affirmations, pt.II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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