Lockhart Cupcake Cards

Edit: You're right, it's Cosmo Cricket, not October Afternoon patterned paper. Thanks for the heads up. And for coloring, I use Palette Black Noir ink.

I'm loving this new Cosmo Cricket patterned paper. The colors are vintage like yet are so vibrant too. I thought it would be fun to pair the papers with Karen Lockhart's 3 Cupcakes stamps for some fun new cupcake colors. When you click on that red link, you can view all of Karen's collection of cupcake stamps..cute!I used Copic Sketch markers to color in my cupcake images. By using the pointy tips of the Sketch markers, I was able to add polka dots to the background and image border.

I finished off my sweet cards with Papertrey Vintage Buttons tied with Rustic Twine, Papertrey sentiments from the cupcake stamp set and glitter on the cupcake frosting.

I left the insides of my cards blank. This way, I can use the cards for general greeting cards instead of just for birthday cards. Into my stash these little cuties go.....I may have to pull them out for my own secret stash cuz I think they're so adorable. Have a SWEET day everyone!!

Oh, and click on Karen's link to see her latest summer release of stamps! I can't wait to use the rocking chair with the quilt. *gasp*

Out to Sea....come along with me

Edited to answer a question: I don't put my little cards in envelopes. They will fit into a standard A2 size envelope or you could slip them into a Papertrey Glassine Sack. I think they're cute enough that they don't need a envy. :)

Are you all enjoying the Papertrey count down this month? There are some GREAT new sets and products being released this month. Nichole is counting down to release day, so be sure to check out her blog to see what's cookin'. Today I'd like to show you some samples made with the new set called Out to Sea. Papertrey cruise attendees received this set and now it's available to everyone!

I started out with a birthday card which would be perfect for big or little guys. I stamped and paper pieced images from Out to Sea onto a punched, scalloped oval. The *Ahoy, Matey* sentiment and stars from Out to Sea, and a birthday sentiment from Birthday Basics were stamped onto a Kraft piece of cardstock that has been machine stitched, layered with Scarlet Jewel cardstock and finished off with tied buttons. Men of Life patterned paper, which has the cute little anchors, Enchanted Evening ribbon with twine ties, and polka dots from the awesome new Polka Dot Bascis II set finish off the base card. And if you think it's too girly to add ribbon to masculine cards, zoom in to check out idea on my card. I tied two long pieces of Rustic Jute Twine around a strip of Saddle Stitched Enchanted Evening ribbon.....nothing too girly about that at all.And if you're like me, I like to experiment with all the different images in a new stamp set. Here's a fun way to do just that. Punch scalloped ovals using the Giga Marvy punch. Stamp images from the Borders and Corners: Ovals stamp set using Scarlet Jewel ink.

Play around with various stamp image combinations. I used Scarlet Jewel and the new Enchanted Evening ink. Dress up the images with Spring Rain and Enchanted Evening Vintage Buttons tied with Rustic Jute Twine. Adhere the scalloped pieces to 3.25" x 3.5" pieces of stitched Kraft cardstock, inked with Fresh Snow on the edges. Anybody watch Gilligan's Island? Remember when Skipper would say to Gilligan, *Hey, Little Buddy*?

Add some stamped and computer generated sentiments to strips of Men of Life patterned paper and adhere to cardstock fronts. Finish off with various types of Enchanted Evening ribbon. YESSSSSSSSSSS, it's the new color this month! ;)

Put 'em all together and you've got yourself a nice little batch of single layer cards.

Perfect for lunch boxes, little love notes for the dear hubster, thank you notes to slip in a batch of fresh baked cookies......or tie one onto a package of Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies......or a package full of Life Savers. You can even adhere to them to full size cards later on. I love having a little stash of these cards in my basket, they come in so handy.

Thanks for visiting today.......and be sure to stop by Nichole's blog to see more samples.

Everyday Button Bits

Ladies, my darn links to the other designers aren't working....but if you copy and paste them, they work. I'm off to a quilt class today so I have to run. Hope you are loving all the sneak peeks!!

Everyday Button Bits is sure to be a Papertrey set you'll want to add to your collection. Each of the images has an open space where you place buttons that become part of the main image. We all love to collect buttons, and here's a chance for you to use those bigger buttons that come in your Papertrey collections. For my card, I used the trio of tree image that has 3 tree trunks just waiting for buttons to be plopped on top. I used circle punches to punch out some Green Tea Leaves circles to go under my Spring Moss Vintage Buttons that are tied with Rustic Cream Button Twine. With a little creativity, you can layer and combine accents to create some really cute projects. The little rolling hills image is another stamp from Everyday Button Bits. I stamped it onto some 2008 Bitty Box patterned paper and then cut it out. I used more of the same paper to layer under my main image piece that has been stitched with my sewing machine.

The sentiments in Everyday Button Bits are very cute too. I combined the *you've been so kind* sentiment with a *thank you* sentiment from Vintage Picnic. They mixy match together so well. I finished off my card with a splash of Melon Berry Itty Bitty Dots ribbon. Sometimes those unexpected colors are just what it takes to make your card come alive.

I know you're probably jumpin' in your seats over Everyday Button Bits. So let's not delay...head over to the other Papertrey Designers' blogs to see what they've created:

Nichole Heady http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/
Becky Oehlers http://hemidemisemiquaverdesignblog.com/
Heather Nichols http://www.pinefeather.typepad.com/
Lauren Meader http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Lisa Johnson http://www.poppypaperie.typepad.com/
Dawn McVey http://www.dawnmcvey.typepad.com/
Debbie Olson http://debbiedesigns.typepad.com/muse_and_amuse/
Geny Cassady http://madisonavenue.typepad.com/
Betsy Veldman http://scrapbookgirl.typepad.com/paper_scissors_and_superh/
Melissa Phillips http://lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com/lilybeans_paperie/
Niki Estes http://nikiestes.typepad.com/my_paper_creations/
Guest Designer Wendy Sue Anderson http://wendysueanderson.blogspot.com/

Spellbinders 2009 CHA Summer Releases!

Spellbinders Introduces:
Sneak Peeks on CHA Summer Trade Show Release Dies!
July 9 – July 22, 2009

Commenting on this post is welcome but does not enter you into the contest. This contest is sponsored directly by Spellbinders Paper Arts. Please read the post to find directions for entering. If you have any questions, please e-mail ContestQuestions@Spellbinders.us.

Welcome to the second day of Spellbinders CHA Sneak Peek Blog Frenzy!
Spellbinders is revealing 17 new die templates to be released at the Craft and Hobby Trade Show on July 28, 2009, with some of their greatest fans…YOU! From July 9 – 22, 2009, you will have the opportunity to be a part of these world wide sneak peeks through visiting the Spellbinders designer blogs listed below and trying your luck at winning spectacular die templates! You will have a chance to win the die I’m introducing AND the dies previously revealed in this CHA Blog Frenzy by entering the contest at the end of this post. This is a progressive prize, each day the daily prize grows! Be sure to read all the rules before entering! You still have until July 10th, 2009 11:59 pm EST to enter Debbie’s blog HERE
and until July 11th, 2009 11:59 pm EST to enter mine.

To see previous reveals, or to go to any of the blogs of future reveals, feel free to visit the following:
7/9 Debbie Olson
7/10 Michelle Wooderson (right here)
7/11 Karen Hunsaker
7//12 Kazan Clark
7/13 Linda Duke
7/14 Heidi Blankenship

7/15 Kimberly Crawford

7/16 Julie Overby
7/17 Sherry Cheever
7/18 Debbie Seyer
7/19 Lesa Rapp

7/20 Becca Feeken

7/21 Jennifer Davis
7/22 Keri Lee Sereika

After the entry deadline is reached, Spellbinders will randomly pick one entry from each Blog Frenzy reveal as stated in the “Rules”. Winner will be contacted by e-mail within 24 hours of the contest deadline. Winner will have 72 hours to reply to that e-mail to claim the prize. If Winner fails to respond within 72 hours, a new name will be drawn for said prize. Winner will receive the new die templates being revealed on the specific daily blog post they are entering.
Entrants visiting all 14 Spellbinders CHA Blog Frenzy Reveals and correctly entering their information into the separate drawings, as described below, will automatically be entered into a GRAND PRIZE give away of a full set of the CHA Summer 2009 die templates and Impressabilities releases, 29 products, with a retail value of $561.71.

I'd love to share a few projects with you using the new Nesting Pine Tree #S4-220 die templates. There are a set of three die templates, I'll be using the medium size for my first project. First, die cut trees using patterned paper.
While the paper is still in the die templates, trace around the inside of the pine tree image using a brown fine tip marker. The die templates make great tracing templates.
Embellish the die cuts with strips of ribbon, printed *s'mores* tags, buttons and twine. While you're at it, fancy up a few clothespins using leftover patterned paper, buttons and twine.
Attach the embellished pine tree tags to brown paper sacks using pop dots. Use the decorated clothespins as bag topper accents.
The surprise inside the decorated sacks are the ingredients for yummy S'more treats!! In each sack, place a Hershey's chocolate candy bar, 4 squares of graham crackers and lots of marshmallows. I placed my sacks in a wicker tray filled with some extra S'more ingredients and a bird nest, keeping with a woodsy theme. These little S'more sacks will make the perfect treat sacks for our next gathering. The girls can't wait to help me make more for when their friends come over. Another great tip: If you live near the woods, let your guests find their own s'more sticks and whittle down the tip. Kids love doing that!!

For my second project, I used the largest of the Nesting Pine Tree #S4-220 die templates. I die cut a large tree using the same process as above for my treat sacks.

I traced around the Nesting Pine Tree #S4-220 die cut with the same brown marker. I then created a circle tag embellishment using a computer generated *S'mores* sentiment and a Nestabilities Standard Circles, Small die template #S4-116. I added more buttons tied with twine and then tied my pine tree embellishment to a large handled jar, available at The Container Store.

I stuffed the jar with an entire bag of large, puffy marshmallows, Hershey's chocolate candy bars and a sleeve of graham crackers. This would make a perfect house warming gift or would be fun to take on a camping trip. I think I'll keep mine tucked in the pantry, full of goodies for whenever we head out to the timber. Now if I can just keep the girls out of the Hershey's bars!!
Supply List:
Die Templates: Nesting Pine Tree die templates #S4-220, Nestabilities Standard Circles, Small die templates #S4-116
Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Papertrey Kraft Cardstock
Stamps: Papertrey Trajan monogram stamp set
Ink: Papertrey Ripe Avocado, computer generated sentiments
Other: Papertrey Vintage Buttons, Papertrey Rustic Twine, Papertrey sacks, jar from The Container Store

Here's the details on the die templates I used. To enter the contest drawing, please read the rules that follow and click on my link to enter the contest.

Nesting Pine Tree #S4-220 MSRP $19.99

Measurements: small 1-1/4" tall, medium 2-3/4" tall, large 4-1/2" tall

Rules
Any participant wishing to be included in the daily drawing for the Spellbinders CHA Blog Frenzy give-away must adhere to all of the following rules. We are happy to welcome US and international blog guests for this Frenzy.
To enter each drawing on sneak peeks between July 9 and July 22, visit the reveal blog and click on the contest link to reveal an e-mail window. In the subject line of the e-mail, enter the die template name being revealed. Each blog reveal will remain open for 48 hours. Only 1 entry per blog is allowed and participant must use the same email address daily to be considered for grand prize entry, no exceptions. Please consider whether you will have access to the same e-mail address from July 9th through July 22nd and plan accordingly.
Spellbinders Design Team members and employees are not eligible for drawings.
Any participant wishing to be automatically entered into the drawing for the CHA Blog Frenzy Grand Prize must enter all 14 blog reveals and follow all the above rules.
Please note:
*Spellbinders will only use email information to contact the winner.
*Spellbinders will not share this email address with any other parties.
*Spellbinders will not use this email information for advertisements or communications
other than to contact the winner.
*If you wish to be included in further communications from Spellbinders, please go to their homepage SpellbindersPaperArts.com and sign up for their newsletter.

Spellbinders CHA Blog Frenzy drawing

Click on the following to enter my contest: ContestDay2@spellbinders.us

For more Spellbinders new product release information go to: http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/new

If you have any questions regarding the contest, send an e-mail to: ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us

Thank you for visiting and good luck!

Bake Sale Tips

We do an annual garage sale each spring and the girls love to set up a little bake sale along with a cooler of pop. Jordan prepared the marketing items for her and Josey's bake sale so I thought I would share some tips for bake sale success.

Make a cute sign that is colorful and glittered. Jordan used my Copic Sketch markers to list the items and their prices, matching the colors of the basket liner they used for the treats. She also used glitter on the sign which looked totally cute. And even though the sign is clearly displayed, be prepared for each garage sale goers to ask, "How much are your cookies?" Advise bake sale workers to not answer, "Duhhhhh, can't you read people?" Good customer service is key.
You must have a functional money box, preferably with a closing lid. Be sure to have some starter change in there, mostly quarters. Also, put a sticky note in the box listing how much starter change there is and who donated that starter change. That ensures that no one gets ripped off of their original starter money. Trust me, every bit of money is divided equally, down to the last penny! Require bake sale workers to count back change, it's good for their math skills.

Be prepared to pay bake sale workers full price for each and every brownie and pop that you want, even if you bought the pop and bake sale ingredients for the bake sale workers. These bake sale workers mean business!This is a mock set up, but have the bake sale workers set up a cute display. We always have a card table set up with an old quilt or tablecloth. The sign is neatly displayed and a Longaberger basket holds all the goodies. Be prepared for garage sale goers to ask if the Longaberger basket is for sale. Instruct bake sale workers to reply, "Not on your life, lady."

It doesn't hurt to have cute bake sale workers either. With combed hair, clean clothes and brushed teeth. I don't care if it is just a garage sale, no one wants to buy brownies from some crusty eyed kid with morning slobber on their mouth, messy hair and wrinkled pajamas. This is a real job people, you gotta dress the part!

Next, have your food items packaged in good sized, 50 cent portions. The girls helped make no bake cookies, brownies and chocolate chip cookies. You'll be amazed at how many people don't make homemade treats. They love the homemade stuff. Individually wrap the items with plastic wrap or put in plastic baggies. Also, have one of each kind of pop you're selling setting out. The garage sale goers get thirsty so make sure your for sale items are visible! Keep the rest in an ice chest. Dump lots of ice on top to make sure they're frosty cold. Although we've had requests by garage sale goer husbands, we don't recommend selling beer at your garage sale. This is a family event, people. Besides, I don't think 10 and 11 year olds can get liquor licenses for bake sales. We checked.

Next, presentation is everything, as I've said a million times here on the blogaroonie. My fine Pine friend gave me some good ideas in her blog post about pricing items for her vintage sales. So we took her lead and made some cute tags to clip on our goodie basket, using clothespins. We got lots of comments on the cute display. And we sold out of goodies on the first day so business was good. It doesn't hurt that Grandpa came home for lunch and purchased 8 cookies.

Here's what we did for the tags. Jordan stamped a circle tag image from Papertrey's Trademarks stamp set onto Rustic Cream cardstock using Ripe Avocado ink. She punched out the tags using a scalloped circle punch, punched a hole and added some Spring Moss Satin Ribbon. Jordan used a brown marker to write each cookie name on the tags. Good ol' clothespins were used to attach the tags to the basket. Then all the cookies were lined up behind each corresponding tag.

We have a lot of fun at our garage sales and bake sales. They've become a family tradition of sorts and we always look forward to making a little extra spending cash. Plus, the girls will have lots of sales experience to put on their resumes when they go looking for real jobs. They can even use me as a reference for their supervisor.

I hope you're having a blast with your kids this summer! Anything can be turned into a fun event, especially if you use a little creativity!! Have fun......wanna buy a cookie?

The perfect pair

I think that wedding cards and anniversary cards can get so mundane and boring looking. I like to liven them up a bit and add some fun, personal touches. Like with this card I made for my mom and dad using Karen Lockhart's Pear stamp. I colored my image using Copic Sketch markers and used one of the new Copic pastel colors(BG0000) for some subtle outlining around the pears. The 12 new pastels are so awesome for adding a faint shadow around colored images. I love them!!

I love the play on words I did with my computer generated sentiment. I used *perfect pair* to refer to the pretty bowl of pears. The main image was cut with a Spellbinder's Oval Nestabilities die template and then embossed....the scalloped layer is a Spellbinder's Scalloped Oval Nestabilities die template. Background paper is by October Afternoon, paper for the punched hearts is from K & Company, ribbon and Vintage Button from Papertrey in Spring Moss. Base card is Papertrey Kraft.

Have a great day everyone!!

glittery vine cards

I needed some cards to put in my stash basket and also a few more for my mom for her birthday. I wanted something soft and pretty and vintage looking.

So I started out with Pine's Papertrey Rustic Branches stamp set. Pine's sets are so simple in design, I love that her images are so easy to work with. Using New Leaf ink, I stamped the vine and wreath images onto Kraft cardstock. I cut the vines into cardstock strips and punched the wreaths out with a scalloped punch. I also tied up some Sweet Blush Vintage Buttons with Rustic Cream Twine.Next, I reached for some supplies from my stash...pink Stickles and pink Martha Stewart glitter. Onto each stamped piece, I squirted a little Stickles, rubbed it with my finger, and sprinkled on some glitter. Just a little sprinkling will do ya. Let that dry.

I then went to work, assembly line fashion, and created a whole stack of pretty cards. I used PTI Rustic White cardstock for the card bases, K & Company patterned paper and various PTI ribbons. Doesn't it feel good to finish a bunch of cards?

For my cards sentiments, I used several from Vintage Picnic Sentiments. The vintage typewriter font paired with the nice script is one of my favorite looks right now.

And here's a few more.....

Look how pretty the pink glitter is, along with the tied pink buttons. Be still my heart.

I challenge you this week to put down the Popsicles and dig into your crafting stash. Find a few items that you haven't used in a while and make some cards! It's a new month, have you made out your list of cards you need to send? Doooooooo it! :) And have fun!!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone! And Happy Birthday to my Josey Posey!! I am proud to be an American and love to celebrate our nation's independence by gathering with my friends and family for a day of fun and laughter.

I wanted to share a card with you today, inspired by all of my red, white and blue Papertrey goodies. I used Vintage Picnic to create a patriotic card that I'll display on our picnic table today.I stamped the basket and patriotic flag images onto PTI Kraft cardstock and colored them in with Copic Sketch markers. I stitched around the image, added some blue lace ribbon, a few white star brads and some glitter.

The bottom of my card is bursting with red, white and blue. I adorned it with Vintage Buttons tied with Rustic Cream Twine, Spring Rain gingham ribbon and cream ribbon was stitched onto my card with my sewing machine....that is intended to look like a waving flag. Sentiments are from Vintage Picnic and Let Freedom Ring.

My motto for this summer:

Look at these vintage picnic baskets.....the one on the left is tucked full of picnic goodies.....the one on the right is so patriotic.

I'd love to have one of these but don't know the source:

This is how a picnic should be......everything just effortlessly laid out on the table.

And very casual looking like this back porch table setting.Here's my back porch, showing a little patriotic pride.....A salvaged quilt from a garage sale for my table cloth....red, white and blue bunting....some flags....and a few of my vintage baskets.......

Not too big of a gathering this year, just some family....

......and good food, fun and fireworks.....

I hope you spend a wonderful day with your family and friends. Have a great weekend everyone!!!