Wplus9 Apr./May Release: Day 1

This has got to be my most favorite time of the month!  I LOVE Release Week, especially when it involves fabulousities from Dawn's creative genius!  We've got six (YES, I said SIX!), brand new, stamp sets to show y'all this month, including coordinating dies and a sweet, little surprise, Wplus9 Design's first impression plate.  Woohoo!  All will be revealed in due time.  So, I hope you'll join in the fun all week long!  Today we're showing off creations boasting three of those six sets, including Damask Doilies, Onesie Twosie and its coordinating die, and Background Builders: Knit.  I've got three, card creations to share with you all.  So, let's just get started.

{Photo Removed for Publication}

I started this card by stamping the various sizes of doily images, from Damask Doilies, in White ink, on a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock, which had its top corners rounded and was ink distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks.  I then stamped the leaves, which are a sneak peek of one of tomorrow's reveals, Mother's Day Bouquet, in Lucky Limeade ink, in their respective locations and added the hemp twine stems, which were thread through Rich Razzleberry buttons, anchored in the centers of each doily.

{Photo Removed for Publication}

The prepped piece was then framed with a piece of Rich Razzleberry cardstock, which, too, had its top corners rounded, before stamping the "to the happy couple" sentiment, from Damask Doilies, in Basic Black ink, on a strip of yellow, floral, patterned paper...

{Photo Removed for Publication}

adhering it just below the stamped flowers and overlapping the ends of the flower stems; machine stitching, with white-threaded, straight stitches, the length of its top edge; and trimming its bottom edge with a length of white, scalloped lace, topped with olive ribbon, tied, in a bow, near its right edge.  The whole thing was then adhered, with foam tape, to the Barely Banana, cardstock, card face, to complete the look.

{Photo Removed for Publication}

For this next card, I couldn't resist pulling in a couple of oldies but a goodies, So 80's and Classroom Backgrounds, to create this.

I started this card by stamping the dotted bursts, from So 80's, in Pool Party ink, on a piece of ink distressed, Whisper White cardstock; the large stars, from So 80's, in Not Quite Navy ink; the small stars, from this month's new, Onesie Twosie, stamp set, in Not Quite Navy ink; and the shooting stars, from another one of tomorrow's reveals, Super Star, in stamped off, Basic Grey ink.  I then stamped the notebook lines, from Classroom Backgrounds, in stamped off, Basic Black ink, over everything and centered the stamped, in stamped off, Basic Black ink, "Rock" on those lines in the top right corner.  After adhering the prepped piece to my Basic Gray, cardstock, card face, I machine stitched, with gray-threaded, zig-zag stitches, around its edges.

A strip of aqua, polka dot, patterned paper was then adhered near the card face's horizontal center; machine stitched, across its top and bottom edges, with gray-threaded, straight stitches; and wrapped with a length of white, seam binding ribbon, tied, in a dressy bow, near the right edge of the card face and embellished with an aqua button, laced with a couple of hemp twine bows.

A file folder tab was then tucked under the bottom left corner of the patterned paper and stamped, in Basic Black ink, with "baby boy" from Onesie Twosie.

I then hand cut a circle from sticky-backed cork; adhered it just to the left of the embellished bow; machine stitched, with gray-threaded, zig-zag stitches, around its edges; and dressed its center with a Cricut-cut, from Not Quite Navy cardstock, and glittered star, as well as a stamped, in Pool Party ink, on a coordinating, Whisper White, cardstock, Onesie Twosie die cut and ink distressed onesie.  The center of the onesie was stamped, in Basic Black ink, with the "born to rock" sentiment.  Both the onesie and the sentiment are from Onesie Twosie, and both of the cork's embellishments were adhered with foam tape.

Are you still with me?  Because I've got one more beauty to share, with you all, today.

I started this card by black embossing the knit background, from (You guessed it!) Background Builders: Knit, onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  I then inked over everything, to create a rainbow effect, using Barn Door, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, and Dusty Concord Distress Inks, before framing it with a piece of Wisteria Wonder cardstock.

The "we are so happy for you CONGRATULATIONS" sentiment, from Damask Doilies, was stamped, in Riding Hood Red and Basic Black inks, on a Whisper White, cardstock die cut, using another sneak peek of tomorrow's reveal, the Banner Trio die.  Gosh, I need to stop giving everything away!  LOL!  After adhering the sentiment banner, which I trimmed the right side of, flush with the framed edge, I machine stitched, with white-threaded, straight stitches, around the embossed piece's edges and adhered it to the Whisper White, cardstock, card face.  I then tucked a die cut, from vellum, using the Label Layers 3 die, and dry embossed, using that fabulous, new, Chevron impression plate that's not being revealed until Day 3, but that I've managed to tie into today and tomorrow's sneaks, too (LOL!  I'm terrible!), label under the sentiment and embellished it with a red button, laced with Baker's Twine, as well as a red Sparklet.

That's all, for today, folks!  Can't wait to share all that's in store for tomorrow!  So, please come on back to the same place, at the same time, for more papercrafted creations, boasting a fantastic, April/May Wplus9 Design Release.  Before you're off to whatever has you running today, please also be sure to check out what the rest of the team has been up to.  Thanks so much for humoring me with a visit!  I'd LOVE to know what you all think so far!  Hugs! 

Cristina Kowalczyk
Dawn Woleslagle
Elise Durenberger
Jean Martin
Kerrianne Gwin
Lea Lawson
Savitri Wilder 

{Photo Removed for Publication}
{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Damask Doilies - doilies & sentiment & Mother's Day Bouquet - leaves (Wplus9) Paper: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, & Barely Banana (SU); yellow floral (Basic Grey) Ink: White, Lucky Limeade, & Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Corner punch, olive ribbon, & Rich Razzleberry buttons (SU); foam tape (Scrapbook Supplies); white scalloped lace & hemp twine (Hobby Lobby)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Onesie Twosie - onesie, little star, "born to rock", & "baby boy", So 80's - dotted burst, large star, & "Rock", Classroom Backgrounds  - notebook, & Super Star - shooting star (Wplus9) Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, & Not Quite Navy (SU); aqua polka dot (lilybee design) Ink: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Pool Party, & Not Quite Navy (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: gray thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Onesie Twosie die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); cork (Mega Brands, Inc.); white seam binding ribbon (Zipper Stop); Dazzling Diamonds (SU); George & Basic Shapes Cricut cartridge & Cricut (Provo Craft); file folder tab (Jenni Bowlin); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); aqua button (October Afternoon)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Background Builders: Knit & Damask Doilies  - sentiment (Wplus9) Paper: Whisper White & Wisteria Wonder (SU); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Riding Hood Red & Basic Black (SU); Barn Door, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, & Dusty Concord (Ranger); watermark (VersaMark) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Label Layers 3 & Banner Trio dies (Wplus9); Chevron impression plate (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); black embossing powder & heat tool (SU); red button (DeNami Design); Baker's Twine (Clean Country Paper Supplies); red Sparklet (Kaisercraft)

Friday Faves

It's so hard to believe that we're at the end of another month once again, but it is always so fun to share a few of the things that have caught my eye each month, too!  So, without further adieu, let's begin this month's Friday Faves with these Fluted Flower...

and Red Gingham Baking Cups from Bake It Pretty.  Don't you think they'd add just the right amount of flare to those pending summer festivities?  But if these cuties don't float your boat, Bake It Pretty's got them in Carnival Stripe, Vintage Damask, Plaid, Polka Dot, and Hounds Tooth, as well as most of these same patterns in a mini size.

I absolutely adore all the woodgrain, chevron stripe, and stitched patterns in My Mind's Eye's On the Bright Side One 12x12 Accessories Kit!

I also LOVE how Echo Park's Note to Self 12x12 Collection Kit is packed to the brim with vintage appeal!

One of these fabulous Wood Die Cut Doilies, from Maya Road, came in my December Jenni Bowlin Kit; but I'm telling you, one just wasn't enough!

Speaking of Jenni Bowlin, the versatility of her new Branch Mercantile Exclusive Stencil is outrageous!

I'm also loving this She Art Collection Vintage Doily Mask from Pink Paislee.  Talk about spritzing and painting and gessoing and inking 'til your heart's content!

If you're a regular follower of my blog, you may remember that I got myself a new camera back here.  And I absolutely love it to pieces, but I'm not loving the way it fits, or the lack of protection it receives, in my current bag.  So, after extensive perusing, I've locked my sights on Kelly Moore's Posey 2 Orange Sherbert Bag.  What more could a girl want...

other than a this Burnt Orange Floral Camera Neck Strap, from The Sweet Strap, to match?

That sums up this month's edition of my Friday Faves!  I've got so much to share with you all, but it's all going to have to wait until the April/May Wplus9 Design Release is over.  I've been one busy girl and cannot wait to share!  All the action begins, at 11:01 pm CST, tomorrow night, and I hope you'll come join in the fun!  Until then, have a fantastic start to your weekends, and be blessed!

PDCC125

It's Color Splash Week at The Play Date Cafe!  For Challenge #125, we're asking you to make black and white creations with a splash of brown.

Isn't that just the best graphic?!  LOVE!  Here's what I've created to hopefully inspire some of your own creations.

I started this card by distressing, with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks, the edges of a piece of ivory, burlap, patterned paper and machine stitching, with black-threaded, straight stitches, a frame in the top portion of it.

I then filled in that frame with several black and white, patterned, paper squares, whose edges had be cut with pinking shears.  Each square then received a different embellishment.  Starting in the top left corner and moving clockwise, the first square was dressed up with a cream, doily flower, as well as a brown button, laced with hemp twine.  The second was embellished with a die cut from Very Vanilla cardstock, ink distressed, and stamped, in Basic Black and Chocolate Chip inks, with the "THANK You" sentiment, tag, thread through a mini safety pin.

The third was enhanced with stacked, kraft butterflies, which were anchored with a cream, heart, trinket pin.  And finally, the fourth was wrapped, three times, with a length of hemp twine, tied in a bow.

I then framed the entire, prepped piece with a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock; wrapped it with a length of Chocolate Chip ribbon, which I tied, in a bow, just left of vertical center; and adhered, with foam tape, to the Basic Black, cardstock, card face.

Now, it's your turn!  You have until the close of the day EST, next Tuesday, April 3, 2012, to link up your takes over at the challenge link above.  Please also use that link to see what the rest of this fabulously talented team has created, just for your viewing pleasure, as well as to find out what you're playing for, this week, from The Twinery.

Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of the web!  Be blessed! 

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Season of Thanks - "THANK" & Spring Post - "You" (Wplus9) Paper: Basic Black & Very Vanilla (SU); ivory burlap & solid black (Nikki Sivils); black & white chain link & polka dot (Jenni Bowlin); black & white floral (My Mind's Eye) Ink: Basic Black & Chocolate Chip (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Timeless Tags die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); pinking sheers (Fiskars); Chocolate Chip ribbon (SU); cream doily flower (Jenni Bowlin); brown button & safety pin (Hobby Lobby); foam tape (Scrapbook Supplies); kraft butterflies (Studio Calico); cream heart trinket pin (Maya Road); hemp twine (Creative Impressions)

Papercraft Star 90: Easter

Welcome to Papercraft Star's Challenge 90: Easter!

The picture is always there as inspiration, if you so choose to use it, but we'd like to see your Easter creation boast an egg or a chick this week.  Here's my take.

I started this card by stamping the branches, which were later dressed up with a little glitter, in Crumb Cake ink, on a strip of Whisper White cardstock, in a circular pattern; the chicks, in Wisteria Wonder ink, in the branches' centers; and the hearts, in Melon Mambo ink, between the leafy connections.  I then adhered it down the vertical center of a piece of purple, doily paper that was punched down its right side; tucked a portion of a hot pink, lace, cardstock sheet under its bottom right edge; and machine-stitched, with turquoise-threaded, zig-zag stitches, down both of its long sides, before adhering it to the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face, which had its right-side corners rounded.  The "EASTER Blessings" sentiment was then stamped, in Basic Black ink, along the top right side of the stamped piece.

A length of turquoise, gingham ribbon was then wrapped, vertically, around the card face, just to the left of the stamped piece and tied, in a bow, near the top edge of the card face.

Finally, I created the rosette from a white fabric that was lurking in my scrap bins; adhered it in the center of the lace, cardstock piece; flanked it with a couple of stamped, in Tempting Turquoise ink, on Whisper White cardstock and hand cut leaves; and embellished it with a hot pink, button blossom, laced with a duet of hemp twine bows.

Further inspiration for this card came from Embellish's Rosettes Color Trends Challenge.

Now, it's your turn!  You have until next Monday, April 2, 2012, at 6:00 am EST, to link up your takes, over at the challenge link above, in order to be in the running to win digital pages from our permanent sponsor, The House Across the Bay.

Please also use that link to check out what the rest of the team has been up to.  Thanks ever so much for stopping by, and have a fabulous day! 

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Folkart Florals - chick & branches, Spring Tags - heart, Ever After - leaves, & Spring Post - sentiment (Wplus9) Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, hot pink lace, & purple doily (SU) Ink: Crumb Cake, Wisteria Wonder, Melon Mambo, & Basic Black (SU) Other: turquoise thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); turquoise gingham ribbon (Hobby Lobby); Edger punch (EK Success); Dazzling Diamonds, Corner punch, & hot pink button blossom (SU); hemp twine (Creative Impressions)

Three in One

Good morning!  So, I thought that I'd pop in here real quick, while I'm listening to the thunder roll outside and my kiddos screeching in the next room, to share a card creation with you all.

I started this card by clear embossing the "thankful" text over a piece of brown, damask, patterned paper; adhering it to the suede, polka dot, patterned paper; and machine stitching, with ivory-threaded, zig-zag stitches, around its edges, before adhering it to the Barely Banana, cardstock, card face.

I then trimmed the bottom of a strip of blue, damask, patterned paper with a punched strip of Very Vanilla cardstock; adhered it in its respective location; and machine stitched, with brown-threaded, zig-zag stitches, the lengths of its top and bottom edges.  It's center was dressed with a length of color-coordinating, plaid ribbon; tied, in a bow, just right of vertical center; and embellished with a metal key, laced with a couple of hemp twine bows, as well as a chipboard house, which was covered in a yellow, gingham, patterned paper and ink distressed, and a "home sweet home" brad.

The "Welcome HOME" sentiment was stamped, in Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip inks, on a tea-stained tag, which came laced with string, and anchored, vertically, just above the embellished bow and near the right edge of the card face, with foam tape and a mini clothespin.

Finally, I pinned a handmade by me, using scrap fabric, lace, a brown button, and pearls, floral pin through the card face, just to the left of the stamped, sentiment tag.  A little trick I use to make sure those pearls aren't going anywhere is to fill in the spaces between them with Crystal Effects.

And just so I don't have to explain that this card is a gift within a gift, I like to make sure the pin goes through all layers and is visible from the inside.

Inspiration for this card came from Color Combos Galore's Inspiration Board #224...

The Paper Players' Challenge #88...

and Do You Stack Up's Challenge #64: Plaid.

Before I run, I'm absolutely thrilled to share a few recognitions with you all.  This card was featured at Deconstructing Jen.  This one received an Honorable Mention at The Shabby Tea Room, and this creation not only received an Honorable Mention at The Shabby Tea Room, but was also name What's Hot over at Embellish.  Thank you ever so much to all those who made the above possible!  I'm absolutely honored and utterly thrilled to have received such honors!

That's all, for today, ya'll!  Please don't forget that you have until the close of today EST to link up your takes on The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #124.  Then, I hope to see you all back here bright and early tomorrow morning for a fun take on this week's Papercraft Star Challenge 90.  Until then, thank you ever so much for stopping by, and have a remarkable week! 

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Kisses & Cuddles - "Welcome" & Defining Words - "thankful" text (Wplus9); House a Home - "HOME" (Ippity) Paper: Barely Banana, Very Vanilla, suede polka dot, yellow gingham, & blue damask (SU); brown damask (BoBunny) Ink: Bashful Blue & Chocolate Chip (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger); watermark (VersaMark) Other: ivory & brown thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Edger punch (EK Success); mini clothespin (Canvas Corp.); tag (Kraft Outlet); "home sweet home" brad (Doodlebug Design); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); key & chipboard house (Jenni Bowlin); pearls (Zva Creative); brown button, ivory lace, & plaid ribbon (Hobby Lobby); blue fabric (unknown); Crystal Effects, clear embossing power, & heat tool (SU); foam tape (Scrapbook Supplies)

Weekend Snapshots

Hey, ya'll!  I hope you had memorable and relaxing weekends!  We started ours at Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic.  BJ captured this photo, of us building mini chalkboards, on his cell.

While we were there, I got a call from my Mom, inviting us down for dinner.  My little sister and her family were already there, working on a home project with my Dad.  Then, my big sister came, with her family, to bring a stray kitty to live on my parent's land.  And finally, my little brother decided to use the opportunity to introduce everyone to his girlfriend.  So, as soon as Adina's friend's little birthday party was over, we jumped in the car and made the trek, while Adina napped on the way.

Here are some of my favorite pictures, from our afternoon/evening, at my parents' place, beginning with this picture of my nephews, Hunter and Grant, hanging out, on the dock, with Ezekiel.

This is our dog, Summer, relaxing with my brother's dog, Buster.

Adina couldn't resist giving a little love to Grandpa and Grandma's new kitty...

or enjoying a banana split with her cousin/my niece, Deidra.

LOVED this one of my niece, Madison, hugging on her Grandpa/my Dad...

as well as this one of my nephews, again, all cleaned up for bedtime.

And finally, of course, I just couldn't leave out this one of my brother, Jason, and his girlfriend.  It was so good to meet you, Sarah!

Just like that, our low-key weekend, with little to nothing planned, turned into precious time with my family.  Thanks for putting up with all the muddy feet and sticky fingerprints and inviting us to dinner, Mom and Dad!  Every moment was truly treasured!  We got home super late.  So, on Sunday, we slept in and went to the second service at church.  Then, while the kiddos rested, I got busy in my creative space, and BJ got that yard work, that I mentioned in Friday's TSTR #106 & CPS 257 post, completed; before he and Ezekiel were off to Awana and Adina and I on a long walk, as well as a stop by the park.

That sums up the long and short of it.  Needless to say, we were ready for bed come Sunday night :).  Even after a good nap, I still think Adina's eyes look so tired and glazed over in that photo above.  Oh!  And before I run get those bed sheets changed and grade a few papers, I couldn't resist tossing in this picture of one of the blossoms on our little apple tree.  I think it was four years ago, this summer, that we planted it; and while it's steadily grown, this is the first time we've seen blossoms.  Woohoo!  I'm crossing my fingers for a few apples this fall.  Mmmmm!

Thanks so much for checking in on me!  I so appreciate all your visits!  Have a terrific week!