Birthday themed challenge card

This is only my second ever crafting challenge – here for the Girls Gone Wild Weekend Challenge. Here was the sketch

which is quite a classic. I liked that the post encouraged you to think about what you saw in the circle – they had a rabbit in one of theirs. I decided it made me think of a balloon (not terribly creative, but not exactly a circle either) and this cheerful card popped out while my little ‘uns were sleeping (a coordinated nap time – I couldn’t believe it!). I didn’t have long as we had to wake them up early for a 5 pm showing of ‘Peppa Pig Live!’ – UGH. While it was fun to see my toddler get really into the show, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Away from the screaming (excitement) and crying (tantrums – not my son thank goodness) and high squeaky voices and back into my very peaceful craft room. Phew.

I am also pleased that I used my aqua painters for the first time – it was really easy to get a watercolor effect with no skill. I had hoped to create something reminiscent of sky… not sure I did, but glad I tried because I liked the end product.

The cleaning lady comes in tomorrow instead of her usual Tuesday spot – this means NO CHORES tomorrow night. If the kiddos comply (Yes, I am still wrapped around their schedules a bit, but that is because Caroline is only 4 months!) I might get to participate in “Make it Monday”. Keep your fingers crossed for me 🙂

Tool box (less the Best day Ever DSP which is retired):

 

Celebrate Today Photopolymer Bundle – 138869

Price: $36.50

Soft Sky 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 131203

Price: $7.00

Crushed Curry 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 131199

Price: $7.00

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin’ Pad – 131173

Price: $6.50

Crushed Curry 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon – 134585

Price: $5.95

Rhinestone Basic Jewels – 119246

Price: $5.00

Aqua Painters – 103954

Price: $17.00

Soft Sky Classic Stampin’ Pad – 131181

Price: $6.50

Simply Scored – 122334

Price: $30.00

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Teacher Valentines Card

I had planned a crafty evening, and my three-year old complied by going to bed early without a fuss… my 3 month old is going through a growth spurt and had other ideas. She’s a great sleeper, just not when she is hungry. As I try not to give her bottles when she is with me, and my milk supply isn’t great, the upshot is that feeding can take a while… cutting into my precious crafting time :-0

I finally sat down at 8.15 pm, and I pump milk at 9.30, so Sam’s teacher Valentines had to be quick and easy… For Christmas the teachers got a mixing bowl with muffin mix, a whisk and the sign “We whisk you a Merry Christmas”. I thought the Cake Boss bowls were the cutest so I am giving the teachers a matching Cake Boss mug filled with teabags and a sign “I love my “tea”cher”. [geddit]. So for the cards, “You are “tea”riffic” seemed cheerily appropriate.

Plus, I am British so it works. And I made 10 cards (2 children * (3 teachers + 2 morning supervisors)) in an hour. Nice. The pearls are my favorite part 🙂

Supplies:

Crumb Cake 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 120953

Price: $7.00

Blushing Bride 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 131198

Price: $7.00

A Nice Cuppa Photopolymer Bundle – 141074

Price: $39.00

Rose Red Classic Stampin’ Pad – 126954

Price: $6.50

Pearl Basic Jewels – 119247

Price: $5.00

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Toolbox:

Snail Permanent Adhesive – 104332

Price: $7.00

Stampin’ Trimmer – 126889

Price: $30.00

Big Shot – 113439

Price: $110.00

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Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

OK, it’s 11,44 pm and Caroline generally wakes to feed at 1. Boy, am I going to be tired tomorrow. She’s too cute to be mad at though.

Easy Class Valentines

My wonderful upline had a wonderful idea! The quickest and easiest class Valentines treat ever. Just take a piece of paper 6″ x 1.75″, and score vertically at 2.5″ and 3.5″.

Fold up, add a bow – et voila! A candy holder. I made a little matching tag with “Love from Sam -x-” on the back. 21 Valentines day treats, waiting to be stuffed with candy, in 35 minutes, for less than $4. Not bad, and fun to make!

Check out my upline’s series of other Valentines candy holders here! She even gave me the ribbon, and someone in the class “loaned” me their Valentines paper stack as I had forgotten to order any. What a lovely group.

 

Supplies (with a different stamp set which came from paper Pumpkin in January 2015!).

Groovy Love Clear-Mount Stamp Set – 134246

Price: $18.00

Love Blossoms Designer Series Paper Stack – 140548

Price: $8.00

Full Heart Punch – 119883

Price: $16.95

Real Red 1/4″ Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon – 126875

Price: $4.95

1/16″ Circle Punch – 134363

Price: $9.00

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Paper Pumpkin June 2015 redo

 

 

 

 

I didn’t love the June 2015 paper pumpkin, but I quite liked my redo. Especially as I made the friendship one for a very dear friend, all the way over in Old Blighty.

Balloon birthday

 

I am so in love with these pieces from the new Occasions Catalogue – I have wanted this style of balloon since there was one in Paper Pumpkin a few months back, and of course, bundling with a punch ensures I will use it forever (I can’t resist using cut out and stamp bundles!). I also love that the ‘It’s my party’ DSP uses two of my favorite colors: Melon Mambo and Mint Macaroon with a black background to really make it pop.

By the way – my adorable newborn and equally adorable 3 year old are frying my brain and my time. That is why my writing is so short and why all my cards are “quick cards” right now – but hey, at least I am still creating.

 

Energy zapping munchkins

Dino-riffic Birthday card

Something a little whimsical for a toddler or older child’s birthday.

Celebration card

 

A quick and easy template – like a 3D tag on some DSP – is good to have as a go to. Here the bold colors make it stand out a little, and the bling made it feel a little more special. I love Rich Razzleberry.

Two quick and easy cards

Quiet crafting time is a rare entity these days – it requires coordinating 2 nap times and then ignoring everything that still needs to be done after a hectic week (I’m back at work full time after dropping off Sweet Caroline at daycare – sob). So when I found a quiet hour today I poured myself a huge cup of the in my Emma Bridgewater teapot, lit a scented candle and got down to it. These two cards were super quick and easy to make, but they are some of my favorites of late. I bought the bicycle stamp set off my upline – think she’ll regret selling it now?

It was a lovely break in the madness

Teacher gift

 

I was pleased when I stumbled upon this pintrest idea. I did not want to do gift cards for the teachers – too impersonal – but I wanted to get something that I thought they had a shot at actually using. Who couldn’t use a cute mixing bowl somewhere at home? Add in muffin mix, a balloon whisk and a little cheesy joke and I think it’s cute.

An easy gift to make!

Fall thank you card

I had an amazing thanksgiving this year – a friend in Houston took in me and my two kiddos and served up a feast – we’re talking turkey, ham, prime rib and Cornish hens! The sides were too numerous to mention… We all waddled home (even 6 week old Caroline who got the benefit of a boost in milk supply). I wanted to make a fall themed thank you card, and found the perfect DSP… Added in a retired stamp and die set (Fall Fest, given to me as a prize by my upline) and supplemented with Paper Pumpkin stamps from September 2015 (dontcha love it when you reuse your PP stamps? I feel like I’m getting a freebie set!).

 

Festive baby 😉