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

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