"2 for 1" Post...

I really LOVE my new Papertrey Ink-Fresh Fruits Set! Usually when I get a new stamp set, it will sit until I'm feeling "really" inspired, but with Fall just around the corner I can't seem to put this set down! This week was spent painting my main bathroom in "fudgesicle" chocolate...which looks really cool I might add, so I couldn't wait to get back to papercrafting! My 4 yr-old stayed up late with me last night to create these 2 little projects. She likes to run my die cutting machines for me:) I pulled out all my Fall "inspired" colors and stumbled on this cute kids patterned paper by Basic Grey(Mellow). Doesn't it just get you all excited for the leaves to change colors? I decided to pair this paper with the "thankful" sentiment and twisted it just enough to where it fit inside of my cirlce. It was a bit of a stretch, but it worked well! After putting the circle together I realized the center "for" would have probably looked better with a no. "4" instead...my luck I didn't have any small no. stamps. To finish off the card I added some yummy sage ribbon from May Arts. I love the texture on this ribbon!
I made this bag up to store until I need it for some goodies this Fall. Lord knows I have more than enough alterables, so I'm just going to make most of them up and use them as needed. These kraft bags are perefect for cookies, chex mix, etc. The inside liner is coated with plastic so you don't have to worry about cookie grease leaking thru. I stamped the bg with my PTI polka dot basics in coffee bean(Dew Drop). All the ovals are cut with my Wizard Machine and the ribbon label is also from Spellbinder's. I wasn't too crazy about this color combo after I put it together...so...I slept on it, and this morning I LOVE IT! It's a little hard to tell in the photo, but there is a slight hint of turquoise in the wheat stalks which really pops with the turquiose matting.

Wine Anyone?

I couldn't wait to get this "First Fruits" set by Papertrey Ink. As a matter of fact, this box was pretty much done, it was just sitting until I got the stamp set! I was holding out for the pineapple, which reminds me of "southern" hospitality. I put this gift together for my gf's birthday this past Saturday. I tried to make it a combo gift as well...her hubby is returning from Iraq and they both could use a little R&R. The wine box started out as bare wood and was purchased from a neat little store(Pearl River Mart), which is in the SOHO district of NYC. If your ever there, you will have to stop by! I covered it in some of my favorite patterned paper by Paper Flair and K&CO. To adhere the paper I used a thin coat of modpodge and let it dry overnight. Its important to do this as it ensures there will be no air bubbles when it comes time for sanding the edges. I used my scallop punch for the pineapple accents, which fit perfectly in the punch! And for you Marine spouses, don't those accents remind you of Marine Chevrons(the rank structure on their uniforms)? That's all I saw when I kept stamping them...lol The green paper I used is actually a sticker sheet from Creative Memories and I used my oval cutters for matting. The sentiment is cut out with my cuttlebig tag die and then I added a couple of Making Memories Antique brads. The best part about this wine box is that it can be recycled and my gf can pass it on for another gift...OR...she can keep to herself:) You can click on the images for larger view.

Simple Monograms...

I just wanted to post this at the top real quick:

Rosalia: I recevied an email from you for the tutorial on the diaper cake but the address you sent the email from has a spam blocker on it. If you'd stil like the directions, please send me an email: madscrapper24@yahoo.com with an alternate address

CCORBITT: I still have your mingmei munchies waiting...please re-send your address and they will be in the mail on Monday. I lost several emails in transit so your package is waiting on my desk:)


This is the last set of cards I created for a friend's thank-you gift basket. I have used this sketch many times and love it for its simplicity. The sketch is a "postage stamp" idea from Michelle Wooderson. I just started with a simple white cs and used my PTI Polka Dot basics for the background. The patterned paper is from Me and My Big Ideas(I use this ALOT!) and the pink cs is from Stampin' Up! On the bottom half I used my ticket corner punch and added some rhinestones and tied on a simple black satin half bow. The monogram is from Papertrey Ink and is matted with the scallop flower punch.
It's the little things that count when it comes to packaging up gift baskets. Yes, I do make alot of cards, but honestly I don't send out many on my own part. I love to create, share, and giveaway! This gift basket is loaded with many of my favorite creations and I had the perfect little thank-you to attach to the outside. I keep these 3x3 cards on hand and if they look familiar in pattern, its because there were made from left-overs of THIS project! Just goes to show that you can always make something from scraps...no need to waste!

Tooth Fairy Box...

Sooo, moving into a new house is really exciting and overwhelming at the same time. As you can see from the lack of posts, where my attention has been diverted! It is my intention to keep up with this blog on a regular basis...I'm shooting for 3 posts a week as I used to, but you see I'm not keeping my end of the bargain...lol I will do my best:) The major stuff has been purchased for the house, so we're officially in a "cooling-off" period! Next payday is the new fence(hopefully!). In the meantime, I've got a great little project to share! I found these neat little circular boxes before I left NY. They look heavy, but are pretty lite in person. I immediately thought they'd make great Tooth Fairy Boxes! This is the first one I played with and I'm sure many more to come...at least 2 more for my girls! It was also my first chance to play with some new stamps(Girly Girl by Paper Salon) from a dear friend. I always assume I'm going to paint the unfinished wood, but I really like how this turned out with the natural look. The paper is from Making Memories and I used my Creative Memories Circle Cutter to get a perfect fit on the lid. The ribbon is just some scraps I had. The monogram is from my Papertrey Ink Monogram set and then I made some matching stationary to go along with it. Its a nice, simple gift for any little princess!

For a new friend...

Since moving into the new neighborhood, I have met many nice neighbors and its a wonderful melting pot! I decided to make a few gifts for them and since I was feeling the need to alter something, I decided on this chunky notebook. The notebook is the Five Star brand, and is thick, yet small enough to tuck in your purse. I also made some coordinating notecards to go with this set. The Cosmobella fit perfectly for Tonya, she is just a sassy little thing! I was going to put some sort of funny sentiment in the circle, but seeing as how I don't know her all that well yet, the monogram was probably a better choice. The patterned paper is from Crate Paper and I used both sides...the bottom half of the notebook is just the flip side of the patterned page. I used my PTI stamps to do the lines in Tea Leaves(Dew Drops) and then used my Black Spica Pen to draw the lines and dots...it really helped the green lines pop! The ribbon is from my scrap box and I adhered a couple of Making Memories brads to hold it in place. Now I just need to get this wrapped up and sent over!

Diaper Cakes and Cupcakes...

So a few friends and I decided to throw our girlfriend a baby shower before leaving NY. Since we are all military spouses, we needed something fast and efficient because we were all getting ready to PCS. I knew I couldn't leave town without throwing my dear friend, Brooke, a sweet and delicious shower. The girls and I decided to keep it a secret, only letting her hubby know the date and drop off time. So we picked Little Cupcake in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn as the spot. If your ever in the area, you'll have to stop by! Not only are the cupcakes piled high with buttercream frosting, but the cheesecakes are superb!

I wanted something else to go with the gift cards I had purchased, so a diaper cake was in order! Now, you can make these diaper cakes several different ways, I just prefer to cover mine with fabric. This also helps when you have the diapers with with printed designs and you don't want them to show. We didn't know the sex of the baby, so I decided not to go too froo-froo and chose the colors more for Brooke than baby. The fabric is from one of my favorite designers, Micheal Miller, in a dark sage and chocolate. I form the diaper stacks first and then wrap the fabric on tight. When you get to the connecting ends, just adhere a strong double stick tape and overlap the ends. I usually take a large flower(with stem) down the center, but this time decided, for transport, it'd just be easier to keep the layers separate.I absolutely love how well the center flower turned out. I originally started with some big chipboard letters that spelled out BABY, but they just weren't working for me, so I opted for the ribbon. The ribbon is offray sage and SU! Choco. Chip. The two colors combos look very rich together! To adhere the ribbon, I cut several 12 inch strips(of both colors) of ribbon, stacked them together and then brought them to the center. Once I had all the ribbon ends in the center, I took a pin needle and stuck it down into a paper stump. The paper stumpe worked well, just cut off one end point and push it down into the center of your top cake layer. The flower is Prima and the antique brad is from Making Memories.Now your all ready to go! I just slipped the gift cards(target baby and a spa gift card) in the bottom and was on my way. If your interested in directions, I have a tutorial available! Just send me a quick email: madscrapper24@yahoo.com with "diaper cake tutorial" in the subject line!