Paper Sweeties: Peek

I cannot tell you all how excited I am to finally get to share that Debbie Marcinkiewicz has invited me to be part of the inaugural team for her new Paper Sweeties Stamp Company!  Woohoo!  What an honor!  I'm just thrilled that she thought enough of my work to ask me to gather in cahoots with herself and four other extremely talented ladies to show you all what has been years in the making!  Thank you, Debbie!

So, what does this company have in store for you?  Well, it boasts a plethora of sweet, little dolls; hundreds of clothing options and accessories; all the sentiments you could ever ask for; and lots of fun, little builders in between.  How about I just show you?

I started this card by piecing together the purple argyle and pink, lace, patterned papers; framing them with a piece of Oatmeal cardstock; machine stitching, with white-threaded, zig-zag stitches, around their edges and between their connection...

and stamping the "Celebrate Your Day" sentiment, in Basic Black ink, in the prepped piece's bottom center.

I then wrapped the kraft, cardstock, card face with a length of pink, sheer ribbon and thread it through a small slit in the patterned, paper piece, before anchoring the latter with foam tape; tying the ribbon, in a bow, near the top of the card face; and embellishing it with an ivory button, laced with hemp twine bows.

A pink, polka dot, flower die cut was then ink distressed; adhered, with foam tape, tucked under the edge of that embellished bow; and used to anchor Sophie, who was backed with a banner, created from two pennants being stamped, in Pretty in Pink ink, on Oatmeal cardstock, hand cut out, and ink distressed, as well as a stamped, in Jet Black ink, on vellum and hand cut heart.  I actually masked off the text that comes in the center of the heart and filled it in with my own stamped, in Jet Black ink, "With Love".

Sophie was stamped, in Jet Black ink, on white cardstock; colored with colored pencils and mineral spirits; hand cut out; and dressed with a blouse and shoes, created in the same way as above, as well as a stamped, in Jet Black ink, on a floral, patterned paper and hand cut skirt.  A row of button gemstones and a couple of pearl earrings preps her for the card face to which she was adhered with foam tape.

A stamped, in Basic Black ink, near the bottom edge of the back of the card face, "Created by:" completes the look.

That gets us started, y'all!  Over the next three days, Debbie will be releasing three new sets each day, for a total of nine sets released by the 3rd of the month, during our Pre-Launch.  Then, we'd just love to you all come on back, for three days of fun and creativity, during our August Release, beginning August 14, 2012, and ending August 16, 2012.  Until then, please be sure to stop by the rest of the team's blogs to introduce yourselves and see what they've cooked up, just for your viewing pleasure, as well as to have a look around not only the Paper Sweeties Online Store, but also the Paper Sweeties Blog.  We just couldn't be more thrilled to have you join the Paper Sweeties family!  Happy stamping, y'all!

Andrea Ewen

Char Cundy

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Jeanne Jachna

Pattie Goldman

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Sophie, Enjoy Your Day - clothing, You Make Me Smile - sentiments, Banner Wishes - pennant, & Hand Stamped by: - heart, & "Created by:" (Paper Sweeties) Paper: Oatmeal, White, & Kraft (Wplus9); pink lace (SU); purple argyle (Nikki Sivils); floral (Crate Paper) Ink: Pretty in Pink & Basic Black (SU); Jet Black (StazOn); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scrapbook Supplies); flower die cut (Jenni Bowlin); pearls (Zva Creative); gemstones (Paper Studio); pink sheer ribbon (Hobby Lobby); ivory button (SU); hemp twine (May Arts); mineral spirits (Inky Antics); colored pencils (Prismacolor)

Ezekiel's Birthday Thank Yous

Hey, y'all!  It occurred to me that I hadn't ever shared Ezekiel's birthday thank you minis with you.  So, I thought today was as good a time as any, as I've been super wrapped up in preparations for lots of August releases.  Speaking of, the first begins, late tonight, right here on my blog, and you don't want to miss it ;).  Anyway, it's really important to me that my kiddos grow up taking the time to write thank yous.  Adina never minds signing her name and adding her signature scribble.  She actually gets excited about it, but Ezekiel is a little more difficult and always has been.  So, I hope and PRAY that he'll always remember, even when he's grown and off to college, their importance.  You can bet I'll be sure he has all the stationary he could ever need to make sure that said such happens ;).  Without further ado, here were his cuties for this year.

I started them by anchoring a piece of turquoise, woodgrain, patterned paper, to the 3-1/2" square, kraft, cardstock, card face, with red-threaded, zig-zag, machine stitches and stamping the "Thanks i love being spoiled." sentiment, in Basic Black ink, centered, vertically, along the prepped piece's left edge, just inside the machine stitching.

I then stamped the dog, in Jet Black ink, on white cardstock; colored him in with colored pencils and mineral spirits; hand cut him out; wrapped a red, fringed ribbon around his neck and tied it in a bow; and adhered him, just to the right of the sentiment, with foam tape.  A little Crystal Effects gives his nose a healthy wetness and completes the look.

And here they are all lined up, just because I LOVE 'em to pieces!

If you still have a minute, I'd also love to share a few of my favorite pictures from Ezekiel's baseball season.  He was completely bummed to see it end last night and even made a really sweet, new friend.

LOVE this one of him practicing his swing between batters!

And I just couldn't resist throwing in this one of Adina absolutely wiped out, on the way home from the ball fields, one night.  I just love this sweet girl!

Please don't forget that you have until the close of the day EST tonight to link up your takes on The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #142.  Thanks so much for stopping by, y'all!  Have an extra blessed Tuesday, and I hope to see you all, right back here, later tonight.  Hugs!  Oh!  And for those of you anxious to see what Wplus9 Design has in store, for you, this month, we are a bit delayed.  But don't be dismayed.  Peeks begin this coming Sunday, August 5, 2012, at 12:01 am EST and run their usual, five-day course.  Woohoo!  Can't wait to share! 

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Pawprints on Our Hearts - pup (MSS); Afterthoughts - sentiment (SU) Paper: Kraft & White (Wplus9); turquoise woodgrain (Paper Studio) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: red thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); Crystal Effects (SU); red fringed ribbon (Hobby Lobby); colored pencils (Prismacolor); mineral spirits (Inky Antics)

Weekend Snapshots

Happy Monday, y'all!  Just popping in to share a few pictures from our relaxing weekend.  We started it with another Lowes' Build and Grow Clinic.  My kiddos just LOVE 'em!  Plus, this time, they got to pick something out of the projects they sell in the store, because they had already made this week's assigned project.  Somehow, the last one got lost along the way, and they thought they'd find it before this week and just swap the two; but evidently, they never found the other project.  So, Ezekiel picked a top table...

and Adina picked a race car.  Hers was much easier to make.  So, she had plenty of time to test it out, while Ezekiel was busy hammering away.

I also had to throw in a couple of Adina riding "Henry" at our local HyVee.  It's a must do event on every trip to the grocery store.  Fortunately, it doesn't cost a thing!

Ezekiel seemed to be doing lots better.  But just running a couple of errands must've wore him out, because he crashed again in the afternoon, which made me a little leery of taking him to church on Sunday.  I really wanted him to be able to finish off a great week of swim lessons.  Tonight is also his last night of baseball, and he didn't want to miss it for the world.  So, I kept him home, and my hubby took Adina.  I think Ezekiel enjoyed the peace and quiet ;).  I know I did!  LOL!  Plus, it gave me time to whip up a loaf of French bread and a PBJ Chocolate Cake, courtesy of Paula Deen, (Yep!  PBJ stands for what you think it stands for... Peanut Butter and Jelly.  There's grape jam and chocolate ganache between the layers of cake, and the frosting is made with peanut butter.  Mmmmm!)  to pair with a spinach lasagna, for a special dinner.

Some sweet, long-time friends came through town on their way to visit family; and we were fortunate enough to be blessed with a little time with them and their kiddos, Isabel and Aidan.

They even got to come to Ezekiel's swim lesson this morning and play in the park with us, before they were back on the road.  Enjoy your time in Minnesota, Daniel and Esther!  We love you all!

Finally, I couldn't resist throwing in these pics of my little bird watchers.  The birds were out in full force, and in the heat no less, this weekend.

That's the long and short of it, folks!  I'll be back on track with a little, papercrafted something-something to share tomorrow.  Until then, I'm off to fold another load of laundry.  Have a blessed start to your work weeks!  Hugs!

Friday Faves

Hey, y'all!  Guess what we got yesterday?!  RAIN!  Woohoo!  And nearly 3/4 of an inch to boot!  Not to mention that temperatures were in the low 70's in the morning.  LOVE!  It still got up to almost 100 degrees in the afternoon, but my plants were all perky and happy first thing in the morning.  And the birds were singing like nothing else.  Now, I'm crossing my fingers that there's more in store where that came from, because we are having one major drought.  Sigh.

Anyway, there have been a number of things, especially with Summer CHA, that have really caught my eye this month.  Unfortunately, most of those things still aren't available.  But that's no never mind, because a number of other fabulous goodies, that ARE available, have caught my eye, too, beginning with this scrumptious Country Boutique Collection Kit from Fancy Pants.  The color palette has me all over it, and those pennants and hearts, not to mention the polka dots and woodgrain, are just perfect!

I'm also loving the versatility and vintage appeal of these Mix & Match Number Tags by Elle's Studio!

Now, how about this yummy, new, ocean, strawberry, midnight blue, and seaweed color quartet from The Twinery?  LOVE that The Twinery never fails to deliver on quality and selection!

Believe it or not, this sweet Small Mint Pom Pom Trim...

and 16 mm Ivory "Handmade With" Grosgrain Print, from The Ribbon Reel, round out the papercrafty portion of this month's Friday Faves.

But I cannot tell you how much I adore this Cream Pleated Lace Lizzy Slip from Dear Lizzy!  I can think of about a hundred different things to wear it with!  Not really.  Honestly, I don't think that I have that many individual pieces in my closet.  LOL!  But imagine all the possibilities for adding that little touch of sweet, girly flair.  LOVE!

And isn't this Plush Mouse...

and Small White Bunny, from Timo Handmade, beyond adorable?  The price tags leave a bad taste in my mouth, but they're still too cute for words!

Finally, and I feel the same about the cost of this last one as the two above, but I couldn't resist throwing in this Wash Your Hands... Typography Art Sign from Word Whipped.  I have just the spot for it ;)!

That's all, for this month, folks!  I'm off to nurse my big kiddo back to health.  He came down with a fever Wednesday afternoon.  Poor thing was so bummed about missing baseball Wednesday night and swim lessons yesterday.  He's got an eye doctor's appointment this morning.  So, I'm hoping that doesn't stretch him too much; but then, he'll be back to lots of rest, relaxation, and liquids.  Thanks so much for stopping by, y'all!  Have a blessed weekend!

SIT #85

Note:  If you've come here looking for my PDCC142 post, please scroll down.

So good to have you all visiting for another fabulous, two-page sketch at Sketches in Thyme!  You already know how much I absolutely love this time of the month ;)!  So, I'll just get right to it.

I started this layout by adhering a vintage, sewing pattern, book page, which I cut in half, to both sides of my pink grid and distressed, gray, patterned, paper, base pages.  I then stamped the pattern pieces, in Jet Black ink, on strips of vellum and anchored them, just below and overlapping the bottom edge of the book pages, across their top edges, with gray-threaded, straight, machine stitches.

Wide strips of black, star, patterned paper, anchored, across their top and bottom edges, with pink-threaded, straight stitches, create the foundation for my pictures, which were framed with Whisper White cardstock and adhered in their horizontal row.  That turns our attention to the left side of the layout...

where you'll find the "Made with Love For You" sentiment, which was made from gray alphabeans and a cardstock sticker and backed with a neutral, graphic, patterned paper, which was trimmed, across its bottom edge, with a punched strip of gray, gingham, patterned paper and anchored with gray-threaded, straight and zig-zag, machine stitches.  The alphabeans themselves were, too, anchored with more of those gray-threaded, straight, machine stitches.

Finally, I stamped the stitched flowers, in Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink inks, on Oatmeal cardstock; hand cut them out; ink distressed their edges; adhered them, with foam tape, in their respective locations; dressed the lighter one up with a white, resin, sticker flower; and flanked them with a couple of white leaves and a duo of hemp twine bows.

You'll find that same flower cluster on the right side of the layout...

with the exception of it being short the smallest flower.  It also anchors the right end of a graphic, color-coordinating, cardstock, sticker strip, which runs over onto the left side of the page.

A cardstock, sticker label, which reads, I get so much joy from making beautiful things for you to wear.  You are my sunshine, and was raised off the page with foam tape, completes the look.

Now, it's your turn, y'all!  Here's your Challenge #85 Sketch to help get you started.

Please be sure to stop by the challenge link above to see what the rest of the Mavens have whipped up this week, just for your viewing pleasure.  Then, don't forget to have your takes on this week's Challenge #85, as well as this month's Challenge #84 and/or Challenge #83, linked up by the close of the month, next Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in order to be in the running to become one of our elite Top Three, as well as to earn an opportunity to guest design, with us, in September.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a super blessed Thursday!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: In Stitches - flowers (Skipping Stones Designs); Pattern Pieces (SU) Paper: Whisper White (SU); Oatmeal (Wplus9); pink grid & black star (My Mind's Eye); neutral graphic (Studio Calico); distressed gray (Cosmo Cricket); gray gingham (October Afternoon); vintage sewing pattern book page (Jenni Bowlin); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, & Basic Black (SU); Jet Black (StazOn); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: pink & gray thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Scallop punch (SU); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); white leaves (Prima); hemp twine (May Arts); white resin flowers (Paper Studio); cardstock stickers (Cosmo Cricket); gray alphabeans (Jillibean Soup)