Just My Type - Play Date Cafe #137

Hey friends!  I'm popping in today with this week's card for the Play Date Cafe.  It's "splash" week... everyone's favorite!  My card this week is decidedly shabby and shows a more muted take on the color palette.  We hope you'll join us and share your own beautiful "splash" creations with us.

Black & White (or cream) + a "splash" of Cobalt

Our sponsor this week in the Cafe is Want2Scrap.  Aren't those fancy pearls pretty?   I thought the file folder edge was a cute addition to play up the vintage typewriter from My Favorite Things.

We hope you'll join us this week.  And just a reminder: the Play Date Cafe is having an open Design Team call through July 1st.  I can't wait to see who will be joining me on this fabulous team!

Stamps: My Favorite Things - Just My Type & coordinating dies
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo black  //  Tools: PTI Edgers #5
Sassy Somethings: pearls from Want2Scrap

Stamp Your Heart Out Banner - My Favorite Things

Hi friends!  I've decided to put both feet in the water this month and go for the big contest at one of my most loved places: My Favorite Things.  Every month during their new release festivities they host a guest designer contest, and I would be so honored / thrilled / elated / over the moon excited to have that opportunity.

Please click picture for enlarged view

The theme for February is: Stamp Your Heart Out.  I created a little love banner to hang that represents my sweet family.  I used Pure Innocence images for my kiddos and a perfect sentiment from Clearly Sentimental about Family. I also used a TON of cute MFT dies for embellishments and sassy somethings.

I feel like the heart theme is represented not only literally but also figuratively since my family IS my heart.  I hope you love it too.

P.S. This was the hardest thing I have ever tried to photograph. ;)

ALL Supplies are MFT unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Pure Innocence Heart Stripes & ___. Clearly Sentimental About Family; Cardstock: PTI Kraft, Sweet Blush, and Rustic Cream; Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye & Crate Paper; Tools: Die-namics Layered Heart, Fishtail Banners die-namic, Rolled Rose die-namics, Butterflies die-namics, By the Letters die-namics

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

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!

Sweetest Pumpkin

I'm still soaking up fall.  I love this A-la-Mode from My Favorite Things and just piled on the 'sassy somethings' to go with her.  I found inspiration from some of my favorite challenges this week:

Sketch #44 from My Favorite Things...

...and the "Homespun Fall" photo inspiration at The Shabby Tea Room

I think this weekend there will be spiced tea and pumpkin muffins in front of the fireplace... cozy family time.  Enjoy your weekend!

ALL Supplies are from My Favorite Things unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Sweetest Pumpkin in the Patch (a-la Modes), PTI It's Official (bingo card); Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, A-Muse Studio French Roast; Cardstock: PTI Kraft, Ocean Tides, Dark Chocolate, & Rustic Cream; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper; Tools: Upsy Daisy die-namic, Decorative Doily die-namic, First Place Award Ribbon die-namic, Spellbinders Oval dies; Sassy Somethings: Prima trims, buttons

Gallery Idol: Congrats

I had a moment recently.  While prepping all the materials for a totally unrelated project (think: babies), I had an a-ha moment for the Papertrey Ink Alpha-block die.  Are you ready?  Are you sitting down?  SCRABBLE tiles.  Oh. My. Word.  The crafty-mojo goddesses are smiling on me. {click the picture for an enlarged view}

SO, a fantabulous idea such as this had to be for something special... something important... something sassy... something like PaperCrafts Magazine Gallery Idol competition.

I have to admit, Gallery Idol intimidates me a bit.  I mean, we're talking cream of the crop here - the most fantastic crafters from all around the world bringing their A-game to compete for some seriously awesome prizes.  It is worth a try - it is worth my best.  And scrabble tiles, my friends - well, I think they're pretty darn great.

My tiles were cut using coaster board and Papertrey's Alpha-block die then stamped with the My Favorite Things (MFT) Typewriter Alphabet (numbers are also part of the set).  I used Ranger Tea Dye distress ink and the PTI tea-dye duo for "antiquing".  A few of the tiles got a bit of Fresh Snow as well.  I didn't want them all to look the same - some needed to be more aged, etc.  Then, I embossed each tile with 2 coats of UTEE for dimension and shine.

The patterned paper is from October Afternoon and my tag was made using the MFT Notched Tag die-namic and stamps.  The little bit of sparkle makes me smile... something sassy to keep it "me".

Hope you have a great weekend... I've got Father's Day cards to get done so you can look forward to a few masculine cards next week.  HUGS!

What's that?  One more look?  Ok.

P.S. For those that love the little details: I had hubs look up the values for the Scrabble tile letters so that they would be accurate.  My type-A personality loves that sassy something!  ;)

Stamps: My Favorite Things - Typewriter Alphabet and Notched Tag stamps; Cardstock: PTI Kraft, Aqua Mist and Rustic Cream; Patterned Paper: October Afternoon - 5 and Dime collection; Ink: PTI tea-dye duo, Memento Tuxedo black, Ranger Tea Dye distress ink; Tools: PTI Seeing Stars dies and Alpha-blocks die, MFT 1/4" Rosette die-namic and Notched Tags die-namic; Other: Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel by Ranger (available at Michaels); Sassy Somethings: PTI Basic Black grosgrain, Glass glittered star from MemrieMare on etsy

5 {Lovely} Years

Today the hubs and I are celebrating 5 years of wedded bliss. I look forward to growing old with this man... being one of those wrinkly couples still holding hands while we walk down the sidewalk. An anniversary date night is in the works... so excited for a night on the town!

The new Fishtail Banners from My Favorite Things are so perfect... paired with their new TypeWriter Alphabet... {love}. I don't want to hear anything about putting a bow on a "man card". The hubs can handle it - I'm just sure he won't mind a bit. ;)

For a little something extra special I decided to make the inside "sassy" too. I'm smitten with the Clearly Sentimental line of stamps... perfect quotes and sentiments for every occasion.

The layout is also inspired by the MFT weekly sketch challenge... with a twist.

Stamps: My Favorite Things: TypeWriter Alphabet and Clearly Sentimental About Love (inside), PTI: Text Style; Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934; Tools: My Favorite Things: Fishtail Banner Die-namics and Medium Scallop Die-namic, PTI: Tag Sale 4, Number dies; Sassy Somethings: PTI: Fine Linen saddle stitch, Webster's Pages chipboard button, SU corduroy brads

With Sympathy

A sympathy card for someone dear. I loved having quiet time to create and meditate during this time.

Butterflies... such beautiful symbols of spring... of renewal and life... of the incredible {gift} we are given to become new creations. The Shabby Tea Room is inspired by butterflies this week - check it out and play along. On a FUN {and sassy} note: I'll be a guest designer over at the Tea Room next week and hope you'll mark your crafty calendar to join us!

My layout was inspired by the weekly sketch challenge (MFTWSC16) over at My Favorite Things. (You may have noticed that I tend to "tweak" sketches as I create.) Such lovely ideas and inspiration there each week - a real pleasure to find the time to participate and to work with their {beautiful} products.

I've got several more projects to share this week. I'm taking time to create for those I love and cherish... looking forward to sharing them with you.

Stamps: My Favorite Things: Inspired By Spring, PTI: Round and Round; Ink: SU Soft Suede; Patterned Paper: The Girl's Paperie and Echo Park - For the Record; Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream and Kraft; Tools: My Favorite Things: Dizzy Doily, Butterflies Die-namic, 1/4" Rosette; Sassy Somethings: SU Crochet trim and Basic Pearls

Easter Wishes

Spring. Easter. New beginnings. I really enjoy this time of the year - full of possibility and growth.

Emma's Shoppe prints are the perfect complement to spring projects... be still my heart, Crate Paper nails it every time.

This card is full of lovelies from My Favorite Things, and the layout is based on their recent sketch challenge:

Stamps: My Favorite Things: Pure Innocence - My Basket of Eggs; Cardstock: PTI Aqua Mist, Kraft, Sweet Blush and Cream; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper: Emma's Shoppe; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic markers; Tools: My Favorite Things Die-namics: Fresh Cut Grass and Butterflies, PTI: Parisian Lace Doily, Tag Sale #1 and Double-Ended Banners; Ribbon: Memrie Mare on Etsy

Peek-a-Boo

I spend a LOT of time playing peek-a-boo each day... it's one of our favorite games in the January household. How could anyone not love to see the genuine delight on a child's face when they are surprised?

This sassy girl is for the My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club. I'm so smitten with the Pure Innocence line of stamps... perfection. My favorite thing about this little darling? Her rhinestone buttons, of course. ;)

Stamps: MFT: Peek-a-Boo; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics; Cardstock: SU Old Olive, PTI Plum Pudding and SS White; Patterned Paper: Dear Lizzie and Fine and Dandy; Tools: PTI Build a Banner dies, SU Corner Rounder; Sassy Somethings: Taylored Expressions Tiny Twinkles, PTI Plum Pudding twill and white buttons, rhinestones, SU Old Olive striped grosgrain

Miss You a Latte

Just me poppin' in with a colorful card for the My Favorite Things sketch challenge this week. Santa left me Copics under the tree so I am having fun re-learning how to color. ;) I think I say 100 times a day, "No Abigail, these are Mommy's special markers".

But I digress... hope you're enjoying the weekend... maybe you're lucky and have three days to stamp! HUGS.

Stamps: MFT - ala Modes - Miss You a Latte; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Tea Dye - Chamomile, Copic markers; Cardstock: SU Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper Snow Day collection; Tools: SU Top Note die and Corner Rounder, Fiskars Apron Lace punch; Sassy Somethings: PTI Chocolate baker's twine, buttons, and Prisma glitter

Pure Innocence

Today's card makes me SO happy. I adore the Pure Innocence collection from My Favorite Things. They are filled with sweetness and sass and all things adorable. I combined two fabulous challenges for this cutie:

My Favorite Things is hosting a NEW weekly sketch challenge. Be still my heart.

CR84FN is Mona Pendleton's color inspiration challenge. I am absolutely smitten with Mona's work - everything she touches turns to beauty so I am thrilled that she started a site dedicated to her lovely ideas.

Hope you love this Little Angel as much as I do. Looking forward to a weekend filled with stamping!

Stamps: My Favorite Things - Pure Innocence Little Angel; Cardstock: PTI Melon Berry and Stamper's Select White, SU Pink Pirouette; Patterned Paper: SU (retired), My Mind's Eye; Ink: Memento Tuxudeo Black, PTI Vintage Touch - Chamomile, Copic Markers; Tools: PTI Banner Topper dies, Double-ended Banner die, Heart Prints die, Mat Stack #1 die; Ribbon: Memrie Mare on etsy; Sassy Somethings: SU Basic Pearls