Wednesday, July 22, 2009

teacher thanks


I worked with two amazing beginning teachers for the past two years, and they 'graduated' from the BTSA program. Here's one of the two congratulations cards - in crisp blue and white (the other was grey and green). They loved them - these are high school science teachers here, so no 'red apples' theme.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

jam time

This is my first jam - just strawberries and organic evaporated cane syrup in the bread maker. I cased an adorable Debbie Olson gift set (found here) - I made mine with craft punches instead of nestabilities. To do the machine stitching I haul my grandmother's Singer out of the closet and grab an extension cord to set it up on the living room coffee table. My three-year-old gets a total kick out of every step!


The jam topper is my own design - I like the little stamped expiration date. I'll think I'll add a ribbon around the jar with a bow & button embellishment. The jam turned out like very thick honey (sugar content too high - but it didn't call for any pectin). I'll try a fruit preserves next time.

SUPPLIES:
Stamps- PTI Fruitful, Fruitful Sentiments, Borders & Corners - Circle, Paper Tray, Simple Alphabet
Paper- PTI avocado, poppy, stamper's select white, Bitty Dots & Bitty Box patterned paper
Ink- PTI poppy, avocado; Tim Holtz antique linen distress ink
Ribbon- PTI red grosgrain; jute
Tools- Marvy punches: giga scalloped square, mega circle, extra jumbo circle; Multi-tags punch; Fiskars pinking shears & small scallop scissors; sewing machine; sandpaper; sponge dauber
Other- PTI leaf buttons; scor-tape

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

tea tin gift & card set

The PTI tea tins really are perfect for the pre-bagged bulk organic teas - like the one I got at People's Co-op in O.B. (Rose White Tea).

It's hard to see but the black patterned paper cut-out has pink gems over the flower centers. It stands out in person and coordinates with the gems on the teapot on the card. I sanded the edges to soften the transition between the two patterns.

SUPPLIES:
Stamps - PTI Tea for Two, Everyday Classics, Borders & Corners Circle
Paper - PTI stone; Basic Gray Urban Prairie (bluebird, bountiful, meadow)
Ink - PTI ocean tides & raspberry; black
Ribbon - PTI raspberry twill & ocean tides satin
Tools - Marvy giga scalloped oval & mega scalloped circle; Fiskars 1/8" round punch; X-Acto for distressing patterned square on card
Other - PTI tea tin; dark pink gems; organic loose tea