Time to Celebrate!

This weekend, while at the show, I couldn't help but pick up this sweet new set titled "By the Sea" from The Cat's Pajamas. You might now know, but I have a serious weak spot for those mischievous penguins. They're so cute! And this little guy, in the inner tube - cracks me up!

Now, want to know why I'm celebrating today? Have you seen Alma's post yet today? I'm simply tickled pink to announce that I've been asked to join the Kitty Cat Pack - that's The Cat's Pajama's Design Team!! Catch out that sweet new watermark on my photo..... squeal I just LOVE IT!

I must say I'm really looking forward to bringing you all lots more swanky fun with the rest of the girls on the team - who by the way are all **fabulous**

So, I thought with this fun announcement, and new stamps in hand that I'd stamp up a watery card for my little one for his birthday this weekend! I still had some pieces of this fun My Minds Eye paper leftover from my shadow box project, which include all his favorite colors! He's having a pool party this weekend - so it was just perfect for the occasion!

This is an A2 foldout card from my sweet friend Jody's Die Cut Page - I added a quick bellyband and secured the circular nestie on top. The whole piece is held closed by a grosgrain bow. I love that the foldout card leaves you a fun little space for a sentiment on your "inner" card.

Thanks for stopping by today! I'm off to add my fun new blinkie and team members to my sidebar! Have a WONDERFUL day!

Snuggled

My four year old has been having a rough go of the sleeping lately - consequently, we're both crabby in the morning. I've woken many a night over the past two months to him having climbed in my bed. The little rascal doesn't even wake me up, just climbs in and steals my pillow while I'm snoozing. Then I wake to his foot in my face, or worse....

I'm trying to remember that this too shall pass and before I know it he'll be asking me to drop him up around the block.. and not to give him a smooch in front of his friends.

This little fun folded card uses an A2 Foldout with Tag Flaps Diecut from Jody to which I added a coordinating belly band and some scalloped trim using Soft Suede and of course, my new favorite, Soft Suede polka dotted ribbon.

The Snuggle Bunnies stamp from My Favorite Things Presents by Stephanie Fizer which I stamped with Memento ink onto an MFT Perfect Panel then colored with Copics. I added liquid applique for puffy taile (and let it dry over night... which is key!) Then I added Sakura Stardust pen to the moon for a little bit of glimmer.

Thanks for looking, I'm off to snuggle that naughty bunny of mine while he still lets me!

Beach Bum!

I've got a quick little post for you today featuring a little treat box using a set that Anna Wight illustrated for Whipper Snapper titled "Beach Bum."

This little crab is riding the waves and enjoying the life of a beach bum.  I wish I was right now.....  I'm really looking forward to playing with both boys at the beach this summer, I think that the little one is finally old enough to really enjoy himself, and maybe will dig a sand castle just long enough for me to quietly enjoy a chapter of a book, or a frosty cold brew with my tuna sandwich and Cape Cod Potato chips?  Please??? 

At least now he's stopped sucking his thumb, because watching him suck a sandy thumb was really just more than I could bear! LOL!

This is a Bell Box from my friend Jody's Die Cut Page.  This little treat came together in moments flat!  The trick, is that this white piece of cardstock is also diecut and fits perfectly on that front panel!  I quickly added a hand cut black mat for extra dimension - trust me peeps, its EASY!.  I assembled that panel to the front with her Black Dimensional Boosters and closed the box up with the Red Line Sticky.  You'll find all of her Sticky Sale products HERE.

I closed the package up with a piece of striped ribbon threaded through a button. I literally wrapped it around the top of the box, threaded through the button holes and tied a knot. Easy peasy!  Wouldn't this be a fun little welcome gift for guests to your beach house, or a fun little favor for a beach themed party?  You could fill it with roasted peanuts (that is unless you live at MY house... sigh....) or with salt water taffy - yum!  Quick, easy and cute!  Love that!

Jody's die cuts are available in a ton of colors and lots of fun shapes too.  I've got to load up on some of these for my son's birthday party in August. I'm thinking they'll make favors a breeze!  

Have a Happy Heart

In addition to baking treats for the kindergarten Valentines celebration, and making cards for the kids, I've also been working on some Valentine treats for the teachers.  

Since I'm short on time, with a very long to do list, I'm so happy that I thought ahead and picked up twelve of these Tote Bags from Jody's Die Cuts for Sale page.  Trust me when I say they go together so quickly with the teeniest bit of adhesive.

I paper pieced this sweet little mouse from Stampin' Up and colored his body with my Copic markers.  I put my little tag punches to work, they've been sitting idle a seriously long time, but they're just the right size for this little project!

Tuck your bag inside the assembled box, fill it, wrap a quick ribbon, slide on a tag and a fun little stamped panel and shazam! Valentines!

My three year old has been sick the last few days and suddenly burst into tears watching me make these.  When I asked him what was wrong, he replied that I didn't have any valentines for HIM.  I said that of course, I did, but that he just hasn't seen them yet.  Turns out, what he's looking for is Conversation Heart candies.  His little heart was broken when I told him that they're made with corn and he can't have them.  Broke his heart, which in turn broke mine.

So this morning, we're off to the supermarket, then we'll be making sugar cookies, cutting them with heart shaped cookie cutters and adding our own letter decorations to cheer him up.  Drats for all these food oriented holidays, guess what else is made with corn... jelly beans.  I'm going to start now looking for Easter replacements.  I also feel a toy purchase coming on because I'd SO much rather buy him a toy than candy....  I'm sure he won't disagree.  

Have a wonderful Valentines day!  See you Monday!

Scalloped Purse - Samples and Tutorial

Recently, my friend Jody began selling die cuts on her blog "Confessions of a Ribbon Addict."  I of course, had to have some of those little rectangular tote bags after I saw her adorable creations.  She offers diecuts in a wide range of colors from both Stampin Up and Paper Trey Ink. You can find all the various dies she has for sale HERE

I also instantly fell in love with this little Scalloped Purse. 

Doesn't it look just like a teeny Bermuda bag?  With baby and bridal shower season coming, aren't these just perfect??  

I altered one up for either a tiny welcoming gift for a little one (ahem, a gift certificate for diapers anyone?) or it could be used for a shower favor filled with those custom M&M's. YUM! 

Uuummmmm.....I'm noticing my eyelets look crooked in this photo. Trust me they're straight, just sitting funny in the angle of this photo.

So, I realized that duh, you might want to see a photo of how I altered it. So I pulled out this Rose Red one and made a little treat for my son's bus driver! Now, this seriously took me 10 minutes, no lie.  I've outlined it step by step for anyone not familar with how to alter these types of things, but really it is a piece of cake!  

To begin, I dug through my stash to find a good match for this Rose Red paper. I actually purchased SO much of this Loveland Paper from Scenic Route last year. Its still my favorite!

To begin, trace your die cut onto the backside of the designer paper.  I traced the scalloped part, and traced along the straight part of the handle. Then I folded up my bag along the score lines to trace the entire front of the bag.  

When I was finished, it looked like this. Now using your scissors, trim out this shape.  

I cut off along that straight line so that I'd alter just the bottom half of the bag. If you wanted a fully patterned bag, you'd just cut out the whole thing! Adhere to the front of the bag.

The diecut already has a closure built right into it. However, by altering, now I've closed that up.  Easy peasy... just flip it over and place onto a self healing mat (can I just say, I LOVE my Scor Pal!!)  using a craft knife (or if you're a mess like me, the sharp blade of your scissors.) 

Just slice upon this line and you'll open back up the slot for the closure!

Now, I flipped my tote back over and added some ribbon trim to cover up that seam between the original diecut and the patterned paper.  Just don't put ribbon over the actual slot you just opened up for your closure! Fold on all your score marks with a bone folder, and then you'll be able to close up your nearly finished bag. 

Embellish as desired, I chose this sweet Feb 14th image from Stampin Up and finished it off with a scalloped flower medallion and some felt flowers I've had forever!  

I'm tucking a gift certificate for Dunkin Donuts inside because if I were a bus driver, I know I'd need a LOT of caffiene to tackle that job each day!  I'm so thankful for Amy, she's wonderful!!

By the way, if you were mass producing these and wanted to save a step, you could easily just overstamp them with a background stamp, or a stampin up wheel, or embossing folder etc! 

Jody has lots of other shapes available, be sure to check out her die cut shapes.  I've some more that I'll have samples of soon, just need to get 22 Valentines finished first!

Thanks for popping by today!