l-o-v-e buttons

Sorry it's been so long, ladies! Things are quite busy around here, but I'll have a bunch of posts for ya soon ;) Thanks for stickin with me!!

Here's another love card that uses a lot of buttons! I got this stamp at a "going out of business" garage sale, and there was no maker on this stamp- anyone seen it before?? The great metallic shimmer black paper is by Recollections- Michael's generic brand. It's super pretty in person!

love buttons

Here's another card to tide ya'll over until next week ;) This card is a CASE... but unfortunately I didn't jot down the original blog :( So know that the LO and idea for the "button panel with love tag" came from someone else! If it looks familiar, shoot me a message, I would love to give credit :) It's a great way to use up some surplus buttons!! I might be using this LO again... it would look cute with different colors and a lil "HB" tag for happy birthday or a "baby" tag... it's fun :)

helicopters

Sorry things have been a bit slow around here... been taking care of stuff around the house as we're gearing up to move to our next Army post in not too long- gotta purge, organize, and donate some stuff before then!

Anyways, speaking of the Army, here's a card that I made that's pretty simple- some kraft cardstock, popped up Army-themed DP, and helicopter stamp.

I'll be back next week with some new creations! Some of my "purging" and organizing actually involved getting a little crafty, but I gotta finish up those projects before I share them with you ;) So stay tuned! {please! hehe}

Tissue Paper Topiary Tutorial

Whew! Say that five times fast! Tissue Paper Topiary Tutorial... So I was the decorating gal for a recent Silent Auction event on-post, tight budget, so I made a few of the items... including the above topiaries! They're kinda an "in thing" right now, so I decided to try my hand at them :)

Our colors/theme was black & white damask & chandeliers with a pop of red. Although our family doesn't celebrate the holiday {everyday is "love day" in our home!} these would be great decor for a Valentine's Day theme too. So here's a {hopefully} pretty easy tutorial if you want to give them a go too!

Tissue Paper Topiary Tutorial

{Materials}

foam ball

wooden dowel

tissue paper {a lot}

hot glue gun {and lots of glue sticks!}

strands of beads

straight pins

ribbon

marbles/pebbles

sand

vase

{Step 1} Cut out roughly a bajillion tissue paper circles... I cut them out as I went along, so I wouldn't have too many left over, so I honestly don't know how many there ended up being. I took three sheets of tissue paper, folded them into quarters {so folded in half, and then in half again} and then cut out the circles. I played around with sizes when I first started, and settled on circles that were about 2.5-3" in diameter.

{Step 2} Take three circles, hold them at the center, then crinkle them {see above, bottom left corner of the photo}. This will be the center layer of your flower. Then take another three circles, hold them in the center, and kind of fold them around the "flower center layer" {see below}. The outer layer kind of naturally folds itself. It's not an exact science either, some of my flower outside layers were more "crinkled" than "folded," I just let them do their thing.

{Step 3} Add a nice big dollop of hot glue to the back center of your flower {where you were holding the flower}, push onto your foam ball, and hold for 10-20 seconds. You want to give the glue enough time to seep through all the layers of hot glue so that the flower center stays too. A few of my flower centers fell out- I just added a small dollop of glue to them and stuck them back onto their flower!

{Step 4} Repeat steps 1-3 until foam ball is covered :) I didn't like the look of the plain white {you can see I added in a few red flowers too!} so I took an ink pad and just ran it over my topiary ball. It inked up the edges of the flowers and gave it a nice two-tone look!

{Step 5} Paint a wood dowel and insert it into the vase. Then fill vase with marbles first then add in sand. This gave a very sturdy support base. I added some nice damask ribbon to top it off! You could also use foam for a support base, but since I used clear vases, I wanted something that looked nice and also would support.

{Step 6} These beads came pre-strung on fishing line. I tied the end of each line to a stick pin and then stuck the pin into the base of the topiary. My stick pins had little balls on the end, so it kept the line from falling off. If you use a regular stick pin {sans balls} then just add a tiny dollop of hot glue to secure the line to the pin after you're done tying.

{Step 7} Stand back and admire you're work :) You're done! I hope that wasn't too confusing... I'm a visual person, so I think the photos are more helpful than my word descriptions! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or email me and hopefully I can describe it better for you :)

.: linking up at :.

1 Month 2 Win It

Go big with PTI

{EDIT:: updated photos, better lighting}

Yet another day of amazingness over at PTI! They're gearing up for this month's new releases and challenging us to make some fun projects along the way! So today's challenge was to "go big" in honor of their new "Think Big" sentiments stamps coming out this February. Well... I'm thinking the flower on my card might just fit the "big" bill, what do you think? ;) Hehe...

I had to get creative with the sentiment, since again, my current PTI stamps are mostly Christmas themed. So I masked two sentiments from Holiday Tags Collection- the "happy holidays" and "winter wishes." I gave this card to my hubby :) Hehe, he loves it when I make him cards, and I love to make him happy, so it all works out quite well! I paired the sentiment with some Silent Night swirls, pearls, gems, and the PTI bookmark die. Oh yes, and of course the felt flower, stitched up leaves, and the big black glossy button! ;)

my hero

Here's the last card for the collection of cards I've been sharing, that are going towards a raffle item. It's part of a larger basket- items are being donated for a "Deployment Survival Kit" and I chose to add cards for someone to put in care packages to send to their loved ones. I know my DH loves getting handmade cards, and even more so when he was deployed!

i love you branch

I'm finishing up that batch of cards that I started showing you yesterday. This is an anniversary card {the inside sentiment says "happy anniversary" hehe}. I used the color scheme from SPCC #86, the LO from Get Sketchy #73, and the twine to play along at DeNami Product Challenge #06.

Flourishes Missing You with PTI

So here's my final card of the night! Thanks for staying with me through all these awesome color scheme projects tonite, hehe! This card uses the color scheme below, which Lisa shared with us :)

In case you didn't see my original post, I have a batch of cards to make as part of a raffle prize, and since I have to make 10+ cards, I decided to play along with the color challenges going on as part of PTI's 4th Anniversary!! If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should- a.maz.ing stuff going on there!!! :)

Books and Tea with PTI

So here's project six of the night! This bookmark uses the color scheme below, which Maile shared with us :)

In case you didn't see my original post, I have a batch of cards to make as part of a raffle prize, and since I have to make 10+ cards, I decided to play along with the color challenges going on as part of PTI's 4th Anniversary!! If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should- a.maz.ing stuff going on there!!! :)

Happiest Birthday with PTI

So here's card five of the night! This card uses the color scheme below, which Nichole shared with us :) Again, I don't have any Birthday PTI sentiments {yet!}, so I pieced part of a holiday PTI sentiment "wishing you the happiest..." with another birthday sentiment. I think it works pretty well ;)

In case you didn't see my original post, I have a batch of cards to make as part of a raffle prize, and since I have to make 10+ cards, I decided to play along with the color challenges going on as part of PTI's 4th Anniversary!! If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should- a.maz.ing stuff going on there!!! :)

Stars Missing You with PTI

So here's card four of the night! This card uses the color scheme below, which Jessica shared with us :)

In case you didn't see my original post, I have a batch of cards to make as part of a raffle prize, and since I have to make 10+ cards, I decided to play along with the color challenges going on as part of PTI's 4th Anniversary!! If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should- a.maz.ing stuff going on there!!! :)

With Love with PTI

So here's card three of the night! This card uses the color scheme below, which Dawn shared with us :)

In case you didn't see my original post, I have a batch of cards to make as part of a raffle prize, and since I have to make 10+ cards, I decided to play along with the color challenges going on as part of PTI's 4th Anniversary!! If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should- a.maz.ing stuff going on there!!! :)

Loving butterflies

So here's card two of the night! This card uses the color scheme below, which Betsy shared with us :)

In case you didn't see my original post, I have a batch of cards to make as part of a raffle prize, and since I have to make 10+ cards, I decided to play along with the color challenges going on as part of PTI's 4th Anniversary!! If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should- a.maz.ing stuff going on there!!! :)

happy birthday with PTI

I have a batch of cards to make as part of a raffle prize, and since I have to make 10+ cards, I decided to play along with the color challenges going on as part of PTI's 4th Anniversary!! If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should- a.maz.ing stuff going on there!!! :)

So here's card one of the night... many more to come, hehe! This card utilizes the Make It Monday Series technique! I loved the cards that Erin and Nichole shared on the post, so I took some elements from both of their cards :) Unfortunately, all of the PTI sets I have currently are Christmas or book themed- so I used the "Cheers" from one of my PTI sets, and the rest of the sentiments are various other makers. The background stamp in the birthday circle is also PTI! This didn't quite turn out how I'd thought... I might add a bit more to it, not sure, we'll see!

Celebratin with PTI take 9

Here's another project for PTI's 4th Anniversary celebration today! The free tag download I used on this birthday card is designed by Nichole Heady. I paired it up with a DP tag, some ribbon, stamping, and the mat stack 3 die. Another super simple card, and I'm lovin the results! :D Oh yea, if you haven't checked out all the celebratory amazingness, head on over!!!

Celebratin with PTI take 8

Here's another project for PTI's 4th Anniversary celebration today! The free tag download I used on this card is designed by Beth Silaika. I paired it up with some stamping, gems, and popped it up on a square of deep blue cardstock. Oh yea, if you haven't checked out all the celebratory amazingness, head on over!!!

Celebratin with PTI take 7

Here's another project for PTI's 4th Anniversary celebration today! The free tag download I used on this super simple thinking of you card is designed by Heather Nichols. I paired it up with some ribbon, eyelets, and the mat stack 3 die. Oh yea, if you haven't checked out all the celebratory amazingness, head on over!!!

Celebratin with PTI take 6

Here's another project for PTI's 4th Anniversary celebration today! The free tag download I used on this thank-you card is designed by Tiffany Pastor. You might recognize the LO from my earlier card.... I told you you'd see it again! Lovin this LO- so simple but it looks classy. Again, if you haven't checked out all the celebratory amazingness, head on over!!!

Celebratin with PTI take 5

Here's another project for PTI's 4th Anniversary celebration today! The free tag download I used on this bookmark is designed by Dawn McVey. I paired it up with some stamps, twine, and the bookmark & mat stack 3 dies! Oh yea, if you haven't checked out all the celebratory amazingness, head on over!!!

Celebratin with PTI take 4

Here's another project for PTI's 4th Anniversary celebration today! The free tag download I used on this card is designed by Lisa Johnson. I used some colored pencils to color in the image, then added some stamping, twine, ribbon, and a button. Super simple! In fact, you may be seeing this LO again... hehe. Oh yea, if you haven't checked out all the celebratory amazingness, head on over!!!

Celebratin with PTI take 3

Here's another project for PTI's 4th Anniversary celebration today! The free tag download I used on this birthday card is designed by Maile Belles. Again, if you haven't checked out all the celebratory amazingness, head on over!!!

Celebratin with PTI take 2

Here's another project for PTI's 4th Anniversary celebration today! The free tag download I used on this bookmark is designed by Alli Miles. I colored in the image with Staedtler marker pens and colored pencils, added a stamp, some ribbon, and used the bookmark die! Again, if you haven't checked out all the celebratory amazingness, head on over!!!

Celebratin with PTI

So day two of the amazing festivities over at PTI, where they're celebrating their 4th anniversary! Trust me- you don't want to miss this! So head on over and check out the amazing stuff happening!!

Today they had free gift tag printables designed by their designers- how awesome!! They're all so pretty, but I chose to use the tag designed by Melissa Bickford- the minute I saw that rainbow, I knew I wanted to get some rhinestones on it! Hehe. So this is what I came up with! Enjoy, and get on over to PTI!!! ;)

Happy Anniversary, PTI

Happy Anniversary, PTI!!!

One of my favorite stamp companies is celebrating 4 years :) I know that you've seen this project already, but it's my favorite PTI project and so I'm re-posting it in honor of their anniversary :) Head on over {here} to join in on all the amazing fun!!

So this is how my project started.... I've been needing a more convenient way to clean my toilets... yes, I said it. It's true! I've switched over to using straight up vinegar and baking soda for toilet bowl cleaning, but using just a little plastic cup to sprinkle both around the inside of the bowl just hasn't been working the best. In comes these two old canisters. The old dish liquid container is perfect for squirting the vinegar, and the cinnamon container will be perfect for sprinkling the baking soda!

Enter the PTI stamps, some DP, ink... and this is how my project turned out! I'm joining in on their January 2011 Blog Hop {my first PTI hop ever!} and their theme is to use a set that you haven't, if ever, used... well ALL of my sets are brand new and thus barely used! I whipped out the All Booked Up and 2009 Holiday Tags. Something that I DID use that was collecting dust was my Mod Podge... yup, believe it or not, this is my first time using it!! I have TWO bottles and never used them yet... so since none of my stamps were collecting dust, I kept with the theme of the hop and used my dusty Mod Podge ;)

Anyhoo, I wanted to keep this project pretty flat, so no 3D embellies, but I did layer on the stamps! There's three PTI stamps in there and then the letters :) I would have loved to dress it up a bit more, if it were a card, but I'm pleased with the results!

I love the phrase- although intended for Christmas time, I think it works perfectly for my cleaning supplies... a reminder to keep a "merry" attitude whilst making everything "bright" and sparkly clean ;)

PS. I know I can't spell, lol.

Feel free to take a peek at my blog post {here} on my homemaking blog to see more about my bathroom cleaning arsenal! :)

.: materials :.

stamps:: PTI, Studio G

inks:: MS, Colorbox, Stazon

DPs:: MS, DCWV

thanks so much

Here's a 10-minute card that I whipped together inbetween a bunch of baking today! My inlaws are visiting and I wanted to make them a card to say thanks for coming- it can be a tough drive because in between our homes there's an section of highway that constantly gets hit by lake effect snows. They had a safe trip thankfully!

Flower image is Unity's KOM Take Time to Laugh and the sentiment is Verve. Used Memento ink, added some Twinery twine and Recollections gems and done! :)

.: challenges :.

The Sisterhood of Crafters {anything goes}