed. It's a bit like a fabulously ripe, juicy mango:  when all that's needed is the mango in all its glory...nothing else required just the perfect mango and your laughing gear.  Bliss.

I have included this card, utilizing my latest stamp crush, in this week's The Shabby Tea Room challenge showcasing charms.  I have had that starfish charm for the longest, just kicking around my brad/charm box for ages just waiting to be called to duty for the perfect mission, and this was it. I felt the bail of the charm was a bit heavy, so I removed it and simply glued the charm to the tag. The background stamp is an Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card in houndstooth. I must say, I am rather besotted with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Cards too and delight in any occassion to be able to use them.  The wee "Merci" tag is a classic Papertrey Ink stamp from the Mixed Messages set.  C'est Tout! 


Thank you so much for popping by.  I hope you'll swing by again soon.  Au revoir.

Happy Birthday Nan!

There is no question in my mind that I have the best mother-in-law on the planet!  She is celebrating her 83rd birthday today and she truly gets even more magnificent with each passing day. I have no idea how it's possible, but she does.  Bless.  I often marvel at how she manages to keep the back of her blouse perfectly wrinkle/crease-free because I am certain that she's got enormous angel wings tucked gracefully underneath. I am just sure of it.  Lucky for us, she lives with us and we are blessed each day with her kindness, her love and her sublime generosity of spirit.   We are lucky ducks indeed.

I had a lovely time making this card for my mother-in-law.  I know I always enjoy crafting, but this was something extra special because I knew this hug with a fold in the middle was destined for our wonderful earth angel.  I delighted in using only Waltzingmouse Stamps (Say It With Style, Off Beat Backgrounds, and Very Vintage Christmas) for this card.  The card's composition was based on this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge sketch which I knew my mother-in-law would adore.  I love how encouraging she is with my papercrafts and seems to really appreciate what I make.  I love how she looked at the card as if it was the greatest thing she'd ever seen (don't worry, I know it's not, but I adore how unwaiveringly supportive she is for those she loves).  I am so moved and inspired by her in every way and am so grateful that she is in our lives.

Here's a full view of the card and the WMSC sketch:

Thank you so much for allowing me to share with you just another of my cherished blessings.  Have an extraordinary day! 

Thanking You.

This is more than likely my last card for the Summer Card Camp which is rounding up its last week. I haven't made as many cards as I had originally hoped during the 4 weeks it was run, but what's the saying...something about best laid plans?  Yes, that's the one. I just thought it would be a nice opportunity to say thank you to all who ran and who participated in the class generously sharing your magnificent creations and inspirations which must have totalled well into the tens of hundreds at the very least.  Pretty amazing, huh?  So a big heartfelt thanks complete with squeezy hug to all of you crafty mavens that took part.

My Thank You card is fashioned on Card Camp's Week Four color combination which again was a whopper, but still a plesantly cool, mermaid-y, yet collosal combo that I rather enjoyed.  Not sure I'll be broadening my deal permanently by always attempting such a large number of colors at a go as a matter of course, after having done so these last four weeks though, but I have made sure my Card Camp swan song towed the line this last time.  *wink*

The Thank You sentiment is from Waltzingmouse Stamp's Join Us set.  Love a good stamp set just perfect for allowing us to be fine upholders of convention and this is, indeed, a good one.  The leaves were stamped with a large-ish rectangular 4x6 background stamp called Notary from Prima Marketing.  It was a devil of a stamp to get off the acetate, but well worth it in the end.   As I am certain that the rest of the other bits and bobs used on my card are identifiable to all you clever bees, I won't really list them as I am most certain I've rambled on long enough.

So a big thank you also, for stopping by my blog.  It is such a pleasure when you do.  I'll see you anon.

It's Your Day!...Right?

I really seem to like the "It's Your Day!" sentiment as I use it a fair bit.  It kind of makes me giggle on the quiet for some reason.  Not sure why though, but I bet it is because I really am not sure it means what I think it means (Yes, I am a total Princess Bride devotee).  Is it a sentiment that is apt for birthdays, weddings, Opening Nights, graduations, dunno really?  I am pretty certain I was thinking more of the birthday variety on this occassion, but the use of my often employed sentiment coupled with the "Sweet"  has me thinking...what was I thinking?  Perhaps the "It's Your Day!" sentiment is of the more purposely ambiguous ones meant to bamboozle those easily bamboozled such a myself.  Yep, I am starting to think that might be it.

Present quandary aside, I whipped this card up especially for the CR84FN Color Challenge for this fortnight which showcases Yellow, Pink, and Bright Pink.  I used all Papertrey Ink stamps and the cool doily die from Cheery Lynn Designs.  I am fairly certain that DP is from Prima Marketing, but I can't be 100% as it was salvaged from my scrap box.  Other ribbony/pompomy bits are from my stash as well.  This would have been a fairly quick card to make save poking out all the little bits paper from the die cut doily.  Lucky for me though, I find it rather therapeutic sitting quietly watching my freshly cut doily appear as I push the tiny pieces of confetti out of the die cut (but not so much from thinking about the extra vacuuming that will be needed).  Oh Dear.

Thanks for stopping by to have a look.  I appreciate your visits so.  

If The Crown Fits...

I know that sometimes I can be a royal pain, but if the crown fits...  What can I say?  This card is a fun queenly card using my coveted Waltzingmouse stamps Rescue Remedies Additions and Spellbinders' Nested Crowns that was especially made for week three of the Summer Card Class.   I really enjoyed not having to angst over the colors for this week, as they are largely more earthy and warm and clearly nod to my more comfy vintage leanings.   I wonder how many of the other students in the card class will be up in arms about this color selection?  I bet there will be a fair few, I dare say.   The inspiration behind the crown and the regal sentiment was from all the current royal mania buzzing around Wills and gorgeous Kate.  So when you read the Waltzingmouse sentiment on my card, all of you Ma'ams (pronounced like hams) and fine Sirs, please note it is obligatory to do so with a posh accent.   Thank you. *curtsies*

An Adoring Rose.

I was certainly feeling rosy when I paper pieced this Waltzingmouse stamp.  Waltzingmouse's Roses in Bloom is such a lovely set.  I find that the main focal image rose lends itself so well to being pieced.  I'm not entirely convinced that I did it justice, but it was a wonderful time had attempting the process.  This card was made for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge using the colors from The Play Date Cafe (Mint, Buttercream and Taupe).    It's been a while since I've thrown a card into the ring for either of these fab challenges so it was nice to be able to do so today.  Even though I made this card this morning, it isn't a bonny a day as I would have liked for picture taking, so I have given you a natural light shot as well as a flashy one.  You've got to do what you've got to do, right?  Anyways, I am sure you get the picture.  *wink*

Please find below the natural light image of my card, the inspiration photo for this week's The Play Date Cafe Challenge, and the natty sketch from Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge for this week.

Lovely of you to stop by.  Have a fantastic day!    x


Supplies:

• Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Roses In Bloom and Off-Beat Backgrounds, Papertrey Ink's Tiny Tags
• Paper:  Papertrey Ink Spring Moss , Stampers Select White, and Fine Linen C/S, Basic Grey, Websters, and Pink Paislee DP
• Accessories:  Antique White and Pale Gold Acrylic Paint, WRMK Corner Chomper, Tim Holtz Alterations Label and Tags, Papertrey Ink Impression Plates in Woodgrain, and Tin Types and Bakers Twine in Green, Uniball White Gel Pen, and Jute

Hand Baked Happiness!

This is a card I made as per week 2 of the Summer Card Class colors.  This color combination was moderately more comfortable than last week's first up combo, for sure.   I think what is getting me is that there are so many colors to be combined.  I generally craft with three main colors in mind, sometimes even less, but 5 colors was like Whoa Nelly!    If this challenge were being held back in the days of Communist Russia, I'd have one color to choose from and one color only.  No belly aching about too much choice then huh? 

So I whipped up this baby from my beloved Waltzingmouse Stamps Rescue Remedies set.  What I adore about this set in particular is that one stamp per card is generally all that I find is ever needed.  I must say, I do love a stand alone stamp. So handy.  Now if they had this back in the days of Communist Russia as my only choice, I'd be sweet.  

The cardstock papers used are some remnents of some textured Bazzill cardstock, some yummy Aqua Mist from Papertrey ink and a sheet from Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry DP.  The lily flower embellishment is very sweet, fragile, but sweet.  It is made from clay and chips easily.  I know this from being only able to salvage one still intact for this card from a bunch that was called to duty by my youngest daughter who thought the bouquet of flowers would be wonderful to decorate her doll house with.  Love her creative vision, but...  She must have hired some really rough and ready interior decorators is all I can say.  Mind you, I think Barbie got married with them a few times and Dora The Explorer had to rescue them from Swiper (who is obviously still swiping!) a few times more as well. These poor flowers have, indeed, seen some action.  Bless.  I also managed to use some of my new favorite ribbon that I currently have a crush on at the moment.  You've got to love two-toned satin saddle stitch.  Again yum.  Ooh, and I added a wee pearl for good measure.  Easy peasy!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a marvelous day!

Congrats Love Birds!

I have missed a few CR84FN Color Challenge challenges of late and thought it was high time I threw a card or two into the ring.  This fortnight's (two weeks for those outside the Commonwealth) colors are so gorgeous.  I must say it is not a combo I use often, but one I always admire.  Red, Pink and Neutral are just delectable together aren't they?

This card has decided it wants to be a congratulatory card of sorts.  Truth be told, I struggle to make commissioned cards requesting a specific theme.  Weird I know.  I much prefer to just start the process and see what the card begins to morph itself into.  I find this "Surprise Chef" kind of crafting to be the most fun.  So with the pressure off, this is what I came up with using these delightful colors:

Thanks so much for swinging by.  I do adore your visits tremendously.  Have a brilliant day! 

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Large Doilies and Vintage Circles, Papertrey Ink Love Birds
• Paper:  Papertrey Ink Vintage Cram C/S, Pink Paislee, Basic Grey, and October Afternoon DP, Red Corrugated Board (from stash)
• Ink:  Versamark, Versafine Olympia Green, Brilliance Pearlescent Poppy, Adirondak Pink, and Distress Inks in Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, and Old Paper
• Accessories:  Papertrey Ink Rick Rack Die,Bakers Twine in Pure Poppy,  and Bird Cage Die, Spellbinders Nestabilities, JustRite Custom Sentiment Dies and Large Scallop Circles Dies, Small Circles Dies, American Crafts Bright White Embossing Powder, WRMK Scallop Corner Chomper, and Pink Basic Grey Brad

Summer Card Camp Additional Colors: Week 1.

This is a quick little number I put together using the last row of the Additional Colors for this week's Summer Card Camp (see chart below).  I love the colors used in this card and often use this combo or variations there of quite often... it's a definite fave.

The stamps used in this card are all Papertrey Ink save the Hero Arts Ledger, Old Letter and Heart Flourish rubber stamps used on the background (some used only in parts).  The paper used on the dressform is actually made of wool.  Cool, ay?  While I have a bit of free time to card make, I shall go and get crafty.  I'll be back soon.

Thanks for visiting.  Do know it's my pleasure!