Make a Wish - Play Date Cafe #116

This week at the Play Date Cafe we have a very bold color story... which I softened a bit, but loved working with.  I used some of my favorite stamps from The Craft's Meow and really enjoyed creating this garden-y card.

Plum, Pear, & Moldy Cheese

(Moldy cheese!  How much do you love that for a great blue?!)

Two things I am currently loving:

Stamping my own backgrounds/patterned paper.

Shimmer mist.  Why am I the last person to get on the bandwagon with this stuff? Seriously, it is sassy and sparkly, and oh so lovely.  Plus, it elicits oohs & aahs from my 3 year old. ;)

This week in the Cafe is bittersweet as we say goodbye to two very talented designers and friends: Andrea Ewen & Michele Gross.  Andrea's style is one that I have loved and admired for.ever.  Her cards are beautiful and always perfectly shabby chic.  Michele's cards are always fun and she is the queen of clean & simple design.  Both of these ladies have become friends and I know that I will continue to be inspired by their sweet spirits and crafty creations. Be sure to leave them some love this week on their blogs and add them to your Google Readers - they both have SO much more to share with you as their journeys continue.

Please join us this week in the Cafe - we have a great prize from Sweet N' Sassy Stamps.  I can't wait to see what you create - make it sassy! ;)

Stamps: The Craft's Meow - Butterfly Kisses & Celebrating You, PTI - BB Woodgrain (fence) & Simply Jane (frame); Cardstock: PTI - Rustic Cream, Enchanted Evening, & Kraft / A-Muse - Heather; Ink: A-Muse - Heather & Grass / PTI - Enchanted Evening & True Black / Vanilla shimmer mist; Tools: PTI - Simply Jane dies, Picket Fence die / MFT banner

Sending Smiles - Play Date Cafe #115

Welcome to another week with the Play Date Cafe.  This week our color story includes 4 lovely neutral shades that remind me of nature and have a perfectly rustic charm.

Bark, Burlap, Moss, and Slate

Since I get distracted by sparkling things (and chocolate) around the holidays, I didn't get many Christmas cards made.  I did however purchase my fair share of holiday stamp sets and so I'm looking for versatile images to extend their life/usefulness through 2012.  My angel is from Papertrey Ink's Love Lives Here: Holiday set and she is just perfect for a little something "homey" any time of year.  The patterned paper is also from PTI's Turning a New Leaf collection.

We hope you will join us this week in the Cafe... and thank you so much for all the sweet comments you always leave me here.  I'm so blessed by your kindness and creativity!

ALL Supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Love Lives Here - Holiday, Little Labels (sentiment), Mat Stack 1 collection (flourish); Cardstock: Kraft & Rustic Cream; Patterned Paper: Turning a New Leaf; Ink: SU! Always Artichoke & Chocolate Chip; A-Muse Slate; Tools: Mat Stack 1 (mega), Love Lives Here - Holiday dies, Journal Tabs die, MFT Layered Heart die-namics; Sassy Somethings: buttons, Prima trim, Webster's Pages (resin flower)

Special Delivery

Shabby chic... pastel... sweet.  I loved the inspiration over at The Shabby Tea Room... the vintage New York sign reminded me of traveling and far away friends... perfect for the First Class Friend set from My Favorite Things.  Lots of little elements and layers.

I hope to have a crafty weekend and lots of cozy time inside.  My littles are hoping to get some tricycle time outside... I'm sure we'll all end up happy. ;)

Stamps: My Favorite Things - First Class Friend; Cardstock: PTI - Rustic Cream, Kraft, & Melon Berry; Patterned Paper: Melissa Frances - 5th Avenue; Tools: My Favorite Things - First Class Friend dies, Mini Rolled Roses, & Decorative Doily; Sassy Somethings: PTI Melon Berry saddle stitch, Maya Road trinket pin, star from Memrie Mare on Etsy

Cameo Crush - Play Date Cafe #114

Hi crafty friends!  The mojo is returning... the stamping goddesses are smiling... the color story this week in the Cafe is perfectly rich and wonderful.  We hope you'll join us this week for these regal colors...

Burgundy, Gold, & Plum

I created my own background paper by stamping vintage keys from Papertrey Ink's Lock & Key stamp set then filled in with a few red hearts.  I used Text Style over the print and heavily distressed the edges with Color Box Creamy Brown ink. (my new favorite for "strong-arming" my projects ;)

The overall layout was pulled from this week's WaltzingMouse sketch.  I have been sorely neglecting my WMS stamps and was so happy to get them inky this week!  I used Dainty Doilies, Cameo Creations, and Say it Loud for the sentiments.  A bit of trim and ribbon added some nice interest and textural detail.  Perfect for Valentine's Day... not for the hubs of course, but for someone dear.

Our sponsor this week at the Play Date Cafe is Simon Says Stamp... 

...such a great place to get  your crafty fix.  They have a wide range of products, and if you play along with us this week, you could be the lucky winner that gets to shop for free!  I can't wait to see your creations!

Stamps: PTI - Lock & Key, Text Style 1, Love Lives Here (heart) / WMS: Cameo Creations, Dainty Doilies, & Say it Loud; Ink: A-Muse Studio - Squash & Toffee (keys), Stampin' Up! - Riding-Hood Red, Crumb Cake, and Perfect Plum, Color Box - Creamy Brown, PTI - True Black; Cardstock: PTI - Kraft & Rustic Cream, Stampin' Up! - Riding-Hood Red; Tools: Spellbinders - Big Scalloped Circle Lg., PTI - Limitless Layers 1 & 2; Sassy Somethings: Stampin' Up! striped ribbon, Webster's Pages eyelet trim, Prima rose 

Sweet Stamps - Play Date Cafe #113

Welcome to a New Year with the Play Date Cafe!  We have some beautiful color stories coming your way so plan to play along with us each and every week.  For our first challenge of 2012, we have a fresh color palette:

Juniper, Mint, & Vanilla

Our team had the privilege to work with the Sweet Stamp Shop this week.  I used "Scootin' By" and it has the cutest whimsical images for birthdays and celebrations... and a Vespa.  (click here to see a scooter gift tag)  I chose to just use the balloons and a couple of fun sentiments... something simple to get going after the holidays.  (Please tell me I'm not the only one who has to ease back in to crafting after a vacation... seriously, where does the mojo go?)

I also want all of my talented crafty friends to know that Sweet Stamp Shop is currently holding a Design Team call.  If you think you'd be a great fit for their team you can read all the details HERE.

We hope you will join us in the Cafe this week... can't wait to see what you create!

Stamps: Scootin' By from Sweet Stamp Shop; Cardstock: PTI Kraft; Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Tools: PTI Doily Detail dies, In the Meadow dies, Banner Topper dies; Sassy Somethings: PTI Aqua Mist twill & button