mm3 - family!

[ETA - Okay I forgot, but I wanted to say, wtf? - what the Flock?  Heh heh.  

For my Project Life going back 2 months, I have a few pictures for each week, and lots of 'stuff' to fill the pockets.  I've been scrapping since 7th grade ('87, baby!) and stopped when I started teaching (14 years ago? really?), but I hoard meticulously collect memorabilia - I did two weekly layouts last night in front of the TV.]

This past week was dedicated to my newly arrived Project Life album (turquoise edition).  I've got two months to catch up on, but I'm so excited!!  I did crank out one card for use on the first layout page - our One Word for 2011. I shared a few ideas with DH - balance, family, nurture, twins - and this was his pick.  

One favorite saying between the three of us is "Fa-Mi-Lee!", accenting each syllable.  We also do Family Kisses where we say, "Let's do Caitlyn first...", then DH and I kiss her cheeks with tons of tiny, fast kisses.  Caitlyn announces who to do next for the round of kisses, then we announce and kiss the last parent.  (Don't know what we'll do when we add two more to the mix...)

I did a different spin on the PTI Monday Make-It challenge (glitter strips - link here) and chose to use rainbow flock on scor-tape strips.  Flock is PERFECT when you're not feelin' the glitter.  And using scor-tape, you can really rub the flock in there.

The sentiment is a $1 'family' stamp colored with Crayola markers.  I like their distressed look.  But using a rubber stamp makes the whole process go backwards - stamping the image first, then Fillable Frame #3, then holding it up to the window to line up and tape down the die, then die cutting.  Other than that, this card was so quick to knock out!

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES

stamps - PTI Fillable Frame #3; Studio g 'family'

ink - PTI chartreuse

paper - PTI new leaf, stamper's select white

accents - Doodlebug flock

dies - PTI Fillable Frame #3
tools - 1/2" Scor-tape, Crayola markers

mm2 - b'day thanks

Here's one of a set of birthday thank you cards for our 5 year old.  She requested these colors for her party invitations (posted here), and wanted similar balloons on her cake.  The vellum sentiment strip (with defining score lines) is the look for PTI's 2nd Make it Monday challenge (link here). 

 

My heat gun ever-so-slightly warped the vellum (something old & cheap-o from an office supply store).  Still, I love vellum's soft look and will definitely use this technique again!

 

I love matching the flower from Everyday Classics with the flowers in the Raspberry Fizz Mix.  I chose three background papers, and punched a circle from the small stamped flower.  The epoxy dome and foam dimensional make it an adorable balloon.

  
For the party, all we had to do was arrive at the venue with a cake and party favors:

Inside is a cookie from our neighborhood bakery, Hans & Harry's, stapled in a small PTI glasseine bag.

Each kiddo's name stamped on the treat was a fun party hit.

Goofy grin alert!  Here's the Birthday Girl with her basket of favors, excited and waiting for the party to begin!

xoxo,

Christy

 

SUPPLIES:  thank you floral balloons

stamps - PTI Everyday Classics, Everyday Button Bits, Borders and Corners: Oval, Big & Bold Wishes

ink - PTI true black, raspberry fizz

paper - PTI stamper's select white, Raspberry Fizz Mix; marbled vellum

accents - PTI plum pudding and hawaiian shores vintage buttons, epoxy dome stickers

tools - Marvy giga (purple) scalloped oval punch, 5/8" (orange) circle punch, Scor-It mini

polka dot party favors

stamps - PTI Just For You; $1 alphabet set

ink - PTI true black, raspberry fizz, hawaiian shores, plum pudding

paper - PTI stamper's select white, raspberry fizz, hawaiian shores, plum pudding, Dotty Biscotti

accents - Michael's ribbons

dies - PTI Favor It Box 3
tools - EK Success 1 3/4" circle punch, Marvy super jumbo (blue) scalloped circle punch, corner rounder

mm1 - love

For PTI's first Make It Monday challenge (link here) I decided to make a Valentine for my hubster, a great guy and SAHD :)  I went small-scale, with TONS of 'love' sentiments (11 sets!!) stamped in dark chocolate & pure poppy on fine linen.

If I really wanted to get serious, I'd re-stamp and move all the left-side sentiments up a little to space them out more.  But I'm not.  All good, he will love it.

I tried my hand at the Debbie Olsen et al loopy twine.  It's the perfect way to sneak some fibers on a guy card.  I'm picky about what I will and won't allow.  Normally it's metal, yes.  Buttons, no.  (But these worked.)  Hemp/twine, yes.  Ribbons, no.  Woodgrain and canvas impression, yes.  Floral of any kind, no.

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Paper Tray, Tiny Treats: Valentine, Mixed Messages, Borders & Corners: Hearts, Just the Ticket, Daily Designs Sentiments, Sweet Love, FF #10, FF #11, Everyday Button Bits, Fruitful Sentiments

ink - PTI dark chocolate, pure poppy

paper - PTI pure poppy, fine line

accents - PTI rustic vintage buttons, pure poppy twine

dies/plates - PTI Mat Stack 4 die, Woodgrain impression plate, Canvas impression plate
ipod - elliott smith

birthday color challenge

Today's PTI anniversary challenge was to use a color scheme - I chose Jessica Witty's (soft stone, raspberry fizz, aqua mist & summer sunrise).  I wanted something bright and beautiful for dd's 5th birthday this weekend.

I used the PTI Back to Basics Box template with Urban Prairie pp.  Inside the box is a set of crocheted jewelry - one piece handmade by one of my students!

  The card edges are double-stitched, and there's a pop-up sentiment banner, pop-up bee, and flower button.  I also gave a little dimension to the front panel.

And... yet another tag for the gift set :)  The tag matches a set of favor boxes for the party, with an added butterfly and bling.  

 Been watching Cake Boss lately - hence the stacked presents, double ribbon & bow :)  This was such a joy to make!

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Birthday Basics, Just For You 
ink - PTI raspberry fizz, smokey shadow, true black
paper - PTI aqua mist, soft stone, stamper's select white; Basic Grey Urban Prairie
accents - PTI summer sunrise saddle stitch ribbon, raspberry fizz twill ribbon; summer sunrise vintage button; craft yarn, rhinestones, white thread
tools - EK Success 1 3/4" circle punch; Marvy 2" (blue) scalloped circle; foam dimensionals, foam tape
template - PTI Back to Basics Box
ipod - Outkast, MC Solaar

tags download IV

[Fourth post for the day, scroll down for Tiffany's Swirl card, Melissa's Rainbow card & Maile's Pinwheels card]

A final card for a set of little blue notecards.  This last image is from Alli Miles.  Very simple.  Very fun to color.

It's been a good day of crafting (and football!) but now it's time to close up shop.

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Fancy Flourishes

ink - PTI ocean tides

paper - PTI ocean tides, plum pudding, stamper's select white, Pretty Pastels

tools - Copics V 91/95, BG 11/13, Y32/35/38; EK Success 1 3/4" circle punch; sewing machine 

on iPod - Desmond Dekkar

tags download III

[Third post for the day, scroll down for Melissa's Rainbow card & Maile's Pinwheels card]

Here's a different style in my set of blue cards for my old college roomie.  The image design is Tiffany Pastor's, so I went feminine but funky.  A little bit shabby.  Not my go-to style, but fun to do!

A glittery, sparkly, flowery medallion for someone special.  I think she'll like the colors in this card the best so far.

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES:
ink - PTI smokey shadow

paper - PTI spring rain, enchanted evening, stamper's select white, Pretty Pastels
accents - PTI plum pudding grosgrain ribbon; Copics B45/B37, V95/99, T1; rhinestones, extra fine multi crystal glitter
tools - MS fine-tip glue pen; EK Success 1 3/4" circle punch; Cricut Plantain SchoolBook cartridge
on iPod - trance, house & Japanese pop

tags download II

[Second post for the day, scroll down for Maile's Pinwheels card]

Who can resist this bright and bold image from Melissa Bickford?  I went with a black & white background colored to coordinate with the rainbow.  And here's a technique I haven't pulled out in years - brads with paper grommets!  It just felt right.

 

I had to clean up my coloring a bit when I saw this shot - but is it ever bright and lovely!

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Fillable Frames #4 
paper - PTI blueberry sky, harvest gold, stamper's select white, Black & White Basics
accents - Copics R29/R59, YR15/YR18, Y35/Y38, YG13/YG17, B45/B37, V95, T1; blue brads
dies - PTI Fillable Frames #4
tools - EK Success 1 3/4" circle punch; 1/4" & 1/16" hole punch

tags download

Today's fun at PTI is a challenge to create cards using a free tag download (link here).  I finally have a printer the can handle card stock, so coloring images with my Copics is in the realm of possibility.  How strange it is to make a notecard with no stamping though!

My dear college friend was over yesterday for crafting and an ayurvedic dinner, but we talked the whole time and got nothing done :)  I asked what colors she wanted for a card set and she chose a lovely range of blues.

I'm in love with Maile Belle's pinwheels and started with this image first.  (Sorry to report there's gorgeous weather in San Diego and the card's a bit washed out).

On this image, I finally busted out the Copic airbrush gun I got for Christmas - LOVE it!!!  Unfortunately, the camera didn't pick up up the double white stitching around the edges.

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES:

paper - PTI hawaiian shores, new leaf, stamper's select white, Green Boutique
accents - PTI new leaf twine, hawaiian shores buttons; Copics YG17, YG13, BG18, BG13, BG11, T1
dies - PTI mat stack 2
tools - EK Success 1 3/4" circle punch; Copic airbrush; sewing machine & white thread

PTI anniversary

It's here again!  The anniversary celebration for PTI!  Looking back on my creations since last February,  I think my favorite was a special card made for Nichole Heady on the surprise forum blog hop in her honor.

I wanted a golden harvest card, and it came out exactly as I had envisioned.  I gold embossed the leaves veins and the wheat-like image on the circle tag.  With no harvest gold ink, I used lemon tart kissed with summer sunrise around the edges.  The card front is impressed with the linen plate, and the gold mat is impressed with the canvas plate.

Thank again, Nichole, for all your inspiration and all the love you pour into Papertrey Ink!

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Leaf Prints, Daily Designs, Round & Round, Damask Designs (sentiment)
paper - PTI harvest gold, rustic cream
ink - PTI lemon tart, summer sunrise; VersaMark, Distress Ink in antique linen, VersaMagic in straw
accents - PTI harvest gold twill ribbon, harvest gold vintage button; gold embossing powder
dies - PTI mat stack 4, leaf prints, linen and canvas impression plate
tools - Scor-it mini, cuttlebug, 1 3/4" circle punch

photo challenge: work

How fun!  I discovered the Becky Higgins work photo challenge at her blog (link here).  I'm too pregnant and busy to worry about perfect photography, but I love the idea of photo journaling a day of work.  So I grabbed my camera and got to it:

Shortly before 7 a.m. I arrive at my secret gate.  The coveted key to a lock that's just steps between my truck and classroom.

And here we are, Science.  No classroom number - just SCIENCE.  A safe and happy place to learn.

The white board.  Curriculum materials.  Lab group roles with matching colored clothespins. Signs spelling 'UNIFORM' for earning free dress days.  Science inquiry posters. Lab safety expectations. Talking level posters.

Notice the lack of paper towels.

 Goggle madness.

Lab boxes (but really, this is California - I have nine lab groups).

 Chemicals a go-go.

 

My classroom during prep - does it look like I get a relaxing break without students?

Producing oxygen gas in an exothermic reaction. (8th grade)

 These kids are cool. (8th)

 Bubbling gases through bromothymol blue to test acidity. (8th)

Good kids, good times!  I've taught 6th grade through teacher prep, and I can definitely say I'm happy and lucky to be right where I am.

xoxo,

Christy