Papertrey Princess Challenge 2

Yes... I'm late. Eh... but better post than never right? :) This challenge was to dust off our old stamps - we got extra points for being monochromatic but when you're late you can't worry about extra credit.

I haven't use either of these sets much recently but I love love love Out on a Limb but my stamping is usually "out of sight, out of mind". Sadly...

Don't forget about the blog candy as well :)

Stamps: Simple Little Things, Out on a Limb (PTI)
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz, White (PTI), SEI
Ink: White, Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Other: Ribbon (PTI), twine, buttons, border punch (Martha Stewart)

May PTI Blog Hop!

So it's that time again! It's the May PTI blog hop! :-D This month's challenge was to use yellow - certainly a color I don't typically use (based on skimming my previous posts). Be sure to check out all the other great creations!

I'm not a yellow fan. No siree. When I think of summer, I think of flowers and I've always loved the colors of a sunflower so I used that as my inspiration.

Well a certain someone (*cough*Ren-Yi*cough*) had been bugging for some tags. I kept putting it off... not sure why since tags are a lot of fun. I also got a tag die cut set awhile back when I first got my cuttlebug and I've found the dies to be super useful.

In addition to giving the tags, I wanted to have a fun way to present the them as well so I created a fun little box with my new scor-pal (definitely makes the whole customized box making process easier). The box size is 4 by 3 by 1 1/2.

The outside was stamped with Polka Dot Basics and then the inside was stamped with a floral center from Floral Frenzy. I found the white dot on the inside of the dots (while subtle) does tone the yellow down a lott. :) The outside tag was decorated to provide a peek of what's inside and covered with a little vellum just because! :) It's actually attached to the top of the box as you can kind of see in my second photo.

I created pretty generic tags this time since I just wanted them to be for any occasion. In the future, this said person will be getting some baby tags. ;-) Perhaps if shes lucky, it'll be in a similar box.

The tags were basically stamped with the summer sunrise and lemon tart flowers. I didn't have a to/from sentiment from PTI so I dug up one from an Christmas set from Hero Arts.

I managed to only stuff 6 tags into the box - mainly because of the ribbon. For my future tag endeavors, I think it might be nice to leave the ribbon off (so that it can be customized by the giver of tags). But I love ribbon and it makes the tag seem less naked. *smirk*

Thanks for hoppying by my corner of the world and make sure to check out all the other great creations!

Stamps: Floral Frenzy, Polka Dot Basics, Everyday Classics (PTI), Hero Arts
Paper: Lemon Tart, Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise (PTI)
Ink: Lemon Tart, Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise, Canvas (PTI)
Other: Tag Die Cut (Ellison), Ribbon (PTI, Martha), 1/2 inch circle punch (EK Success)

Happy Everything!

I was over the moon when I saw this post. Just wanted to thank everyone for their congrats and well, the continued support! :-) I love all my PSFs!

I will have some blog candy soon to celebrate and to show my appreciation! (Also I missed giving out candy during my bday week since I was out traveling on business so this is long overdue!)

In the meantime, here's the card! This also has a fun little mini-card that I made with some of my scraps I had laying around. Isn't it fun? I got the idea from May's Sheetload of Cards. :) I've always loved container gardens and I just wish I could find a cute container for my pots -- but it's nice to know I can always stamp one! ;-)

I pulled out a lot of sets for this card - as you can see in the supply list. But I wanted the sizing to be just right! :) I know I've been using the Mimosa paper from SEI a lot... (man I have an unhealthy obsession with SEI), but their colors match so well with the PTI's Melon Berry, Hibiscus Burst, and Raspberry Fizz!

Stamps: PTI (Scattered Showers, Around and About Sentiments, Green Thumb, With Sympathy, Out on a Limb)
Paper: PTI (White, Melon Berry, Hibiscus Burst, Dark Chocolate), SEI (Mimosa)
Ink: PTI (Spring Moss, Melon Berry, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avacado, Dark Chocolate)
Accessories: Ribbon (PTI - Raspberry Fizz), Punch (Apron Lace - Fiskars, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 inch circle - EK Success), gems (Hero Arts), Pin (Maya Road)

Happy BDay and Blog Candy Winner

Time to announce the blog candy winner...Random.org picked 2! That's AUsome mom. Congrats!

AUsome mom, email me at belinda dot chang at gmail dot com with your address. :D

This was a simple and quick card that I created for a friend's bday. Of course, silly me, it's still not been sent yet... the story of my life.

Stamps: Remember, Everyday Classics (PTI)
Paper: Pure Poppy, White (PTI), Black
Ink: Black, Pure Poppy (PTI), VersaMark
Other: White EP (Ranger), Ribbon (stash)

Friend - RSCC 6

Hidey ho chickies! This is for yet another Raspberry Suite Color Challenge! We're on week 6 - time to use aqua, berry, chocolate and white! :-) I've been enjoying the color challenges and it's nice to stretch my usual color combos a little. :)

Bri's out and I got to just sit and craft for a whole night w/o interruptions. No need to cook, no need to clean. It's been lovely! I didn't get a chance to craft at all last weekend as we've been out and about.

I had to switch my driver's license to PA since I don't live in the dirty South anymore. ;) But it's been more of a hassle than it should have been -- and mainly because my first name has a hyphen in it. (My parents gave me a Chinese first name.. Belinda's technically my middle name). For whatever reason, PA can't handle hyphens as the first name so they couldn't confirm that I was actually who I said I was when they tried to look me up. So they blamed NC, they blamed the Social Security office, they blamed everything under the sun. I'm pretty sure hyphens have been in names since who knows when. It's one line of code to change... sigh.

Oh well... going tomorrow morning AGAIN to try to sort this out. Crossing my fingers! I just want to drive, is that too much to ask?

Ok, now on to happier things, like this card! I don't know what it is about color challenges. Even though I might have used this color combo myself I just can't do it that well when I'm forced to! ;-) I kept wanting to add a color, take out a color, use some yummy patterned paper... well, you get the point.

I embossed some dots onto the brown cardstock. The vellum behind the sentiment is also dry embossed with dots. I love love love polka dots!

Added a fun butterfly made from a flower. The flower had 8 petals and I simple cut off some and glued them onto the middle with a button. Isn't it fun? I *LOVE* that you can turn a simple flower into a butterfly. I hope it looks like a butterfly - it's a little chubby. ;-)

Hope everyone has a lovely day!

Stamps: Beautiful Blooms, Floral Frenzy, Polka Dot Basics (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Berry Sorbet (PTI), VersaMark
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Berry Sorbet, Aqua Mist (PTI), Vellum
Other: Ribbon (stash), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Button (Making Memories), 1 inch circle punch (EK Success), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo), Clear EP (Ranger), Flower (Making Memories)

Happy Mother's Day

Hope everyone had a happy Mother's Day!

I made this with the weekend sketch hosted by Jenn Balcer. However, I didn't want to share it on the blog just yet in case this specific someone actually reads my blog. Dunno... no one else in the family does... but just to be safe.

This little diddly SHOULD have been sent off to my mother-in-law but since I was on a business trip last week, I'm never really sure. The hubster is forgetful sometimes.

I did modify the sketch since as usual, I'm a challenge cheater. When have you ever seen me do a challenge correctly? I like to call it artistic license!

I love ribbon and I couldn't do without it on this card but I must have spent like 30 minutes staring at it wondering how to best get some on. Finally decided on a side knot (if that makes sense). Wrapped the ribbon around the card and tied it on the side.

Hope all you mothers had a lovely day filled with love!

Stamps: PTI (Tags of Spring), SU! (Happiness Always)
Paper: PTI (Melon Berry, Dark Chocolate), SEI (Mimosa)
Ink: PTI (Melon Berry)
Accessories: Pearls (Hero Arts), Ribbon (PTI - Spring Moss), Punches (1 3/4 and blue scallop)

CardPatterns Sketch 14

So I've been really enjoying super quick cards - where quick is relative. ;-) Punches and stamping - nice and simple!

This is a sketch from CardPatterns. Isn't it a fun little diddly sketch? I was reading an article on Roman columns and so when I saw the boxes, I thought why not make my own stamping columns.

I also embossed with some clear sparkly embossing powder - hard to tell in the photograph though. I should have done the embossing after the punch - will definitely have to sharpen my punch. ;-)


Stamps: PTI (Life)
Paper: PTI (Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, Melon Berry, Dark Chocolate, White), SEI
Ink: PTI (Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, Melon Berry)
Other: Twine, Ribbon (PTI), Punch (Martha Stewart)

More happy mail!

I got some more mail today! :-) More happy bday mail!

This first cutie is from Laurie. Aren't those colors so fun and love the fun brads on the bottom. Laurie always has such original layouts too! Go visit her blog for some more fun cards and her recent wedding invite!

And in case you ever wondered, guys can make some dandy cards! This next one is proof of that!

Now this one was unexpected. ;-) My brother sent me this - heh, making cards runs in the family! I love the touch of vellum over the card and the cut-out letters. Despite the lack of fancy schmancy paper cutters, I think this is one dandy card. Even the hubster was impressed and he isn't always impressed with my creations. ;-)

RAKs

So, thanks to the postal service these are some overdue thanks! Ladies, let me know if you have a blog I can link to. :-)
This RAK is from MollyDR. Love the fun embellishments she put in the middle of the flower. Adorable!

This card is from Lynn (Muzbysmom on SCS). I love the piercing on it! Isn't it just cool? And that yellow just kinda pops out at you! So sweet indeed!

And last but certainly not least, Tracy sent me this beauty congratulating me on my recent marriage. Isn't is lovely? I love the fun sparkle on the damask and the fun colors contrasting with the black. Go check out more of her work at her blog here.

It's so great to have such lovely cards to come home to after a long business trip! And let me tell you... it was probably the WORST traveling trip I've had in awhile. First off, on my way to the client, the schmuck in MY ROW decides that he's going to light up in the bathroom. I'm not against smokers... if you need to smoke, I totally understand - but don't break the law doing so. There's also a reason they ask you not to smoke - the air doesn't clear out for a long time. For the next two hours, I stood in a corner trying not to breathe too much while the flight attendants tried to talk to this guy since he kept denying that he did something wrong. Just a word of advice - they have your name and you can't run... just tell the truth. What makes this worse is he was on my flight going back! If I wasn't so tired, I would have demanded to be switched but I figured he wouldn't make the same mistake twice right?

Ok, I'm done with my rant. I'm really not a mean person... I just like when people respect the rules.

Grays and Pinks - oh my!

This week's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge was a toughie. For someone who likes pink so much, you'd think I'd have an easier time of this challenge. NOPE. I'm gonna share them anyways but I'm not thrilled with them right now. I don't know what it is... I love pink and I love gray...


So Glad We're Friends
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: PTI (Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst), Unknown
Ink: Brilliance White, PTI (Raspberry Fizz), VersaMark
Other: Punch (Martha Stewart), Ribbon (stash), White Embossing Powder

Thank You For Your Kindness
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: PTI (Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, PP), Unknown
Ink: Brilliance White, PTI (Raspberry Fizz)
Other: Punch (Fiskars), Ribbon (stash)

Gratitude
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: PTI (Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, PP), Unknown
Ink: Brilliance White, VersaMark
Other: Punch (EK Success), Ribbon (PTI), White EP

Laurie's Shower

When I first saw Scattered Showers, I knew I had to get it. :-) Being born in April, I was always recited "April Showers Bring May Flowers". I've had an obsession with umbrellas since I owned my first purple California Raisins umbrella. It was *hotness*.

I'm also super excited since I'm hitting the age where my friends are getting married -- and hopefully having babies soon... someone, please? I've been itching to make baby stuff for awhile. So I knew this set would get lots of love.

This weekend is my friend Laurie's bridal shower -- go stop by her blog and send some love! Due to the fact that I'm traveling once again this weekend there was no way I could make the time sadly. I tried a bunch of options but alas... So I'm sending her a package of goodies, which I know she won't have gotten yet since I'm sending them to CA.

Hope you have a lovely shower Laurie and best wishes in the future!

Stamps: Scattered Showers (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Archivers
Other: Punch (Martha Stewart), Ribbon (PTI, Summer Sunrise), Twine (Archivers), Clear EP, Tag die (Sizzix)

CASE-ed Thank You

The Stamp Something blog's challenge this week was something for mom and to CASE Cindy, one of the DT members. I chose her card here from the Showers and Flower challenge. Also mofified it so that it was like the sketch from May's Sheetload. I loved the fun layout and stuck with a similar one. Used floral stamps as well since I don't own the stamps she used.

True to my own style, I chose some fun papers from SEI. Man, when I first cut into that Hibiscus, I nearly had to find my sunglasses. Yet now that it's all put together, I think its adorable. Because I did think it was too bright, I added some swirls from my favorite set Remember and used some fun clear sparkly embossing powder.

Stamps: PTI (Life, Remember)
Paper: PTI (Hibiscus, Sunrise, Chocolate), SEI
Ink: PTI (Sunrise, Rasberry Fizz)
Accessories: Ribbon (May Arts), Tag Punch, Button (Making Memories)

Dawn's Color Challenge

Hope you guys are all having a smashing weekend! Sadly mine's going to be cut short thanks to a business trip and potentially even shorter thanks to a volleyball game?!?! The hubster has a volleyball championship game he *really* wants to go to so me thinks I'll be dropped off at the airport even earlier than I intended. Sigh... the things I do for love.

As a side note - it is nice that ONE of us is on a winning volleyball team ;-) Not that winning makes the sport more fun - since I think Carrie et al and I had a grand time losing every single game! I'm so bad at sports that when I volunteered to be a part of the hubster's team, he got really quiet. I think he didn't know what to say (or maybe he was laughing inside and trying to supress it). I try though... and look really darn cute while playing! ;-)

So onto the card deets! I've never really partaken much in color challenges -- when I first started carding I didn't have all the colors so I kind of just gave up. I know, I know... but I thought this week's color challenge hosted by Dawn seemed like a perfect one to ease into! First of all, it was three colors this weekend (very managable) and second I had those colors (score!).

I embossed the umbrella in a white EP (reminder to self - should really find a detail white) and cut that sucker out. I actually stamped it once without the handle first - so I'm sure we'll be seeing more white umbrellas on this blog in the future.

I adore the fun ribbon treatment. I love the effect of two ribbons - double the fun! I wanted to do a pseudo button ribbon approach so I poked two holes into the punched circles and strung my twine around the bows and tied it around the umbrella. :-D Brilliant if I can say so myself. Ok, I'm sure many other of ya crafty ladies had already thought of this - give me my moment, k?

I even stamped the inside this time - probably a first for me. Heehee. Everyone always opens my cards and is like WTH dude? And I always respond with er? So demanding kids! So here we go - the beginnings of an inside. We'll get better I'm sure but I wanted to prove to everyone that I, Belinda, can stamp the inside of a card too! Just don't start expecting it every time now. ;-)

Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Scattered Showers, Birthday Basics, Polka Dot Basics)
Paper: PTI (Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate, PP)
Ink: PTI (Dark Chocolate), Versamark
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Ribbon (PTI and from stash), Punches (1 1/2 and 1 3/8 circles, Martha border punch)

More wedding photos!

I promised and here it is... the dress pic.

I'm in the process of compiling the "best of" pics as an album but in the meantime, I thought I'd share a fun pic or two. :-)

The month before the wedding I kept wondering if I'd be able to fit into the dress since it basically just hugs me all the way down. That didn't stop me from eating fried chicken, biscuits and gravy and other Southern goodness before I left the dirty south though! No siree! But I did heave a huge sigh of relief when I fit into the dress the day of the wedding. ;-)

Found the necklace on overstock.com and the dress at a wedding outlet store in NC. Yay for outlets! It fit pretty much perfectly... all my stemstress (Olga - she was great!) had to do was bustle the dress and add fake padding (some of us are not well endowed)