Happy Birthday for Sister and Mom

Happy Monday everyone -  It was SO HARD getting back to work today.  We had just absolutley gorgeous summer weather in Massachusetts this past weekend - I spent a lot of time in my garden weeding and mulching and enjoying the sun and soft breezes!

I was asked by a co-worker last week to make two personalized birthday cards - one for her sister and one for her mother.

I made both cards based on challenges over on Split Coast this past weekend.

When I asked my co-worker what her sister's interests were - she said that she loves clothes shopping - a fashionista!  The Inspiration Challenge was to look at the website - Posh Vintage - a lovely shop for clothes and a perfect site to give me ideas for the sister card!

I was inspired by this pretty floral dress.

 And here's my card:

I used the dress form die from PTI that I cut in white. Then I cut it again on this pretty origami floral paper and trimmed just the dress part adhering it over the dress form. The sentiment stamps are from Women of Life by Papertrey Ink and the background text is from Waltzingmouse Text It set.

I added layered circle Nestabilities, a bow of wrinkled seam tape and some bling!

Here's what I stamped on the inside of this card - the stamps are from Signature Series Dress Form by PTI and coordinate with the dress form die.

I was  happy to see Patter as the Featured Stamper over on Split Coast this week - I 'met' Patter a few years ago when I participated in the monthly SCS His Holy Name challenges that she ran.  (you can see the projects I made for that challenge here in my His Holy Name Album in my SCSgallery)

I chose to case Patter's Hi card to create the card for my co-worker's mother who likes the outdoors.

I used different colors and a die cut butterfly but kept her pretty sketch and basic design!

The happy Birthday is from Frame It and Mom is from Roses in Bloom - both Waltzingmouse.


Sister It's Your Day:
Stamps: Text Background from Text It - Waltzingmouse, Sister & it's your day sentiments from Women of Life - Papertrey Ink   Inside card:  Signature Series - Dress Form - Papertrey Ink

Paper: white, berry sorbet - Papertrey Ink, purple & violet - Coredinations, floral print chiyogami paper - Michaels
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.,  inside - Versafine Imperial Purple
Accessories: rhinestones - Kaiser Kraft, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions, dress form die - Papertrey Ink, trio labels - Spellbinders, circle Nestabilities, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, foam tape

Happy Birthday Mom:Stamps: Waltzingmouse - happy Birthday from Frame It Set, Mom from Roses in Bloom Set
Paper: white, ocean tides, Text Style Happy Spots - PTI, archaic - Basic Grey, Thrift Shop - October Afternoon
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: gems - Bazzill Basics, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, Butterfly die - Marianne, glue dots

Which Came First? The Carrot or the Duck???

Those of you who know me or visit here frequently - know I'm often making seasonal crafts to sell at my church.  Today I wanted to share a couple of little treats I made for our Easter Sale.

First off are these fun stubby carrots -  I think I make these every year -  they are just so cute they make me laugh just to see them!!    Each year I stamp them up a little differently!  I fill them with chocolate eggs and a little basket shred.

You can find the template for them on Split Coast - here.  (ETA I fixed the link - sorry!)  The Easter sentiment is from WMS Spring Baskets and the dots background is from PTI Polka Dot Basics  Just click on any pic to see it larger.

I always make at least 6 of everything when I make them for a sale - so here are my 6 stubby carrots in a basket!  I used wrinkled seam tape for the 'carrot tops'.

Then I made some little duck treat holders - that I also found on Split Coast here.  I used the duckling pattern.

I added punched circle eyes and sponged their bodies and beaks to give them a little dimension.  I also stamped Easter sentiments on both wings from WMS Spring Baskets.

If you'd like to see other Easter Projects I've posted on my blog over the years  - click here!

Thanks so much for coming by today!  And Happy Easter for those who celebrate.

Hope you can stop by again tomorrow -  I'll have yet another Easter Craft to show you for the Friends of WMS Blog Waltz!

A Birthday by the Sea!

My good blogging buddy Anne, hosted Saturday's Inspiration challenge over on Split Coast this week.  She had us looking at the Outer Banks Trading Group web store.  I recently purchased a wonderful Gina K Designs stamp set called Gifts from the Sea (check out the terrific sentiments in this set!) - and I was inspired by this beach tote to use my new stamps!
 Sand dollars are such a wonder to me.

I made my little bag from a PTI die, stamped the sea gulls and sand images on the front and sponged the edges all around.

I white embossed the sand dollar on Creamy Caramel cardstock and adhered it to the bag with foam tape. I stamped the happy birthday, cut it with an oval punch and adhered that with foam tape. Then I just added a twine bow and some basket shred.

I just love little treat containers,  the perfect little box to place a gift for a friend or loved one!

Stamps: Gina K Designs - Gifts from the Sea
Paper: creamy caramel - SU, Rustic Cream - PTI
Ink: Versamark, Ranger Distress - Brushed corduroy, Antique Linen
Accessories: white embossing powder - SU, hot gun, foam tape, small oval punch - SU, twine & Favor It Box 2- PTI, basket shred -Michaels

Whootin Hi and a Sunny Sky!

Last week's Teaparty over on Split Coast was all about the owls - specifically Whooligan Harry sittin in the tree. Well - funny thing - I was walking through the woods behind my house and lo and behold!! I came upon Whooligan Harry and he WAS actually sittin in the tree!! what are the chances?!?!?!

So here he is on my card - in the winter bare tree with the stars shining in the sky. I stamped two encouraging Bible Verses inside as this card will be going postal to Marie - a quadriplegic due to MS - who can only move her head - who somehow still manages to stay in good spirits. We're hoping that each owl card that arrives will bring a smile to her face!

Stamps: Wise Owl - PTI Inside Everyday Blessings - PTI
Paper: Kraft - Gina K, White - PTI, DP Dream St. Papers LLC/Sam-whoo-hoo
Ink: Memento Tuxedo black, Ranger Distress - Dried Marigold, Brushed Corduroy
Accessories: Rhinestones - Kaiser, Sizzix Bare Tree & Picket Fence dies, Sizzlets Lots of Tags Labels 1 - SU

I was happy to help Peggy illustrate last week's SCS color challenge with this card. Peggy's color choices were Wild Wasabi green, So Saffron yellow and Pacific Point blue.

I framed a sunny sky scene for my card using PTI cloud dies and a Lacey circle nestie die for the sun. I sponged over the chipboard frame to give it some color and added a bow of three different colored twine to the corner for the dessert option!

This lovely birthday verse is from Rubbernecker

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Garden Phrase Set #508
Paper: White & Summer Sunrise - PTi, Green & Blue - Coredinations
Ink: So Saffron - SU, Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Weathered Wood
Accessories: twine -Martha Stewart, Lacey Circles Nestabilities, clouds dies - PTI, Chipboard Frame - Tattered Angels, scor tape, foam tape

February Friends of Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz!

Welcome to the February Friends of Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz - it all starts in the playroom of the WMS forum - you can find all the details here. We hope you'll come join us! This month the theme is using buttons!

I used one of the tree stamps in Teeny Trees to make my blossom, stamping the tree 5 times in a circle directly onto the patterned paper - then I added my buttons to the center, tying a piece of satin ribbon through the big one and adhereing bling to the smaller ones. My circle sentiment was made with stamps from Victorian Frippery. I sponged all the edges with Scattered Straw ink.

As usual - there's a contest going on during the waltz - you have to guess the theme of one of the WMS stamp sets being released March 1. Each design team member has a word clue in their posting. A random correct guess will win a WMS stamp set!

Did you own a horse when you were little??

Stamps: Waltzingmouse: Tiny Trees, Victorian Frippery

Paper: Kraft - Gina K, Simply Chartreuse - PTI, DP Basic Grey Curio Paper Pad.

Ink: Ranger Distress - Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Bundled Sage, Scattered Straw.

Accessories: Narrow silk ribbon & vintage buttons - PTI, rhinestones - Kaiser, Circle Punch - SU, blending tool & nonstick craft mat - Ranger

Flying by with a Prayer

I made this card for a combination of last week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge and the sketch challenge on Split Coast.

The teapot destination (where we can send our card if we choose to) is Sean, a 23 year old diagnosed with cancer and going through some pretty radical treatment - one of his hobbies is model airplanes that fly - so this plane is flying by with a prayer for him and will hopefully bring a smile to his face!

Hope to see you tomorrow for the friends of Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz over in the forum! We're using buttons on our cards! You can check out all the deets here.

Stamps: Fly Away - Papertrey Ink, Sentiment - Notes of Prayer/Verve
Paper: Kraft - Gina K, Vintage Cream - PTI, DP Cosmo Cricket Lil Man Mischievous Max
Ink: Ranger Distress - Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: twine - PTI, Heart Bling - Amuse, exacto knife, Copics BG10, YG95, foam tape

Treats For My Valentine!

If you foll0w my blog at all - then you know how much I LOVE making treat containers! Thought I'd share a few that I made for a Valentine's Sale at my church last week.

I got these pails at Target last year on sale, after season. I decorated them with some stampings and slipped a box of crayons, a pad of paper and some candies inside! The stamps are Waltzingmouse, Rubbernecker and Papertrey Ink.

Stamps: Heart - Sweet Hearts/Waltzingmouse, Happy Valentine's Day - Rubbernecker, Pail & sentiment - Tiny Treats Valentines/Papertrey Ink
Paper: White - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Fired Brick
Accessories: foam dimensionals, paper shred, pail - Target, heart punch - EK Success, circle and lacey circle nestabilities, green & red copic.

My talented stamping friend, Anya, had these cones on her blog with a link to the template. I knew as soon as I saw them I wanted to make some! I put 5 kisses in each one along with some basket shred. I just used patterned paper for the cones (instead of stamping them like Anya did) since I was mass producing!

Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Scarlet Jewell, White - PTI, DP's My Mind's Eye/Irresistable, K & Co/Smitten
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Modern label punch - SU, Shiny stems - Michaels, cone template - http://www.afieldjournal.blogspot.com. , hole punch, heart punch - EK Success

I got this idea from fellow WMS DT member Joan - I decorated it all a little differently but got the bag idea from her. Of course, I just happened to have some of these bags in my stash!?! The little brown bag is open at the top so these message hearts come out and you could also slip in a gift card! I love, love, love this stitching stamp from WMS!!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sweet Hearts, Off Beat Backgrounds (stitching)
Paper: Pure Poppy, White, Berry Sorbet - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Lady Bug
Accessories: minibags - Michaels, heart punch - EK Success, twine - PTI

I got these pretty scalloped heart dishes last year at Michaels after season (2 for $1!). I had some paper doilies that I adhered to the inside of the dish. I filled a baggie with cherry jelly hearts, tied it with wrinkled seam tape and then trimmed off the top of the bag. I made a tag with a Spellbinders die, stamped it and added foam hearts and a ribbon to the top. Then I just slipped the bag and tag into the dish! So it's a card and gift all in one!

So there you go! hope they inspire! I suddenly feel like eating some candy for some reason !!! LOL!!!

Hope to see you tomorrow for the WMS Saturday Sketch!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sweet Hearts
Paper: White - PTI, Riding hood red - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: red dotted ribbon, foam hearts, lacey tissue doily, heart dishes - Michaels, wrinkled seam tape - http://www.prairiebirdboutique.etsy.com/ , scalloped tag - Spellbinders, baggies, candy

Warmed by Your Friendship!

artsy-em was the featured stamper this week over on Split Coast and her put on your party dress card inspired me to create this card. I used different colors and stamps but kept the general theme and sketch.


I bought this dress form die from PTI a few months ago and have been wanting to use it (New Year's resolution to USE my stuff!!!) and I also just got these great Circa 1934 papers from Cosmo Cricket. I paper pieced the 'form' part of the dress form! I sponged the edges of the circle and the sentiment with Ranger Antique Linen ink.


My sentiment is from Blessed by You and frame stamp is from Fancy Phrases both are from Waltzingmouse A perfect sentiment for this 'temps in the single digits' cold and snowy week in New England!!

I'll be back tomorrow with my card for the Saturday Waltzingmouse Sketch - I hope you can stop by and check it out!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Fancy Phrases, Blessed by You
Paper: Vintage cream - PTI, riding hood red - SU, DP Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934/Astaire & Chaplin
Ink: Riding Hood Red - SU, Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, dress form die - PTI, Blending tool & non stick craft mat - Ranger

A Shaker Basket & A Doctor's Bag And News!

One of my New Year's resolutions is to clean up my craft room AND use things I find that I forgot I had purchased! So I was thrilled to see this wooden basket in the inspiration web store Neest that Stephanie showed us for the Inspiration challenge over on Split Coast this week.This is apparently a design from Sweden - but reminded me of the Papertrey Shaker box template that I bought & downloaded last year but had not yet used! This is the largest one out of the 3 templates included and is about 2 1/2" x 5 1/2". It includes a cover but I designed a handle instead to go along with the inspiration photo.

I have been home from work after surgery through the holidays and I went back this Monday (sigh....). Since I wasn't there to give my co-workers Hanakkuh and Christmas gifts - I brought in 'Happy New Year" gifts for them.

This box is the perfect size for giving these delish giant oatmeal raisin cookies (Martha Stewart Recipe). I kept the tag CAS to go along with the simple Shaker style. The wreath and sentiment are from Waltzingmouse Stamps. I sponged the edges of the box and then swiped the edge of the ink over the pieces to look like wood grain.

Stamps: Faux Fun Circles, Half Backed Gingerbread Joy - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: Fine Linen - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distress - Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
Accessories: brads - Imaginese, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, scor tape, paper piercer, circle punch, shaker box template - Papertrey Ink

I thought these fun 'doctor' bags would be perfect to put treats in for the two physicians I work for.

I purchased this great template from Lynn's blog store here some months after the holidays last year (advance planning for this year!) Check out ALL of her fun templates while you are there.

I found this shiny textured Bazzill paper that looks very much like leather so it was perfect to use for the doctor bags. The names were computer generated and printed on mailing labels then layered on slightly larger rectangles of silver paper and adhered to the front of the boxes.

The top opens just enough to slip in a few of the same cookies that I put in the Shaker basket above and a piece or two of fudge! The cute padlock is actually a brad and I used a square of velcro to hold the top closed as per the template instructions.

This looks so cool from the side - the design of these bags is just super! I recommend if you purchase this template - to make one first out of scrap paper so you see how everything fits before using the 'good' paper!

And here are the two completed bags. I think they were impressed!

And I just have to share - I am SO excited to be able to tell you this!!! Check this PaperCrafts posting out and look who's a winner under Season's Greetings!!! (that would be ME in that group) did you see the wonderful gigunda package of goodies we each got?!?!? I'll post my winning card here on Feb 16th when the March/April Issue of PaperCrafts goes on sale!

Hope to see you back here Saturday when I'll have a card for the Waltzingmouse sketch challenge!

Paper: Black Tie - Bazzill Basics, Silver metallic foil board - Grafix

Accessories: Brads - Basic Grey, cropadile, pewter jumbo eyelets - Stampin Up, Avery mailing label - Staples, scor tape, velcro, pad lock brads - Creative Imaginations, template -

It's Tea Time When the Going Gets Rough

Good morning dear stampers! Fancy a cup of tea?? Today I have two Teaparty Cards to share.

This one was for the SCS Tuesday's Teapot Challenge - Yah, It's Red, Jed Our inspiration was a white teapot with a red hat and purple flowers - like the red hat ladies attire.

So I made my card with my PTI die cut teapot with a red and purple hat layered on top - I also made a flower using mulberry paper, cuting a circle into a spiral and rolling it up.

I layered it all onto a square of patterned paper. I dry embossed a square nestability to frame my little decorated teapot. Then I stamped my sentiment in the corner., My stamps are from Rubbernecker

Mothermark always offers a destination for our cards - someone who could use some cheering and support. This tea time card will be going postal to Joyce in Utah who is suffering from cancer and the effects of recent surgery. She's a card stamper and will definately appreciate hand made cards!

You can see my tutorial on how I made this flower on a previous blog post here.

Stamps: Rubbernecker: Tea time set #457, Fashion Icon Set #455
Paper: White & DP Green Boutique - PTI, Mulberry Paper - AC Moore
Ink: Ranger Distress Ink - Antique Linen, Versafine - Imperial Purple, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics - YG63, R29, Tea Pot Die - PTI, foam dimensionals, square nestability

My second Teapot Tuesday Challenge card - was to make a work of art from a blank white canvas! First, I dry embossed a nestie frame on my white canvas (ie my card!) Then I die cut my teapot and sponged it with several colors (ie abstract art!).

Then I just attached my 'art' to the frame with foam tape and stamped my WMS sentiment underneath (ie the 'title' of my art piece!)

This work of art and encouragement will be going postal to Kris - a stamper who recently had surgery on both wrists and could use a little uplifting while she is unable to stamp!

You can see my tutorial on how I dry emboss with my nesties on my blog post here

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Afternoon Tea Sentiments
Paper: White - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Rusty Hings, Crushed Olive, Faded Jeans, Mustard Seed, Tea Dye
Accessories: Classic Frame - Nestabilities, Pearls - Kaiser, Teapot die - PTI

Two Ways to Package the Cash!

I always give my son and his girlfriend money for Christmas along with other smaller presents so they are able to get something they really want - that will fit - etc! This year I just gave them cash so they wouldn't even have to go to the bank to cash a check (my son sometimes forgets to cash a check for a while!) but I wanted to dress it up a little bit rather than just tuck it in an envelope....

So - for April - who loves purple - I made this cute little purse using a die from Papertrey Ink. I stamped the sentiment from Compliments of the Season by Waltzingmouse and then die cut it using Fancy Tags from Spellbinders - cutting off the left edge where I put my hand made felt flower. Then I just tied a piece of wrinkled seam tape around the handle as well as the roll of cash - which I then tucked inside the 'purse'!

For Josh I wanted a masculine look -so I used paper from Cosmo Cricket Wanted/Slim Jim. I cut two panels using the Top Note from Stampin Up, then I cut one in half and layered it over the full cut. I used Scor Tape on two sides and the bottom to hold it securely - then just stapled it to 'guy' it up!

I stamped the sentiment - again from Compliments of the Season from Waltzingmouse - and die cut it with Labels Sixteen Nestabilities. I adhered that to the bottom half. Then I added a jumbo brad and looped a piece of ribbon through tying it with twine.

I put a metal clip on the bills to hold them together and tucked them into the gift card! April always appreciates my special packaging - she will put this on her desk at work or on a shelf at home.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Purse:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Compliments of the Season

Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI, DP My Minds Eye 29th St Market

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Milled Lavender

Accessories: Favor it Box 1 - Papertrey Ink, Fancy Tags - Spellbinders, Felt & sticky pearls - Michaels, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, wrinkled seam tape - http://www.prairiebirdboutique.etsy.com

Top Note:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Compliments of the Season

Paper: Creamy Caramel - SU, DP Cosmo Cricket/Wanted/Slim Jim

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Tea Dye

Accessories: Labels 16 Nestabilities, Top Note Die, Jumbo Eyelets, & Ribbon Originals Alpine - Stampin Up, Twine - PTI, friend metal clip - Making Memories, Staples - Close to my Heart.

Baby Mine

What to give a little munchkin like this for his very first Christmas?? Well - his Grandaunt Julia (that would be me!) decided to make him a little coaster photobook for his mum Katie (my niece) and his dad, Greg, to document his first year.

I used 13 light weight coasters for my book as well as my Bind it All with 1 1/4" O wires. I used Little Prince Stickers by Karen Foster Design as well as some puffy stickers by Michaels - all purchased at Michaels. I created 'Landon's 1st year' with my Brothers P Touch Label Maker.

Each page is for Katie and Greg to document that month in Landon's life with a picture from that month and a few sentences about what he did new that month. The sticker on this page says "Bundle of Joy".

I cut the lined patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket/Boyfriend/Homework) with my Labels One Nestability. The stamps for the month circle are from Papertrey Ink (Borders & Corners Monogram Edition and Simple Alphabet)

These great little boy papers are from Itsy Bitsy Paper pad by K & Company that I got at Michaels with a 20% off coupon! It has patterns on the front and back of each sheet so it gives you a lot of variety. The sticker on this page says "The Cutest Little Baby Face".

I cut the papers 4"x 4" and used my corner rounder punch on all corners then adhered the papers to the front and back of each coaster. The sticker here says 'Heaven Sent'

As I created each page - I'd flip the coaster up to be sure I was placing things right side up when the book was put together - and to be sure that the papers had coordinating colors. You also don't want to have stickers too near the area where you will punch with the Bind It All. In my case - I made sure the lined paper panel was not too close to the bottom of the coaster.

This sticker says "little ears, little nose, little fingers, little toes"
Landon has several toys and outfits with monkeys on them so these puffy stickers were perfect!

This sticker says "Thank Heaven for Little Boys"

And on the last page - I used special 1st Birthday patterned papers with numbers and balloons from Basic Grey Cupcake Paper pad. The Happy First Birthday stamp is from Bitty Baby Blessings from Papertrey Ink

I knotted several coordinating ribbons (Papertrey & Stampin Up) on the wires. Finally, on the back cover I wrote a personal note to Landon - so he'd always remember that I made this book especially for him for his very First Christmas!

A final picture - taken on Christmas Day - with an exhausted Landon sleeping peacefully in his Uncle Nate's arms (Nate and my niece Christie (Katie's older sister) are expecting their first baby in June so he's practicing - and doing a great job as you can see!)

That's DH Kent to his right - and check out the white mug on the table - it has a picture of Landon on it! I had them made through Snapfish and gave one to each of my nieces as well as my sister (and myself of course!).

Well- thanks for sticking with me to the end of this long post! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and were able to relax today!

If you are interested - you will find another baby coaster book I made last year on this post here.

It has been flurrying here all day and it has just started snowing in earnest with quite a wind. They are predicting up to 20 inches by tomorrow night! I'm so glad I'm still out on medical leave so I don't have to try and commute tomorrow. I think I'll do some stamping!

Public Service announcement! Rubbernecker is having a sale!! Stamps will be on sale from 12/26/10 - 1/2/11 and other products are on sale for 2 days 12/26 - 12/28 so hurry over and check it out!

Fill this Day with Joy

What a relief! Last Friday's Free 4 All challenge on Split Coast was to make a birthday card - no holiday cards allowed!

I pulled out my long neglected Everyday Button Bits set by PTI and made a fun little hot air balloon scene. I seem to be on a roll of dry embossing frames with my nesties lately. I just love this look!

I masked the edges of my scene with Eclipse tape after stamping the landscape and balloons and then sponged in the sky.

The image panel is up on foam tape. I thought this sentiment would be quite uplifting for the birthday girl/boy! Inside I stamped 'sending birthday wishes' from the same stamp set.

If you are new to my blog, you can see my tutorial on how I dry embossed my frame on this blog post.

If you celebrate - I hope your preparations are now all complete and you are enjoying the blessedness as we celebrate the gift of Jesus' birth!

ETA: check out the PSA Stamp Camp blog for some holiday table creations I made.

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits - Papertrey Ink
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Memento - tuxedo black, desert sand, rich cocoa, potters clay, Ranger Distress - Peeled paint, weathered wood
Accessories: square nestabilities, vintage buttons & narrow silk ribbon - PTI, Eclipse tape (for masking), glue dots, blender tool - Ranger,

A gift for the Pastor

Our new minister has been at our church for just 6 months so this is his first Christmas with us. I wanted to give him something other than baked goods or wine (!) and I thought some note cards might be nice.

I saw a card in blogland using the stamps on this first card but I didn't note where I found it - so if it's your card please let me know and I'll link to you!

I used rustic cream cardstock from PTI to make it masculine and also drew a border around the card with an 01 Micron Pen. The floral is from Life and the quote is from Out on a Limb Sentiments - both by PTI.

For my next 2 designs I used crosses from the Spellbinders Cross Collection - sponging them before taking them out of the die. I used Soft Stone card stock from PTI for the crosses for a little contrast in color. I used Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink for the sponging.

The Bible Verses are both from Everyday Blessings by PTI.

For my 4th card for this note set I used a cross from Everyday Blessings by PTI and a Bible verse from Beautiful Scriptures by Clear Dollar Stamps.

I bundled the 8 cards and envelopes (2 of each design) into a clear box that I tied with a simple narrow silk ribbon from PTI. I made a tag using a scalloped tag Spellbinders die, added a couple of punched ferns and the sentiment from Wordsworth

Here's a close up of the tag - I silver embossed my Victorian Damask stamp by Rubbernecker onto silver cardstock.

I hope he likes them!

Remember to check out the final days of the Waltzingmouse 12 Days of Christmas - today Mona has something to inspire us and Friday Joan will be posting something fun!

And I hope you'll check back on Saturday for the Waltzingmouse Sketch!

ETA: check out PSA Stamp Camp Blog - Libby is offering a free stamp set to one lucky commenter!