We're "Bubbling" With Excitement!

So, 2013 is shaping up to be a banner year!  LOTS of Weddings and BABIES BABIES BABIES!!!  My husband and I have 20 nieces and nephews, and this year, we'll have 2 more!  One nephew has already arrived, and the other will be here in a few short weeks!  It's nice to have little babies in the family again, the last ones were my little one who is 5, my nephew (on my side) who is 5, and my niece (on DH's side) that will be 5 in a few weeks.  We also have a bunch of friends all expecting -- it's so exciting - I LOVE IT!

Well, tonight we had a little "sprinkle" for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law.  It's been a while since they've had a baby, and we want to make sure the new little guy has all he needs!  Another sister in law found these cute bubble gum tubes, and I offered to make new tags for them, because the ones that came on them were kind of...well...lame.

So, I sat down at the computer, and made myself a template of a bunch of 1.75" circles, and made a computer generated sentiment "We're bubbling with excitement for new baby "K"!" and printed them out.  I broke out the Cuttlebug, and cut out all of the circles, along with the outer die cut shape, in red.  I stamped the single largest dot from Polka Dot Basics I (Papertrey Ink) stamping off once, in a few different colors, and added the "shine" with my sakura white glaze pen.  mounted them to the red scalloped circles, and then tied them on with some silver stretchy cord I got from SU! ages ago.  They came out really cute I think -- and could work for a bunch of different occasions -- with bubbles even, if you don't want to give something sugary (good call Alicia!!)

Thanks for popping by today!

Supplies (all Papertrey Ink, unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics 1
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise, New Leaf
Paper: Select White, Pure Poppy
Accessories: "Cocktail" font on my PC, Limitless Layers 1.75" Circle dies, Silver elastic cord (SU! - retired)

Babies, Babies, Babies!!!

Nope!  Not for me!  BUT -- I think I know 5 or 6, or is it 7 people (I've lost count!) who are pregnant and having babies this year! :)  I'm so excited for them all.  For some it's their first, for one it's their 5th!  2 of them will be related to me, I'm excited to be an auntie again, it's been 5 years since we've had any babies in the family.

Well, with babies, come baby gifts!  I made this card a few weeks ago (sorry for the poor lighting, it was dark out when I finished!) but I really liked it, and thought I'd share it here.

The background was done using the My Mother, My Friend stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  I just adore that wavy flower image!  I used the coordinating dies for My Mother, My Friend to cut out the layers for the sentiment, which is from the Sweet Baby set, also from Papertrey Ink.  The sentiment was embossed with white embossing powder.

Lastly, I added a little crocheted flower, to tie into the gift, as one of the gifts I gave my sister-in-law was a blanket her mom made for my oldest.  My SIL has other children, but this is the first being born after the passing of her Mom. My DD and I spoke about how we thought it might be nice to pass the blanket that was made for her by SIL's mom to the new baby, so he/she can have a blanket made by his/her grandma.

We've been BUUUUSY around here - I had been on such a good roll stamping - I need to clear the clutter on my table and get back at it!  Hope things are well where you are!

Pink Cat Release today!!

Good Morning!!

It's Thursday, so we ALL know, it's time for another Pink Cat Digi release! Yippeee :).  Melissa MUST have known I would need a baby card, as she's come up with some PERFECT images for them!!

I chose to use the lion, to make my neighbor a card to congratulate them on the birth of their son.  I also used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch for a little inspiration... Here's the sketch:

Here's what I did with it:

I reconfigured the sentiment on my computer, and printed it out, then punched it out, and 'sponged' some Aqua Mist ink around the edges.  I faux stitched all of the patterned paper pieces (my machine is NOT happy with me right now, lol)

I adore these baby images, and I'm sure you do too, but if I haven't been able to convince you, you should go check out what the rest of the team has come up with...their links are in my right hand side bar :).

Thanks for stopping by today!!



 
Supplies:
Stamps: Pink Cat digi images, lion baby, Cutie pie sentiment
Ink: Aqua Mist (PTI)
Paper: Whisper White (SU!), Aqua Mist, patterned paper (both PTI)
Accessories: paper piercer, copics

It's a BOY!

**This is my second post today, if you're looking for my Just Us Girls post, it is right below this one!**

Lauren Meader of My Time Made Easy, LLC has come up with some RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING templates this month.  I think my favorite HAS to be the Bouncing Baby Buggy.  It looks complicated, but trust me, VERY easy to assemble.  Especially with my Cricut, half the work is already done!  Of course, you do need the Sure Cuts A Lot software, but it is WELL worth the investment!

Did you know that my My Time Made Easy team mate Katie is currently doing a GIVEAWAY for a copy of the software???  YES!!  In order to be eligible to win, you need create something using ANY My Time Made Easy, LLC product.  Paper, stamps, templates...it all counts -- and make sure it's your best work, as Lauren has decided to sweeten the deal by giving one talented artist the ENTIRE April My Time Made Easy release!! so GO make something, and enter to win!  Oh wait -- but finish reading my post before you go -- you WON'T be disappointed, lol.

Even though I have girls, I do have LOTS of nephews, and I enjoy making things for them as well, though I think I'm naturally inclined towards girl stuff, lol.  Today I have a twist on an old favorite, and something new...

Do you all remember this project that Lauren made?!?  I still remember - my jaw hit the FLOOR when I saw it!  Amazing, beautiful, wonderful!  I have since made a few myself, and this time around, I changed things up a little bit.  First, I used these adorable washcloths that have a piping edge on them, which worked out wonderfully for my 'roses'.  Then, I stuck them onto the end of bamboo skewers, and made them into long stems!  I arranged them in a vase with some artificial greenery, and voila!  Beautiful table decor/gift for that new mom to be.  I made a 'floral pick' with a tag from the new Tag, You're It pretty pieces file, and it was stamped with the carriage image from the Bringing Home Baby pretty impressions stamp set, and some flourishes from Fanciful Flourishes (I know they're hard to see, but they are there, I promise!!)

I still had some more washcloths to package up, so to accompany the vase of 'flowers', I put together the Bouncing Baby Buggy Pretty Packaging template.  Isn't this thing just SO CUTE?!?!  I know, I'm sorry, I say that all the time...but it's the truth!

That delicious patterned paper is from the Bringing Home Baby Boy pack, I pulled the 'stars' from the paper to use as accents on the carriage. 

Here's a photo of the whole 'ensemble' together...

WHEW!!  I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted! lol.  I do thank you for 'bearing' with me ;).  Now, go ahead and play -- if you read my next post, you can see how you can work toward a 3rd giveaway!  The Just Us Girls challenge has a sponsor this week -- sooooo, if you use the JUGS sketch, and some My Time Made Easy products, you could be entered to win 3 different giveaways...pretty sweet huh???  Where are those pile it on girls??? :)

Stay tuned...
 
Supplies:
Stamps: Bringing Home Baby (My Time Made Easy, LLC)
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: blue, and nomad CS from Couture Cardstock, Bringing Home Baby Boy digital papers
Accessories: Bouncing Baby Buggy Pretty Packaging Template, buttons, star punch, Stampin' Up! border punch, enchanted evening satin ribbon (PTI), washcloths, bamboo skewers, white floral tape

It's A Shower!!!

It's PEEK time for My Time Made Easy!!  Yippeee!

Lauren has got oodles of adorable things coming into the store this month!  Be sure to check out her blog daily, to see all of the great things on their way!!

Today - I'm featuring a Pretty Packaging Template called It's A Shower.

I've been to soooo many bridal and baby showers, it's just not even funny...my sister-in-law jokes that that move '27 dresses' was about me, lol.  Anyway, more so nowadays, a lot of people don't really have umbrellas at their showers, and I think that's a shame.  I think it was a fun tradition, and love the one my Mom made for me, but it's so big, I can't really display it anywhere.  One of Lauren's latest templates, It's a Shower can bring back that dying tradition, in a new, fun way...let me show you how...

Is that not THE cutest?!?!?!  So, like I said, Mom made me this beautiful umbrella, and it's sitting in a closet, that is a TOTAL shame.  This umbrella would be so perfect as a centerpiece at a shower, and it's still small enough that it could be put up for display somewhere without taking up too much room.  Orrr, no one will feel horribly guilty getting rid of it.  Yes, I said it. *shudder* I know, I don't want to think someone would take something that *I* made, and throw it out, but I do face the reality once in a while...it will happen.  Fools.  ha ha ha.

Seriously though - this project does not cost a lot of $$ to replicate, so if your bride or mom to be is not super sentimental, it's guilt free ;).

Now, my project was enlarged from the original template size.  I made the top the largest I could possibly make it that it would fit onto a 12x12 sheet of CS.  I added a lacy trim under the edge of the umbrella top.  Then I made the panels for the umbrella, by resizing the original cut files in my SCAL software (need a coupon code to get your OWN copy of the software??  check this post).  See that beautiful paper??  It's included in one of the new Pretty Printables collections by Kristin Beuter, called Bringing Home Baby, and all of those delicious flowers use the Fanciful Flowers Pretty Pieces, which will also be available tomorrow.  

One last thing to point out -- you see that tag??  I love the shape of it (you might notice it matches the Card Catch All quite nicely) it's from another new Pretty Pieces file, Tag You're It.  The tag features images from the new Pretty Impressions stamp set, Bringing Home Baby, which is available tomorrow, and more of those yummy flowers.  So, a LOT to see here, I know, but I could help but use all of these FABULOUS new products!  

Thanks so much for stopping by today -- head on over to Lauren's blog, and Kristin's, as they both have more projects to share with you today, featuring My Time Made Easy NEW releases!!


 
Supplies:
Stamps: Bringing Home Baby
Ink: Mellow Moss, Sahara Sand (SU!), Berry Sorbet (PTI)
Paper: Nomad, Pasture (Couture Cardstock), Berry Sorbet (PTI), Paisley Pattern (Bringing Home Baby collection, My Time Made Easy) Kraft (SU!) -on umbrella handle and tag
Accessories: Pretty Pieces Tag You're It & Fanciful Flowers cut files, adhesive pearls, ribbon (Michaels)

Babies...

I ♥ babies...I have two little girls of my very own, and I am SO blessed.  Something about those beautiful little bundles just make me happy.  I can't help it but smile when I see new dads carrying the babies out of the birthing center at the hospital I work in to go home.

Now - there are some things I don't like...

sleepless nights
uncontrollable crying
those first few 'icky' diapers...
oh - and the cord -- WHAT is up with that?!?!  I know it's all "natural" but yeah, still kinda freaks me out.

I've been lucky enough in the last two weeks to get my teeny baby fill, and send them back off to their mamas (who look a bit tired, BTW ;) )

My card today is for one of those beautiful babies.  We had the honor of attending her Christening on Valentine's day, isn't that sweet?  Francesca is a sweet little thing, and her parents are just as wonderful.  I am so happy, as having a child was a far off dream, and thankfully with 1 part science, 2 parts love, and a dash of miracle, Francesa came to be.

I chose the sentiment "Nothing is worth more than this day" from Papertrey Ink's Everyday Blessings, as I felt it was perfect for the occasion.  May God bless and keep Francesca always.

Thanks for stopping by today -- I'll be back Thursday with a Pink Cat release!!!  Stay tuned...

 
Supplies:
Stamps: Everyday Blessings (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Sweet Blush, Versamark
Paper: Select White, Sweet Blush
Accessories: filagree gold EP, Adhesive pearls, sweet blush swiss dot ribbon, Martha Stewart Border Punch

JUGS 21 - a color challenge!!

Good Morning!

It's a beautiful but chilly morning here in NY, I think I'd like to be a cat - just curl up in a sunny spot in a window somewhere :)

It's Saturday -- JUGS challenge day.  It's the third Saturday - time for a color challenge!

Maria Levine is our host this week, and she's come up with a GREAT color palette.  Take a look for yourself:

Now, I will admit, I was a little nervous, I was having a hard time thinking of something, but then I saw my friend Pam's card using the sketch challenge from last week at Taylored Expressions, and something just clicked.  Here's the sketch:

I grabbed out my Baby Button Bits set, and used the cute flower image.  It may be hard to see, but I used some embroidery floss to hand stitch the stems, and to attach the buttons.  A little faux stitching on the dark chocolate layer -- and that's about it.

I hope you have a little time to stop by the rest of the team's blogs, they've all come up with some FABULOUS designs this week.

• Alicia Weiman
• Dana Gustafson
• Kristin Bueter
• Lisa Kind
• Maria Levine
• Mona Pendleton
• Pam Imholz 

  and Iwona Palamountain - our February guest designer!

I hope you get to play along too -- post your link on the post over on the JUGS blog to be eligible to be 'chic of the week'.

Have a SUPER day!!


 
Supplies:
Stamps: Baby Button Bits
Ink: Brilliance Chocolate
Paper: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Berry Sorbet, Raspberry Fizz
Accessories: Berry Sorbet buttons, SU! Markers (Chocolate Chip & Pink Passion - used for the focal image), swiss dots embossing folder, embroidery floss

Happy Mail... and a BIG GIVEAWAY!!!

Good Morning!

For those of you wondering WHERE on Earth my JUGS post is...it's coming -- some HUGE tehnical difficulties this weekend!   But let's move on to the reason for TODAY'S post!

It's release day over at My Time Made Easy!!

OODLES AND OODLES of great stuff coming out today!

You'll see some of what you can order TODAY on my blog, as well as the rest of the Design Team!

My project today is using the Happy Mail template -- isn't it SO cute?  Yes, I know - "what's new about a mailbox?"  But really - how many $$'s have you spent on those target mailboxes??  Now, by spending $5, you can make AS MANY AS YOU WANT out of Cardstock -- which is a LOT less than $1 a sheet.

This whole ensemble (box and card) used 1 sheet of 12x12 cs, 1 8.5x11 sheet of designer paper and a 1/2 sheet (with some to spare) of 8.5x11 cs and some scraps.  Seriously.  It doesn't get much better than that!!

Since I use the Cricut Expression with my Sure Cuts a Lot software, it makes it SUPER easy, especially if I want to make it bigger too!  With the option to use up to a 12x12 sheet of CS - that could make a really nice sized mailbox!!  Soooooo, I'm sure you're wondering what the giveaway is...well, Canda over at Candacraft is SO AWESOME -- she's giving me a copy of Sure Cuts a Lot to GIVE AWAY to one of YOU!  Yes -- you heard me!!  lol.  All you need to do, is post a comment on this blog post any time between now and 11:59pm EST on Friday, February 5.  The winner will be chosen at random.  Isn't that COOL???  If you have a Cricut, and don't have this software - you NEED it!  And here's your chance to get it for FREE -- Thanks CANDA!

Now - let's get back on track...

I decided to do a little baby gift set.  The mailbox would hold a newborn onesie rolled up, or some baby socks.  These projects use the new stamp set, "You've Got Mail" it's so cute and versatile - I can't wait to show you a card I made with it later this week!

The mailbox is trimmed with some lacy trim I picked up at Hobby Lobby the other day, and there's a filigree brad (SU!) holding the flag to the mailbox.

I used some great CS from Couture Cardstock, and that DELICIOUS patterned paper is from a NEW collection from My Time Made Easy called 'A Loving Heart'.  Kristin did a FAB job on these papers...this navy one is my favorite!!

Thanks for stopping by today, don't forget to see what else the design team has created for you today - some of the girls are showing off another template available today -- so make sure you hop around!!

• 
  
  Catherine Doucette
• 
  
  Katie Cotton
• 
  
  Kristin Bueter
• 
  
  Lauren Meader
• 
  
  Mona Pendleton
• 
  
  Pam Imholz

  What's releasing today??

  Pretty Impressions Stamps:

  Argyle Amazement

  Critters with Heart

  You've Got Mail

  Pretty Packaging Templates:

  Happy Mail

  Under Cover 

  Welcome Home

  You've Got Mail

  
  

  Pretty Printables Paper:

  A Loving Heart

  Cute Critters

  Darling Dots

  Ga Ga for Gingham

  Color Me Pretty - Love Notes
   

Baby K...

So Baby K has arrived :)

I'm so happy for Nicole and her family. Now I just can't wait to see photos of little "K" :)

Thought I'd show some more detail of the card I made. Have you gotten YOUR sweet pea sets yet???

hmmmmmm?

Did you see the adorable little blinkie on my sidebar with Lily swimming??? Melissa over at Pink Cat Studio is having a contest for the new release - so don't miss your chance to win!! Hope you enjoy the weekend!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Pea Plate #2 (Pink Cat Studio)
Ink: Memento Black, Memento Brown
Paper: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate, Select White (PTI)
Accessories: Large Prima daisy, Copics, crystal effects, stardust stickles

A Virtual Baby Shower...

So, I'm part of this group of friends on Splitcoaststampers...the PSFs. This stands for "Pretend Stamping Friends". This phrase was coined by Alexa, Lauren Meader's daughter a few years back...you can read that story here.

Anyway - we've been through a LOT together. Birthdays, weddings, pregnancies, funerals, surgeries, happy days, and sad days. This group of women is AMAZING, and I'm proud to be part of them. Whenever something is going on, we get together to help out, or to celebrate. I've been a recipient of their INCREDIBLE generosity in September 2007, just prior to the birth of my second daughter. They all made cards, and sent them off to one person. They made some for my older daughter too. Along with it were CRAZY generous gift cards, and the like. It was all bundled up and mailed to me...Brought me to tears.

WELL -- our very own Freshie pants Nicole is preggers now, and we wanted to shower her with cards and goodies as well. So here it is...her Virtual Baby shower...
I tried to take a photo with the pile of cards, but some were in envelopes, some were not, I just couldn't get it to work...

In that box that says 'For Baby K' is a onesie...here it is:

My friend Staci came up with the idea of the onesie...and I agreed to make it. I used the dark t-shirt iron on transfers...came out pretty good. The butterfly on the butt?? Well, that was from when a few of us met up for a stamping expo. Nicole had these cool jeans on with butterflies on the butt, and Lauren said the jeans (not her butt ;) ) inspired her to make a card...which you will see here. Then of course, the rest of the PSFs wanted to see the jeans, so Nicole had her hubby take a photo of them, and made it her avatar...well, we all made our avatar's Nicole's butterfly butt, but we each had our own color. This group certainly has a GREAT sense of humor. Nothing beats a good Happy Hour celebration, or sometimes even a middle of the day get out the sillies with them!

We also made sure we honored the big sisters, Kirsten and Kayla, they each got their own Purse-onality Clutch, and gift card too :)

Congratulations again Nicole!! Looking forward to meeting 'Baby K'!!! :)

She's 1!!!

Well, today's the day. My baby girl turns 1!!! Alexandra arrived (after being served an eviction notice) on this day one year ago. It went pretty quick though...my labor that is. So I was thankful for that, and I got this beautiful little girl in return. Here's a Smilebox I made of her, shortly after coming home from the hospital...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

This year has been a whirlwind, and I am so blessed to have 2 wonderful daughters who give me a reason to smile EVERY DAY...even when they're sick, crabby, silly, crying, or sleeping *wink*.

Here she is on Tuesday...WOW have times changed... (she made a mess of her clothes at daycare...that's why she's dressed so funny)

So, do you like her card??? I'm pretty pleased with it, I must say! I used my chipboard and glitter again (and this time I didn't melt it!!) and made a happy card for a happy girl. I'd like to wish Alexandra's birthday buddies, Staci and Kayla a very happy birthday as well!!! Hope everyone has a fantastic day!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: It's a Celebration (PTI)
CS: SU! Almost Amethyst, PTI White
Ink: SU! Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, PTI Aqua Mist, Spring Moss
Accessories: Star Dust stickles, SU Chunky glitter & DD glitter, Simon Upper Chipboard (SU), dimensionals