Papers & Plums

Last Minute and I are Great Friends

2010-03-08T14:07:13-08:00

*This is my third (!!) post today, so feel free to scroll down to see more*

Yes, this is indeed last minute. I made one more card this weekend that I wanted to post today before the deadline of the Olympics of Stamping. I am entering this in the "Birthday" category, of course.

When I started, the color scheme I had chosen was White, Aqua Mist and Pure Poppy, but as the evening progressed, I changed it to Very Vanilla, Spring Moss and Pure Poppy. I learned a few things from this:

Enjoy the process of creating
It's OK to practice - the end result will be better if you take your time
Try, try and try again

I really didn't think I was going to like this card, but it turned into one of my favorites. The result of playing can be surprising at times.

Thank you for stopping by,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: PTI Through the Trees {Ink}: Versamagic Jumbo Java, versamark, Pure Poppy {Paper}: PTI Select White, Spring Moss, Pure Poppy {Other}: Curly Label Punch, Glossy, Chocolate Chip Marker (SU!)

My Gratefulness Continues

2010-03-08T13:18:55-08:00

* This is my second post today, so please scroll down and have a look if you please.

As a continuation on my previous post, I also gained a renewed gratefulness for friends and family this past week. Friends that visited when I needed company and a break from the routine of things, family that called me daily and visited and even stayed the night! This is not something I take for granted.

The card came together easily as I thought about all the people I am grateful for. Bright, cheery colors seemed only appropriate.

I am entering this card in the Moxie Fab Olympics of Stamping, under the "Thank You" category.

Your visit is always appreciated,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: PTI Year of Flowers: Violets, Background Basics: Retro, Inkadinkado: Birthday Wishes {Ink}: Versamagic Jumbo Java, SU! Summer Sun, Versamark {Paper}:PTI Select White, Lemon Tart, Dark Chocolate {Other}: Prisma Color Pencils, OMS, Stickles, Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip Marker

It's a Matter of Fruit and I Like Mine Sweet

2010-03-08T10:56:12-08:00

One might have thought we were celebrating the Return of the King, such was the joy in the Spencer household when Travis returned from his week long trip on Friday evening. =) I had no idea that being alone with two little kidlets (both still in diapers) would end in such a personal trial. I learned an important thing that week. The takeaway from a challenge is all a matter of fruit. Do you want it sweet or sour?

You see, the trials were many: tantrums, diaper change refusals, waking up at 2am, missing daddy, bla bla bla - you know, the stuff facing moms everyday all over the place. Things that when added together and applied to this particular mama, resulted in serious tiredness. I found my patience running on low and my energy waning. And therein lies the choice. I could have looked at my circumstances and said, "how dare he leave me alone like this" or I could realize how very, very blessed and happy I am that I don't do this alone the majority of the time. Aaah, gratefulness is such a sweet fruit.

I'm truly grateful to have someone to share my life with, the mundane and the extraordinary. Someone to share the responsibilities of child rearing with. Someone to talk, cry and laugh with. That's what I was reminded of last week. Good things. Good fruit.

I wanted the card I made for my husband to be different from a valentine. I think saying "I love you" should be done often and in many ways, not just once a year. So I decided to pick a more unusual color scheme while keeping it very simple. I think it worked.

I'll be submitting this card to the Moxie Fab Olympics of Stamping as well. I figured since I survived this very personal challenge, I might as well join a public one also.

Thank you for visiting me today,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: PTI Heart Prints, Technique Tuesday Loving Words {Ink}: Colorbox Frost White, SU! Tempting Turquoise {Paper}: PTI Select White, SU! Tempting Turquoise {Other}: White Gel Pen, Dimensionals

Celebrating one of the Best Gifts in Life

2010-02-24T21:47:05-08:00

I have two children...but some days it seems like I have ten! If you have kids, I am sure you know what I mean. Today was one of those days where mama's buttons were pushed over and over again. Yet, in the midst of it all I am still so grateful to be home with my little ones. A smile and a laugh is all it takes to turn it around and make the day seem like the best ever. Such was the case with this day too.

And speaking of children, I have pregnant friends all around me, and that means baby showers. Since having my own and being so tremendously blessed by my friends' and family's generosity, I love the opportunity to "pay it forward".

Of course I had a handmade card to go with my gift. This stamp from Stampingbella really fit the mother-to-be. She's is such a stylish girl. I colored the image with my Prisma color pencils and OMS. A bit of glitter added that extra touch.

I didn't have an envelope that fit my 5" x 5" card, so I quickly made one from a piece of tracing paper.

I love see through effect you get this way. I am happy to report the recipient liked her card. =) Now we're just waiting to meet the new little baby boy.

I'm glad you visited today,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: Babycarriageabella, PTI Polka Dot Basics, Mixed Messages {Paper}:SU! Tempting Turqoise, Certainly Celery, PTI Stamper's select white (Ink}: SU! Basic Black, PTI Dark Chocolate {Other}: SU! Scalloped Border Punch, Marvy Circle Punch, SU! Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Prisma Color Pencils and OMS, Glitter

Floral Embellishment Challenge

2010-02-13T22:18:35-08:00

I decided to join one more challenge from PTI today. To participate I had to create my own floral embellishments, use one on a card and put the rest on a piece of acetate (you know, like you buy them in the store) and give them to a friend. Here's my creation:

I used the "Friends til the End" set to make my flowers and colored them with prisma pencils and OMS. Now, I learned pretty quickly that this was a time consuming way to make these, but the end result is so pretty I am happy I decided on this route. I wish you could see these in person.

To add some dimension I punched out an extra flower center and attached it to the middle. Then I went over my creation with stickles. Love me some glitter!

Because the flowers are so large I was only able to fit three on my piece of acetate. This was really fun to make and I think it makes a great gift for a crafty friend. Now, who do I send these too?

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: PTI Friends til the End {Paper}: PTI White, Spring Moss {Ink}: Versamark, SU! Basic Black {Other}: Circle Punch, Prisma color Pencils, OMS, Stickles

Card + Origami = A Fun Challenge from PTI

2010-02-12T15:04:12-08:00

Today the challenge over at PTI was to create a project that incorporates origami of some form. A fun way to think outside the box and make something I never would have otherwise. I checked out the links Nichole provided and came across this goldfish. I knew I had to use it in some way. My son loves these little crackers so a card for him seemed in order.

I used a 2" x 2" square of white printing paper (it's easier to fold really thin paper) and made my fish, which I must say, looks more like a bird...Go figure. I sponged it with a bit of chalk ink to give it that fake cheese look. Turned out pretty good I think!

Next I made the little snack tray, using the instructions from Netflix Origami. Really cute site. After putting a handful of parmesan goldfish in the tray I was ready to take some pictures for my blog. Here's what happened then.

A certain someone just couldn't keep his hands away from my little setup.

No amount of "no touch", "just look" and "wait a minute" could cause this little guy to move away from those scrumptious looking crackers long enough for me to get a decent shot. And I took many!!

Of course I could have moved him away, but the gift was for him after all, and we were having way too much fun. Suffice it to say, my little ensemble was a big hit! A few blurry pictures hardly matters then.

But what about the first picture? It turned out OK. Yes, it did, because I waited until nap time for that one. And by then the little snack tray and all the fish were crumpled and devoured.

I had a lot of fun making this project. Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: PTI Mixed Messages {Paper}: PTI Stamper's Select White, SU! Tempting Turquoise {Ink}: PTI Dark Chocolate {Other}: Circle Punch

Acrylic Paint and Emboss Resist fit a Challenge

2010-02-10T20:26:16-08:00

It's been a week of inspiration and challenges over at Papertrey Ink as they celebrate their third anniversary and its not even over yet. I've been playing around with the Emboss Resist technique quite a bit this week. Through trial and error I discovered which of my stamps yielded the best result. Suffice it to say there is a handful of images that will not be gracing my blog! However, I am quite pleased with the outcome of this card.

After stamping and heat embossing an image from Heart Prints, I decided to try the technique used by Nichole in this post. She diluted regular acrylic paint and dripped it over the embossed image, creating a very fun result. I think the card she made is one of my favorites from her blog. I diluted red acrylic paint with water and ended up with a pink color! So instead of red card stock I used Raspberry Fizz which was a better fit.

I was also able to play along with PTI and the CPS blog, using their sketch # 153 for my card. This is my take on it. Have you been playing along this week too? It's been a lot of fun so far.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: Heart Prints from PTI, {Ink}: Versamark, PTI Dark Chocolate {Paper}: PTI stampers select white, Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate and In Bloom Patterned Paper.{Other}: Clear EP, Red Acrylic Paint

Emboss Resist with PTI

2010-02-05T21:49:36-08:00

I made this card tonight to participate in the PTI challenge. I have not used this technique in a very long time so it was fun to re-visit it.

I stamped an old text style stamp I had in my stash for the background, using Basic Grey ink. Next I embossed the solid heart from "Heart Prints" with clear embossing powder. Then I sponged Pure Poppy around the image. When I reached the level of coverage desired I wiped the embossed area clean and voila!! Pretty as can be. A very fun way to create a valentine's card. I will definitely do this again when I have no deadline to keep.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

A Challenge is a Challenge - A Chance to Learn Something New

2010-02-05T10:02:11-08:00

Do you use sketches to create your cards? I rarely do, but on occasion they can be really helpful. Half your work is already done. This weeks challenge from Stampingbella was just that - a sketch. And boy did I have a hard time making something work with this sketch. I just don't make cards with this many layers that often so I was really challenged. But that was the point.

After completing my card I was surprised to find that I really liked the result! That made me happy that I chose to participate even though, at a first glance, I didn't think it was for me.

This is also why I like the blogging community so much. It has caused me to think outside of the box more than once. And that leads to growth as a crafter.

And, by participating I ended up with one more birthday card for my stash. It's a win-win situation my friends.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: Kilo Watt by StampingBella, Sentiment from Everyday Button Bits by PTI {Ink}: Versamagic Black Chalk Ink {Paper}:PTI Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy {Other}: Marvy Oval punch and circle punch, Prisma Pencils + OMS, Two-way Glue Pen + Glitter.

The "could-not-be-any-faster" Birthday Card

2010-01-31T20:50:14-08:00

When you're a stamper there's always that bit of (self-imposed) pressure to produce hand made birthday cards. I always have good intentions to build up a stash, but last week when I needed one, there was none to be found. "Everyday Button Bits" to the rescue!

This set makes it so simple to create quick one layer cards that look really sweet and special because of those cute buttons. I was able to make this card in 5 minutes! That is perfect when that is all the time you have. The one year old recipient never told me what she thought of it...but I'm sure she loved it. =)

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara