Doodlebug Birthday...

I've been quite productive on the crafting end this week. Tropical storm Ida has been wreaking havoc on us and it puts me in the perfect mood to craft and be cozy! Luckily there hasn't been any flooding on our side of town, but the the RAIN, oh my lord, I could do without anymore!!!! Great for the newly planted trees, but not so good for running errands etc. Anyhoo, here are a few cards I worked on last night. The ink I used for the polka dots is not showing up well, in fact it looks blotchy:( I promise in real life, they are a lovely shade of pastels and are perfectly ROUND! I can't resist this doodlebug ice cream paper! I made the zig-zag card first and decided I'd make a few more to share this weekend. In the spirit of trying something "new", I gathered my ribbon and sewed it directly on the card. It was a nice change from simply tying a bow...which I was getting very bored and frustrated with...lol The ribbon is trimmed on each end and I folded it underneath the card front. Since I tucked and taped the ribbon underneath the inside, I also had to add a full paper liner so the ribbon is not visible on the backside. The sentiment is from PTI's-Star Prints.
Hmmm, something went terribly wrong with my photography here...just going to blame the "blotchy" dots on the camera AND NOT the photographer! Looks like the kids stamped their fingerprints in green:)

More Pocket Notebooks...

I have a stack of 4x6 notepads on my desk that are begging to be altered (or at least this is my intetion so I don't toss them in a bin and forget about them for months)! I pulled them out last week and I've tried to do a few here and there. Having plenty of new patterened paper on hand always inspires me to create MORE! The only reason I bought this doodlebug paper last week was because I KNEW my ice cream stamp would be a perfect match. After coloring and matting my ice cream cup, I added a tad of crystal effects to the cherry on top to give it a little 3-D effect. When my oldest saw this sweet treat she said it looked good enough to "eat right off the page"! All the rectangles are cut out with my nesty dies. The sentiment "grocery list" is from my new Take Note set from PTI. To shade in the sentiment I dabbed Dew Drop-Aloe Vera ink around the edges.
My dearest friend Donna came by last week and I've sucked her into stamping as well! She loves MFT just as much as I do and had some sets I didn't own, so I stamped up a few and turned them into some sassy, coffee notebooks! I'm not a coffee/caffeine drinker, but I love the way fresh ground coffee beans smell...it's my favorite isle at the grocery store! These notebooks have a fairly simple layout so I just wanted to add a little extra flair by sewing around the borders. On the top notebook, I used the sentitment that came with the Coffee?Tea? set...the bottom sentiment is from Essential Sentiments. There is also a slight "glimmer" on the rims of the coffee cups...more crystal effects so it appears to be a fresh cup of coffee!

Basket Full of Friendship...

Some more fun 4x6 notebooks. I've been busy this week preparing for an upcoming crafting event at home this weekend. In addition to the crafts we will be making, I will also have baskets of goodies available for purchase. I fell in love with this patterned paper from a recent purchase to the scrapbook store. I don't remember the vendor because I used up the whole stash before checking! But, the pattern is so fun and whimsical...my girls said it's missing Strawberry Shortcake. Detail shot of my attempt at zig-zag sewing. It's getting easier...still a tad tricky on the corners! Just a few more notebooks added to the basket. If I have time this week, I'm hoping to fill er' up with a nice assortment of notebooks. Whatever is left over, I'm going to add to the opening of my Etsy shop next week...she's just about ready!

Mini Christmas Banners, LOOOOONG post (with pics!)...

EDITED TO ADD: Isabel asked about the edging of the snowman's hat...no pom poms here (although they'd be really cute!), just used Star Dust Stickles:) You could also use Liquid Pearls...which I have as well, just didn't think to use it until afterwards!

So what to do after Halloween? Jump into Christmas of course! Thanksgiving is in there somewhere! Actually, these banners have been in the works since late July, early August! A dear friend had asked months ago if I could give her some ideas for Christmas Banners and here are few samples I've been playing with. They are more like mini-banners, but you could also put them on a fireplace mantle (scroll down) if it's on the smaller side. Also, if you have a mirror, you could use that option...looks very classy and clean:) Tried out my new Cosmo Cricket paper along with my Cricut-First Years cartridge (lettering). The rounded squares are cut with my nesty dies. I scored this fabulous beige creme ribbon at Micheal's the other day. The ribbon is Martha Stewart and was originally 5.99 a spool...scored several for 99 cents!!! Buttons are from my own stash...they're just all dumped together now, so not sure of the manufacturer.
PTI-Made of Snow...this is the set I won for THIS entry last year...funny, it didn't even get used last year:(
One for the mantle. I'm not too sure I like all BIG letters...it's hard to read:(
On all 3 banners I cut a second layer of lettering and put Star Dust Stickles on the outer layer...yummy!

Cut out the windows and doors here with my PTI-Home for the Holidays set. The trees are paper pieced and I added some amuse twinkle stickers for the star and ornaments.
PTI-Made of Snow and Boards & Beams. See that yummy paper below?? The new paper is Rustic Snowflake and it's from their latest release! It reminds me a lot of Dutch Girl by Cosmo Cricket...absolutely LOVE IT!

Spooky Treats for the Teachers...

I'm sure hoping the weather clears up this morning! Today my oldest is supposed to have a field trip to the pumpkin patch, but its overcast and raining a heavy mist. Hopefully she isn't too disappointed if they aren't able to go:( In the meantime, I sent these off with her to school this morning. Let's hope she doesn't swing her backpack around too much and crack all the eyeballs...lol Although, it would add more appeal to the googlie eyes! Another cute MFT stamp set. I was trying to find a link from their website, but I don't think this set is available any longer? None the less, it's adorable and kid friendly! I did a little color shading with my Copic markers and cut all the frames out with my nesty dies. In the background, you can see the "bumps" on the green and purple tag. I used my cuttlebug folder for that and used some Dew Drop ink to rub over the top...gives it a vintage-y feel of sorts. Filled with some googlie eyeballs! My girls went crazy when they saw these...I think they enjoyed eating a few, even more!

New Stamps!

I was so excited when my PTI package finally made its way to my doorstep! It took quite a while, but it was worth the wait! This was also the first time I purchased some of PTI's patterned paper and I have to say that I absolutely LOVE it! The weight of the paper is super thick, and cuts nicely. For this project I was attempting not to make it look "Christmas-y" and I'll be darned if it didn't turn out like a dang ornament!!! You can even tell I made the attempt by picking out paper in the Rustic Snowflake pack that DID NOT have snowflakes on it! Ohhhh, I digress... Stamp set is the new Take Note by Michelle Wooderson. I figured this notebook will come in handy for blogs I like to surf and also as a password book. Between online banking and numerous other log-ins, this will help me from having to get all those "I forgot my password requests".

Off to finish cleaning my craft room...I was up til' midnight getting the desk cleared...I REALLY do have a desk under all that mess! What a shame...lol

One Stamp...2 layouts!

More fun with my 4x6 notebooks! I love Verve Stamps for their simplicity and lets face it, they are so fun to play with! I chose a design along the lines of "friendship" for my layout. This stamp set also comes with additional "love" sentiments you could also use. Soft pink and black. Patterned paper is from Doodle Bug Designs. Little bit of zig-zag sewing on the pink strips. I added the dew drop AND the button, which after looking at it, it looked a bit overboard, but I think I will use the dew drop as my "signature" when using this set...it's fun!Hot pink and black combo. I also did a bit more zig-zag sewing here, but only around the hot pink border.The ribbon is a bit stiff, so it was hard to get the perfect tied bow here. I simply added a button and used E6000 to adhere.

Celebrate in Style Notebook...

Whew! Finished cleaning out the supplies I no longer need! Luckily most of them sold locally so it saved me many trips to the PO...thanks ladies! I still have supplies/stamp sets left, just scroll to the previous post if your interested.

I picked up some more notebooks the other day and decided I wanted to try a new size. This size is perfect for an add-on gift or something to slip in the kids backpacks for their teachers. I started by taking off the coil and added the SU! chocolate cs and the patterned paper. When I create these notebooks I just can't stand going without sewing the layers together...it adds just the perfect touch around the edges and also makes the focal image really stand out! To create the sentiment and slider I used my SU! small slot punch (you could also use any small ribbon slider punch) and cut my paper ribbon to desired length. Stamp set is "Let's Go for a Walk" by MFT

Added a little rhinestone on the flourish, which is from a PTI set.

So who LOOOOOVES Etsy?? Well, I first heard about Etsy on GMA many years ago when it first hit the airwaves. I've browsed and bought many things on this wonderful website and I really love to buy handmade ANYTHING! I've contemplated opening a shop since I could remember and I'm finally going to make the BIG leap and try it out. I've been doing custom orders for a few years now and have many requests to set up a page with my creations along with their prices. I don't have a set date when this will begin. I've set up my acct. and all the techy stuff, just need to throw up pics and get going. I will be sure to post here when I've opened up shop!

Cleaning Out a Few Supplies...

Time to make room for NEW stuff! I've cleaned out a few supplies that I no longer use and would like to send to a new home:)

I have grouped all items together by manufacturer to make it easy. All stamp sets are gently used, slightly stained, etc. A few stamp sets only have one stamp that has been used and are virtually brand new...these will be noted.

*PRODUCTS* If interested in purchasing, please send an email to madscrapper24@yahoo.com with your choice of products in the subject line. Do not send payment until I have verified your request...this helps ensure I don't have 2 recipients sending money for the same purchase:)

*PRICING* All sets/supplies are marked accordingly and will paid via PayPal ONLY!

*SHIPPING* I will only be shipping flat rate- $4.95 for 1-2 sets and $10.35 2+ sets. If your shipping is cheaper than flat rate, I will gladly refund the difference, which will be sent separately in an envelope. If on the East Coast (like me!) it generally runs cheaper!

1. Marvy Uchida Punches- (Set of 6) $45.00 (SOLD) 2. Creative Memories Products- Creative Memories Binder- Loaded with stickers! 40 pages of stickers/borders/protectors. $50.00 (shipping to be determined on this item!)

3. Papertrey Ink Products- Just Hatched Stamp set $10.00 (Only "little one" stamp has been used) (PENDING)
Perfect Match True Black Pad & Ink- $7.00 for both (brand new, decided to go with the Noir instead)
4. Stampin' Up! products- Crafter's Tool Kit-(DOES NOT include the paper piercing guide and tool) $12.00
Print Pattern $8.00
Aida Cloth $8.00
Cheesecloth $8.00 (SOLD)
French Script- $8.00
Polka Dot $8.00 (SOLD)
Riveting $5.00 (SOLD)
Aquaria $8.00 (only used the dolphin stamp) (SOLD)
Small Script- $5.00 (SOLD)
Itty Bitty Backgrounds- $5.00 Little Pieces- $5.00
Fresh Fillers- $5.00
Terrific Tulips- $8.00
Wild Rose $10.00
I may post more sets, I'm leaning more towards clear stamping these days, so I have more SU! sets to go through! If you have any questions, please email at madscrapper24@yahoo.com