There Is No Reason...

for this card...

or this post...

I just wanted to show off the ribbon I found today.

This card is strictly a "prototype"...

I'll perfect it later...

but please feel free to give suggestions...

in fact...

tell me what to do with it.

But I just love this ribbon so much and had to play just a little.

OK...

here it is...

First...

it would look better with wrinkle ribbon...

but I didn't have any so went with my denim.

But those buttons are attached to the crochet ribbon!!

Isn't it adorable?

A close up...

I died.

And please don't spoil my delusions by telling me you already have some...

this was my special moment today.

So give me some suggestions of what to do with ribbon that I died for...

and will never confess to love-of-my-life-man-that-I-married how much I paid.

The Details:

All Supplies PTI unless noted:

Cardstock: Kraft, Spring rain, Vintage Cream

Stamps: Buttoon Boutique

Ink: Momento

Button: PTI

Misc: Ribbon, denim, paper flower

Laurie's Card Aisle Challenge

Laurie over at SoapboxCreations put out a challenge earlier this week to "shop" the card aisle for inspiration...

check the challenge here.

First off...

like her...

I used to live at Hallmark just browsing...

and buying.

I LOVE cards...

all kinds of cards...

especially the funny, off-the-wall, sometimes...

off-color ones that I would never consider giving to my Mother.

But then...

a little over a year ago...

I discovered card making...

and Hallmark lost a very devoted customer.

At Christmas they put out the singing snowmen...

love those little guys...

and grab one every year.

They didn't have them in 2009...

so disappointed...

but brought them back for 2010 and I could pay $30 for one or...

I could buy 3 cards and get it for $15.

I spent 45 minutes searching for 3 cards that I would actually spend the money for...

and with every one my thoughts were...

"I can make that"...

"They want how much...I can do it cheaper".

Finally just grabbed 3 $.99 money holders, my snowman and ran.

So this challenge was fun!

I was "shopping" cards and snapping pictures...

and almost fainted when I saw what they want for cards!

No lie...

some of the ones I shot...

$6.99!

So I came home and then realized I can't transfer pictures from my phone because...

my cord ran away.

So excuse the following photos...

but here's my inspiration card...

Whoops!

Don't know how that happened...

pretty sure it's not my fault though (giggle).

And here's the price for said card...

you may want to sit for this...

A little blurry...

but yes.

That's reads $4.29.

Now here's my super simple interpretation...

Pennies!

Literally...

what my card cost.

You have to join this challenge...

I've seen the conversations about how some believe we're "saving money" by making our own cards...

I've always laughed and said "Yeah..." (very sarcastically)...

but based on the current card prices I saw last night...

they may be right!

The Details

All Supplies PTI unless noted

Cardstock: Hibiscus Burst, Aqua Mist, Raspberry Fizz

Stamps: Inside & Out: Birthday

Dies: Tag Sale 3

Ink: Momento

Misc: ribbon, vellum

Make It Monday #8

It's Monday!

Time for another...

over at Papertrey Ink.

This week the challenge is ink blending techniques...

check out the post here.

And here is my card...

Quickie post...

most of the kiddies are on Spring Break this week...

and I have a mountain of laundry...

and somehow...

I managed to give life to the most destructive little guy...

ever!

Literally...

standing right in front of me yesterday...

just started drawing on the kitchen wall.

I plead the 5th on what I told him...

just know he stopped...

and ran.

But it will never compare to the day when both of the boys were much younger...

and you know that moment in Poltergeist when she turns around and all the chairs are stacked up and she kind'a screams...?

Yeah...had one of those moments when I walked into my kitchen one afternoon and saw lifesize SpongeBob's drawn around the perimeter of my kitchen nook.

And no...

of course it wasn't with washable marker...

Mr. Clean would take that right off.

No.

They managed to do it in dry erase marker...

and 15 coats of paint later...

you can still faintly see SpongeBob.

Right now..

they're quiet...

gotta go!

The Details

All supplies PTI unless noted:

Cardstock: Kraft, Stamper's Select

Stamps: YOF Gladiolus, Daffodil

Ink: Momento, Copic

Twine: PTI

Going To The Fair

For the March Blog Hop we are challenging you to use embroidery floss in a fun and inventive way on
your project.  This could include stitching, wrapping it around and tying it like ribbon, braiding, accenting
tags, embroidered patterns or anything else you can dream up!  We look forward to seeing your
creations!


When I first saw the challenge PTI posed for this month...

I was a little stumped...

maybe because it was late and I didn't really read it...

but when I went back to it...

I knew exactly what I was going to do.

OK...

I kind'a knew.

Cross stitch.

Until my youngest was born...

I crossed stitched quite a bit...

but that 4th one...

there's just too much to do to devote the time that a cross stitch piece requires.

Maybe when the kids are older...

So I knew cross stitch...

and I automatically thought of Lisa Johnson's vintage card during this month's release...

loved how she used the Twinkle, Gingham and Flower Fusion #2 on it...

it just struck a chord with me.

So I very impatiently waited on my new goodies...

and I don't think I've ever looked forward to release delivery as much as this one...

knowing there was something I was actually going to do with it in advance.

So I get my goodies and prepare to start stamping...

and realize I don't know where to go once I actually get the background done.

I'm stumped.

Again.

So then...

just started pulling sets and working with colors...

cutting dies...

and realized I knew where my colors...

my patterns...

my layout were going.

I was going to the fair.

I make no secret that Pure Poppy is my favorite color...

I want to use it on everything...

and in it I saw the color of candied apples...

I saw the blue of cotton candy...

in Spring Rain.

Then the yellow glow of the midway lights lighting the night in Harvest Gold...

I saw the calico...

 the gingham...

the buttons...

the crocheted lace...

of handmade creations entered for the coveted...

1st Place blue ribbon prize.

The tickets...

you hand over to ride the rides...

like the Tilt-A-Whirl...

or the Ferris Wheel...

All of these things came together in my minds eye to create this...

I went to the fair...

and I had fun...

hope you did too.




The Details:

All Supplies PTI unless noted

Cardstock: Pure Poppy, Spring Rain, Harvest Gold

Stamper's Select, Kraft

Stamps: Flower Fusion #2, Gingham, Just The Ticket,

Button Boutique

Dies: Doily Details, Button Boutique, Button #2,

Just The Ticket

Ink: Memento, PTI Tea Stain Duo, SU

Misc: vintage lace, denim, pin

I Am My Mother's Child

OK...

took Dinky to school this morning...

and was talking to Mom...

yes...

sometimes I talk and drive but I was in the school parking lot...

when she mentioned an estate sale close to his school.

Told her I would run by and see if there was anything she would be interested in...

since I was close by.

There is something about my Mom...

she collects things.

Lots of things.

Depression glass is her top thing.

But dishes...

crystal...

antiques...

oh, yeah.

The woman collects.

In fact...

she collects so much...

she needs to add a room onto her home to house her collections.

Lucky for her...

her brother is a contractor.

So she's just waiting for him to have the time to literally add an addition to her home to house her glassware...

dishes...

antique radios...

dressers...

sewing machines...

name it...

she has it...

or is looking for it.

She gets carried away at auctions...

if something is going for a really good price...

what she considers "giveaway"...

she'll buy it.

She won't need it...

but "it was a great price!"

In fact...

when she first discovered ebay...

she even bid against herself!

I can not count how many antique dressers she has.

And a couple of months ago she went to an auction...

bought 2 more because they were "giving them away"!

I have one in one of my halls.

It's the blanket chest.

I got my wardrobe because it was going cheap.

My dresser...

cheap.

She is the reason love-of-my-life-man-that-I-married  has said...

no more furniture.

I told her to watch that TLC program...

Hoarders: Buried Alive.

She's dancing on the edge of that one.

So anyway...

I go to this estate sale for her to scope it out.

Wasn't impressed when I pulled up...

not a great neighborhood.

Wasn't impressed when I first walked in either...

but didn't want to be rude and just turn around and leave.

So I walked through...

junk.

That's all I saw.

And I didn't find a single thing she would have been interested in...

or needed.

But then...

I went into a bedroom...

and lying there...

I found these...

 Pay no attention to the wrinkles...

I snapped these right when I got home and they have not been laundered yet.

Look at this rooster!

And these pictures do not show how truly vivid the colors are.

And this one...

How gorgeous!

Sorry...

didn't realize he was sideways.

But isn't he adorable?

And...

A hand crocheted table cover that is absolutely striking in person...

unbelievable craftsmanship.

And last...

More Jello tins!

OK...

so you now know I love vintage linens...

look for them everywhere...

and I'm so hooked on those adorable tins...

not as hooked as Mish over at Mish Mash...

but hooked.

And if you happen to know anything about these tablecloths...

I have general idea but would love specifics...

era...

origination...

pattern...

please e-mail me.

Even if you're just taking a guess...

e-mail me.

Now...

this is where I brag.

How much do you think I paid...

for all of it?

Come on...

you have to guess.

Just guess...

because I really love playing the guessing game.

OK...

I'll spill...



wait for it...



a little longer...



just guess!!



OK...




$2!

And that's with me telling her to keep the change!

So did I get a deal...

or did I get a deal?

I've been so happy all day over these treasures...

now off to see if TLC is showing Hoarders...

Yup...

I am my Mother's child.

Make It Monday #7

Time for another Make It Monday challenge over at PTI.

This week we were challenged to add color to non-neutral cardstock.

And I got my new goodies first thing this morning...

love that gingham background.

But it's hard to line up.

So I've been practicing...

I will not tell you how many trees died for my practice...

but I will plant some new ones in my yard very soon.

I love the YOF series...

I think they're perfect for Copics.

And since we have beautiful Spring weather here in TN...

and I actually did a similar card a few weeks ago for one of the Papertrey Paper Dolls challenges...

I pulled out my Buttercup.

Sorry...

I know PTI calls it Daffodil...

but where I'm from...

they're Buttercups.

And nothing says Spring better in the South than Buttercups, gingham and cutoffs.

So...

here's my MIM...

Yup...

apparently Linda and I had the same thoughts today....

Buttercups, gingham and even the same sentiment.

She made a truly beautiful card...

I love her little bag.

And I promise you that I never saw her card until mine was finished.

It's just something I do...

I never look at any posted until mine is done and ready to be posted.

So you can imagine my surprise...

but I killed trees tonight...

they died for that gingham background.

I fed my kids grilled cheese sandwiches because they were quick and I could get back to destroying the forests...

for that masked, gingham background that I finally got down...

so you're just going to have to see my card too!


Edited: 3-22-11
Linda complimented me by saying "Brilliant minds...", truly a compliment to me...maybe not so much to her...because she did it much better...her card is truly stunning.  Make sure to visit her if you haven't already.
I suggested we think alike again next week too... :) 

The Details:

All Supplies PTI unless noted:

Cardstock: Kraft, Lemon Tart, Spring Rain

Stamps: YOF Daffodils, Background Basics: Gingham

Ink: Momento, Copics

Misc: denim ribbon

Yup...He Loves Me

It's true.

Love-of-my-life-man-that-I-married-the-reason-Bonnie-Tyler's-Total-Eclipse-of-the-Heart-runs-through-my-head-complete-with-standing-on-the-edge-of-a-cliff-wind-whipping-my-hair-like-a-bad-80's-soundtrack-every-time-he-walks-into-the-room...

loves me.

Why?

Good question!

I spied an antique Post Master's desk a couple of weeks ago at one of my favorite haunts...

I really want it.

But...

I won't pay the price because...

some previous owner has not loved it well.

It's been painted.

And not just painted...

but painted badly.

A horrid paint job with glops of paint...

bad brush strokes...

and the color...

oh...the color.

Imagine terracotta...

now turn up the volume about 1000 decibals.

Bad.

So I want this desk...

or maybe one that's been better loved...

to store ribbon, buttons and felt in.

But...

well...

dear man that I love has also ordered no more furniture in the house.

Nothing can come in unless 2 things go out.

So...

I'm visiting Laurie Beth at SoapboxCreations the other day...

and I see what she has that her Dad made for her...

Nichole's Heady's ribbon organizer.

So...I give dear-man-that-I married a choice...

the PO desk that I found and love that I never mentioned to him thinking I might be able to just sneak it in and he would never notice...

until the light hit that paint job...

and it glowed like a nuclear reactor...

and I just happened to mention that any repairs would be beyond my abilities so I need to send it out to be refinished...

wallet please!

Or would he consider just making me one of the organizers?

He agreed...

very fast I might add...

and with his own little added twist...

Grasshopper has learned well...

he would need a new saw.

We struck a deal and this is what I got...

Lots of photos...

so sit still!

Look at those little jello molds I found...

the same day I found that PO desk...

been searching ever since I saw Mish's over at her blog,  Mish Mash.

And then...

because I don't have enough PTI ribbon to fill up one organizer...

had to fill in with some others I have...

because I have ribbon hoarding issues...

he made me another one...

This one is modified to be able to hold my Copics on the bottom...

got to get more containers...

and my buttons on top!

Love how they look home canned...

with homemade labels.

I used PTI's Fillable Frames #11 and hand wrote the names.

And a few more shots...

Mine are hung.

And yes...this is my dining room.

I don't have a craft room so this is where I craft.

This wardrobe...

it holds most of my craft stuff.

I also have an antique chest of drawers that I store things in too.

Unusual...

but it fits me.

We only use the dining room maybe once a year...

and I can just tuck things away when I need to...

and while I'm crafting...

I get to still be involved with everything going on in the house and with the kids...

so it really does work for me right now.

I had actually planned on showing you how much that wardrobe will hold...

but I'm reorganizing it...

and since I've got a sick one today...

it'll have to wait.

Now...did you check my gorgeous vintage tablecloth...

yes...I need to iron it...

and I will never craft on it...no way!

Just found that so thinking I need to paint and change the curtains...

and since yard sale and auction season is starting...

thought I would look for some quilt pieces and frame them above the shelves to make them look more like usable art...

what do you think?

Such a good thing hubby loves me!

And since he is not a really handy guy when it comes to woodworking...

I love him and God bless him...

he tries...

but I do think he did an awesome job with these...

he said he owes Mr. David Heady a pack of cold ones.

He did all the hard work...

but hubby wound up looking like the hero.

I can't wait to see what else Nichole has to show us from her new studio!

One last shot because I do love that man-that-I-married!

Papertrey Paper Dolls Challenge #34

Today a new challenge was issued for the Papertrey Paper Dolls...

and I think it's the perfect challenge for right now.

You can view the challenge here...

but C challenged us to gratitude...

simple...

and a background stamp.

After all that has happened in the last week...

a dear member of The Dolls lost a loved one...

the people of Japan have suffered immeasurable losses and it is still continuing...

we should all take a moment and reflect and give thanks for all that we have been given...

and what we have.

I thank God every day for my family...

my friends...

near and far.

Our health...

the home the shelters us...

the food that nourishes us.

I am so thankful for this wonderful family that I have discovered on the forum at PTI...
.
for the wonderful friends I have made since entering this little world of blogdom...

I am grateful for each and every one of you.

I wish you blessings every day.

The Details:

All Supplies PTI unless noted:

Cardstock: Kraft, Pure Poppy, Simply Chartreuse, 

Stamper's Select

Stamps: Gobble, Gobble, Four of a Kind, Tin Types

Dies: Nestabilities ovals

Ink: Memento, Versa Mark, SU

Make It Monday #6

Edited below with Diane's suggestion

Before anything is said...

yes.

It's Wednesday.

I'm still running behind.

We have sunshine here in TN...

and we're going to be seeing temps near 80 for the rest of the week...

YEAH!  Spring is here!

And so are my allergies.

But we're all over the flu...

yeah...

I didn't like that too much.

And while I was down with the flu...

I was hurting really bad...

I mean...

never-hurt-this-bad-in-my-life bad...

so I convinced myself it more than the flu and it was bad.

When I really got scared and said something to love-of-my-life-man-that-I-married...

this is how that conversation went...


M: I'm really hurting...I can't stand...I can't sit...I can't lay...
it's a tumor.
H: Where does it start?
M: (pointing at my lower back) Here.
H: You've pinched a nerve.
M:  No.  I watched Danielle Steele's Fine Things when I was younger and she died from cancer and it started in her hips.
It's a tumor.
H: Starts here (pointing)...goes into your hips and legs?
M: Yes.
H: You pinched a nerve.
M: OH, REALLY?  Well what about Muriel's Wedding?  I've been trying not to do anything to fall because she wound up paralyzed...from a tumor!
I'm telling you...it's a tumor!
H: (Calmly...) Remember the internet and your melanoma?
M: Oh...
maybe I did pinch a nerve.


The melanoma story is long...

but I will say that the dermatologist advised that sometimes the internet is a good thing...

but sometimes it is a bad thing...

and I should probably avoid it.

So...

getting back to normal...

it's another Make It Monday over at PTI.

This week's challenge was partial impressions/embossing.

Now...had difficulty because I realized I didn't have any impression plates...

and only a couple embossing folders...

so had problems trying to figure out what to do with very limited supplies.

I did order the new impression plate Monday night though...

and I was just reminded of a friend's birthday coming up this weekend...

where has this month gone?

So decided to make her a birthday card using this challenge...

 And another because I really love the way Laurie Beth does it...

But I still think it needs something...

any suggestions?

I can accept all suggestions until Sunday...

when I will need to give her this card...

while we meet JODI!
 
But hope you can find the time to join the challenge too...

Edit:

Diane suggested this...

and it adds that little something that was missing.

And the thing is...

I had the doily cut for it...

but couldn't decide how to use it!

Thank you Diane!

The Details:

All Supplies PTI unless noted

Cardstock: Stamper's Select, Spring Rain

Stamps: Tag It's #1, Think Big Favorites #1

Ribbon: Pure Poppy Twill

Dies: Fillable Frames #11, Nestabilities Circle

Ink and embossing folder: SU

Misc: bling

Hello...

remember me?

It's been a few days...

but have been distracted with some things...

sick kids...

the flu...

a sweet, wonderful, incredible Doll is enduring a personal tragedy...

and then...well...

I'm going to save that story for later...

but trying to get back in the groove now.

You know what today is...

right?

One week till Jodi!!!

Yeah!

I'm still so excited...

can't wait to meet her...

I want to make her a card...

do you think that would be pushy?

It's not like I'm not going to be walking into the auditorium empty handed...

got a  few books for her to sign...

and my camera...

I have to record our meeting on film...

LOVE her!

So tell me if you think a card will be pushy.

OK...hope you joined us for the first Papertrey Paper Dolls Blog Hop...

did you have fun?

It was FUN...

I loved learning more about all these wonderful ladies...

and let me just tell you...

not only are they some of the most talented girls around...

they are just incredible people.

In the last few days I have to come to realize just how incredibly fortunate I am to know each and every single one of them...

and words cannot describe how truly blessed I am to be able to call each of them my friend.

Truly blessed.

And I have to stop now...

or I will start crying.

So...easing back into my groove...

Ted over at HappilyEverCrafter has another challenge....

and you guessed it...

St. Patrick's!

The challenge is easy...

have to use the colors of the Irish flag...

green, white and orange...

and here's my take...

If you remember a couple of weeks ago the Make It Monday over at PTI was to use glitter...

and I saw so many inspirational cards...

that I decided to give it another go.

Hopefully I'm back tomorrow with a new Make It Monday challenge...

we'll see.

The Details:

All supplies PTI unless noted

Cardstock: Stamper's Select, Orange Zest, New Leaf

Stamps: Luck of the Irish

Dies: Double ended banner, Doily Details, Limitless Layers

Misc: ink (SU), Scor Tape, MS glitter

Papertrey Paper Dolls Blog Hop

Yes...
you read right...
it's a...
          Papertrey Paper Dolls Blog Hop!

So glad you are here...and I will try to make it a brief as possible because this group is FULL of incredibly talented Dolls and I want you to have a chance to visit all of them and soak up some of their amazing inspiration!
Seriously...
I bow in awe of them every day.
This Blog Hop is a chance to introduce ourselves to everyone...
especially the "newbies"...
I'm one...
so Lee Anne challenged us with a PTI theme...
since this is the reason we all come together...
and mine came together like this...

           P = Pure Poppy cardstock

           T = True Black cardstock and ribbon

           I = Inside & Out Birthday

First...
going to introduce myself...
I'm Renee.
I live in TN...
a small town just outside of Nashville.
I was born here and have lived here most of my life.
I'm married to an incredibly wonderful guy who is so tolerant of this hobby of mine...
and we will celebrate 19 years this June.
We have 4 children...
twin 13 year old girls...
an 8 year old son and
a 4 year old son.
Our girls were born 13 weeks premature due to Twin to Twin Transfusion...
statistically neither should have survived...
and there is a day's worth of reading just explaining that alone...
but I have my girls and they are true joy.
Though Hunter was left blind with cerebral palsy and it's not always easy...
I am so incredibly and truly blessed to have her and to truly experience a small piece of heaven on earth everyday with her.
My boys...
well...
they're boys.
And I couldn't breath without them...
though they test me everyday.
I'm a stay-in-the-car Mom...
it's usually where I'm found.
But when I have a day to avoid my car...
as seriously cool as it may be...
see here for explanation...
I can be found in my jammies in my craft area trying to figure out what in the world I'm doing.
I've been stamping for about a year...
discovered PTI last Spring when I kept seeing their name in Paper Crafts Magazine...
decided to check them out.
Ordered my first order on May 1, 2010...
I remember this date vividly because that is the morning that the rain, rain, rain...
started coming...
down, down, down...
here in TN and by the next afternoon the entire midstate was flooded.
But I fell in love with PTI's paper...
and even if I were to never order another stamp set from PTI (I know...GASP!)...
I would never leave their paper.
Pure Poppy is my favorite color...
but that will change when they bring me a true Navy...
I'm a navy girl.
Navy and white is my favorite color combo...
and can't you just see that in some gingham?
Ordered my first stamp set in August when I had just happened upon July release and saw All Booked Up...
didn't realize the frenzy that occurs with release and since it was a day or 2 later when I tried to order...
I had to wait.
It's still my favorite stamp set and I will never be without it...
I show it lots of love.
I'm new to the Dolls...
and am so excited to join them!
This is an incredibly talented group of ladies and I am so honored to be a part of them...
they inspire me more than words could ever say.
Here's my card for the challenge...

And another one...

OK...absolutely no reason for that one...
I just love the way Laurie at SoapboxCreations does it and wanted to try it.
And now...
hope you will "hop" along to the next lovely Doll, Kristin, and gain some inspiration for yourself!
Remember to leave a comment below to be entered in the chance for the prize drawing...
PTI Made of Snow stamp set...
just in case my blog is the chosen blog!
And if you link your creative challenge masterpiece to our InLinkz found at the bottom of the challenge post so that we may gain inspiration from you...
you'll be entered in a drawing for a $25 PTI Gift Certificate!
And...
remember Doll challenges are open to everyone and there's a new one every two weeks...
check us out at here!
Thanks so much for visiting...hope you'll come back again when you have the time...
and Happy Hopping!

Papertrey Paper Dolls:
Jen
Lee Anne 
Laurie Beth
Deena 
Leish 
Amy 
Suzanne
Katie
Laurie
Cecilia
Michelle
Sara
Tanna
Kristin
Christy 

The Details:

All supplies PTI unless noted:

Cardstock: Pure Poppy, True Black, Stamper's Select

Stamps: Inside & Out: Birthday, BB:Sheet Music

Ribbon: True Black

Misc: ink, bling and vellum