Memorial Day - Operation Write Home Blog Hop

I am so proud of our men and women in service that I couldn't resist participating in the  Operation Write Home Blog Hop! 

OWH supports our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them. This merry band of thousands of card makers is made up of Americans - and citizens of other nations too - who care about our military, and want to support them through creativity and encouragement. Crafters of all ages and levels of experience have participated since 2007...and are on the way to a landmark one MILLION cards!  What a great way to show our support!

I started out with this great "little sailor" image from the Melissa Frances Patriotic Ticket Book, and dressed it up with lots of classic ALL AMERICAN red white and blue.  I embellished the "Stars and Stripes Forever" sticker with some wire edge ribbon by simply pulling one of the wires to create the ruffle and twisting the wires together into a circle.

I hope you like it!!   HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!


Materials Used:
"Little Sailor" Melissa Frances  Patriotic Ticket Book
Paper:  K & C. Boy Scouts of America Collection
Bubble Sticker K & Co.
Die Cut:  Spellbinders Nested Pennants
Border Punch:  Martha Stewart
Sentiment:  Just Rite Stampers Fancy Frames
Ink:  Momento Rich Cocoa, Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Frayed Burlap, Chipped Sapphire, and Fired Brick

Hey There Little Lady!!

I recently made this card for a Waltzingmouse Challenge.  I really liked the "little lady" stamp so of course had to use pink.  The sentiment and rider are from a new set called Back in the Saddle.

I used the star for a western feel and lots of bling (sparkly paper, shimmery organza ribbon, silver brads and glittery patterend paper) for a feminine touch.

I really like using wired ribbon and making a zig zag ruffle to add as an accent.

Even the Spellbinders Fancy Tag has a sort of western feel to it which goes perfect with the sentiment.  I also like to add some color by using distress ink - this time I used Lipstick. 

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Back in the Saddle
Paper:  My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Collection Market Street "Adore" Pleated Skirt, "Lovely" Shabby Chic, Madison Avenue "Cherish" Pintuck
Spellbinders Dies:  Beaded Circles, Fancy Tags Two, Stars
Ink:  Momento Rose Bud, Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Ink Lipstick
Butterfly Punch:  Martha Stewart

Cat's Life Press - Queen Bee

First I want to thank everyone for their kind words and encouragement over the past week!!   I have heard that a great journey begins with the first step.....    I  had been toying around with the idea of starting a blog to feature my paper crafts and this week was my "first step". 

THIS ONE IS FOR THE GIRLS!!!

I wanted to share with you one of my favorite stamps.  I found Cat's Life Press last fall when I saw this "Queen Bee" stamp.  I knew I had to have her and add it to my collection IMMEDIATELY!  (OK - I guess I'm a little demanding.)  I created this card in blue (my favorite color),  and then again in pink - to make it more feminine - she is a "Queen" bee after all!!!!

I can't decide which one I like best so here is both - you decide!!

   I embossed the stamp in GOLD and added gems and pearls to confirm her regal status. 

I added a little touch of blush on her rosy cheeks with a pom pom lightly swirled in glittery pink chalk.  I hope you like them!

Supplies Used:

Queen Bee and Sentiment:  Cat's Life Press catslifepress.com

Accent Stamp:  Waltzingmouse

Die Cut:  Spellbinders

Pink pattern paper: K & Company

Blue Pattern Paper: Basic Grey

Embossing Folder:  Provocraft

Waltzingmouse - May Waltz For the Boys

On the 17th of every month Waltzingmouse Stamps sponsors a blog hop/waltz.  This month's challenge is to create a project with a masculine theme. 
Since we are a scouting family and my guys love the outdoors it was easy to think of a theme.   Their best day ever would be fishing and camping in the great outdoors.  Last summer they went on a trip to Yellowstone and couldn't say enough about the beauty of the outdoors.  (So they don't appreciate ribbons and pretty bows, bling, and shiny paper.  Still gotta give them some credit for knowing a good thing when they see it.!!!)

This is what  I came up with - a card for my sweetie that will be perfect for Father's Day. 

This was a great opportunity for me to crack open those new Waltzingmouse stamps I just got in the mail (love the smell of new stamps!!!).  I used the Gingham & Co. for the trim and background.  The squirrel in the background is a nutcracker I got a few years back.

The Fleur De Lis is from the Vintage Labels 2 set, and the frame is from Vintage Labels 3. 

The sentiment is from Seasons of Love Tags (which is not only for Xmas and Valentines!!!).

I thought this was a great way to let my husband know that I appreciate all he does -and thank him for always supporting me.  He really is  MY STAR!


Other supplies used: 
 Paper - K&Co. Boy Scouts of America Collection
 Punch - Martha Stewart
 Dies - Spellinders
 Ink -  Momento

Waltzingmouse Challenge

Waltzingmouse stamps is celebrating it's 2nd birthday!  Claire Brennan - designer of all those clever stamps is inviting us to a birthday party asking us to bring cake, teacups, or tea bags to the party.  These are all templates available through the Waltzingmouse site.  

I decided to use the tea bag template with a western theme.  Since here in the states we aren't much on "tea time" I thought these would make great goodie bags to send home treats as a small thanks to our guests for stopping by!  

I used the Back in the Saddle, Vintage Labels 1 and 18.  Paper is by My Mind's Eye Union Square "Favorite" part of the "Lost and Found" collection.  Check out the little minnie tag - I used the "Back in the Saddle" tag as a background watermark.

Hope you like it!