My blog has been embarrassingly silent.  All of my creative energy has been spent towards getting the house we moved to decorated and fixed up.  I moved my crafting area a few times and just found a place that I like and inspires me to create again.  I've made some cards here and there but failed to photograph them.  Hoping my new learn my new camera to get some better pictures.  I miss blogging and creating on a regular basis so I have bumped that up in my priorities. This year I really want to participate in more card challenges and do more blog hops.  I am excited to get back to my hobby as it truly is fun and satisfying.

During the February Papertrey Ink release count down I was oohed by a card made by Cristina Kowalczyk (full post here).  

At the time I did not own the circle cover plate, but it found it's way into my cart. ;)

I set out to make a card using the elements Cristina used: circle plate, ombre, and tag at the top.

Inside got some stamping love and a library pocket for the gift.  

Had I not seen Cristina's card, I still would not have the circle cover plate.  I had to pay homage to the card that inspired me so. 

Thanks for looking!

Paper: PTI - Kraft, Soft Stone, Royal Velvet, Plum Pudding, Winter Wisteria, Lavender Moon
Stamps: PTI - Stylish Sentiments: Birthday
Ink: PTI- Royal Velvet
Die: PTI - Cover Plate: Circles
Other: Library pocket, Cuttlebug

For this simple card, I adhered six different colors of chevron die cut cardstock.  It's quite cheerful.  It sat on my shelf near my work area for a while just to make me smile when I looked over that way. :)

Have a happy week.
Paper: PTI - Stamper's Select White, Winter Wisteria, Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, Lemon Tart, Orange Zest, Raspberry Fizz
Stamps: PTI - Think Big Favorites #16
Ink: Raspberry Fizz
Die: Chevron Stripes

This card was tricky to photograph.  The teal mat, clouds, and airplanes are mounted on a piece of clear acetate.  The orange mat is mounted underneath on the chevron paper but when it is closed they match up so the orange mat makes an outline shadow for the the teal mat.

It was made for a baby shower for a little boy.  I chose to forgo a sentiment and instead made the formation of planes.  The orange mat was just the right size for a handwritten note. 

I need to make more cards with this technique as it was fun to make and the outcome is fun as well.

Thanks for looking.
Paper: Pebbles - Happy Thoughts; Duralar - Acetate Alternative; PTI - Stamper's Select White, Harvest Gold, Aqua Mist
Stamps: PTI - Little Hot Rod
Ink: Memento - London Fog
Dies: Little Hot Rod, Cloud Dies, Mat Stack 4, Mat Stack 4 Layerz

It has been two months since I posted a card.  Haven't made much durning that time but I still have a back log of pictures from card crafting marathons I have yet to blog.  

We are getting ready to move and are currently waiting on the new house to be renovated.  I sold my huge corner desk that I was crafting on since I will not be using it at the new place.  My supplies are still on the shelves and in dedicated drawer cabinets I have been using but my work area is gone. There is a nice built in desk and shelving area that I will use at the new house.  I have my eye on a craft cabinet but want to live in the house first and decide where the best place is for me to craft.  I dislike being away from my family when I want to craft so I am leaning towards crafting more in the heart of the home.  

Even though I haven't been making cards the last couple months, I have been buying supplies--more than normal actually.  I think it is my way of compensating for not crafting. ;)  I have tons of new stuff that really inspires me!  I have placed five Two Peas in a Bucket orders (don't judge), two Papertrey Ink orders, made several trips to Hobby Lobby, and one trip to Michaels.  The April Papertrey Ink release already has me chomping at the bit!  My washi tape has more than quadrupled during this time.  Now to make cards to use them.

My extra time has mainly been devoted to watching Downton Abby instead of crafting.  One more episode and I will be done with season three. 

This week I am in the process of putting three child dedication shadow boxes together for my church.  While getting these three ready, I am also making the parts for seventeen shadow boxes to replenish my stock for them.  

Now off to make more pieces to the shadow boxes.  

Have a great week.

Here is my last card for today's challenge. This girl has got to sleep sometime! I have a feeling the three wee ones will be up early tomorrow...sigh...

This tag reads " A little thing called Love." It is designed by Maile Belles.  I filled in the white lettering with a couple Copics to give it some color. 

Valentine's Day is approaching fast.  

Thanks for looking!

Paper: Lavender Moon, My Minds Eye - heart patterned paper, Kraft, Pure Poppy, Staples - white
Ink: Chamomile
Dies: Tag Sale #7, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" circles
Embellishments: Copics - BG15 & R29, Paper Studio - teal brads, Hawaiian Shores grosgrain

I know what you are thinking...another?  Have you seen the prize for winning today's contest?! It is a custom made back-of-the-card stamp with your name on it AND custom return address stamp!

This candle image is from Lizzie Jones. I thought it went nicely with the font for this sentiment.
Paper: Melon Berry, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse, Staples - white
Stamps: Heart-2-Heart #2
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Dies: Mat Stack 3 & Mat Stack 3 Layerz, Double Ended Banner, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" circles
Embellishments: PTI printable, By the Numbers Impression Plate

I have another...this one was difficult to photograph because the pale pink 'love' sign language symbol wouldn't show up well.

Here is a close up.

Isn't that cute?! When I saw it I had to make a card with it!
Paper: Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst, Kraft, Staples - white
Dies: Limitless Layers 1 3/4" circles, Happy Day die, Heart Border

Yep, another Papertrey card made tonight. The free printable had me inspired! 

Paper: Hawaiian Shores, Harvest Gold, Simply Chartreuse Stripe, Staples - white
Stamps: Heart-2-Heart #1 & #2
Ink: Pure Poppy, Hawaiian Shores
Dies: Mat Stack 3, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" circles
Embellishments: Pure Poppy saddle stitched ribbon, PTI printable

This card for the contest features Heather Nichols' design from the printable.

I added some glossy accents to the aqua banner for dimension.

The party hat is a fun embellishment from Jolee's Stickers.

Fun little birthday card with a pom pom to boot.

Paper: Spring Rain, Limeade Ice, Staples - white

Embellishments: Jolee Stickers, orange pom pom, glossy accents, PTI printable

Papertrey Ink's Anniversary extravaganza continues! The challenge today is to use the free printable with a design from each stamp designer on it.  

This card features Dawn McVey's design.

Paper: Hawaiian Shores, Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartreuse, Staples - white cardstock
Dies:  Heart Border, Limitless Layers: 1 3/4" circles
Embellishments: Cuttlebug - polkadot embossing folder

The first challenge for the anniversary kickoff over at Papertrey Ink is to use a design team member's project as inspiration.  For my first card in this challenge, I chose one from Jessica Witty.

I love the roses coming out of the vase so I did some in a mason jar.

The pink base that is off to the left side is very Jessica Witty in design--all I needed was a button trio to complete it. :D  I chose to emboss the pink strip instead.

Thanks for looking!
All products are PTI unless noted.
Paper: Raspberry Fizz, Rustic Crean, White, Aqua Mist stipe
Stamps: The Sweet Life, Friendship Jar, Script Sentiments
Ink: Aqua Mist, Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartreuse, Harvest Gold, Orange Zest, Hibiscus Burst, Memento - Tuxedo Black
Embellishments: Raspberry Fizz saddle stitch ribbon, Cuttlebug - Japanese flowers embossing folder