Year in Review 2011

A crafty year in review with 11 of my favorites from 2011. I hope you feel a fresh sense of beginning for 2012... I'm looking forward to it. I'm so grateful for the friends I've made through crafting... this sassy spot on the web is one of many things I include when I count my blessings.

Without further ado:

Papertrey Ink in all its glory.  

This card is at the tippy-top of my "love it!" list.

I branched out into Copics this year and absolutely love coloring the 

Pure Innocence kids from MFT. 

When I discovered WaltzingMouse it was love at first sight. 

I'm still proud of the Scrabble tiles I created using the PTI Alpha Block die. 

In 2012 I hope to find this clean balance again.  

My Mind's Eye paper collections are definitely favorites. 

I think this is probably one of the best cards to represent my style 

and how much I love sassy somethings.

Market Street Stamps - my favorite new company.  

I was honored to be included in their "Cream of the Crop" twice in 2011.

Being a part of the Pink Persimmon creative team was a highlight of 2011.  

Anything that Melissa Phillips designed this year for PTI was an instant favorite.  

Her style (and sweet spirit) constantly inspire me.

This Christmas card took me out of my comfort zone but I loved the result.  

I made it for the Play Date Cafe  - I'm so honored & blessed to be a part of their team. 

This fall card was featured on the cover of the November 2011 CARDS Magazine.  It is my all-time favorite from this year.  It represents so much for me, but mostly a dream realized... and the beginning of something that I hope continues to grow and blossom.

I would love to check out your "Year in Review".
 Karin is hosting a great place to link up to see everyone's 2011 favorites.
Join us HERE.

I raise my glass to you, dear crafty friends!  Here's to a New Year filled with mojo & sass!

Much love & HUGS!

Mod Holiday - Play Date Cafe #111

It's almost Christmas but the fun continues over at the Play Date Cafe.  We're spicing things up with a Color Splash challenge - black & white plus a splash of aqua.  This is the challenge that makes me {think}!  I am allergic to bright white and typically "cheat" by using cream instead.  This week I went for it... bright white in all it's glory.  I love my "Mod Holiday" results.

A beautiful vintage Santa - holiday inspiration for PDCC111.

I used lots of Papertrey Ink goodies.  How fab is the new Quatrefoil Cover Plate?  So fab.  I stamped a flourish on the card base to add interest.  I also added text to my Half & Half die cut - a fun touch is that the wording is from 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Shimmer cardstock in silver was a perfect touch for the Damask Snowflake and I topped that with an element from the Photo Finishers stamp set.

Our sponsor this week is Cindy Coutts.  She's a great stamper and a great person... plus she's put together an incredible prize for is this week! {Hint: Nesties anyone?} We hope you'll play along with us this week in the Cafe... can't wait to see what you create.

ALL Supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Fancy Flourishes, Photo Finishers, BB - Christmas (text); Cardstock: SS White, blue & silver Shimmer CS; Ink: True Black; Tools: Half & Half dies, Damask Snowflake die, Quatrefoil Cover Plate die

Frosty Fun - Play Date Cafe #110

We may have a snowman/woman blitz for the next few days... I just love all things snowman and I was {thrilled} when our sponsor, DRS Designs, sent me this Frosty for our Play Date Cafe challenge this week.  He was so simple to paper-piece with the Echo Park Season's Greetings collection.  Can I just tell you how much I wish we lived someplace where it snows?  But back to the fun at hand...

Our color story in the Cafe this week is bright and FUN...

Lime Green, Red, Royal Blue, and Crystal Blue

Remember, these colors are open to interpretation and neutrals are welcome additions.

Allow me to confess that the "royal blue" was a difficult spot for me, but the more I look at it, the more I like the "pop" it adds.  And be forewarned: I am going to be addicted to spray adhesive + mica flakes.  Yowza that is some kind-of cute, sparkly goodness (even if my fingers do end up sticky for days).

Be sure to pop over to DRS Designs and check out all their goodies...

click to visit website

... and play along with us this week in the Cafe for a chance to win some new stamps.  

Can't wait to see what you create!!

Stamps: DRS Designs; Cardstock: PTI Kraft & SU! Kiwi Kiss; Patterned Paper: Echo Park - Season's Greetings collection; Tools: PTI dies - Tag Sale #4, Holly Jolly, & Peace Be Still; Sassy Somethings: Melissa Frances mica flakes, PTI satin - Enchanted Evening, button

Dear Santa

I'm working on a Daily December album during the holidays to capture my family's sweet memories of the season.  I'm just getting my large pages going, but I think it will be a lot of fun to spend time gathering photos and snippets of our day-to-day activities... especially when the kids are so young and the delight of Christmas is so innocent and pure.  Scrapbooking is a new arena for me and I'm still trying to find my comfort zone with photography and journaling.

Abigail is thrilled with all things Santa this year and has been making her list and checking it twice.  ;)  I put together a quick little mini page to tuck into our album for her.  I'm nervous to write on pages and journal with my own handwriting... so pretend it reads: tricycle, mobile (for her baby doll's crib), and new crayons.

I used Market Street Stamps Vintage Notepad background stamp  and was thrilled to find that it coordinates perfectly with the PTI Mini Book Page die.  I love the already aged background - so easy to just rub with a bit of distress ink and amp up the rustic/shabby vibe.  A few additional elements from the MSS Hippie Chic stamp set were also selectively inked for extra details.

I hope your December is off to a great start... falalalala!

Stamps: Market Street - Vintage Notepad background & Hippie Chic, MFT - Typewriter ABC; Ink: SU! Soft Suede & Old Olive, PTI Basic Black & Pure Poppy; Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream; Tools: PTI mini book page; Sassy Somethings: Echo Park chip sticker