Saturday, December 19, 2009

The "Joy" of Christmas....




Whew! A little later than I would have liked...but my Christmas Cards are now finally done! Here are my creations...two versions due to accessory limitations. But I made 60 of these suckers!!

If I don't make it back before Christmas...have a VERY MERRY ONE!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Wedded Bliss....

Well, after months and months of planning...tons of shopping trips....multiple brainstorming sessions.....and HOURS AND HOURS of invitation making, wedding favor wrapping, centerpiece making and last, but certainly not least....CAKE BAKING and DECORATING....my baby sister's wedding came and went this past weekend in a blink!

Thankfully, there are lots and lots of fabulous photos to let us know all of our hard work and efforts paid off to give her one of the most fabulous weddings I have ever been to....with one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen (Okay, so I am a bit biased!)


Here are some photos from the day....

It was a beautiful outdoor wedding overlooking the golf course at the Tuscany Falls Country Club at Pebble Creek.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Tan with Maid of Honor and Best Man Mr. and Mrs. Rich Strozewski

Here they are cutting into my masterpiece! :) (It only stung for a second!)


Here is a close-up of my lovely 5 tier, fondant covered cake with 33 handmade sugarpaste orchids. One of my biggest labors of love (well, next to my children that is!) I estimate there is probably about 100+ hours that was loveingly put into this cake! Don't think I haven't reminded Katie several times over already how much this cake would have cost her! :)



Well, it was wonderful planning and preparing and looking forward to it....and now I am glad that it is over! :) I am so over playing with sugar and flour and look forward to posting some new papercrafting creations soon!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Well, all over my craft desk that is! It seems every year my holiday paper crafting starts earlier and earlier! This year, I think it started even before the official first day of fall! Man, it’s pretty bad when I am creating holiday projects and the stores haven’t even starting carrying Halloween goodies yet! But in order to make sure I have lots of lovely little creations for all my workshop hostesses I have to get started this early!

So in keeping with my post-a-palooza, the next project I am sharing is this lovely little creation for an upcoming workshop which happens to be a Christmas mini-album!





Supplies Used:
  • X7085B Everlasting Level 2 Paper Pack
  • X7085C Everlasting My Stickease
  • X1404 True Fit Folios
  • D1366 Holiday Trinkets Stamp Set
  • E1009 Building Block Alphabet Stamp Set
  • Z2116 Cranberry Exclusive Inks
  • Z2118 Desert Sand Exclusive Inks
  • Z1103 Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon
  • Z1126 Colonial White Ribbon Rounds
  • Z1219 Essential Brad Assortment
  • Z1285 Holiday Buttons
  • Z1084 Olive Waxy Flax
  • Z1086 Cranberry Waxy Flax

Saturday, October 3, 2009

World Cardmaking Day

In honor of World Card Making Day I have decided to share some of the Christmas Cards I created with our new Jingle Paper pack. As I have mentioned before, I LOVE THIS PAPER PACK! Not only is it so versatile for other papercrafting besides Christmas...it can also make such dramatically different styles and color familes of cards - all in the same paper pack! Take a look at these two cards....both of which you could be making at my upcoming Christmas Card Workshop on October 17th. Want more info on my workshops? Visit my website at www.stampinallday.myctmh.com or contact me!




Supplies used:

  • X7115B Jingle paper pack
  • C1371 Holiday Jingle Stamp Set
  • Z1126 Colonial White Ribbon Rounds
  • Z1104 Sparkles
  • Z2166 Tulip Stamp Pad



Supplies Used:
  • X7115B Jingle paper pack
  • D1366 Holiday Trinkets Stamp Set
  • Z1220 Twinkle Brad Assortment
  • Z1151 3-D Foam Tape

Friday, October 2, 2009

Invitation inundation....

So it was with great pleasure that Katie (my little sister) allowed me the opportunity to make her wedding invitations. After scouring the many, many sample books at the store she quickly discovered the style and type of invitations she really wanted were better suited for a ‘champagne budget’ and she’s working with something closer to a ‘tap water budget’!! Shocked and dismayed at the prices on these very simple invitations we were seeing, I knew I could make them with no problem and at a fraction of the cost! So many brainstorming and collaboration sessions later, we came up with this final product. This is a 5x7 invitation with a creative side-fold, wax-sealed flap design. When you open the invitation, there is a pocket on the left hand side which held the rsvp card and small additional information card. All the traditional wedding information was centered on the inside. If you don’t know Katie…she has impeccable taste! So it was my goal to make sure her handmade invitations didn’t look ‘handmade’. One of the things I am most happy with is the beautiful metallic cardstock with matching envelopes I was able to locate on the internet. (Gotta love Google!) After many months, lots and lots of hours and a few friends over to help with the assembly ….75 of these beauties were finally mailed out a few weeks ago….



As soon as I was finally finished with the wedding invitations…it was already time to think about the bridal shower invites. So back to the brainstorming we went. Katie took some time to go through my CTMH catalogs…picked a stamp set and a color scheme and I was off and running. I was also really pleased with how this little 8x3-1/2 beauty came out! With the exception of the small flower and the black metallic cardstock (same used on her invitations) all the other supplies used were from Close to my Heart! Take note I even used some of the paper from our new Jingle Level 2 paper pack…that is a Christmas paper pack! (When CTMH released the new catty and this new spunky colored Christmas paper was in there – I was really disappointed. I was really hoping for a more traditional paper pack.) But this paper pack is so versatile!! I am now in LOVE! I have done tons of artwork with it already and plan to do much, much more! So with that being said…check out this great invitation and come back again soon to check out all the great art I will be posting with the new Jingle paper pack!

Thanks for visiting today!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Finally coming up for air....

WOW! This past month has just been a non-stop, whirlwind month! My oldest baby girl turned 16 this month and we had a terrific party for her! I even made her two-tier, fondant covered, pink floral cake! I had a fantastic Open House at the beginning of this month, completed 75 wedding invites and 30 bridal shower invites, 5 more workshops and a Vegas scrapbooking retreat weekend later….and the month was gone! Whew! That tuckered me out just listing it...I can't believe I lived it! So I apologize for my absence as I was shocked myself to see it’s been a whole month since I have posted on my blog! It’s not from lack of items to share…just lack of time! So hold on….’cause I plan on having a post-a-palooza in the next few days and weeks sharing all the great goodies I have and those which have yet to come! So I hope to see you back again soon!

So, to begin my 'post-a-palooza' I am going to go back to the beginning of the month! Here is the Sweet 16 birthday party invitation I made for my daughter's party.


Okay, so not that I need to add another creative hobby to my list...but lately I have been having a blast exploring cake decorating! I attended a cake decorating class with my mother-in-law back in August and I am now hooked! So here is the very first two-tier cake I have ever made! It is covered in pink fondant frosting with handmade sugar paste flowers. Yes, I did....I made every single one of those flowers by hand and then attached each and every one individually to the cake. It was slightly bitter-sweet when we finally cut into it! :)











Okie dokie! That finished off my first post of the month! I am off to schedule other posts for the rest of this week and beyond! So hopefully I will see you back tomorrow!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Bouncin' right along....

Welcome to the next instalment of the Stamp of the Month blog hop! This month we have 71 consultants featuring artwork on their blogs with September's Stamp of the Month Treasures. If you have come here from Paige's blog, then you are on the right track! However, if my blog is your first stop...then you might want to go back to Jena's blog and start from the beginning.

Here are my sweet and simple creations with Treasures....











Supplies Used:

D1375 Treasures Stamp of the Month
X5751 Sorbet Cardstock
1273 Desert Sand Cardstock
1388 Colonial White Cardstock
Z891 Versamark Ink Pad
Z902 Spring Soft Chalks
Z2118 Desert Sand Ink Pad
Z578 Corner Rounder
Z1123 Sorbet Ribbon Round Collection
Z1218 Metal Brad Assortment
Z1096 Neutral Embroidery Floss Assortment

Now "Hop" on over to Sherry's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the September SOTM is only available until August 30th! Contact me today to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Creation for a cause...

A few weeks back, I was given a very special assignment from Close to my Heart. I was very honored to be included in a group of very talented consultants who were invited to do a piece of artwork for a silent auction to benefit Operation Smile. I didn't have much time to create a one-of-a-kind, 'over-the-top' piece of artwork...but was pretty pleased with the final product I sent!

The silent auction was held last weekend during Close to my Heart's Leadership convention and raised over $5300 to benefit Operation Smile! I am so pleased to say that will help over 20 children receive a much needed operation to help give them a beautiful new smile!

I decided to do a piece of home decor artwork rather than creat a mini-album or the like. I used a 12x12 canvas and created a family picture frame. All the products I used were from Close to my Heart with the exception of the canvas and stand.





Click here to learn more about Operation Smile or how you can help.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

August Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring August's SOTM, D1352-It's Your Day a set of 26 stamps. If you have come here from Dawn'sBlog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Jena's Blog and start from the beginning!

This month we have 66 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this stamp set and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is so simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! The sit back and get ready to be inspired!

Here are my two creations using only Close to my Heart Product:




Supplies Used:

  • D1352 It's Your Day August Stamp of the Month

  • X7112B Animal Cookies Level 2 paper pack

  • Z270 White Grosgrain Ribbon

  • Z1133 White Ricrac

  • Z1052 Ricrack Collection

  • Z1155 Clear Buttons

  • Z1111 Summer Carnival Brads

  • Z2166Tulip Exclusive Ink Pad

  • Z2150 Sunflower Exclusive Ink Pad

  • Z2119 Dutch Blue Exclusive Ink Pad

  • Z2113 Clover Meadow Exclusive Ink Pad

  • Z1294 Sanding Kit

    • Now "Hop" on over to Beth's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the August SOTM is only available until August 30th! Contact me today to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

      If you get lost along the way or find links that aren't working, here is a complete list of all the talented ladies who are participating:


      Jena DeVries
      http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
      Kristie Horness-Herdener
      http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
      Carla Ironside
      http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
      Deb Young
      http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
      Alanna Moses
      http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
      Paige Dolecki
      http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
      Wendy Kessler
      http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
      Heather Painchaud
      http://www.twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/
      Helen Onulak
      http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
      Barbra Otten
      http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
      Haley Dyer
      http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
      Nona Davenport
      http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
      Michelle Robinson
      http://www.amaizenbluelady.typepad.com/
      Cindy Leek
      http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
      Melissa Laverty
      http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
      Katy Donaldson
      http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
      Amy McVey
      http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
      Tammy Lea Pinchard
      http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/
      Leslie Markland
      http://pandascrapper.blogspot.com/
      Judy Burger
      http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
      Laurie R Newton
      http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
      Kami Welter
      http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
      Tracy Oleksak
      http://www.mamaolie.blogspot.com/
      Karen Norman
      http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
      Chris Shouse
      http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
      Cibele Glazer
      http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
      Debra Van Patten
      http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
      Terrie Dodd
      http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
      Jamia Bankhead
      http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
      Anne Beck
      http://www.anniemuses.blogspot.com
      Jennifer Patrick
      http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
      Laurie Levnik
      http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
      Lori Miller
      http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
      Brae Montgomery
      http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
      Dawn Ross
      http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
      Dawn Slipcevic
      http://dawnscrapsalot.blogspot.com/
      Barbara Harris
      http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com/
      Carol Taggio
      http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/
      Jill Lucas
      http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
      Chris Green
      http://www.createwithchris.blogspot.com/
      Nancy Ball
      http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/
      Dawn Heuft
      http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
      Kelly Triggs
      http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com/
      Beth Naumann
      http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
      Antoinette Herrin
      http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
      Jessica Booth
      http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
      Jen Rubio
      http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
      Misty Jackson
      http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/
      Adeline E. Brill
      http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
      Lori Leng
      http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/
      Pam Klassen
      http://eimmap.blogspot.com/
      Pamela OConnor
      http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
      Jennifer Royal
      http://www.craftroyalty.blogspot.com/
      Caren Goldsein
      http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
      Shannon Pelletier
      http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com/
      Sherry Thompson
      http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/
      Maricar Harris
      http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com/
      Traci Godbee
      http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
      Laura Dame
      http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
      Miranda Kurz
      http://www.scrampinwithmiranda.com/
      Leisa Hubley
      http://www.bigredscraps.blogspot.com/
      Julia Menssen
      http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/
      Jan Moxey
      http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/
      Jody Gustafson
      http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/

      Tuesday, July 21, 2009

      Sweet Baby


      Today I am sharing my latest adventures in putting fabric on my cards. I made this 6x6 Sweet Baby card with fabric, lace and ribbon. It was a real challenge but really rewarding working with such textural items! What is hard to tell in the picture is the center of the heart has fabric in it and is puffed up a bit. I even placed the rub-on directly onto the fabric.
      I was so excited to give it to her...that I forgot to take a picture of it before I sent it! So she was kind enough to take this picture for me and send it to me so I could share it with you all!


      Sunday, July 12, 2009

      Make a wish....

      Just a quick little gift card holder/birthday card to share today....



      Sunday, July 5, 2009

      Priceless Memories...

      Thought I would quickly share some artwork of Close to My Heart's new Memory Keeper Box. This is the next project we will be making at my next July workshop.




      All Supplies Used are from Close to My Heart:

      • Z1116 My Creations Memory Keeper
      • X7105B Emporium Level 2 paper Packet
      • Z1033 Just Bloom Big Pinks paper flowers
      • z819 Window Charms Circles
      • z1043 Dimensional Elements Bookplates
      • z1040 Antiqued Copper Brads

      You can visit my website to purchase any of these items or more anytime you like!

      Wednesday, July 1, 2009

      Hoppin' alone....

      Well, this morning I have come to my blog to post the next addition to the CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop...only to find I seem I have been dropped from the list. (sniff...) It seems I didn't read my emails carefully and follow through like I should have. But rather than deprive you of some fantastic artwork, from some very talented ladies, with this great new set...I have decided to hop alone. :)

      Here is a card I have made with the July Stamp of the Month "You've Got Flair".

      Now, to continue on your road of great artwork, you can start here at Jena's blog, and you will still be able to enjoy the hop and see all the great artwork 43 other consultants made for their blogs. Be sure and follow the links from one blog to the next in order to not miss anything!

      Remember, the July SOTM is only available until July 31st! Contact me at jnktriggs@cox.net (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

      Wednesday, June 17, 2009

      Abundant Awards!

      You like me! You really, really like me! I just disovered that in the last few days I have been awarded more blog awards! Thank you so much ladies! You don't know what it means to me to know you come to my blog for inspiration!


      On June 16th I rec'd another Lemonade Stand Award from Amber at Korny Scrapping. Thanks so much for the nice comments! You can also check out her blog to see her fabulous teacher's gift! Nothing brings me more joy than to know I have inspired others!


      I also rec'd a new award...the "One Lovely Blog" award from Carla over at Carla Creates.


      Since I have already nominated others for blog awards already...I am just going to give a 'shout-out' to these two great ladies for their flattering awards!

      Check back soon as I will hopefully find some time to post some great artwork.
      Now go check out their blogs!

      Wednesday, June 3, 2009

      Looks yummy enough to eat!

      Today, my baby sister celebrates her 30th birthday! Happy Birthday Katie! So I wanted to create a very special gift for her.

      Inspired by Tresa Black (yes, you have seen me mention her 'fabulously artsy' name before) I created this darling little cupcake as part of her birthday present. The gift bag to give this little goodie to Katie in - is all my creation. I really wanted to give it to her in a way that would display it really nicely...I just started scorin' and folding a transparency until I came to this final product. I am really pleased with the way the whole thing turned out.

      So many thanks to Tresa for her fabulous inspiration!







      Sunday, May 31, 2009

      'My cup runith over'....


      I have just discovered I have been awarded another Lemonade Stand Award. I am so flattered by the lovely comments about me on Helen Onulak's website. **Blushing** Thanks so much Helen! Now go check out her fantastic artwork on her site!

      June SOM Blog Hop!!





      Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring June's Stamp of the Month, which is Tender Tags, a set of 15 stamps. If you have come here from Jamie's Blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Jena's Blog and start from the beginning!

      This month we have over 40 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!


      This is my 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 card created with all Close to my Heart Products.
      June SOM Tender Tags, Life Delights Paper Pack, White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon, White Daisy Paper Flowers, Winter Buttons, Winter Cozy Mini Medly Accents, Winter Cozy Brads


      ******************

      Now "Hop" on over to Lori's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to find some additional creative ideas using this stamp set! Remember, the June SOTM is only available from June1-30, 2009! Click here to visit my website to shop online and purchase any or all of these products.

      Wednesday, May 20, 2009

      Teacher Appriciation....

      Here is a little gift I have made for my son's kindergarten teacher. I am really looking forward to giving it to her since she is also a scrapbooker and will appriciate the time and effort that has gone into such a gift!

      All the supplies I used to make this darling little album come from Close To My Heart. Most importantly, this new paper pack Animal Cookies! I have just loved creating all kinds of goodies with this new 'yummy' paper pack! With it's rich, vibrant primary colors it was a 'must' for creating an elementary style mini-album.

      Z1141 My Creations 3-Ring Binder
      X7112B My Reflections Level 2 Animal Cookies Paper Pack
      Z1145 Heartfelt - Whimsy (Felt embelishments)
      Also some of our great brads, buttons, windowcharms, ribbon and more went into this little gem!

      There is also a poem on the inside cover:
      The school year’s finally over,
      Many thanks for all you do
      This gift will make it easy
      To record it for review.

      Choose your favorite photos
      The ones you think are neat,
      Just add a little adhesive,
      Place your pictures, neat!

      Add some special memories,
      Of moments dear to you
      Along with your cherished photos,
      That’s all you need to do!

      This album is my thank you,
      I know how much you care,
      I hope this will help you remember
      A year beyond compare!

      Enjoy!