Cherished (MME#27, PDCC #100)

Hello everyone!  Hope you all had a great summer and are having a super weekend so far!  Thanks for all the great supportive comments I've been getting.  I really appreciate them!  They really make my day. :)  I am really going to try and put this blog up higher on my priority list.  It's always the first thing to go when I'm busy or I don't feel well and I'm going to try and change that.  You all deserve better from me when you take the time to check in and especially when you are a follower, which I totally appreciate.  I always get super excited when I have a new follower so I need to do better for you, but I do appreciate your understanding about my health.  Now for the details about the card...

I used almost all products solely from My Mind's Eye.  The exceptions to this were: buttons from my stash, cardstock from PTI, and the scallop border punch from Fiskars.  I used MME Lime Twist and Lost and Found Two patterned paper collections.  The sticker was from the Stella and Rose collection.  I am in love with all three of these collections.  They happen to be my faves that MME has ever put out!  I think that Lost and Found Two is currently my fave.  It seems that I love each collection more and more, if that's possible?!

MME #27

My card is based on the sketch this week at the My Mind's Eye blog.  I followed the sketch to the letter this time.  If you decide to play along over at their blog the only rule is that your project needs to use 80% MME product.  This was easy for me because did I mention I have a lot of MME patterned paper?  This was a fun sketch that I really enjoyed.

The colors in my card are based on this week's color story at The Play Date Cafe.  I have trouble when there are more than three or four colors in a color story, so this one was really fun! :)  I have more ideas for this color story so don't be surprised if you see another card for the PDCC this week.  I hope you enjoyed my card for today!  Have a great rest of your weekend! 

Happy Crafting!
Rachael

Elegant With Sympathy (PDCC #83, CAS FTL #141, PTI Make It Monday)

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend so far!  The sun is just starting to come out here after a day of rain.  Here's hoping tomorrow is a day full of sun, fun, and much crafting! :) 

Today's card is a sympathy card per this week's Make It Monday challenge over on Nichole Heady's blog from PTI.  The sentiment stamp is from the PTI Mixed Messages stamp set.  I love this stamp set!  Its sentiments are perfectly worded and wonderful when you need something smaller in size.  They have the same set sized a little bigger in Mega Mixed Messages.  I love PTI stamps!  Their sentiments are always perfectly worded and are in the cutest fonts and their images are just as adorable!  I am a complete addict!  I just started using their other products too.  The black cardstock on this card is from PTI.  Their cardstock is thick and wonderful to use and your card will stand up easily. 

The patterned paper is from October Afternoon's Cherry Hill paper pad collection.  October Afternoon has to be one of my favorite manufacturers!  They make the cutest papers in the world!  I actually can't wait for their next collection to come out.   I get so excited when I get the email that their latest collection has come out that I rush to my computer and order the paper pad and embellishments to go with it.  The problem is that then I have to wait for them to arrive in my mailbox.  What are you gonna do?  The ribbon flower is from Jolee's.  I used a Fiskar's scalloped border punch on the striped paper and tied a sheer black ribbon from my craft supply around it.  The colors for the card were inspired by this week's color story from The Play Date Cafe.  The layout for the card was inspired by this week's sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping.  I hope you enjoy this card.  If you need ideas for making sympathy cards, again, check out this week's Make It Monday challenge on Nichole Heady's blog.  Have a great rest of your week!  Happy Crafting!

CAS FTL #141

Button Flowers (PDCC #78, WMSC #44)

I hope you all had a great Easter weekend!  The card I have for you this evening incorporates the Spring Basket stamp set from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  I use this stamp set all the time and love it!  The blue satin ribbon is from American Crafts, one of my very favorite ribbon companies.  I have too much ribbon from them to count.  I'm a little addicted, shhh don't tell.  The cardstock is from A Muse Studio.  To make the "polka dots" I used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder and then sanded the cardstock.  I love that look!  I used the Nestabilities classic circles large and classic scalloped circles large dies to surround the image.  Of course I used Copic markers to color the image and then also to outline it to make it pop. 

The layout and colors for this card were inspired by this week's challenges at The Play Date Cafe and Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  There's still plenty of time to play along with the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  It's loads of fun and they choose a random winner to win a stamp set!  One week I even won!  Give it a try.  Have a great week!  Happy Crafting! 

Happy Birthday Balloons (PDCC #76, Moxie Fab: In My Beautiful Balloons Challenge in the Moxie Fab World)

I have another card for you today.  I know, I don't post for a while and then two in one day.  What can I say?

The cardstock, gingham paper, and sentiment stamp are from A Muse Studio.  The balloons are from PTI from the Everyday Button Bits set.  The wonderful cloud paper is from American Crafts and the gems are from Hero Arts.  The buttons are from Doodlebug Design, Crate Paper, and Cosmo Cricket.  I have become addicted to buttons.  They have become my new go to embellishment.  I used Spellbinders dies, lacey circles and big scalloped circles large, and the punch is the apron border punch from Fiskars.  I used DMC floss in the buttons. 

My card was inspired by this week's color story from The Play Date Cafe and the In My Beautiful Balloons Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

You're Eggstra Special (PDCC #73, ESS #122, GRAC107)

I had such a perfect day today!  I slept in, played in my craft room and made this card, and then went for a walk with my hubby and my dog.  What could be better than that?!  I hope you all had a great day as well. :) 

I thought I'd make an Easter card since it's only a month away.  This card is inspired by the color story below from The Play Date Cafe and based on the sketch below from Eat Sleep Stamp.  I also found a new challenge this week called Glenda's Random Amusing Challenge and this week you're supposed to use more than one punch/die on your card or project.  I managed to do that so I thought I'd enter.  The challenge runs for another week or so there's plenty of time for you to play along if you feel inspired.  I used A Muse cardstock, gingham paper, and a notecard.  The polka dot paper is from the Fly A Kite paper pad by October Afternoon.  The stamps are my new ones from Waltzingmouse.  I used both label one and eyelet circle dies from Nestabilities.  And as always, I colored the Easter basket and eggs with my Copic markers. I really like this color combo and how the card turned out.  I wasn't sure in the beginning, but in the end I really like it.  I hope you do too!  Have a great weekend!  Happy Crafting!

The Road to a Friend's House (PDCC #70, ESS #119)

Tonight's post will be short and sweet.  This card is based on the sketch below from Eat Sleep Stamp and inspired by the color story below from The Play Date Cafe.  The stamps are from A Muse, big surprise, and so is the notecard, cardstock, and gingham paper.  The patterned paper is from the Wander paper pad by Basic Grey.  I love the colors and patterns in this paper pad, although I haven't used very much of it yet.  I used my Copics to color the image.  I used the banner die from PTI to make the gingham banner and added the cute little orange buttons to add just the right detail.  I think it turned out pretty cute, but maybe that's just me. :)  I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week and have a chance to fit in some creative time.  Happy Crafting!

stamps: road to friend, house & trees (A Muse Artstamps)
ink: black dye ink (A Muse Artstamps)
notecard: surf (A Muse Artstamps)
cardstock: white, orange crush (A Muse Artstamps)
patterned paper: grass petite gingham (A Muse Artstamps), Wander paper pad (Basic Grey)
markers: Copic
die: banner (PTI)

I Love You More Than..(PDCC #68, ESS #117, Moxie: Tuesday Trigger Decadently Yours)

Happy early Love Day all!  I hope you're all enjoying a romantic weekend with your sweeties.  I have a Valentine's Day card for you!  It's based on the sketch below from Eat Sleep Stamp, the color story below from The Play Date Cafe, and the Tuesday Trigger Challenge Decadently Yours from Moxie Fab World.  The stamps are from A Muse, of course, and so are the heart twinkle stickers.  The patterned paper is PTI's 2008 Bitty Dot Basics and the die is Nestabilities label 16.  The border punch is from Fiskars, and is one of my faves!  I really enjoyed this sketch, color story, and Trigger challenge.  I hope you like the card I made because I made it for you!  Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Crafting!

Tuesday Trigger: Decadently Yours

stamps: Elyse, I love you more than, Chocolate assortment (A Muse Artstamps)
ink: Adirondack espresso dye ink (Ranger)
notecard: plum (A Muse Artstamps)
cardstock: blush, natural (A Muse Artstamps)
patterned paper: 2008 Bitty Dot Basics (PTI)
markers: assorted (Copic)
punch: apron lace border (Fiskars)
die: Nestabilities label 16 (Spellbinders)
gems: twinkle stckers mini heart

Elegant Cameo (PDCC #64, Tuesday Trigger I'm So Pretty, Moxie Fab Gray is the New Black Challenge)

Well, I'm back!  So sorry it's been so long.  I got a migraine that lasted a whole month (which has only happened to me about 3 times in my life, thank goodness), then I got a cold, then I got another migraine.  It's been quite a rough month and a half.  I'm back in fighting shape now and ready to get back to work.  I have missed making cards and missed all of you.  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are having a great start to your new year. :)

My card tonight is based on the color combo below from The Play Date Cafe, the Tuesday Trigger I'm so Pretty picture challenge below from the Moxie Fab World, and the Gray is the New Black Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  I kept it soft like the leather chair and stuck to the colors in the Play Date challenge.  I didn't use a sentiment because I didn't think it was necessary.  I was really inspired by the roses on the pillow so I had to include some flowers on my card.  I really like how it turned out.  Hope you do too!

Tuesday Trigger: I'm So Pretty

white cardstock: A Muse Artstamps
kraft cardstock: PTI
patterned paper: October Afternoon
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Clearsnap
pearls: A Muse Artstamps
flowers: Prima
punches: Marvy Uchida

Have an Ice Day (PDCC #58, CAS FTL #118, Moxie: Card Creations: All Occasions Challenge)

Sorry it's been a little while since my last post.  December is a very busy time for me, as I'm sure it is for all of us.  I have a lot of projects to do for Christmas, cards to finish to get in the mail, cards to complete for submissions and deadlines, shopping, shopping, and more shopping to finish, and friend and family functions to attend.  I will try to post as often as I can during this busy month.  I promise business will be back to normal in the New Year.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

This evening's card is based on the sketch below from Clean and Simple Stamping, the picture challenge below from The Play Date Cafe, and the Moxie challenge Card Creations: Favorite Occasions Week All Occasion Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  Sorry about the not so great photo, it was a rainy grey day out.  The stamps and ribbon are from A Muse.  I colored the ice skates with my trusty Copic markers and then highlighted the laces with a Signo uni-ball white gel pen.  I used a Marvy Uchida scallop circle punch and October Afternoon Good Cheer paper pad to finish off the card.  It was a little difficult to only use two colors, but I really like how the card turned out.  It seems that whenever I say that the card was a little difficult or stretched my creativity a bit I end up loving how it turns out.  It's funny how that happens. :)  I hope you all have some time this holiday season to be creative and to be with your friends and family.  Happy Crafting!

CAS FTL #118

notecard, cardstock, stamps, ribbon, ink: A Muse Artstamps
Good Cheer paper pad: October Afternoon
markers: Copic
scallop circle punch: Marvy Uchida

Cool Yule Penguin (PDCC #56, ESS #109, A Muse Challenge: Dashes, Dots, and Doodles)

I have some exciting news to share! Today on the PaperCrafts blog my Stamping Royalty card was featured along with a little blurb about me and a photo of me wearing my crown.  It was so exciting!  Thanks for indulging me.  Now on to the card for today...

 This card is based on the sketch below from Eat, Sleep, Stamp, the color challenge in the picture below from The Play Date Cafe, and the November challenge from the A Muse Lounge called Dashes, Dots, and Doodles.  Here are the details for the card.  The paper, stamps, and ink are all from A Muse.  The patterned paper is actually Reversed Asterisk Pretty Little Papers from A Muse.  Sadly they aren't making Pretty Little Papers anymore.  They had the cutest patterns and were such a great size.  I just cut it in half to make two squares for the card.  The present stamp is a separate stamp from the penguin stamp and is from the Baby Wishes Clear Set.  I paper pieced the present with blue gingham patterned paper then drew a line connecting it to the fishing line.  I colored the penguin image with my trusty Copics.  I used the large oval Nestabilities die and adhered it with pop dots to add some more interest to the card.  I really like how it turned out.  It looks really festive for the holidays!  If I didn't already have my Christmas cards already worked out I would consider using this card.  I hope you all get some good crafting in this holiday week.  Happy Crafting!

all paper, stamps, ink: A Muse Artstamps
markers: Copic
die: Spellbinders

Happy Holidays Girl (PDCC #55, ESS #108)

This evening's card is based on the sketch below from Eat Sleep Stamp and the color challenge below from The Play Date Cafe.  I used A Muse stamps, of course.  I colored the image with my Copic markers, mainly the colors from the PDCC challenge.  I punched a snowflake from my Martha Stewart arctic snowflake punch, adhered it to the card with a pop dot, and adhered a clear gem to the top.  Let me know what you think of my card.  I hope you all get a chance to have some creative time this weekend.  Happy Crafting!

all paper, stamps, ink: A Muse Artstamps
markers: Copic
punch: Martha Stewart

Thank You Paper Flower (CAS FTL #111, Moxie Fab Perfectly Placed Pleats, PDCC #52)

Tonight's card is based on the Perfectly Placed Pleats challenge in the Moxie Fab World, this color challenge from The Play Date Cafe, and this sketch challenge from Clean and Simple Stamping.  My card is very simple, but for the first time I made a pleated paper flower.  I cut a strip of patterned paper 3/4"x11", scored it every 1/2" , and then accordian folded it along the score marks.  I adhered the ends together with very strong adhesive forming a circle, gathered the folds together at the center, and then pushed the center down forming the "flower".  I punched a circle, cut the edges with scalloped scissors, and adhered it to the flower.  I tied yellow baker's twine in the button and adhered it on top of the flower as well.  I think for my first pleated paper flower it turned out pretty well.  I think I'll try it again soon.  It's fun to try something new once in a while.  I'd recommend it, you might be surprised at the outcome! :)  Happy Crafting!

all paper, stamp, ink: A Muse Artstamps
punch: EK Success
decorative edge scissors: Provo Craft
scoring board: Martha Stewart

Another Quilt Card, Handmade With Love (PDCC #51, GS # 60)

Today's, or should I say tonight's, post is going to be short and sweet because I don't feel very well.  My card is based on the sketch below from Get Sketchy and based on the colors in the picture below from The Play Date Cafe.  I made another quilt card for these challenges.  It's my second one and I am really loving how they are turning out.  I hope you enjoy this card too!  Happy Crafting!

all paper, ribbon, ink: A Muse Artstamps
stamps: Hero Arts
markers: Copic
square punch: Marvy Uchida