In the Garden *SFYTT*

The other day I was reading "Peter Rabbit" to Rowan and was really inspired by Beatrix Potter's amazing illustrations. I was really in the mood to pull out this old SU! set and use it in a design, since a lot of the images are similar to the ones in the book. Today's sketch worked out perfectly for the images.

I kept the color pallette earthy and the details simple. I almost scrapped the whole thing, since I didn't have *just the right* colors to make it look good, but I knew I didn't have time to start over. I guess a shopping trip is in order to pick up a few more copic markers! LOL!

You won't want to miss the other designers!

Jen Del Muro and Mona
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer ,
Leigh O' Brien!!!!! Thanks for fluttering by!

Orange Chocolate Logs

I thought today would be a perfect baking day, since it is cold and snowy. I laid Rowan down for his morning nap, got dinner going in the crockpot and started making these yummy cookies. I thought I would never make them again after making 12 dozen of them for a cookie exchange a few Chrismases ago, but my card inspired me to make them and they really are good. They are a shortbread-ish cookie, but with orange flavor and chocolate.

After I was done dipping them and sampled one (well, maybe a few), I was wishing that I had dipped them a little farther down with chocolate, so that more of the cookie would be covered. The orange mixed with the chocolate is the best.

Of course I had to create some "packaging" for these cookies. I am always doing the bag and tag and thought I would box them up instead. They will be inside of a cello bag inside the box, though, so that the box won't get greasy. This is another one of my *go-to* boxes that I always use. I used the same supplies as the card, which is on the post below. The recipe is from "The Lion House Christmas Cook Book" which is a favorite of mine and has quite a few of the recipes that my family likes the best.

Since it is Wednesday, and Rowan is 5 Weeks old today, I thought I would share a picture from today's photo shoot. He has started smiling and I was determined to get a photo to share, but he wouldn't cooperate. This one is mighty nice, though. He is such a cutie and a sweetheart and I can't imagine our lives without him.

Tea For Two *SFYTT*

Okay, Okay...I am a little later than I thought I would be! I really do have a great excuse; he is absolutely adorable and his name is Rowan. He made his debut at church yesterday (against doctor's orders, mind you) and it was the first time I have been back since having him. It was really nice to be back, but it completely exausted us, so we laid down for a nap....a really long nap!
I was ready to get started on my card first thing this morning and this is what I came up with. As soon as I saw this week's sketch, it reminded me of this card that I made for another SFYTT. I really wanted to come up with something new, but all I wanted to use was Tea For Two. You all know how much I love this set, since I use it so much. It was the perfect fit for this sketch. I decided to use some yummyK&Co. paper (surprise, surprise) to use.

Once I was done, it reminded me of Orange Marmalade or some other yummy orange treat. Tomorrow when I am at the grogery store, I will pick up some ingredients that I need for some delicious orange cookies and share the recipe with you. They are fabulous, especially if you love chocolate and orange flavor together.

See...if I was really on the ball, I would have already made the cookies and shown them along with the card, but as you know, I am really doing good to get this card here at all! LOL!

I have really been in a baking mood since having Rowan...I don't know why. My family isn't complaining though.

You won't want to miss the other designers!

Jen Del Muro and Mona
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer ,
Leigh O' Brien!!!!!

Thanks for fluttering by!

SFYTT Slacker!

Sorry guys! I had the best of intentions about getting my card done! I am still planning on making a card, but it will probably be done tomorrow. Even though I don't have a card, you will definitely want to check out the others. Also, don't forget about Jen's big give-away! You can see what fabulous stuff is up for grabs in the photo! How fun!!!!!

Jen Del Muro and Mona
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer ,
Leigh O' Brien!!!!! Thanks for fluttering by!

B is for...

B is for...Baked Banana Bread, Birds, Bonjour, Butterfly Brooches, Bling, Beautiful Baby Boy....

The last time I was at Michael's, I picked up a notepad of K& Co. letters. Each page has four letters, with every letter of the alphabet. As you know, I love to make banners and thought that these would come in handy for that. I just couldn't resist using one on a card and sat down and chose "B" as the focal point and thought I would just have fun and play and see where the design took me.

As I added things here and there, I was realizing how many of the "additions" started with B. After it was all done, I wondered who I woud give it to and realized that one of my friends, who's name begins with B, would be having a birthday in March. So...of course it will be going to her.

The stamps are from Cavallini Papers and Co. and also from TJ Designs. I had fun mixing papers, images and embellishments. I also used some ephemra pieces that are also from K& Co. that I have had for a few years that worked perfectly with the papers.

Of course, I had to add a picture of my *4 week old today* beautiful baby boy! I can't believe how time is flying by and it really makes me quite sad to be perfectly honest!!! I did his hair a little different today and so the photo makes him look bald on top, which is the opposite of what he really is! LOL!

I also decided to whip up a batch of baked banana bread. I had some less than perfect looking bananas sitting on the counter, begging to be made up into something a little more delightful. I packaged up one of the loaves and made a quick, simple tag using Holiday Treats to coordinate with the card I made for my friend on Saturday (see my last post). Hopefully I can get a chance to get it dropped off! I told my husband that I was going to spend the day getting the laundry done, but so far I only have two loads washed and only one load folded and half put away. I guess I better go and make good on my word! Thanks for fluttering by!

Love and Dreams *SFYTT*

I didn't get my fill of Boards and Beams when I was creating my new Papertrey project that I showed the other day. I knew that it would be seeing ink again soon. I guess since I had this in my mind, I was going to make it work no matter what today's sketch looked like, hence, the somewhat "liberal" take on the sketch. LOL! I hope I didn't cheat too much!

My husband and I have been invited to dinner tonight at a friend's home and I thought I would get a head start on a "thank you for having us" or maybe tucked in with a hostess gift. I haven't actually gotten the hostess gift, yet, so maybe it will be sent after the fact as a thank you. Who knows?

I don't think I would actually like to live in a pink house, but I just couldn't resist making this house just as pink as could be. I also picked up some Martha Stewart Tinsel Glitter the other day at Michael's and I just had to add a little bit to the house.

I had fun with this sketch, as always! I don't know why I always add that because no matter how "daunting" I think a sketch is, I always have fun!

Don't forget about Jen's fabulous give-away! Head to her blog to read all about it, if you didn't see it here last week!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and Mona
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer ,
Leigh O' Brien!!!!! Thanks for fluttering by!

Teacher Valentines

I always like to make something special for my kid's teachers for each holiday. I decided not to re-invent the wheel and just make a few of my standard go-to boxes and call it good. I also used up some of my retired SU! paper and an old SU! stamp set that I have only used once, I think. I am really trying to be good and use up my old stuff, so I hope this post isn't a total snore! LOL!

The boxes are 2.5 inches on all sides and the height is 6 inches. The lid is simply 1/16 of an inch larger on each side to allow it to slide on nicely. I tied the ribbon in a bow and hot glued it to the top of the box so that the teachers wouldn't have to untie the ribbons and it would stay nice.

I also whipped up a slightly smaller version for my friend that watched Rowan for me while I went and helped with my son's Valentine's Day party at school. I didn't have time to photograph it, but it was exactly the same, just not as tall.

It was nice being back at school with my son's classmates. I used to go in and volunteer each week up until Christmas break and I really miss them. It is weird how attached you can get to the kids...I can only imagine how their school teachers feel. They are with our kids longer each day than we are with them.
Well, enough jibber jabber from me! I will be back tomorrow with another one of Jen's fabulous SFYTT! Thanks for fluttering by!

*Home Sweet Home* Shaker Style Stacker Sneak Peek

Yes...it is that time again! Time for another new "Click Simple" Template from Papertrey Ink. I was amazed and intrigued with this month's new template; The Shaker Style Stacker. At first glance it may seem intimidating, but once you are done with one, you have it down and by the time you finish your third, you will be a pro! This template will be available for purchase the 15th of February.
I have always admired shaker boxes like these. In fact, I was watching the "Antiques Roadshow" a few years back and a lady had brought in a chest of drawers and sitting on top was a small Shaker box. She wanted both appraised, but was most interested in finding out what the chest of drawers was worth. The appraiser was giddy with excitement over the small shaker box and I believe it appraised for around $10,000 dollars or something like that.
Nichole has really outdone herself with the design and craftsmanship of these boxes. They are incredibly sturdy and will stand the test of time. For my boxes, I used Cardstock in Lemon Tart, Kraft, and Summer Sunrise. You can't see the lining, but inside I used coordinating Pattern Paper to finish off the set.
I knew I wanted a "homey" feeling to my project, since shaker boxes are so rustic and "homespun", if you will. I finally decided that Boards and Beams would be the perfect stamp set. I used some of the sentiments to stamp along the lids and used some of the accents to spruce up the outside of the boxes. The house made a perfect tag to sit atop the trio all tied up with ribbon and twine. Of course, it could hardly be finished without a few buttons to give it that true "homey" feel. Like I mentioned before, I had so much fun putting these together and my mind is reeling with all of the ideas I have for more. In fact, this was meant to be given to a friend, but once I was done, I think I will keep it for myself as a home decor piece. It has already found a spot in my kitchen and there is where it will most likely stay. Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I had to had a little photo of my little bundle. This is a photo that I took of him at 2 weeks old and now he is 3 weeks old. The time is really flying by!!!! He weighed a whopping 7 pounds at his two week check-up. His little legs are starting to plump up and he is filling out. He is such a delight! I love him to pieces!

XOXO *SFYTT*

Jen's SFYTT is Back and of course it is gonna be big! What a fabulous give-away! Read on for more deets!!!!!!!

I am a tad late today! Baby Rowan decided that sleep wasn't that important and that eating all through the night was way better! I beg to differ! LOL! I got my card done yesterday, but didn't get the photos edited. I am glad that Jen is back with her SFYTT so soon after having her baby. She really has outdone herself with all of the new changes and her huge give-away. I will post details below. My brain is a little fried, so first off, I will add a link to her blog so that if I don't get things exactly right, you can get your questions answered.

I really love this week's sketch, first of all! It has some fun offset circles which I have been really into lately. I knew that I wanted to create another Valentine's Day design, so I used Heart Prints for my entire design. I thought this retired SU! paper worked nicely with the heart that I chose to use, too. I created the black circles by punching them out with a 1 3/4 inch circle punch and then randomly stamping the sentiment in white and then "frosting" the edges as I like to call it when I use white. Everything else it pretty straight forward so I will get to the good stuff.

These are the details of Jen's give-away.

1. A new sketch will be posted here each Saturday in February

2. There will be a Slide Guest Book that you can post your creation(s) at the post of each of those posts.

3. You will have until March 2nd to post your creations to the corresponding sketch. Be sure that each of your creations is posted to the correct Slide Guest Book.

4. You can enter as many times as you like, but must upload each creation separately. All entries should be posted to your blog or online gallery, as well. Please use the keyword "SFYTT" for all online galleries.

5. All participants will also be considered for next month's Designer of the Month, as well.

6. A RANDOM participant will win the prize package and will be announced on March 3rd. Winner will have five days to contact me via email to claim prize.

7. The March Designer of the Month will be chosen and contacted March 3rd, but will not be announced until the first Saturday of March on Jen's Blog.

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.
Jen Del Muro and New February Designer!
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer ,
Leigh O' Brien!!!!! Thanks for fluttering by!

Vintage Valentine-Be Mine!

I have been itching to use my TJ Designs stamps that are some of my favorites, but haven't been used in a while. I was visiting a couple of blogs the other day and saw that Melissa Phillips is starting a new photo inspiration challenge. I fell in love with the inspiration photo and it was the perfect springboard to start my design. I used Vintage Collage, Journey to France and a few of the fun designs from the European Collection Collage and Scrapbook Papers as well as a few different papers from K & Company.

The inspiration photo had a lot of fun elements that I like to work into my designs anyway, so it was really easy to put this together. I stamped the focal image directly onto a piece of ephemra that can be found in the TJ Designs Collage and Scrapbook papers at the back of the pack. I am in love with all of the postage stamps, labels, postcards, etc. that are so easy to use in my designs.

I stamped her crown using Pure Poppy ink and then added some bling, of course. I created the crepe paper ruffles by baste stitching a length of cream crepe paper and then gathering it, securing it with hot glue. I added some zig-zag stitching, buttons and glitter.

The final touch was a Martha Stewart label added to the top stamped with the "Be Mine" sentiment from Heart Prints. The red flower was also stamped with the "Moments to Remember" sentiment from the Vintage Collage stamp set. It is hard to see in the photograph, but it really adds a little bit more depth and detail.

Sweet little Rowan is crying for some food, so I better dash, but thanks for fluttering by!

Also, Jen is back with her SFYTT coming this weekend with some fun new changes, so look for that this Saturday!