gifting it

merry thanksgivoween

2011-12-09T19:25:00.001-08:00

Did you know time was speeding up? Well, it is. Here's a re-cap of the Halls' important bits:

Slight obsession with Nightmare Before Christmas here.

Dessicated jack-o-lanterns, one day after carving (darn Santa Ana winds).

Batterina and the Pumpkin Patch.

Pioneer Woman's turkey brine - it doesn't smell like the holidays until it's going.

Tom looked gorgeous, until we noticed the pink juices - wtf?

Christmas on the Prado, Balboa Park - the annual start to our festivities.

The Christmas train (another obsession) - choo choo!

Our caroling Peanuts gang broke this year - whaaaa!

Yes, the presents are wrapped and ready. What can I say?

Christmas in San Diego - fake snow back-drop and short sleeves.

With love, from us to you!

Tha Halls

hallowe'en treats

2011-10-30T21:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Hallowe'en - my favorite time of year! Looking back on the past twelve months it's crazy to realize we've moved TWICE, had twins, and nursed them both to seven months old. But this year there's still just one kiddo to treat, so here's my creation:

I wanted a simple treat with an attached note. I like the 'headstone' look of Favor It Box 3 with the Moroccan Motifs impression plate, and *surprise* the Lunchbox Note fit just-so into the Library Pocket with only slight trimming!

To fit the sentiment, I curved the Halloween stamp.

I also had to use my ticket die, so I decided to go with 'creepy carnivale'...

I masked the sentiments and stamped double images from various sets, adding a little Copic marker here and there. I'm quite happy with how it turned out (and I know of a certain girl who'll be happy too!).

Hope you enjoy your spooky day!
ChrisTea™

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Been Boo'd, Tiny Treats: Halloween, Just the Ticket, Friendship Jar Fall Fillers, 2009 Halloween Tags

ink - PTI smokey shadow, true black; Versamagic Eggplant

paper - PTI royal velvet, true black, smokey shadow, soft stone

accents - PTI spring moss felt, simply chartreuse swiss dot ribbon

dies - PTI Favor It Box 3, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle Collection, Lunchbox Note, Library Pocket, Ticket Border, Rickrack Border

tools - 1 3/4" circle punch, Copics V91/Y32/T4/T1/0

100th post - ppd blog hop

2011-07-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

This is my 100th blog post (yay!). There's no better way to celebrate than hopping with the PTI Paper Dolls for our crafty Idol, Laurie Beth!! Congrats on making it as far as the top ten!! Now, Laurie is one hard girl to CASE - every change looks wrong since her designs are perfect to begin with! :) Since I wanted to try out an uninked set, Botanical Sillhouettes, I picked this card here. So then my card for Laurie:

I love Laurie's Mat Stack 3 window but I don't have that die. I tried Mat Stack 4 & 6, but they were both too big. Fillable Frame 8 had a lovely shape but was small for the space so I added the stamped frame. I struggle with CAS - all that empty space made me just run for my woodgrain impression plate. :)

Laurie, you are one talented gal! Congratulations!

Now, hop on over to see what else the Dolls have for you today, you may have come from Amy's blog, so head to Kristin's next:

Amy (kolling143)
Christy (christea)
**Kristin (jcmom04)**

Suzanne (*suzanne*)

Katie (choc0holic)
Lee Anne (Lee Anne)
Renee (Renee L.)
Sara (hiinaz)

Tanna (tfiskers)

Thanks for joining us!
XOXO,
Christy

SUPPLIES

stamps - PTI Botanical Sillhouettes, Fillable Frame #8

ink - PTI plum pudding, ripe avocado, fresh snow, true black

paper - PTI kraft, stamper's select white

dies - PTI Fillable Frames #8, Woodgrain impression plate

ppd 40/41: baby thanks

2011-07-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm going to double dip for challenges, being busy with life and such. I'm working backwards through the Paper Doll challenges, with # 41 and # 40: twine and background stamps. Thanks Deena & Jen, both fun ideas!

Just a fun baby boy thank you - made skinny to fit a banner border. I used Polka Dot Basics I and II on the kraft bits. Although I've used the Night Night Moon strip as a background stamp, it's a simple strip here. I kept the twine on the DL, too - button bows in enchanted evening.

Coloring those diaper pins is a blast - I love Pine's images!

Do you ever make a card you like and reproduce it? I'm making eight of these babies :) That's a lot of Cuttlebug cranking! Better get to work...

xoxo,

ChrisTea

SUPPLIES

stamps - PTI Night Night Moon, Tag Its #1, Polka Dot Basics I & II, Fillable Frame #5

ink - PTI spring rain, fresh snow, true black

paper - PTI spring rain, blueberry sky, kraft, stamper's select white, Bitty Star Basics 2008

accents - PTI enchanted evening baker's twine, blueberry sky vintage buttons

dies - PTI Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle Collection, Banner Borders, Fillable Frames #5

tools - 1 3/4" circle punch, Copics B41/B45/T1/0

ipod - Bird & Diz, Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie

wonder twins

2011-07-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

Wonder Twin powers: activate!

Form of... an ice bucket!

Form of... a golden eagle!

(Dean & James - 14 1/2 weeks old)

Cosmic CASE

2011-07-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

Summertime is party season and here's a quick gift-on-the-go idea for $15 or less. Pick up a shovel & pail set at your local drugstore. Then run around the store looking for age-appropriate items that are:

cool
cheap
tall & skinny
color-coordinating

My super score item - a big pack of GARBAGE PAIL KIDS. Wow. I collected those in the 80's. There's also a water blaster and Twizzlers. I considered a red & white balsa flyer, but that would have pushed the price above my budget.

Now the card! I've been slightly obsessed with tag cards. I cut the card about the size of the PTI Library Card die (3 1/2" x 5 1/2"), which I don't own because I can make it myself with a corner rounder & hole punch, and it saves me $20. This way I can leave corners un-rounded if I want - which I needed to do on the bottom of this card. I also LOVE the bit of ribbon you get with tags that you can finish off with a button, bow or simple knot, depending on how rushed you are at the moment. :)

The card design is a CASE from a fellow blogger - Michelle (abzzymom) @ Michelle's Crafting Corner, my PTI Paper Dolls friend. Her original card is here. I changed up the color, added swirly planet buttons, and put the moon & star on the outside. I love how she put Earth in the center of the 'orbit lines' with the rocketship speeding off towards it :)

Of course I had to use the blast-off sentiment, but the front of the card was busy enough. My, how I {love} fillable frames for finishing the inside of a card!

Hope you're enjoying your summer time fun!!!

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES - (card is 3 1/2" x 5 1/2")
stamps - PTI Boy Basics: Out of This World, Masculine Motifs, Fillable Frames #3, Birthday Basics

ink - PTI pure poppy, enchanted evening, true black

paper - PTI enchanted evening

accents - PTI pure poppy, orange zest & harvest gold vintage buttons, harvest gold swiss dot ribbon

dies - PTI Alpha-blocks, Fillable Frames #3 & Rocket Die; Sunshine Impression Plate

tools - Copics, corner rounder punch, small circle punch, hole punch
ipod - They Might be Giants

inspiration blog hop

2011-06-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

The inspiration photo for this month's PTI blog hop immediately made me think of the cubbies at my daughter's Waldorf kindergarten. The walls are colored in soft and beautiful shades and each child has a cubbie with a special symbol, which I recreated with ribbon, the alpha-blocks die, and tiny treats images.

This is a special 'graduation' card with requested buttons and a princess. DD's been a ladybug and a snowman (she's a winter birthday). But she'll be attending traditional kindergarten at the K-8 school where I teach middle school science. It's been five years at the Waldorf school, since she was 6 months old in mommy & me classes. We've treasured our special time there, but we're excited to move forward too.

Thank for visiting - stop by later this week for new photos of the twins, now almost 12 weeks old!!

xoxo,
Christy

SUPPLIES - (card is 3 1/2" x 8" for a business envelope)
stamps - PTI Tiny Treats Valentines and Birthday, Wood Grain

ink - PTI dark chocolate, true black

paper - PTI rustic cream, kraft

accents - PTI hibiscus felt, ribbon and vintage buttons in spring moss, lemon tart, sweet blush, summer sunrise, melon berry, hibiscus, plum pudding, and spring rain

dies - PTI Alpha-blocks, Tiny Tags

tools - Copics R01/02/05/20, RV13/14, YR12, Y32/35/38, B41, E55, T1/4, 0

merry's blog hop

2011-05-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Merry!

From your friends at the PTI forum, this hop is for YOU!

I wanted a red velvet cupcake in a jar card with warm, earthy colors. The card base design is a CASE of Betsy Veldman's Night, Night Moon card (link here).

Hard to see, but there's a layer of clear cardstock to complete the jar look. The candle also has a glittered star topper. I Love this look!

On a personal note, our six-week old twin boys (spontaneous & fraternal) are nursing heartily and getting more regular sleep. We just moved them out of our bedroom into their crib in the nursery. It's been so nice not hearing grunts and giggles all night!

Twin A is Dean Michael - mellow guy. He's the rather quiet, long & lean, blondie boy. Our Dean Machine.

Twin B is James Madison - the squeaky wheel. He's the vocal, stocky and solid, brown-haired boy. Our Budgie, Jimmy James.

That's all for now...thanks for visiting!

xoxo,
Christy

SUPPLIES

stamps - PTI Friendship Jar, Cupcake Collection, Mixed Messages, Star Prints, Night Night Moon (small star)

ink - PTI dark chocolate, true black, pure poppy; Distress Ink antique linen, Versamark

paper - PTI fine linen, rustic cream, clear cardstock, Distressed Dots

accents - PTI harvest gold felt, pure poppy baker's twine, new leaf saddle stitch ribbon, pure poppy vintage buttons; crystal glitter multi ultrafine

dies - PTI Mat Stack 2 & 4, Rickrack Border, Jar & Jar Toppers, Moroccan Motifs impression plate

tools - Copics R29 & Y32, corner rounder, hole punch

three weeks old

2011-04-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

In three weeks I've healed from surgery and brought the twins' weight up by nursing. They've put on a combined 2 1/2 lbs. in 11 days (with an additional 60 oz. of milk on reserve in the freezer)! All the pain, sweat and tears is worth it.

Dean (10 days old)

Our nurse practioner was so satisfied with their progress that we can skip the next well-baby visit, and don't need to come in again until they're eight weeks old. That is savings, people! Two babies is two co-pays, so that's $20 saved by breastfeeding (not to mention having no formula costs). Plus, that 2 1/2 lbs. didn't come from nowhere - that's weight lifted off my body! This is a win-win situation. Exhausting, but worth it.

James & Dean (13 days old)

Caitlyn & Dean (15 days old)

James & Dean (18 days old)

James & Dean (21 days old)

Caitlyn & James (22 days old)

Other family fun times this spring break:

Basketball & Biking

Getting rowdy with Kaya

Swimming

First haircut with mom

Caitlyn & brothers

First family walk

buddy pics

2011-04-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

The little buddies are 11 days old now - still nursing like champs and getting more regular in their sleep cycles. Caitlyn's home for 2 weeks of spring break so we're looking forward to slowing down into our natural family tempo.

First Bath at home! (James, 4 days old)

First doctor's visit: they gained back their birth weight; jaundice is gone in James (upper right) and improving for Dean (lower left). Breastfeeding success! - the nurse practitioner said it's the best weight gain she'd seen for twins in 32 years. (6 days old)

So. Cal. livin' - 8 minutes out in Sun Diego to beat the jaundice (James & Dean, 9 days old)

First Signs - west siiide.

Post-sun, 3 seconds away from screaming for milkies. (Dean & James, 9 days old)

It's a Bonita life!

xoxo,

Christy

they're hee-re

2011-04-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

It's been one week since the birth of our spontaneous fraternal twins. Life is good, but exhausting. This is as big as it got:

Dean Michael - air lifted on April 5, 2011 at 10:10 a.m. 6 lbs. 8 oz. 19 1/2"

At three days old:

James Madison - air lifted on April 5, 2011 at 10:12 a.m. 5 lbs. 10 oz. 19 1/4"

At three days old:

Daddy with James and mommy with Dean - about 2 hours old.

Big sis Caitlyn holding Dean (who looks just like she did) - 1 day old

Our brood, together at last: James, Caitlyn & Dean - 3 days old

Tummy Time: Daddy, James, Dean, Caitlyn - 4 days old

Bruddahs: James & Dean (what they do when not nursing) - 4 days old

Swaddle escape artists: James & Dean - 5 days old

ready for twins

2011-04-03T17:24:00.000-07:00

A surprising ultrasound Friday! The boys are all cattywampus and Twin B, with his marginal cord insert, is slowing his growth rate. We're back on schedule for an April 5th delivery. So before it's too late - last chance for pregnancy photos (finally, Tena!) & nesting ramblings.

32 weeks pregnant => Project Life (turquoise) arrives! Ok, it's more box than belly here. I don't scrapbook but enjoy this way of documenting each week of the year.

33 1/2 weeks => at the baby shower. Long time friends: Amy (with me the night I met DH at Bourbon Street), Kiki (my Vespa-riding, UCSD-in-Hillcrest friend), and Jyothi (19 year friend since my arrival in San Diego).

36 1/2 weeks => the family unit. Posing in the bleachers at our first roller derby bout. The belly is now a GIANT, low, protruding basketball, disguised in black.

37 1/2 weeks => April Fools Day 2011. The first day of swimming, the first day of shorts and sun exposure, the day of the ultrasound.

Nesting Ramblings & Four Top Finds...

On the first floor of our house is a newborn-ready living room with a hand-me-down changing table full of diapers, wipes, onesies, blankets, and toys. Nearby is a hand-me-down pack & play, bouncer seats, and a baby swing. Both a breast pump and My-Brest-Friend twin are stationed by the couch.

"My-Brest-Friend twin, I love you." (37 1/2 weeks)

By the door is the stroller, diaper bag, baby wraps & carriers. We got this Valco on clearance, with 10% discount coupon, & no tax or shipping.

The kitchen has a drawer of pump supplies, storage bags, bottles, nipples and baby food packs. Our hot & cold water cooler is always in use, and the pantry, fridge & freezer are full of good, whole ingredients. The garage freezer is packed with freshly made then frozen meals.

Check out this surprise organic gift set from DH. I love that man. Love him.

Upstairs is the nursery, with a sports-Snoopy themed crib and room for another (we'll get it later). The wall decorations aren't up, but the closet holds a TON of gift & hand-me-down clothes and toys (3m items are sorted on shelves and the 6m - 4T is washed, sorted & boxed). The nursery's still a guest room with a bed ready for visiting grandparents.

I'm going to LOVE these books. One memory book per twin and a 3-month spiral notebook - each buddy has a daily record of Time / Bottle(oz) / Breast(min/side) / Diaper(wet/BM) & Meds/Other. Extra lines for Appointments/Reminders & To Do.

Lastly, our bedroom is the REAL newborn zone. One side's ours with a king-size bed, cedar chest & chest of drawers. One side's theirs with a glider & ottoman, bassinet, bouncer seat, and changing table (an arms-reach from a bathroom sink). The diapers, blankets, toys and layette are stored here, with a 2nd Medela pump.

So, you can never be ready - but you can be well prepared. Two days and counting!

thinking of you

2011-03-31T11:36:00.000-07:00

First, a special THANK YOU to all you wonderful people who leave such amazing comment love :) I know it takes a minute from your busy day to pause and say hello, so just know that it's always greatly appreciated. You're all the best.

Tuesday will be 38 weeks with the twins, which is full term for multiples. Twin B has gone breech, then head-down, then breech, and now transverse. What a journey! While I'd EAGERLY choose labor & delivery over surgery & recovery, my doc's advice is a C-section (twin B's not a good candidate for 'turning' due to a partial placental cord insert). But since the pregnancy has gone well and the boys are growing at the same rate, she'll let me squeeze out one extra week, just to see what happens by 39 weeks.

I haven't done a lot of crafting, but I do have one card in the wings, also for Lee Anne. Amidst all the craziness I think of her everyday which reminds me to stop, slow down, and pay attention to family. Hugs to you, Lee Anne.

The dragonfly here symbolizes depth, unveiling, and life 'in the moment'. I wanted a deep blue to accent rustic cream and woodgrain. The dragonfly is inked in spring rain and kissed with pearl sky blue and enchanted evening. I'm pleased with the design (even if photos didn't capture all the love).

I call this shot, 'Still Life with Dirty Pot'. But look at that perfect little dragonfly from Places Please. The joy in discovery.

I also used this design for a melon berry birthday card with a sun-kissed peach. I have the bitty dot ribbon in new leaf, orange zest, and blueberry sky as well, so I imagine I'll be making those color versions too.

xoxo,
Christy

SUPPLIES

stamps - PTI Masculine Motifs, Fillable Frames #10, Places Please

ink - PTI enchanted evening, spring rain; Versamagic pearl sky blue

paper - PTI enchanted evening, rustic cream

accents - PTI enchanted evening vintage buttons, enchanted evening bitty dot ribbon, vintage cream grosgrain ribbon, rustic cream twine

dies - PTI Fillable Frames #10, woodgrain impression plate

tools - EK Success oval punch

thank you set

2011-03-24T15:16:00.000-07:00

I made this simple set of thank you cards for Lee Anne, a fellow PTI Paper Doll friend who recently suffered a great loss. Sometimes it's hard to know what to say, but a small gesture can let someone know they're in your thoughts and prayers.

I was drawn to the elegance of Beyond Border Basics in bright pastels and vintage cream with colored pearls to add warmth. The background pattern is Mini Scrapbook Series: Library Ledger stamped in soft stone.

the melon berry card

the summer sunrise card

the simply chartreuse card

the aqua mist card

I've been spending more time cooking than crafting this week so I'll be posting soon about my new discovery, 'Once a Month Cooking'. Very addictive for people that love to cook and organize!

SUPPLIES

stamps - PTI Beyond Basic Borders Collection, Mini Scrapbook Series: Library Ledger

ink - PTI melon berry, summer sunrise, ripe avocado, aqua mist, smokey shadow

paper - PTI melon berry, summer sunrise, simply chartreuse, aqua mist, vintage cream

accents - medium pearls

dies - PTI Mat Stack 1

tools - Copic markers (R05, Y38, BG18), Fiskars Paper Edgers scallop scissors

ipod - Cowboy Junkies

ppd33 - baby card trio

2011-03-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy and crafty week! Lot of lesson planning (I'm off duty from teaching since the babies have 'dropped'), new home organizing (we moved 3 months ago), doctor's appointments/twice weekly 'non-stress tests' (36 wks now), crafting cards, and work on baby & family albums (I'm lovin' Project Life).

One special project was my first set of cards for the 'kids'. We've long been a comfy family of three (mom, dad, DD), but soon we'll be five and we couldn't be happier!

For our #1 daughter and big-sis-to-be, Caitlyn May, a glittered cupcake treat:

I love the cupcake liner pp from Pink Patterns. And I couldn't believe I found the perfect flower buttons in berry and blush. The polka dot top is glittered though hard to see.

(I got a migraine right as I was stamping the 'smiles' and adhering the diecut sentiment. I knew it was coming because I kept thinking, 'Why can't I SEE right to get this straight?" Then, bam! Migraine.)

For Twin A, Dean Michael, our first baby-boy-to-be:

I LOVE this snail (stamped in sage & aqua). The fun, wavy sentiment was the inspiration for the side border on all three cards.

A little practice at coloring with Copics, which can be trickier than you anticipate.

And for Twin B ('bee'), James Madison, our second baby-boy-to-be:

I had no idea I'd be cutting out the trail when I started but I just did it - and I love the surprise 3D curliness it has! Thankfully, these don't need to be mailed :)

Room enough for a quick welcome note once the little guys arrive.

These cards were also designed with Leish's baby card challenge in mind. Go on and join the fun over at the PTI Paper Dolls blog (link here). I made a girl card, a boy card - and a gender neutral card, since I'm thinking multiples :)

xoxo,

Christy

Baby Card Trio

stamps - PTI Baby Button Bits, Borders & Corners: Circle, Fillable Frames #5, Cupcake Collection; Basic Grey gamma series (tiny cupcake with cherry topper)

ink - PTI sweet blush, aqua mist, berry sorbet, ripe avocado; Versamagic sage, Distress Ink antique linen

paper - PTI sweet blush, aqua mist, spring moss, stamper's select white, Polka Dot Parade, Pink Patterns, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics, Bitty Box Basics

accents - PTI sweet blush, berry sorbet, aqua mist, spring moss & lemon tart vintage buttons, rustic jute button twine; Crystal Glitter multi ultra-fine

dies - PTI Fillable Frames #5

tools - Copic markers (BG18/13/11, YG 95/93, T1, 0), Marvy giga circle punch (purple), EK Success border punch

ipod - Deee-Lite

paper dolls blog hop

2011-03-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

I hope you're enjoying getting to know the Dolls a little better! I'm the last stop on the hop so if you want you can return to the Paper Dolls blog (link here).

This weekend was my baby shower and the theme was peapods:

"Two peas in a pod, double the fun!

The Hall Boys are coming, look out everyone!!!"

So for the P.T.I. challenge, I included the following elements in the favors and cards I made:

P - peapods, polka dots, plaid, pinking

T - tiny treats, thank you, twins

I - impression plate, italics, inside & out

Hellllllo cuties! There were a baker's dozen of the treats and the thank you's. The favor nestled a Russell Stover's caramel egg - picked for it's green packaging.

Here's a better shot of the Diamonds impression on the library card pocket. The pea pod patterned paper (say that fast!) comes already glitter embossed. The twins are the two button peas (I have a 3/4 chance of 2 fertilized eggs & a 1/4 chance of one split egg). The thank you sentiment (from Inside & Out) is in italics that matched the baby shower sentiment.

The peas were easy to stamp & punch but the pods required hand cutting. {The one I photographed was poorly done - I usually leave more white around the edges.}

Plaid & pinking shown here. When it was time for the shower I hadn't made the thank you cards yet, but I knew the image would be a preview of what I wanted to do in '3D'.

Sunshine goodness & shiny ribbons! I used five colors of polka dot ribbon but balanced the blues, greens and yellows. Honestly, I didn't want to use up too much of any one color :)

One last look.

And, some juicy Paper Dolls info:

-name Christy Compton Hall (christea)

-state CA... I grew up an Army brat (Kansas, Augsburg, San Francisco, Alabama, DC area), but grandpa went to Cal, dad & uncles went to UCLA, mom & dad went to UCSF, & I got my undergrad/credential/grad degrees at UCSD where I've stayed put

-age 37 & pregnant with twin boys (spontaneous)

-day job 6th grade Earth, 7th grade Life, 8th grade Phys/Chem teacher (previously, HS bio/physics/adv.physics, then science professional development specialist)

-family information Married to an electrician turned SAHD with 5-yr old DD, twin boys 't-minus 1 month', female Rottweiler, kitty... RIP ball python

-When did you discover PTI? When I discovered paper crafts in December 2008

-How long have you been a Doll I'm a newbie (~month)

-Favorite PTI products (besides stamps) Coordinated ribbon, buttons, felt; dies!

-Favorite PTI stamp sets Fancy Flourishes, Fillable Frames, Button Bits, Tiny Treats, Around & About Sentiments, Borders & Corners

-Favorite PTI color Aqua Mist or Ocean Tides

-Favorite PTI color combo Pure Poppy, Plum Pudding, Spring Moss, Rustic White

SUPPLIES
Baby Shower Favors

stamps - PTI Baby Button Bits, Tiny Treats: Christmas, Tiny Treats: Valentine

ink - PTI aqua mist, ripe avocado; Versamagic sage

paper - PTI kraft, stamper's select white

accents - PTI harvest gold felt, swiss dot ribbon in harvest gold, lemon tart, simply chartreuse, spring moss, aqua mist

dies - PTI Favor It #1, Mat Stack #1, Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle; EK Success 1 3/4" circle punch

ipod - Bauhaus, Icicle Works

Baby Shower Thanks

stamps - PTI Library Card, Baby Button Bits, Tiny Treats: Valentine, Inside & Out: Thank You

ink - PTI aqua mist, ripe avocado, dark chocolate; Versamagic sage

paper - PTI aqua mist, kraft, rustic white, Library Ledger, Polka Dot Parade, Bitty Stars Basics, Pretty Pastels; DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Boy

dies - PTI Library Pocket, Large Ric-Rac, Background Basics: Diamonds impression plate

tools - Marvy mega scallpoed square punch (pink), 5/8" circle punch

ipod - Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard

mm3 - family!

2011-02-27T18:02:00.000-08:00

[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

2011-02-20T21:43:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-11T16:04:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

[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

2011-02-06T15:34:00.000-08:00

[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

2011-02-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

[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

2011-02-06T09:16:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-05T09:16:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

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

caitlyn's cards

2011-01-27T10:59:00.000-08:00

Caitlyn (almost 5) made her first set of cards. The cards were apologies to two of her classmates - unfortunately, there were altercations yesterday. The first card is for Charlie:

(lovin' that 6am, no flash kitchen lighting)

And the second card is for Zsa Zsa. (Personally, I think anyone going around with that name's askin' for it, but that's just me...)

I did nothing but supply construction paper and trim corners. From my perch on the couch, I heard DH rummage through the craft room. He came out with an armful of punches and punched shapes - man-style, which was fast and furious. She worked on the inside of the cards for an hour, with DH's help.

"Make sure you don't miss my rainbow!!!"

Here's the artist - complete with bed head. I won't include the insisted upon My Little Pony portion of the photo shoot, but that was a hoot, too.

xoxo,

Christy

daddy's album

2011-01-25T06:04:00.000-08:00

For PTI's January blog hop (use an unused or dusty stamp set), I knew I wanted to pull out ALL the stamps, dies, and papers I hadn't used (starred in the supplies below). I also wanted to make something special for my husband - our SAHD and the rock that holds the family together.

This wonderful guy does ALL the laundry, cleaning, cat & dog care, morning daughter prep, shuttling to & from school, home maintenance, doctor's appointments, and over half of the cooking, shopping & dishes. I'm not lazy :) but a working mom, 7 months pregnant with twin boys, who teaches science to 260 middle schoolers. Seriously, 260.

This envelope book celebrates our 1st home together (we've sized-up to our 2nd). While digging through the recycling for cardboard I found an awesome beer box and just went with it. Layered mats and a placecard form the focal point, with a brown embossed sentiment put together from Boards & Beams, and Simple & Fresh Alphabets.

The tabs tell our story, each opening to journaling, photos, memorabilia, and a stash of realia in the envelope pocket. It's fun to pull out and unfold little bits of our history.

Here the sun begins to fade on my only two 'finished' pages. I'll re-post a sequel with more loving pictures and details, so stay tuned!

The top page has our dreams and plans for the house - a 'scaled' map used with tiny scaled furniture squares to fit everything in, and swatches of the paint colors used in our bedrooms and bath. Below are clippings from a gathering of seven feisty old ladies at our soon-to-be home that made the local paper.

Below are the unfinished pages (with more unused stamps to come). My friend, Java, took our first picture as we first walked up to the free Adams Avenue Roots Festival.

And I have something fun planned for the page below, which highlight the work my electrician husband put into the home. There's a sketch with plans for our xeriscape (low water), CA native plants habit from when we converted the front lawn. Good times.

His birthday and Valentine's are three days apart so I'm going to roll them into one big extravaganza this year. Can't wait for the fun!

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Boards & Beams*, Places Please*, Holiday Treats (house image), Fresh Alphabet, Simple Alphabet, Mini-Scrapbook Series: Tabs*, Library Card*, Tea for Two Additions*, Fancy Flourishes

paper - PTI fine linen, Library Ledger*, Green Tea Leaves, Bitty Dots 2009, kraft envelopes; cream vellum, recycled Ranger beer box

ink - PTI simply chartreuse, dark chocolate, orangerie, pure poppy, true black; Versamark

accents - PTI simply chartreuse grosgrain ribbon, dark chocolate twill ribbon; antique copper mini brads, chocolate brown embossing powder

tools- PTI dies (Tea Cup*, Place Card*, Mini Tab*, Library Pocket*), impression plates (Woodgrain, Linen)

ticket birthday

2011-01-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

A 5th birthday is almost here! This year's invitations are coming straight from Maile Belles' blog (link here). I had a ton to do and needed to get 'em done. I love Maile's colors, but I let the birthday girl choose from six options (hawaiian shores, raspberry fizz, hibiscus burst, simply chartreuse, plum pudding, and lavender moon). She chose:

For the glittered cupcakes I drew over the stamped raspberry fizz image with a fine-tip glue pen. And I don't have hawaiian shores ink so I stamped the outline for the liner onto bitty dots paper. No new cupcake dies yet - just old-fashioned cutting here.

Check out this adorable floral button one lucky invitee will get:

And debossing the envelope flaps was a nice complement:

It's the perfect card for a loud & flashy birthday with games, rides, tickets & prizes at a near-by pizza 'fun-ery'. (Waldorf teachers would not approve.) Inside the card is a strip of tickets stamped with 'Ticket to Celebrate', 'Food & Fun Party Time' & 'You're Invited'.

One thing I learned - stamping a single sentiment to fit is HARD!!! It took me eight tries to the background right: I had to lightly draw guide lines, and practice placing each new row (the 'ti' fits tightly under the 'le' & 'it' fits halfway under the 'a'). Ridiculous, yes, but it had to be done for Maile's gorgeous card.

xoxo,
Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Just the Ticket, Cupcake Collection, Birthday Bash Sentiments

paper - PTI hawaiian shores, raspberry fizz, plum pudding, stamper's select white; Bitty Dots 2009
ink - PTI raspberry fizz, true noir
accents - PTI hawaiian shores, raspberry fizz, plum pudding buttons; white craft yarn, extra fine multi-colored glitter
tools- PTI Just the Ticket die; Just the Ticket impression plate; Cricut 'Plantin Schoolbook' cartridge (for circle)

tofu veggie stirfry

2011-01-15T15:05:00.000-08:00

My brother and SIL in Portland have declared 2011 the year of eating in. Cool. I'm all for it. We don't eat out much (but at the end of the post I will list our five fav eats in Uptown SD). Our family goal is vaguely increasing ayurvedic meals and decreasing animal proteins. Not a meat elimination here - I'm pregnant with twins and soon to be breastfeeding so I indulge my omnivore cravings. But a tempering. Here's some good stuff we had today:

An almost-vegan breakfast: organic flax whole wheat waffles with organic mixed berry puree and fresh fruit salad (cara cara orange, apple, bing cherries and red grapes). Olive oil spread and organic stick butter were both on the table - everyone reached for the butter.

Lunch was intended to be baked tofu fries with a mixed green salad but I opened the pack of organic extra firm tofu to discover it was cubed. Oops! Change of plans. My 6 month pregnant belly is making big dinners uncomfortable, so I decided to swap dinner and lunch and make a tofu veggie stirfry.

My so-called recipe: Cook 1 1/2 cups organic sweet short grain brown rice in a rice cooker with 3 1/4 cup filtered water and a dash of sea salt. 'Press' tofu cubes to remove excess liquid (sandwich them in a single even layer between clean dish towels and baking sheets - put a few cans on top and leave in the fridge for 20 min). Remove the tofu, put in a bowl and marinate with organic tamari, organic rice vinegar, raw honey, organic veggie broth, and fresh ground black pepper. Minced fresh ginger would be AWESOME but I forgot it. Leave to marinate for a bit, tossing occasionally. To reduce pitta (my ayurvedic 'dosha') I eliminated garlic chili paste - but it would be good too.

Meanwhile, chop veggies and place in separate bowls - 1/2 a sweet onion, a medium head of broccoli, 2 carrots (slice diagonally), a big handful of sweet mini red peppers. Rinse 1/2 can each of mini corns and water chestnuts.

Set a big electric skillet to a low-ish temperature. {I like the electric skillet because I can put all the tofu in a single, even layer to brown.} Heat a little organic toasted sesame oil and organic olive oil, then add onions to cook for a few minutes. Add tofu, stir, and spread the cubes out evenly; reserve the marinade. Cover the skillet and brown tofu for a minute or two. Stir and brown another side. Repeat. Next add carrot, stir, add reserved marinade and more tamari, vinegar, honey and broth. Whatever feels right. Cover and leave for a few minutes. Next add red pepper, maybe a dash more tamari, cover and wait 1-2 min. Finally add the rest of the veggies and a few splashes of whatever else (tamari, broth...). Grind on some black pepper. Stir, cover, and simmer until the veggies look bright and feel soft.

Put a little rice in a bowl for the kiddo, divide the remaining rice between two adult bowls. Cover the rice with tofu and veggies. Sprinkle on some black sesame seeds. Serve and be happy.

Okay, and just for fun, here are our favorite five dinners out in Uptown San Diego (that's the Hillcrest, Mission Hills, North Park, University Heights, Normal Heights, Kensington area):

Adobado Burrito & Shredded Beef Flautas w/ El Perfecto Margaritas @ Ponce's
Fish Tacos plates w/ Horchatas @ El Zarape's
Rainbow Roll & Crunchy Roll (etc) w/ Crazy Milk Specials @ Sushi Deli
Shrimp Pad Thai & Massaman Veggie Curry or Fried Tofu Spicy Noodles @ Bangkok Thai Spices
Honey Walnut Shrimp & Chicken Moo Shu @ City Wok
Chicken Kabob plates with rice & Hummus @ Mediterranean Cafe

Ok... that's six. Oh well. We love food.

xoxo,
Christy

happy & sad cards

2011-01-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a truly lovely day! Thanks so much to my family and friends (blogging & IRL) for all the love. It was also a good day because I made a card from scratch, no sketch, no special inspiration, no CASEing - yippee! This may not be a big deal to many of the creative and extremely productive folks out there, but I'm just a regular crafty gal :)

My one and only aunt is having a birthday, so I wanted something special. Cards for aunts scream for florals, but I've never actually purchased such a stamp set (I know, weird). I do have Round & Round, however, and we're originally Kansas girls so it had to be the sunflower - in golden yellow. Also purple because it's a complementary color, and I'm loving the spring time weather here (don't hate). The card base is from the Cricut cartridge, A Child's Year,

I also needed a card for the passing of a dear friend's father. I did a variation on a set of thank yous from a previous post (link here). For a masculine look I chose the wood impression plate on linen paper and inked the edges & grains with antique linen ink. I used my fingernail to further distress the edges (looking a lot better than my usual distressing with scissors). It's never fun to create a sympathy card, but I Iike this calming, soulful look.

xoxo,
Christy

SUPPLIES:

springtime birthday

stamps - PTI Round & Round (Fillable Frames #8 & Birthday Basics on the inside)
paper - PTI harvest gold, plum pudding, Egg Hunt patterened paper
ink - PTI summer sunrise, plum pudding, dark chocolate; antique linen Distress Ink
accents - PTI harvest gold buttons & swiss dots ribbon, new leaf baker's twine; yellow gems
tools- PTI Mat Stack 1 die; EK Success 1 3/4" circle punch, Marvy super jumbo (blue) scalloped circle punch; Cricut cartridge 'A Child's Year'

dove sympathy
stamps - Fillable Frames #2 (sentiment), Fillable Frames #8 (frame)
paper - PTI blueberry sky, enchanted evening, linen
ink - PTI enchanted evening; antique linen Distress Ink
accents - PTI vintage cream felt
tools- PTI Woodgrain impression plate, Peace Be Still Collection die

1-11-11 birthday roll call

2011-01-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

Oooo - a binary birthday! I also have someone new to add to my list of fabulous people I personally know with this birth date (see last year's post here):

Moriah McSharry McGrath
Amy Harms
Erin Relph
Salma Dahir
Baby Leda
myself

7. This year a dude made the list - Tony Cirrone who work at the SD Waldorf school ('This song is about a super hero named Tony. It's called Tony's Theme... To-ny! To-ny! To-ny!').

Important historical figures were born on 1-11, but that can be dry so here are some 'celebrities' instead:
Amanda Peet
Mary J. Blige
Naomi Judd

One more I can't resist: Albert Hofmann. January 11, 1906. Swiss scientist in the field of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Trippy. Makes me want to go on a bicycle ride.

And there you have it!

Today - some birthday crafting, dinner out (sorry, Tena!) and perhaps a Black Forest cake. There's an amazing Dutch bakery two blocks from our new home - Hans and Harry's (link here). At 7am on Christmas Eve I waited in line for over an hour to get their fresh fruit strudel. It was awesome good.

xoxo,
Christy

snowflake thanks

2011-01-08T07:17:00.000-08:00

Do you love creating patterned papers? I do! For one thing, it's a good way to use a lot of the stamps in a set. It always feels better to ink up stamps to use, not just collect :) For inspiration, I used a simple card from Niki Estes (link here) just tweaked a bit. I think she totally nailed the dove and Fillable Frames #8 combination.

I needed some thank you cards so I stamped a grouped block of sentiments from Inside & Out: Thank You. I filled in gaps with snowflakes in various sizes and hues of blue.

Blueberry sky and enchanted evening look so rich and gorgeous to me, and they pair nicely with rustic white and smokey shadow edging.

This sentiment from Star Prints is one of my all time favorites. The dove is glitter embossed so it's shiny and sparkly.

I love this pearlescent electric blue because it's so bright and shimmery in person. Yay - that's four special cards to thank four special people!

xoxo,
Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Peace Be Still, Inside & Out: Thank You, Fillable Frames #8, Star Prints, Rustic Snowflakes ('Handmade by' image on back of card)
paper - PTI blueberry sky, enchanted evening, rustic cream
ink - PTI spring moss, enchanted evening; Tsukineko Brilliance sky blue ink
accents - PTI blueberry sky saddle stitch ribbon; glitter embossing powder
tools- PTI Peace Be Still die, Fillable Frames #8 die

last post of the decade

2010-12-31T22:01:00.000-08:00

2010 came and 2010 went - how time is speeding by! We had a lovely first Christmas in our new home. Grandma and Grandpa Compton stayed for a few days and we enjoyed delicious food, good walks, and quality family time. Santa found the house, and the most loved presents this year were a bike, wooden jump rope, and unicorn pillow pet.

Now here's to a new year and a new decade! There's so much fun yet to come!

xoxo,
Christy

christmas cards

2010-12-27T20:57:00.000-08:00

Did you catch this adorable folk art card from Betsy Veldman last year (link here)? It's stamped with the PTI Christmas Friends set and I just fell in love. I made it into our 2010 card by adding my favorite sentiment from this year's Big & Bold Holiday Wishes set. (And, oh my, I always keep one 'mess-up' - it looks like I photographed my oops card!)

I LOVE Betsy's design but tweaked it to make it easier for mass production. Instead of ribbon & bows, I used diecut felt ric-rac and a diecut snowflake. The turtle doves image went on a separate pieces of cardstock, just in case of stamping mistakes :). I added texture by running it through a canvas impression plate, then inked the edges since I was not about to sew (did that last year and won't ever do it again).

I cut Pine's Rustic Snowflake paper into strips that could piece together as unique cards, even with a production line of 55.

Man, do I love seeing them all lined up! It was a labor of love - especially when interrupted with a surprise move on December 3rd. (We had our house on the market but never expected to sell so quickly. Luckily, the timing was right to get us into our perfect home for Christmas!)

This message and the fonts from Inside & Out: Holiday just blew me away. It's exactly what I wanted to say. These cards were a lot of fun to make... and I've already got some cute papers stashed away for next year's creations!

xoxo,
Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Christmas Friends, Big & Bold Wishes, Big & Bold Holiday Wishes, Inside & Out: Holiday, Peace Be Still, Rustic Snowflakes ('Handmade by' snowflake image on back of card)
paper - PTI rustic cream, Rustic Snowflakes patterened paper
ink - PTI pure poppy, ocean tides; Versamagic sage; Distress Ink antique linen
accents - PTI pure poppy, ocean tides, spring moss felt
tools- PTI Rickrack die, Mat Stack 4 die, Canvas impression plate; Cuttlebug; Marvy heart punch (orange)

advent spiral

2010-12-12T03:36:00.000-08:00

Our four year old had her first candle-held walk through the Advent Spiral with her kindergarten class at the Waldorf school. This a beautiful Winter ceremony symbolizing the individual receiving their Light in darkness.

(photo credit: whitt, flickr link here)

The spiral is fragrantly decorated with evergreen boughs, crystals, seashells, and other elements from Nature. In the center is a wooden stump with a large candle. Each child reverently carries an apple holding a beeswax candle through the two and a half turns of the spiral while soft lyre music plays. In the center the child lights their candle then walks back, stopping to light a candle on the floor and placing a glass lantern over top.

(photo credit: FaerieWaldorf, etsy link here)

Caitlyn tiptoed the entire way as she solemnly carried her candle. She looked beautiful in her new red and cream holiday dress, cream and red snowflakes tights, and long french braid. (Of course, her behavior was less than stellar as she waited her turn, but I chalk that up to being Caitlyn.) In true San Diego form it was an 80º evening so the only thing missing was cold weather.

I also enjoyed the dusk Lantern Walk through Presidio Park for the Michaelmas celebration in November, but there was something truly special about the Advent Spiral. Although this will be our last year at Waldorf, I know this is a special tradition we will recreate in our home every December.

With peace,

Christy

thanksgiving prep

2010-11-25T09:02:00.000-08:00

This year is our first year to do the turkey! I usually cook the trimmings alongside my mom who does the bird. But they're up in Oregon, and we're having this one last holiday in our first house (we move next weekend!). Here's what's on the menu (all recipes either Martha Stewart or Pioneer Woman):

Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey (PW)

My Favorite Brine (PW)

White Wine Gravy (MS)

'Lighter' side recipes are from the Nov. Living issue:

Garlic and Chive Mashed Potatoes (MS)

Green Beans Creamed with Mushroom and Shallots (MS)

Whole Wheat Stuffing with Turkey Sausage (MS)

Sweet Potato Puree with Browned Butter and Maple Syrup (MS)

Family classics:
Cranberry Orange Relish
Crescent Rolls

White Wine & Martinelli's Cider

Apple Pie by Grandma Ople

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Fresh Whipped Cream

And there - my first apple pie! I was nervous about the lattice, but no problem. The caramel sauce gets poured right over the lattice onto the apples, so it sugar-crisps nicely as it bakes. Now just a few hours until the big feast!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!!!

I am so blessed in my life and thankful for every bit of it.
Christy

alice, white rabbit & queen

2010-11-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Luckily the little flu that hit Friday was just that - little. By Sunday, and trick-or-treating, we were all ready to hit the scene. Thank goodness. Last year she got a fever the day of Halloween, so she was totally dragging all afternoon (see the picture here) then perked up for going out that night with her friend AND both families.

This year we cleverly re-cycled the same home-made costume by dressing up the rest of the family, and going around a different block ;)

I love our adorable 'matching' tights (I have pairs of these black-striped tights in red, white, pink, purple, green - I used to love wearing them!)

I'm also a repeat Alice offender. I'm been her in 8th grade, senior year on the homecoming float for 'Seniors in Wonderland', my first year of teaching at age 22, for Caitlyn's babyshower, and now pregnant with the twins.

So, yes, we also brought along Tweedle-Dum & Tweedle-Dee for trick-or-treating, but they're lying low ;) I'm 15 weeks now and greatly enjoying the ease of the second trimester. There are subtle hints of the discomfort to come though. Still, I'm excited to soon feel two babies jostling around in there! In just 21 days we find out the genders - can't wait!

xoxo,
Christy

happy hallowe'en!

2010-10-31T15:48:00.000-07:00

It's here! Tonight's the night! Are you excited too? We'll be hitting the houses on the block for trick-or-treating.

Here are some treats made for a gang of pre-schoolers (our party was postponed to next Sunday - the flu hit again). But they're all ready to go, and the perfect little fit for two treats each.

The Tiny Treats stamps are just TOO DARN CUTE. I have to share each treat:

Happy Halloween!!!

xoxo,

The First Lady of Halloween

it's almost here!

2010-10-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a little pumpkin cutie card. Looks a wee bit plain in the picture, but the spider webs are SPARKLY in real life! I took my MS glue pen and drew over all the lines, then sprinkled on my favorite ultra-fine, multi-colored glitter. (I started using this stuff for Burning Man costumes - a friend would pour a little pile in their palm and gently blow it all over my hair, face, and costume. FUN!)

I tried quite a few things on the inside that I've never done! I placed a bunch of images & words on an acrylic grid block and stamped them with Versamark ink onto colored paper, creating another sheet of designer paper. Then I trimmed the size I needed, stitched the edges (never put sewn bits on the inside of a card), and used pop-up dimensionals for the die-cut focal point (never even used my pop-ups before). And, I stamped a cute combo of sentiments where I would normally sign it, instead including a small written note on matching notepaper.

Yes, this is quite possibly the blurriest picture I've ever taken. I'm sorry. It's hard to look at, but I have nothing better. For the treat, just 2 dark chocolate-caramel Ghirardelli squares in a medium glasseine bag. The topper is a stampled die-cut made from from the same sheet used on the card inside.

Tonight, I'm finishing Halloween treats for our little party guests this Saturday. Then I need to research a scary (but not too gory or disgusting) movie to watch late at night on All Hallows Eve. I can't WAIT for all the trick-or-treating and fun!

xoxo,
The First Lady of Hallowe'en

designer halloween papers

2010-10-12T15:54:00.000-07:00

I tried my hand at making 'designer paper' last Christmas (see post here) and this year I made some Halloween papers. The PTI Halloween stamps were released right when we returned from a backpacking trip, so I was inspired by my camping hat:

I sliced and pieced together cardstock stripes which were Scotch taped in the back (perhaps there's a better way to do this - it worked for me). I forgot to take pictures before I cut a corner out of it :) After I cut, I re-taped the 'raw' edge to keep the sheet together. It looks so cool in person!

Next I stamped a patterned paper. It's hard to see in the photo, but there are plum pudding and scarlet jewel images here. Every good web needs a spider, so I stamped them next to star clusters.

I also punched and stamped a few double-sided Halloween tags (btw - I'm SO excited for new 1.75" circle mat dies from PTI!!!). At one time, there was one tag for every color, so I seem to have misplaced a few (orange and scarlet). I've got something fun up my sleeve for these later.

The blank, pre-folded, coordinating cards are ready for crafting, so we'll just have to see what becomes of it all!

xoxo,

Christy

witchy invites

2010-10-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

Halloween party time! I'd hoped these invites would be ready for the last blog hop because they use a technique I learned from Nichole Heady. She stamped a star border repeatedly to create a rainbow (in the Wish Big card at the bottom of the post here). I wanted the silhouette of a witch flying against a sunset, so I used plum, scarlet, terra cotta, orange and sunrise stars, clustered as tightly as possible.

I diecut the witch with the Cricut cartridge, A Child's Life, at 2 3/4" then ran it through a Xyron machine (helping all the detailed bits stay put). I diecut the label on bitty star paper and wrote the invitation details. I just love how Fillable Frames #4 coordinates with the label from Friendship Jar! The sentiment and bats are stamped on scraps of paper.

There also happened to be a 'warlock' image on the cartridge, so I made another version with a swap-er-oo of the colors. Love! The best part, of course, is seeing them all lined up. Ahhhh.

I didn't want the project to end, so I put a lot of detail into the envelopes. I tried Betsy Veldman's idea of sewing an A2 envelope to create a perfect 'pocket' for a 4x4" card. It worked great, and looked so finished (I highly recommend it!).

You can see the stitching on the front on the envelope, so I used the broom & stars image from Fall Jar Fillers to disguise things a little (colored with Copics Y32, Y35, V91, E55, T1 and 0). I couldn't resist a matching frame for the address (although most invites got hand-delivered). Finally, a fun envelope seal to complete the 'witchy' theme!

You could do these cute square cards using any ribbon, any sentiment inside the tiny label, and any focal point. I'm sure I'll use this design again ;)

xoxo,

Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Been Boo'd, Friendship Jar Fall Fillers, Friendship Jar, 2009 Halloween Tags, Fillable Frames #4
paper - PTI Bitty Star Basics; true black, orange zest, summer sunrise, lavender moon
ink - PTI true black, plum pudding, scarlet jewel, terracotta tile, orange zest, summer sunrise
accents - PTI satin plum pudding ribbon
tools- PTI Copic trios, FF #4 die, Jar Label die; Cricut 'A Child's Life', Cuttlebug, Xyron, vintage Singer sewing machine, 1 3/4" circle punch

card swap

2010-10-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

I got this Lovely pair of cards a week ago from Mary in the PTI halloween card swap. If I weren't preoccupied with the events covered in my last blog post I'd have gotten them up sooner! Of course, I'd also planned on getting 2 "Boo" gifts out to neighbors (haven't started them yet), sending my PTI swap card to Mariana (isn't finished) and decorating for Halloween (with 3 open houses this week I can't start yet).

But I CAN post some loveliness from Mary! I also got a PTI notepad from this summer (I didn't make it to CHA), AND the cards are blank on the inside... so I guess I can send them to friends!

I'm inspired by the soft Earth tones, the dimension behind the witchy image, and the fun mix of patterns & texture in the ghost card. They're gorgeous and I love them :) Thanks Mary!

xoxo,

Christy

the most wonderful time of the year

2010-10-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! September has blown in and blown out and what's left is a lot of October excitement and anticipation. Quickie-lickie, some news updates:

I'm pregnant with twins! (due 4/19, find out genders, etc. Thanksgiving week)
Our house just went on the market! (can't fit 5 people into 743 square feet)
I'm teaching 260 middle schoolers on a hectic 2 day cycle
Caitlyn started ballet lessons
Everyone in the house's recovering from a cold
Celebrated a special 5 year anniversary dinner @ Mr.A's

And now, it's finally beloved Halloween season!! I've been busily concocting some witchy invitations for a small gathering. I'm also drooling over some designer papers at Studio 45 - Hallowe'en in Wonderland. See them here. Be still my beating heart.

27 days until the magic!
xoxo,
ChrisTea™

quilters cards

2010-09-04T14:57:00.000-07:00

I've had this fun little card set up my sleeve for awhile. My mom is big into sewing so this special gift is for her. I also wanted to recycle the PTI stamp boxes for use with card sets, so now I've got a basic design (don't miss it at the bottom of the post)!

Here's the poppy quilt Birthday card (dark & bright cards get a ripe avocado border)...

the melon quilt Friendship card (softer colors get a spring moss border)...

the aqua quilt Hospitality Thanks card...

the avocado 'On the Mend' card...

and the chocolate Marriage card:

I looooved coloring the spools on the front of the envelope, each outlined with a little T1:

and the inside & outside of all the cards looked so pretty lined up-

I wanted to find a way to box a set so you can tell what colors/patterns are in it, as well as the different occasions. So I stamped and scored up a little stand that also helped fill the extra space in the CD box. I also wanted to put some paper tags on the outside so it wouldn't be all plastic-y:

Here's the detail:

And the back:

I had to get a little tricky with my tag because I wanted to use the same stitched circle border as the front, but it didn't fit with the trademark stamp I wanted, so I had to mask off the 'Papertrey Ink' part.

When I delivered it to my mom, it was with strict orders that she use upcoming occasions to actually USE the cards :) Apparently she sent one to my SIL for her birthday, so good job mom for sending, not hoarding, them!

xoxo,
Christy

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Quilter's Sampler, Daily Designs, Daily Designs Sentiments, Borders & Corners: Circle, Trademarks, Fresh Alphabet, Simple Alphabet, Fruitful Sentiments
paper - PTI Tea Leaves & Bitty Box PP, rustic white, kraft, poppy, melon, avocado, aqua, chocolate, moss
ink - PTI chocolate, poppy, avocado, melon, aqua
accents - PTI rustic jute twine
tools - PTI Copic trios; Scor-tape, Scor-it mini, EK Success 3/4" square punch, 1 3/4" circle punch & 2 scalloped borders punches, Marvy 2" scalloped circle punch

thanks nichole!

2010-08-30T15:49:00.000-07:00

Nichole, this blog hop is for you - thanks for everything that you do, from the bottom of my heart! There's hardly a day that goes by that I don't check in at PTI, or any of the DT's blogs, or the forum. You are such a big part of my life. You are my crafty idol!

Nichole Heady is the creative goddess behind the brilliant trio that is Papertrey Ink. Briefly, I discovered paper crafting for my Japanese Gardens wedding in Oct. '05 (I made the invitations, program, fan menu, origami crane placecards, entry giftbox, exit giftbox, wish tree tags, table numbers, and sparkler/matches holders). After that I took time off crafting to have a baby, buy a house, get a dog - all that good stuff. When I decided to explore stamping two years ago, I stumbled on Heather Nichol's blog, discovered PTI, and fell down the rabbit hole :)

This is my Thank You card inspired by Nichole, bright sunshine in my life:

I finally got a cuttlebug and can use PTI dies and impression plates, I made a card that would let me get creative. I was thinking 'Golden Harvest' while I designed it.

It was tricky with no harvest gold ink, but I stamped in lemon tart and kissed the edges with summer sunrise. I love it! The embossing is gold, the front of the card is linen textured and the diecut mat is canvas textured, so it's very luscious in person.

Here's to you, Nichole - we love you!!!

Christy

SUPPLIES:

summer vacation

2010-08-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

Five days after I finished teaching, we were on the road again from Southern CA to Oregon and Washington. In the morning, Caitlyn had her last gymnastics class, and we journeyed to the Compton's high desert home for a few days stay with Grandma & Grandpa. From there we drove north to our favorite overnight stop at the Gaia Eco-Hotel in Anderson, CA (just S. of Redding - see post here). I love to stay in eco-luxury for, like, $80. Awesome.

Here's Caitlyn doing a dance for joy after 1,200 miles in the car!!! We arrive in Netarts, OR - on the coast just west of Tillamook (cheese lovers unite!)

We hit the road for the trails about as quick as we can. Later our friend's, Jen & Josh (newly relocated from Arizona) take a long walk in the lovely, gray-zy weather.

What we call 'rock beach' is one of our favorite hangout spots. We go at lowtide to hunt for sealife and agates.

I say a hike's not a real hike unless there's an element of danger in there somewhere. Here's Caitlyn jumping over the "rushing river" to the sea so we can hike down the beach.

We found these amazing barnacles and green and pink sponges.

Caitlyn got her first hand at scrambling as we climbed out amongst the rocks & tidepools.

After a few days of relaxation on the homefront at Netarts Bay, we drove up to Washington state and took the ferry to the San Juan Islands. Caitlyn did a good job at the wheel.

Once on Orcas island, we drove to Moran State Park, where we camped for 3 nights and 4 days.

We didn't see the family staying in the tent in the background at the site near ours, until late at night. They were a couple from Seattle, Ian & Christina, with a 5-yr old Caitlyn (1/2 yr. older than ours). They invited us over for Smores, and we made plans to hike around Cascade Lake, since it was there last day there.

The hike was green and gorgeous - the weather was sunny and perfect.

The girls were intrepid young explorers.

The lake was beautiful, but we didn't want the fun to end too soon, so we kept on the trail.

After a quick map check we decided to take the hike up to Cascade Falls.

Lovely! And not far from a good place to stop for a lunchie trail snack.

Sunny fields of foxgloves and thistles on the way back. Tallest foxgloves I've ever seen!

It was a good day with a new friend - they were both great hikers!

The next day we drove to Mt. Constitution to visit the tower. Impressive looking!

Our last full day at camp, Caitlyn made one more friend - Mila from NY. We had a relaxing visit to the lake for a swim and some reading. There was a gorgeous bald eagle flying and roosting! It makes sense that we forgot the camera :)

There were also a few incidents with a midnight camp robber - oh deer! Before you know it, we were back on the ferry heading to the Oregon coast again.

This time Grandma & Grandpa were staying at Netarts, so we had a few days stay together.

Just a few family shots when we went out to dinner in Oceanside at Roseanna's.

(Someone got a full haircut and shave for the vacation! Made the trip much cooler)

We had a few days to get our gear in order, and then we were off for another 3 nights and 4 days of backpacking in Oregon at Mt. Hood National Forest up to Buck Lake.

The arrival was wonderful - we were carrying all the camp gear and 4 days worth of food!

But we resisted the temptation to set up camp right near the trail, and took off around the lake.

It was worth it for this GI-normous, secluded spot on the far side with the best view, a 'private' beach and warm, morning sun.

The water is cool, crystal clear, and turquoise blue. I was so sweaty and could not resist the urge to take a quickie dip :)

The next day we took a hike around the lake - the trail got really tedious and very scrambly, so it was definitely a hike in my book.

I couldn't believe I was seeing fall colors on the trees on that side of the lake!

It's always hard to say goodbye, but we had to be back in Portland for the weekend to visit with my brother and his family. We were consoled with a yummy visit for ales and meat sandwiches at Rogue Brewery.

On this vacation I read Ender's Game, Red Mars, two John Constantine/HellBlazer graphic novels, a Martha Stewart Living magazine, and 2 papercrafting magazines. The adults listened to Brisinger (Eragon series), unabridged on CD, and the whole family enjoyed listening to tapes of The Adventures of Squirrel Nutkin, and good ol' down-home Uncle Remus stories.

pti blog hop - office

2010-07-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

Yippee! I'm really excited about today's project! I've always been obsessed with office supplies and organizing - I'm a teacher and a Capricorn, so it's a double-whammy.

One thing I Really love is a rainbow of 'things'. My class periods are organized by rainbow color, I use a rainbow of dry-erase pens on my white board, I have a rainbow of categorized hanging file folders, and, of course, my craft room is FULL of supplies displayed in rainbow order.

The moment I saw Dawn's Color Couture download - with the little file folder cards, I knew I would have to make the entire PTI rainbow. And I did.

I needed little files to hold all my colored, punched shapes - this is what I do with my small paper scraps. I printed the download, enlarged the image by 108%, then trimmed about an inch off the bottom and taped the templates in order to fit into the egg box.

And because it's for MOI, I was free to decorate however I wished! I see a little of my whimsy-gothy came out :) But I love it.

All right - I'm looking forward to tonight's inspiration!!!
xoxo,
ChrisTea™

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Damask Designs, Recipe Label, Big & Bold Wishes
paper - every PTI CS except rustic cream and harvest gold
ink - PTI true black, pure poppy
accents - PTI black twill & swiss dot ribbon; pure poppy twine; white and black vintage buttons; black rhinestones
template - PTI July Color Couture Download
tools - Scor-It Mini; Cricut 'A Child's Year' cartridge
other - PTI egg box

graduation card

2010-07-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, another post of cards past. I made this card in May and sent it in July (hate when that happens). It's a CASEd card from Debbie Olsen on p. 126 of PaperCrafts 'Go-To Sketches' - with a masculine spin & I "PTI-ified" it. I've never put buttons on a guy card, but it does look real classy.

It's perfectly timed with the 8th grade graduating class from the school I teach at - this Tuesday! What a wonderful class they are... I've never seen a group of kids this amazing and they will be dearly missed :)

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Background Basics: Retro, Fresh Alphabet, Around & About Sentiments
paper - PTI white, enchanted evening, true black; PTI PP Black & White Basics
ink - PTI enchanted evening, true black
accents - PTI vintage black buttons

tools - Marvy circle punch

birthday season tags

2010-07-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Whew - this post has been molding in my saved folder for far too long. Summer's here, but I'm still teaching for 9 more work days. Just gotta hang in there!

Summer's one of those birthday season times of year. To simplify the card making, I had three large manila tags sitting in my paper drawer, and voila! I used Dawn McVey's Dotty Biscotti papers to inspire the color theme (which only ended up as a patch on the back) - C. picked the pink, orange and green. Of course, I only photographed the first of the set. *bummed* I never seem to get to b'day gifts in time.

The same swiss cheese border is on all three, and but the scalloped scissors used to cut the pink trim I substituted for dragon back with the boys' orange and green tags. I stamped the koi from PTI's Masculine Motifs - in Tsukineko Pearl Orchid ink for a shiny, girly effect. The sentiment is PTI Birthday Basics, letters are from a $1 alphabet set, and swirls are from the Basic Grey gamma series. Cardstock is PTI Raspberry Fizz, along with the other ink.

The other two boy tags were a purple & green owl tag, and a red & orange robot tag. Very fun stuff! I think I love making tags - instant gratification!

spring break

2010-05-31T14:52:00.000-07:00

Spring Vacation - we all had a full 2 weeks off and decided to take a FABulous roadtrip.

First stop - the beautiful desert in bloom!

The pond behind the Compton's high desert home always attracts birds and wildlife. On the horizon you can see where the shuttle lands when weather's bad in Florida.

Caitlyn, Grandma and Grandpa - scouting potential hiding places for snipes.

Our half-way point from CA coast to Oregon coast - Anderson, CA. This is a luxury eco-hotel, Gaia. In the background is a salt-water pool! (We didn't try it.)

The rooms are set around 'pod' units, each with private patio and lounge chairs. Our pod featured a swan nest (behind that lattice). Here's the daddy protecting his territory.

After two full days on the road, we arrive on the Oregon coast, at the Compton's pad in Netarts (not far from Tillamook). This is the view from the upper porch - stunning. The house backs up to an alder forest but you can still hear the surf over the wind in the trees.

The second the sun peeks out - we hit the trail! Not far from the house is this scenic ocean hike.

After seeing that, you just have to get down on the sand.

Spring time was gorgeous, but we'll be back this summer. Adding a little backpacking on to the adventure when the weather's better will balance things out nicely :)

Life is sweet!

xoxo,
Christy

button cherries

2010-03-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome PTI blog hoppers!

Tomorrow's my last day of teaching before a 3-week spring break! (I must say, I LOVE year-round schedule.) So, hours after my last class we'll be on the road for an up-the-coast trip, San Diego to Seattle. I haven't had much time to craft, but inspiration came from the blogs this Sunday morning!

I made a set of thank you's - inspired by Mish's cherry card post (here) and a CPS sketch (here). I love that this sketch made me think to try new ways of cropping papers, which now I'll try again! First I made this card:

But I really wanted to use some chartreuse ink so I made this one, stamping the sentiment in hibiscus:

At that point, I had to have a trio, so naturally there would have to be hibiscus - back to scarlet jewel ink for the sentiment:

Inside is a strip of coordinating paper with a thank you sentiment from Big & Bold Wishes, along with a little cherry stamp. The card front sentiment is from the Basic Grey gamma series. I discovered you don't need the die to cut this label - just trim the frame and use a ticket-corner punch. I also fell in LOVE with the rustic white PTI CS - that is THE best new neutral for me!

Enjoy your night, cherry bombs!

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI Everyday Button Bits, Fillable Frames #1, Big & Bold Wishes (not pictured, inside card), Paper Tray (not pictured, back of card); Basic Grey gamma series
paper - PTI kraft, new leaf, aqua mist, hibiscus, rustic white; Basic Grey lemonade series
ink - PTI chartreause, aqua mist, hibiscus, scarlet jewel; linen Distress Ink
accents - PTI vintage scarlet jewel buttons, cream twine

tools - Glue dots, adhesive

party thanks

2010-03-05T16:00:00.000-08:00

These cute little teapot thank you cards were the perfect end to our Alice-inspired 'tea' party birthday (see previous post, here). I just had to bust out the Cricut again. They coordinate with the teacup invitations (here). I white embossed the image onto PTI cardstock. The swirly vellum is Michaels circa 2004 (leftovers from wedding invites. I wrote on the insides in most of them with white in.

I have 3 Cricut cartridges but everything I cut is from A Child's Year - for this party there were red roses with green leaves, purple & green Mad Hatter's hats, and a banner in pink, mint, blue and purple.

We decorated the back patio with crepe paper, balloons - half of them polka dot with big white spots, and mixy-matchy dinnerware, all in the same fun colors. We hung a few strands of white star lights and put out some pretty tulips.

The HIT for the four-year old crowd were the cake pops. Bakerella of course (here). These were definitely red velvet yummi-ness. They stand in a foam rectangle covered in a sheer ribbon. I used sewing pins to push in a few buttons I've had lying around from making an Alice costume years ago.

(HOW does Bakerella make the pops look so perfect??? I tried two batches - one with melted white choc. chips and another with Wilton candy melts - both times it was very gloppy).

Here's a little gift set for Caitlyn from us - CASEd from Nichole (here). I LOOOVE this beauty she made! (Nice how I didn't take the time to iron the recycled ribbon ;)

Alas, for more photos. Before I knew it, the day was simply,

going...

GONE!

CAKE POPS HINT: after you've coated the cake pops for use in the display you'll have 40-something cake pops left in a typical batch. TOO many to coat (at least, for me). Instead I chilled the cake pops, then melted white chocolate chip, put the chocolate in a baggie, cut off the tip, and drizzled them on the cake balls. I did the same with dark chocolate chips. Deeelicious, easy and yummy for the adults too.

xoxo,
cch

caitlyn's tea party

2010-03-02T16:47:00.000-08:00

4 years old - wham! It sneaks up on you. Suddenly your baby is gone and there's this fun little kid in her place. We had a tea party - with Alice-y touches here & there. The favors are one of the new templates at PTI and designed to compliment the invitations (here).

The polka dots are white filigree embossed and the buttons are tied with 1/4" white silk ribbon. The handles are cute, cheap-o Michael's ribbons, where I picked up the color-coordinated M&Ms (NOT cheap). They only had dark green chocolates, which would not do, but I found green gums balls in the wedding area. Perfect. Gum is relatively new to most 4 year olds, so it was fun to watch them run around the backyard with their bags of candy *bad Waldorf mom*

I put the Cricut to use with a sign taped to the side of our house (and not the best morning light). There's also a little peak of the red roses & Mad Hatter hats I cut out in the upper corner of this shot (I meant to stick a little 10/6 tag in the hat but, you know, ran out of time). Check out that amazing homemade hat gift.

The kids decorated paper bag hats - of course I took no photos. We had a good playset sesh, a borrowed jumpy-jump, and an easy finger-food buffet. There were pitchers on the side of Iced Cookie Tea & Peppermint Candy Iced Tea. Everything went off well :)

More photos are coming - I just can't remember which Mac I downloaded them on to...

xoxo,

affirmations, pt.II

2010-02-25T18:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I admit, I've been in somewhat of a funk lately - life in a pressure cooker. But! For the last 3 days I started doing my goofy affirmation again each morning ("I am so happy that only wonderful things happen to me all of the time" posted here), even though I felt like it was ridiculous since I was feeling so stressed. I can only say that I have been having some AWESOME DAYS! Don't get me wrong - it's not that every moment of the day has felt super-duper, fantastic at the time - but all in all, every event that's come to pass has led me to a happier place. I'm brimming!

Here's a picture I grabbed today - I was reading on the back patio when Caitlyn yelled out, "Take my picture!" She was all snuggled up on the ground, with an umbrella. How could I resist. Since she's been four, she's been a dream. Two and three were a challenge ;)

valentines

2010-02-21T15:40:00.000-08:00

Caitlyn did a great job making valentines for her kindergarten classmates this year! I stamped & punched a scalloped circle glued to a folding flap card a la Pine (here). We used plain ol' red construction paper.

Caitlyn stamped the animals and sentiments herself (she turned 4 a week ago). I colored in the little heart.

But the original art inside each one truly warmed my heart and stole the show. She took so much time and was so careful with each picture - and there were 16 to do!

cps valentine

2010-02-07T17:11:00.000-08:00

Papertrey Ink is hosting the CPS sketch this week, so I thought I'd play along! I wanted to make a really fun, really bold Valentine for my good friend and maid of honor. How could I resist 4 different patterns and stitching out the wazoo? lol

I embossed PTI Damask Designs with white filagree powder onto true black CS, and with clear glitter onto raspberry fizz for the embellishment. The heart stamp is from Borders & Corners Hearts.

Hope your Valentine's crafting is going well! It's a blast, isn't it?

xoxo,

Christy

emboss resist toolbox

2010-02-05T17:01:00.000-08:00

My poor DH always gets the shaft - his birthday is just days after our niece's, DD's, and Valentines Day. By then, I'm crafted OUT. So, I took advantage of the recent anniversary challenge at PTI. The technique is emboss resist which was PERFECT for my needs. I wanted a toolbox like we have on the truck (DH is an umemployed commercial/industrial electrician). I couldn't WAIT to use the lil' tools from Daily Designs :)

I sponged smokey shadow over embossed pewter on soft stone cardstock. The stone was a little too soft, and the pewter too shiny, so the shadow ink helped tone it down. I also used my T6 Copic on the bright metal tag. The orange saddle stitch ribbon is a nod to Rigid tools (orange & black) - my DH's favorite tool brand ;) The tools are also embossed in pewter - Alli Miles, they are toooooo cute (for guy things...)

I'm lovin' this one.

xoxo,
Christy

pearl's birthday

2010-02-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

My beautiful niece Pearl is turning one this weekend.

Here's a lovely card to go with a cute dress - beige with brown & blue striped ruffles, and an image of bird on a tree with swirls.

Thanks to Becky for the image download - all part of the fun today at PTI!

I wanted to get those swirls in the card, and I snuck the sentiment into the clouds. That little pop balloon - too cute! lol

blog hop - inside & out

2010-01-25T18:50:00.000-08:00

Opsy!! I almost forgot about the PTI blog hop tonight! I didn't have a post prepped, so I'm just adding in a few shots of my latest creation - party invites for my almost-4 year old. She's having an "Alice's tea party" as she calls it. Very unbirthday.

I used a combination of PTI and Basic Grey stamps. The neutral cardstock is a gorgeous textured celery - the last remnants from my wedding crafting :)

Ok! Those were tons o' fun to make. Hope you enjoyed them! I also have an 'inside & out' wedding stationary set in my next post - feel free to take a look!

xoxo,

cch

wedding stationary: inside & out

2010-01-24T21:04:00.000-08:00

One theme this month at my favorite stamping place, Papertrey Ink, is cards 'inside and out'. Perfect! I like to go bonkers with coordinated touches inside the card, on the back of the card, and on the front & back of the envelope. Sometimes I stamp a tiny, coordinated image on the return address label. But I never take the time to document it. So for today, I've got a wedding gift and card for some dear friends of mine, Brandon & Evelyng.

First, the card, front: (has hard to see bling; flourish on envelope is avocado & chocolate). The grosgrain ribbon was ivory, colored avocado with my Copics. They do an AMAZING job, although the ribbon is rather stiff after wards. This little tip has come in handy for altering ribbon, brads, gems, buttons... I love it! Those markers are really money well spent for me.

and the inside: (here is used a double mat - the gift notecards have the same inner stamp but with a single mat & monochromatic look.

and the back:

The stationary gift set was the All Boxed Up template over at PTI, with six notecards:

That's it! I hope you liked it - I loved putting it together!

xoxo,
cch

raising baby

2010-01-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

Some of what we did seems old-fashioned (minus the full-time working mom part) but we really loved it & feel good about our successes:

Washed & folded cloth diapers. But no pins - we bought proraps seconds from the factory.
Breast-fed until 14 months with no formula. I pumped at work every 2 hours, and she never used a pacifier.
Cooked & smashed home-made organic babyfood (also never ate food from a jar).
No TV/movies for the first 2 years. Then when we moved 3 years ago we never set up the TV (but do love our Netflix on the laptop).
Slept sweetie in her own crib so we could keep our bed (and get some sleep).

Of course, every baby has their way about things.
As I watch ours grows, I know we're blessed with an outgoing, strong, adventurous, independent, willful, playful, young spirit - and I'm so happy about it.

jan 11th round-up

2010-01-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

So many people I know personally have a birthday today - all cool, strong Capricorn gals:

Moriah McSharry Mcgrath - went to college with my brother (Haverford); we spent two weeks with her in Madagascar when she was a Peace Corps Volunteer and caught a partial solar eclipse the moment our plane landed on the island/continent; like a true sister to me
Amy Harms - my super awesome little 'cousin' (granddaughter of my mom's cousin)
Baby Leda - must be 2 or 3 today; DD of my brother & Moriah's friends, Laddy & Christine
Salma D. - 7th grade student in one of my Life Science class; sweet, scarved Muslim gal
Erin Relph - special ed. co-teacher in my 6th grade Earth Science class; witnessed me tripping over a rolling backpack and branding my knees by falling onto my classroom's outdoor metal walkway
Me - 36 and very excited; no work today because I teach year-round school & DH is not working either so we're dropping the kiddo off at school and going to the movies

mish-inspired notebook

2010-01-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

Real quick, here's a notebook I CASEd last night from Mish in the idea gallery for Take Note at PTI. I made it for my mom to go along with the card. My dad just retired so they are permanently moving into their two homes - So Cal desert & Oregon coast. This is to help her get organized w/ 2 houses to go between!

xmas thanks

2010-01-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

I love to tie my christmas cards and christmas thank you's together, so the challenge at Nichole Heady's blog (here) was right up my alley… even if I was slow to start it.

There were lovely strips of left-over patterned paper I punched from a super-cool Mish photo-card design I used (here). For this layout I remembered a N.H. card I'd CASEd before (here). BONUS: this was also my first chance to use some of my new large envelopes I've been hoarding, which is a good new year thing to do.

Things are off to a GREAT start in my corner of the world - I hope they are for you, too!

affirmations

2010-01-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I do set three intentions for the year at the spring equinox (there's still time to see how last year's intentions are unfolding). Affirmations, on the other hand, are a daily way to hit the re-set button and get life flowing in a positive way.

The easiest and favorite I use is, "I am so happy that only wonderful things happen to me all of the time." It feels silly to say, like how we all used to laugh at Stewart Smalley, but I continue with the affirmation and then my business for the day.

Here's an enlightening little snippet on the matter:

Affirmations
by Owen Waters

Affirmations are used to reprogram the subconscious mind in a desired direction. This helps to empower you to move through emotional blockages which may be limiting your opportunities to experience life to the fullest.

Every time you make a mental affirmation, your subconscious mind hears it and adjusts towards the reality of that statement. The subconscious mind does not filter, it just acts

on your statements. It is important, therefore, that you feed yourself positive thoughts about who you are.

A great way to start is to make a habit of using the classic affirmation, "Every day, in every way, I am becoming better and better."

Ignore any skepticism that arises inside you when you start doing this. That's just the automatic response which comes from resistance to change. Remember, for every action in life, there is an opposite and equal reaction. When you launch into an action which will cause change, resistance to change can manifest as the automatic, opposite reaction. Just carry out your action regardless. Keep going with your affirmation, and turn it into a habit.

mish sketch challenge

2010-01-01T14:36:00.000-08:00

It's time to create a few baby cards and challenges are so handy to give me direction :) Michelle Wooderson - Mish - had a New Year's Eve sketch (here) and I had the joy of a LONG naptime to get it all done.

I pulled out the Basic Grey gamma series stamps - and remembered the so-called "Freaky Girl" :) I loved them all instantly - so Burton-esque.

Here's a close-up of that sweetie:

She's colored with a few Copics for the heart (RV04, RV17), hair (Y32) and some T1 and 0. I have a trio pack for hibiscus & leaf on the way, but alas, for now I used some good ol' Crayola colored pencils.

Adorables! Just cut these out from the DCWV Nana's Nursery paper pack. It was mostly paper play on this card - most of the stamping was on the envelope (on the back with the Around & About Sentiments I stamped 2 borders: Congratulations in hibiscus & hearts in blush.

xmas card wonderland

2009-12-19T16:18:00.000-08:00

I just love laying out a collection of coordinating cards... well, who doesn't - they look gorgeous (and you're glad it's finally over!). You can see the previous post for design credits.

This year I made 50 cards, which didn't seem too bad because there were so many different Basic Grey papers I was drooling over. And TONS of PTI scarlet jewel, aqua mist & spring moss ribbons in saddle stitch and polka dots. I finally tried making those Copic-colored gems/pearls/brads. Wow. Total money saver - and I dig using up stuff in my stash.

Here's the gal in her Hanna Andersson dress (every year we buy a size big at end-of-season sales and save it for the next year). We did our photo shoot at the zoo - so lush!

Everything was going well when suddenly - drama! - the cat takes a dirt bath and strolls across my master pieces. Ahh! Dirty beast. Why do they ALWAYS get right on top of your project?

Here just a few close-ups of some of the cards. My little moments of zen:

SUPPLIES:

stamps - PTI rustic snowflakes

paper - PTI kraft; Basic Gey Eskimo Kisses

ink - PTI snow; Versamagic

ribbon - PTI scarlet, moss & aqua saddle sticth & polka dot

embellish - glitter embossing powder, multi-color fine glitter, various gems/brads/pearls & Copic markers

tools - Scor-It, sewing machine, heat gun, glue pen, yellow Marvy circle punch, corner rounder, 1/8" Scor-tape, Tombow mono adhesive