A "Dig It Out" CASE

Crazy title huh! Well...Angie has been doing a "Dig It Out & Use It Up Wednesday" challenge on her blog and so I thought I would give it a whirl this morning! I realize that this idea was not an original...far from it!! I completely CASED this card from Sara...see her card here. She is a talented stamper...her cards and scrapbook pages are always the cutest! I have been wanting to make one of these cards since I saw hers...so I finally did it and it fit Angie's challenge perfectly! So I dug out all my teeny, tiny little scraps of Summer Picnic paper that I refused to throw away in the event that they might come in useful!! I love the layout of this card...I am going to do this one a few more times...simple, cute and uses up those scraps that you can't bear to part with but know you probably won't ever use!! :)
Have a wonderful Wednesday...I am off to the mall in search of some summer clothes for the kids and I and new swimsuits for the kiddos!! :)
....chat at ya later!!!
what's in it?...
stamps...Absolutely Fabulous
paper...kraft, Summer Picnic dsp
ink...old olive
accessories...bashful blue striped ribbon, olive & pumpkin brad
other...1 1/4 in. square punch, die-cut blooms, glue dots

flower that won't die!!

These are my kinda flowers...the ones that won't die and don't need any attention at all but always look good! I made this cute bouquet for Tyson's teacher. He has insisted for quite some time that she needed a "flower bouquet"! So I decided to just take some time yesterday and get it done! He is such a thoughtful little guy...he was so eager to get to school today to give them to his teacher and he was proud to report when he came home that she said "It made her year, mom...not just her day but her whole year!!!" What a sweet little thing! I used the big blossom stamp from last years Sale-a-bration catalog. I used a 12x12 sheet of paper to make the flower holder. I just scored each side of the paper at 4 & 8 inches and cut a few of the scores lines and it turns into this super simple little box.
Hope your Tuesday is terrific...the weather is sooo gorgeous today that we are having an early dinner and then heading to the park to play for a while!!
...chat at ya later!
what's in it?...
stamps...Big Blossom, Priceless, Little Pieces, Polka Dot bkgrd
paper...certainly celery, cameo coral, so saffron, lavender lace, soft sky, crate dsp
ink...certainly celery, regal rose, so saffron, lavender lace, versamark, white craft, so saffron marker
accessories...silver hodgepodge, celery, light blue, white polka dot ribbon, saffron button, celery brads, rhinestone brads, love & happiness rub-ons
other...clear & glitter embossing powder, 1 1/4 & 1 inch circle punches, sewing needle, rub-on tool

another simple flower

Happy Monday!! How is the week startin' out for you? I have been busy but it's all good! Lots to do this week!! I made a really quick card...again! I am likin' the quickies! I just cut out flowers from a piece of American Crafts dsp....and I used the back side as my coordinating color for the red piece that is on the card. I used a tiny little strip of marigold morning at the bottom. {that was to cover up a mistake I made...but it works!}
Gotta run...still busy but I had to take a few minutes to make a card and share it with ya'll!!
Thanks for comin' by to my lil 'ol blog!!
what's in it?...
stamps...Absolutely Fabulous
paper...whisper white, marigold morning, silly string American Crafts dsp
ink...chocolate chip
accessories...chocolate satin ribbon, pewter brads
other...corner rounder

Mr. Feel Better

Doesn't he just make you smile...especially if you needed to feel better or have a little pick-me-up!! He just made me smile when I discovered him. I found this fun idea from Nancy check out her card here. I wanted to make one too and it was so quick and easy to do...just used my stamp-a-ma-jig to get his face on straight. I am definitely going to be making a few more of these to keep on hand for when I need a "feel better" or "get well" kinda card. He was made from the pieces in the Pick a Petal stamp set.
Ok...I am off to catch a quick Sunday afternoon nap...I didn't sleep at all last night and after church now I am exhausted!!!
Have a great rest of your weekend and we'll chat at ya on Monday!!
{{luv ua...mean it.....Tara}}
what's in it?...
stamps...Pick a Petal, Paper Tray (sentiment)
paper...wild wasabi textured, brilliant blue, pumpkin pie, whisper white, Jersey Shore dsp
ink...wild wasabi, pumpkin pie, brilliant blue, bashful blue
accessories...bashful blue striped ribbon, silver brads
other...stamp-a-ma-jig, lg. oval punch, dimensionals

a double feature!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! I am so glad the weekend is here!! I am anxious to hang out with Shawners a little this weekend since he spent 1/2 the week out of town! After working on grad. announcements most of the day and then dinner, yardwork, 3 boys haircuts and a quick pick up through the house....I was so tired and just wanted to crawl into bed and go to sleep last night! But wouldn't ya know it...as I was getting my glass of water and about to head up to bed I saw my stamp table and thought...oh just a quick card wouldn't hurt!! Shawn was doing a couple things on the computer and I thought...just a quick card while he is busy! I don't think I have ever done a simple white card before in all my stamping...I always pull out color or cover up the white so I wanted to make a clean white card. I decided to make 2...since it was a simple card. {You can never have too many cards on hand!...right?!!} Easy...these would've taken about 5 mins. to make but I decided to cut out the flowers so that took a little more time...but still pretty fast for 2 cards. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for coming by and all the nice comments! Have a fantabulous Friday!!!
***so did I go to bed after stamping my 2 quick cards?...NO...I remembered The Office was on & also Grey's Anatomy was back!...and watched that and then got my second wind and didn't fall alseep until almost 1:00am...ugh!!!
what's in it?...
stamps...Spring Solitude, Absolutely Fabulous
paper...whisper white
ink...real red, pumpkin pie, basic black
accessories...red & pumpkin brads, red & pumpkin striped ribbon
other...stamp-a-ma-jig, scissors

a challenge card...finally!

I feel like I have been working on orders so much lately (which I have) that I haven't been able to participate in any challenges!! So I decided to just clear my stamp table of work for a minute and make a card for today's color challenge at Splitcoast. The challenge was Pretty Certainly Chocolate. I used my Spring Solitude stamp set...this is the first time it has seen ink! I cut out the bird and the flower and glued them on the image. I added a few brads, some ribbon, inked up the edges of the paper, used a little dsp (designer series paper) and that's it! Pretty quick card! Gotta run...with Shawners out of town I am the go to person and the kids are calling! At least I stole 10 minutes to make a card!! :)
Have a great rest of your day!! Thanks for coming by!
what's in it?...
stamps...Spring Solitude
paper...pretty in pink, chocolate chip, certainly celery, whisper white, pretty in pink dsp
ink...bashful blue, pretty in pink, chocolate chip, regal rose, certainly celery, marker; old olive, close to cocoa
accessories...pink & celery brads, celery ribbon
other...oval punch, dimensionals, mat pack & paper piercer

bridal shower

I have been working on another order for some bridal shower invitations. The brides colors are yellow and purple. Those are hard for me but I think I made it work with the help of some super cute paper I found at Archivers. I used this darling Bride to Be stamp. I added some star dust stickles to parts of the flower bouquet to make it sparkly for a bride. I colored it with my markers and blender pens and wanted kind of a watercolor look so I wasn't real careful about staying in lines. I used this gorgeous sheer polka dot ribbon from May Arts and also added a tiny little purple sheer ribbon to it too. I think that's about it! I am still finishing up that last few things to get them in the mail to my customer but I wanted to share it with ya!
Have a marvelous Monday!!!
{{luv ya....mean it....Tara}}
what's in it?...
stamps...Big on Spring
paper...white, pale plum, so saffron, purple polka dot dsp(making memories), yellow dsp (crate)
ink...staz-on black, old olive, markers; old olive, pale plum, orchid opulence, so saffron, barely banana, regal rose
accessories...may arts ribbon, silver brads, star dust stickles
other...stamp-a-ma-jig, blender pens

grad announcements

So I thought I would share one of the things I have been working on. I am making graduation announcements for a couple of girls. Both girls decided they didn't want the traditional announcements offered by the high school so they asked if I could come up with something. I told them absolutely!! So here is one of the ones I am doing. This young lady liked the criss cross card so we went with that. I found some cute patterned paper that she liked to match the school colors (red & white) Then came up with some ways to jazz it up, to be that cute announcement she was looking for. I went to my friend Penny and she was super sweet and she helped me cut out the "2008" on her cricut! I found the grad. caps at Archivers to use for the tab...instead of using the regular pull tab. I used lots of silver stickles to glitter it up and added a few brads for interest. I snagged the saying from the Live your Dreams set. I covered up all the personal info so that's why it looks a little funny!
Thanks for coming by! AND THANKS for being patient with me while I have been sooooo extremely busy.
{{luv ya...mean it.....Tara}}
what's in it?...
stamps...Event Full
paper...black, white, red & black polka dots (can't remember the company)
ink...black, real red marker
accessories...silver brads, silver stickles, grad. caps
other...computer, sticky strip, cricut, paint brush, stamp-a-ma-jig

Color Inspiration card

I decided to throw caution to the wind and just take a break from grad announcements...I forced myself to make something! I decided to play along in Kristina's color inspiration. I am not sure I am completely loving it...but it's growing on me! I also tried my hand at the ribbon weaving she showed on her MACM video! Cool huh! It was really easy! I also saw this super cute idea from Dawn on her cards...she used her paper snips (as did I) and snipped a notch in every other scallop. Thanks gals for all the fabulous inspiration so I could make a card today!!!! Gotta run...time to pick up Kyler!!
Happy Thursday....another happy dance to do The Office is on!!
what's in it?
stamps...Absolutely Fabulous
paper...close to cocoa, so saffron, certainly celery, bashful blue, bashful blue dsp
ink...close to cocoa
accessories...build-a-brad, millennium blue ribbon
other...glue dots, sticky strip, dimensionals, scallop punch, 1/2 in. circle punch, 1 in. circle punch

an oldie...& what was I thinking?...

Since I am still busy working on orders I thought I would share this card from when I very first started stamping....about 2 1/2 yrs ago. Can you tell since then I have upgraded the camera?!! What a terrible picture!!! Isn't focus one of the first things you try to achieve when taking a picture....apparently not! This made me laugh when I found it...so I had to share! I am not even going to attempt to give you the "what's in it"!!! It was too long ago! :) I do remember that I saw this idea on Splitcoast Stampers though....the sentiment made me smile! Have a good laugh and have a great day!!!
{{luv ya...mean it....Tara}}

a scrapbook bag

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon here is Katy! I wish this gorgeous blue sky, light breeze, all the windows open, 75 degree weather was what we got year round!!...{a girl can dream} Shawn is getting the grill ready for us to BBQ and the kids are playing. So I thought I would sneak away for just a minute to do a quick post! So I am pretty darn impressed with myself! My sister is having a shower in May and I can' t be there but I wanted to get her a little something. I am sending a gift to my mom to take with her to the shower. I was wondering what I could do to make the gift bag cute and unique! Well this is what I came up with. I know Carly has mentioned starting a scrapbook and baby albums and wanting to preserve those precious memories of her baby girl. So I took a kraft colored gift bag and decorated the front of the bag with a scrapbook page. I made it small enough that she can add it to whatever size album she decides to use. I carefully adhered the white paper so that she can gently remove it without damaging the page. I used the Crew Girl Simply Scrappin' Kit from Stampin' Up! I LOVE this scrap kit...I love the colors and all the "stuff" in it is sooo fun. I think she will like it and most of all I thought I was pretty creative!! Don't pay any attention to me while my arm is recovering from pattin' myself on the back!! <-----this little guy says it all Have a good rest of your weekend!!
{{luv ya...mean it....Tara}}
what's in it?...
paper...regal rose, whisper white, wild wasabi
accessories...silver brads, rose ribbon, wild wasabi ds ribbon
other...Crew Girls scrap kit, dimensionals, kraft gift bag, staples

another one....

Hey! Can you believe it's Friday already...where did the week go? I don't even know!! I haven't been able to post cuz I have been busy working on orders for customers. I am going to share one quick thing I got done this week though. Another onesie card! I know...I know another one?!!! My sister is having her baby shower in Seattle and since I can't be there...cuz I am all the way down here in Katy...I wanted to be a part of it somehow. I asked the girls throwing the shower if I could make the invites? I know we have seen these alot but my sister hasn't and I know she will love this! I gotta run...kids are out of school today and I have to go play entertainer!! Before I go is anyone else doing the happy dance?...The Office has returned...I watched last night and it was sooo funny! Thanks for stoppin' in and for all your tremendously kind comments! I hope you have a fantastic Friday!!!!!
{{luv ya...mean it!! ...Tara}}
what's in it?...
stamps...Event Full, Please Come (on the inside)
paper...white, Heidi Grace dp
ink...staz-on black, pretty in pink, mellow moss
accessories...crystal effects (on the pink peas), silver brads
other...scallop punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, stamp-a-ma-jig

**BLOG CANDY WINNER**

Ok...we have a winner! I used the Random.org thing and it picked #2....It's Tamara Follett here was her comment {That is really cute! I'm glad you gave a side shot so we could see the dimension. Can't wait to see what the candy is! Thanks for sharing your ideas.} Tamara send me your snail mail so I can send your goodies out to you!! I have been super busy so I don't have anything new to post right now so I will I share this card I made a while back! Have a terrific rest of you day!
{{luv ya...mean it!! ...Tara}}

my first SFYTT

It's Sunday night...almost time to get back to real life! But before I do I wanted to share a card I made. This was my first ever SFYTT (in case you don't know what that stands for it's Sketch For You To Try.) Jen always has these great sketches on her blog but I never seem to find the time to play along. (if you have been hiding under a rock and haven't been to her blog then you really should hop on over)So I was determined this time to try cuz the sketch is too fun! I have had this super cute wedding set for a while now but haven't used it yet...so I wanted to do something with it! I stamped the bride and groom in black Staz-On ink and used my blender pens to color in the image. I did some light sponging to soften the edges. I used my Three For You punch and added some flowers with silver brads in the middle and added chocolate satin ribbon at the bottom. I layered it all on a piece of vellum with white cardstock underneath. Then I popped the whole thing up on dimensionals. Have a great night & a marvelous Monday!!
{{luv ya...mean it.....Tara}}
whats' in it?...
stamps...To Have & To Hold
paper...soft sky, chocolate chip, whisper white, vellum, regal rose
ink...soft sky, close to cocoa, barely banana, going gray, regal rose, blush blossom, black Staz-On
accessories...silver brads, chocolate satin ribbon
other...dimensionals, blender pens, Three For You punch, stamp-a-ma-jig
**don't forget to check the post below for some blog candy!**

a card that took WAY TOO long!!

Hello everyone!! Happy Saturday!! The weather here is gorgeous today...I have been stamping with my windows open enjoying the breeze and listening to the sounds of Saturday with the kids home! Since Monday I have wanted to try the challenge on Splitcoast to use layers...I wanted to use my little truck...so today I thought I would sit down and tackle it and boy did it take forever!! I mean FOREVER!!! Whoever gets this card, if I decide to part with it, is going to here about the blood, sweat & tears it took to finish! {not really any of those things...just adding it for effect} Ok...enough drama...on to card deets! I stamped the truck in choc. chip a few times and cut out different pieces and popped them up on the truck. I colored it in with a creamy caramel marker and then went over some spots with close to cocoa and a blender pen. I cut out the window and used acetate behind it to give it that "window" effect. I stamped the lady and hearts and then set the truck up on dimensionals. I used my crop-a-dile and used jumbo eyelets for the tires...a cute little idea I got from Mary Jo Albright! The layout is for Beate's weekend sketch challenge. The pics aren't great...my camera isn't cooperating!...I refuse to believe it's because of operator error! Have a great rest of your day...I have to go rest my hands from all the work they just did!!
**Blog Candy time...pictures are below. I will draw a name on Tuesday at noonish. Only one comment per person. Only USA & Canadian residents...sorry my oversea friends! Thanks!!**
what's in it?... {what's not in it??}
stamps...Loads of Love
paper...close to cocoa, soft sky, certainly celery, regal rose ww, soft sky & certainly celery dsp
ink...close to cocoa, creamy caramel, grovvy guava, soft sky, certainly celery, regal rose, going gray
accessories...celery ribbon, pewter brads, acetate, pewter jumbo eyelets, diamond stickles
other...blender pens, stamp-a-ma-jig, crop-a-dile, hobble blade, circle & oval cutter (CM), dimensionals