Paper Sweeties April Inspiration Challenge #30 - Hoppy Easter

Evening, y'all!  I'm super excited to have been asked to join the Paper Sweeties Design Team for their inspiration challenge this month and have got a sweet, little assortment of Easter gifts, for my nieces and nephews, as well as my own kiddos' Easter baskets, to share, with you all, today.  So, let's just get right to it.  Shall we?

The treat containers themselves were cut, from white and Pink Pirouette cardstocks, with my Cameo.  After piecing them together, I wrapped the ears with lengths of Bubblegum, Cookie Dough, and Blueberry seam binding ribbons, straight from the Paper Sweeties Shoppe, respectively.  Those ribbons were then tied in double bows and embellished with white chord bows and hand-cut, vellum banners, which were stamped, in Jet Black ink, with the "Bunny Hugs & Kisses!" sentiment; punched; and laced with white chord.  The containers themselves were filled with lots of Hershey's Hugs & Kisses, so I was so excited that sentiment worked so perfectly!

Each package then got individual specifications based upon color.  The pink packages also had pink lace bows tucked into the ribbon treatments, which were finished off with pink Quartz Stones...

and flowers, stamped, in Jet Black ink, on pink, stripe, patterned, paper die cuts, which were dressed up with a couple of stamped, in Jet Black ink, on soft green, floral, patterned, paper die cuts, leaves.

The yellow packages also had yellow, gingham bows tucked into the ribbon treatments, which were finished off with yellow gemstones...

and the flowers were created in the same way as above with the exception of using yellow, polka dot, patterned, paper, floral die cuts.

The blue packages also had blue, polka dot bows tucked into the ribbon treatments, which were finished off with blue gemstones...

and the flowers, too, were created in the same way as above with the exception of using blue, designer, patterned, paper, floral die cuts.

Lots of glitter for the centers of the ears, as well as those little bunny tails, completes the look.

Here's your April Inspiration Challenge #30 - Hoppy Easter to get you off and running in the right direction.  I, obviously, was inspired by the palette, but also the "Hoppy Easter" title itself.  And I was sure to add lots of shimmery glitter as inspired by the sugar-coated Peeps.

Please be sure to stop by each of the talented designer's blog links below to be further inspired for your own creations.  Looking forward to seeing what you all have got up your sleeves for this cutie.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  And a big thanks to Debbie and her crew for having me again this month!  Have a fabulous April, friends!

Annette Witherspoon

Cheryl Lea

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties

Emily Frasier

Jill Norwood

Julie Tucker-Wolek

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett

Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

Tammy Hobbs 

April Guest Designer:  Jinny Newlin (You're here!)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Pretty Posies, Make Today Beautiful, & Hippity Hoppity (Paper Sweeties) Paper: white (unknown); vellum (Paper Studio); yellow polka dot & pink stripe (MME); Pink Pirouette & blue designer (SU!); soft green floral (Jenni Bowlin) Ink: Jet Black (StazOn); Jet Black (Ranger) Other: Dazzling Diamonds & 3/16" Handheld Circle punch (SU!); gingham check & soft blue polka dot ribbons & white chord (Hobby Lobby); pink lace (Maya Road); Pretty Posies & Party Time dies & Blueberry,  Bubblegum, & Cookie Dough seam binding ribbons (Paper Sweeties); Big Shot (Sizzix); Bunny Ears Treat Container cut file & Cameo (Silhouette); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); yellow gemstones (Paper Studio); pink Quartz Stones (Queen & Co.); blue gemstones (Want 2 Scrap)

The Best Is Yet to Come

Welcome to the work week, y'all!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  Our little guy ended up not feeling so hot, so he and my hubby and/or I had to stay close to home for most of it.  I did get him out for a walk around the neighborhood, just to get some fresh air, yesterday evening, while the big kids were at Awana.  Oh, and Ezekiel and I finally got to the movies.  Woohoo!  Cinderella was predictable, but only because there have been so many of them told and retold again; but that doesn't mean it wasn't good.  It just wasn't wow.  Although, that doesn't speak to the costuming and set design in the least.  They get a huge thumbs up from me!  And I really liked that it told more of Cinderella's life with her mother and father than most Cinderella stories tell.

Anyway, I'm just popping in to share a recent card creation of mine.  It's off in the mail today to the friend I spoke of in yesterday's The Studio Pinterest Challenge post.  I'm hoping it's not too boy in nature, as they've chosen to be surprised as to the gender of their new little one, and I was just trying to go for baby.  Of course, I had to pull out my all-time favorite baby stamp set, Baby Basics, which, unfortunately, is no longer available from Market Street Stamps.  I probably should get rid of a few older sets, so I can update my stash a bit, but I'd never be able to part with this one.

I started this card by smudging, from top to bottom, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, and Faded Jeans Distress Inks onto a piece of White cardstock.  I then smeared modeling paste, through a star stencil, over that and coated it with glitter.  Once it was dry, it was anchored to the Kraft, cardstock, card face with black-threaded, straight, machine stitches.  The striped frame was then stamped, in second-generation, Daffodil Delight ink, on a die-cut, White, cardstock frame and secured around the edges of another die-cut, White, cardstock rectangle, which was stamped, in Jet Black ink, with the "THE Best IS YET TO COME" sentiment.

Before securing the frame, with foam tape, to the card face, I wrapped the card itself with a length of white, seam binding ribbon, tied, in a double bow, near the left edge of the card face and embellished with a bit of white chord, tied in a bow, as well as a yellow enamel dot.

The top center of the frame was then filled in with a cluster of goodies including a tangle of black thread; die-cut, vellum cloud; stamped, in Jet Black ink, boat, which was colored with pencils and hand-cut out; wood veneer cloud; and a turquoise button, laced with white string.  A handful of Sparkling Clear sequins complete the look.

I'm linking this one up, just in the nick of time, with City Crafter Challenge Blog's Week 254: Go Ombre.

Thanks so much for stopping in!  I'm off to get some lunch ready for everyone.  Have an amazing week, friends!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: sentiment (Heidi Swapp); Baby Basics (Market Street Stamps); Bitty Buddy Valentines (Wplus9) Paper: White & Kraft (Wplus9); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Daffodil Delight (SU!); Jet Black, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, & Faded Jeans (Ranger) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); star stencil & veneer cloud (Jenni Bowlin); modeling paste (Liquitex); Dazzling Diamonds (SU!); Sparkling Clear sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); button (JoAnn Fabrics); white string & chord (Hobby Lobby); Rainbow & Cloud die (Lil' Inker); Clear Cut Stackers: Rounded Rectangles die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); seam binding ribbon (Zipper Stop); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); enamel dot (MME)

The Studio Pinterest Challenge

Morning, friends!  Just stopping in to share my take on The Studio's latest challenge.  Anna has picked the gorgeous, Pinterest photo below to inspire your next creations.  My sweet friend Courtney is having a baby shower, in Georgia, next week, and I can't go.  So, because I'm really missing her and wishing I could be there to help her celebrate and because our beautiful inspiration photo made me think wedding, I had to scrap a few pics from her wedding reception last July.  Enjoy!

I started this page by smudging Sunshine Mister Huey's, as well as a little white gesso, onto the dingy white, textured, cardstock, base page.  I then sprinkled it with Black Smooch Spritz and Gold Color Shine and stamped it, in Tattered Rose ink, with a number of hearts, which were later glittered, before applying a haphazard background of a variety of patterned papers, as well as an arrow transparency, and anchoring many of them with black-threaded, straight, machine stitches.  A kraft envelope was tucked in amidst the photos, which were matted with Whisper White cardstock, and dressed up with hand-cut from patterned paper and chipboard flowers.

A simple, paper doily embellishes the top right corner of the page...

and the invitation to their reception, which also serves as the "BEN & COURTNEY Got married!" title, was tucked in between.  I attached a hand-cut, from patterned paper, arrow, which was stamped, in Jet Black ink, with the "I adore you" phrase, to its top edge for easy removal.

A pink/gold tag, laced with white string, tied in a bow, backs my bottom right photo, which was topped with a leather bow...

and a chipboard frame highlights my bottom left photo, which was also dressed up with a chipboard arrow.

"So blessed" and "thank you for being you." phrases complete the photo of Court and I...

and a "YOU ARE LOVED" sentiment was stamped, vertically, in Jet Black ink, along its left edge.

A sprinkling of gold sequins and pink Quartz Stones complete the bulk of the design and turn our attention to the journaling, which reads, Even though Court is no longer my sister-in-law, she will always hold a special place in my heart, and my kids will always call her Aunt Courtney.  We love her!  Court and Ben got married back in April, in Georgia, but they held a reception for lots of family and friends that couldn't make it, which included us, in Lawrence, KS.  We had so much fun catching up and meeting Ben.  July 12, 2014.

Further inspiration for this page came from Let's Capture Our Memories' Sketch #116.

And here's our inspiration pic to get you started.  Can you see why I pulled in floral and woodgrain elements, as well as the color pink?

Don't forget that we had three challenges, from our List Challenge and Use Your Old Stash Challenge to today's Pinterest Challenge, to inspire your creative time this month; and you have until Sunday, April 12, 2015, to link your takes on any and/or all of them up in the right-hand column of The Studio Blog.  Thanks so much for humoring me with a visit!  Have a wonderful week!  Hugs!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: "YOU ARE LOVE", "I adore you", & heart (Jen Hadfield) Paper: dingy white textured (American Crafts); Whisper White (SU!); mint polka dot, yellow stripe, & yellow floral (Simple Stories); woodgrain (Crate Paper); pink dotted (Jen Hadfield) Ink: Tattered Rose & Jet Black (Ranger); Black PITT artist pen (Faber Castell) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Dazzling Diamonds (SU!); sequins, triangle transparency, & "thank you for being you." die cut (MME); kraft envelope (Maya Road); chipboard elements & paper flower (Simple Stories); doily (unknown); pink Quartz Stones (Queen & Co.); Sunshine Mister Huey's (Studio Calico); Gold Color Shine (Heidi Swapp); Black Smooch Spritz (Clearsnap); gesso (Oleary Paint); leather bow (American Crafts); gold/pink tag (Jen Hadfield); string (Hobby Lobby); paper arrow (October Afternoon)

For the Love of Books

Welcome to the weekend, y'all!  Ours began last night, as my big kiddo had a dodgeball tournament at church, and my hubby used the opportunity to take Adina out on a dessert date, which gave me a tiny bit of one-on-one time with Kaden before his bedtime.  Then, I was left to my own devices, which led me to an evening of scrapping.  Yay!  Talk about a great way to start the weekend!  I get so little time to just play anymore.

This afternoon, Ezekiel and I are going to see Cinderella.  He promised to take me to see Paddington for my birthday, but we were just never able to work it in before it left our theatre.  My hubby says that there are other theatres that still have it, but they're farther away from home, and Ezekiel has already been to see it with he and Adina anyway.  So, we'll make the swap, save Paddington for a Redbox family movie night, and give my hubby some time of his own while the littles are resting.  I just love a weekend filled with nothing but exactly what we want to do.  It's been too long.

Anyway, I've got a sweet, Easter book, written for children ages three to seven, to share, with you all, this month.  So, let's get right to it.

God Gave Us Easter, written by Lisa Tawn Bergren and illustrated by Laura J. Bryant, is a simple but precious explanation, from a Papa polar bear to his Little Cub, of how God gave us Easter to keep us close to Him.  Papa uses both an Easter egg and a dead tree, lying on the forest floor, to explain that out of death, comes new life with both the life of the baby chick from the broken egg and growing up of baby seedlings from the dead tree's seeds.  In the same way, the empty tomb reminds us that Jesus didn't stay dead and desires for us to share His promise of everlasting life to all those who will listen and believe in Him.

This book is one more perfect addition to the author's God Gave Us... series.  I just love that her story progressions not only follow that of a typical child's thought process, as Little Cub picks up one thing her Papa says and runs to a completely different subject to question about, but also take inspiration from the beautifully portrayed Arctic world around them.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to hear how you all are finding and loving my selections and sometimes even have your own history with them to share.  Thank you for doing just that!  Have a blessed day!

Friday Faves

Morning, y'all, and happy Friday!  I'm just popping in to share a few things that have captured my eye this month, and with Easter being just around the corner, I thought it only fitting to begin with Lawn Fawn's Eggstra Special Easter stamp set.  Isn't that little munched-on bunny the cutest?

I adore the elegance of this detailed Fading Floral Stencil from Prima.  I've actually got a number of their stencils on my wish list, but this one is simply a must-have!

From stuffed animals and toys to towels and pillows, The Land of Nod's Fade Up Rattan Floor Basket would add such gorgeous texture and color to any room design.  That pink basket has my bathroom's number written all over it.

Pottery Barn always has the cutest bunny décor every spring, and this year's Watercolor Bunny Pillow doesn't disappoint.

I don't know what it is about linens, but I've always loved to mix and match them and pile on the layers when it comes to furniture and beds.  Now, my family doesn't always leave everything where I put it.  Sometimes blankets and pillows get turned into forts or landing pads or whatnot, but there's still nothing more welcoming or comforting than a clean, cozy throw or pretty, textural Crochet Trimmed Standard Sham from Pottery Barn.  Doesn't that pile just make you want to snuggle in with a good book?

And finally, if you've been following me for awhile now, you know I can't resist a great bag.  Marbled's Black and White Stripe Tote Bag is exactly what I've been looking for, and I just love its ample, pleated design.  Yum!

I'll be back tomorrow with this month's For the Love of Books pick.  Then, I've finally got a page to share come Sunday to start the week out right.  Thanks so much for peeking in!  Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

Spring Break Pics

We're off to drop Ezekiel off at band practice in just a bit.  It's almost 30 minutes from home, so the littles and I always do our grocery shopping until he's done.  But I wanted to quick share just a few pics from our Spring Break week, before we're out the door.  Our local meteorologists forecasted rain for most of the week, and they just so happened to have gotten it right this go around; so, with sunshine and temperatures in the 70's on Monday, we decided it was the perfect day to hit the KC Zoo.

Unfortunately, so did everyone else.  We've never been to the zoo when it's been that busy.  It was crazy!  Matter of fact, it was difficult to even get in to a number of the exhibits to see the animals.  We did say hello to a few of our feathered friends.  Kaden was in awe of the penguins swimming under the water, and my big kiddos always love the lorikeets...

but after the Wings of Wonder show, we hit the road.  It was already well into the afternoon, and the zoo was just getting busier.  We had already eaten our picnic lunch.  So, we stopped for Shamrock Shakes on the way home.  Adina changed her mind last minute and wanted a cone instead, but the boys scarfed theirs down.

Ezekiel still had his regularly scheduled activities of the week, including band and baseball practice; but other than that, we spent most of the week just enjoying our time off and trying to catch up on a few things.  I also wrapped up our last nine week's grades and got them off in the mail, and Kaden practiced his walking skills.  He's getting good, y'all!

Then, on Friday, we made a little trip over to Marble Moon Company in Bonner Springs.  It was super busy there, too.  Usually, there's a few weeks span over when everyone in our area gets their Spring Break, but I think everyone must've had the exact same week this year.  We still really enjoyed watching a marble being made...

and came home with a few of our own, which kept the big kids busy all weekend long.

Speaking of the weekend, my hubby used such to finish up a second planter for my vegetable garden.

We have plans for four total, but with the slope of our yard, it took a few more boards than he had anticipated.  We've got almost enough lumber leftover for a third, so we'll probably hold off on the fourth until a little later, especially because we've still got to fill those babies with dirt.  Even just these two will give us a great start, though.  So excited!

It was a super relaxing break and just what I needed to give my immune system a reboot.  We weren't quite ready to get back to work and school; but summer break is just around the corner, and we've got lots of learning to get done before then.  So, we're back to the grindstone.  Thanks for checking in on us!  Have a terrific Tuesday, sweet friends!

February Recognition

Afternoon, friends!  It's such a beautiful day in our neck of the woods, so we had to take a walk after lunch and spend some time at the park, especially because it looks like rain is back in the forecast for much of the rest of the week.  We need it, so I'm not complaining in the least, just explaining why we had to take advantage of the sunshine today.

I'm so sorry that it's been a bit quiet around here.  I'm still getting back in the swing of things from having been terribly sick for quite some time, but I'm also struggling with finding a balance between time here and time doing everything else that needs accomplished.  It feels like I'm always trying to catch up, which is exhausting in and of itself.  I do have a couple of projects in the works and about a million more anxiously waiting to take shape, but I can't share just yet.  So, until I can, I have a couple of pages that were given honors during the month of February, which I haven't yet had the opportunity to share here.  This page was given the Eye Candy title at The Nifty Pixel...

and this one was featured, by Lorraine, for The Scrapbook Expo's Sunday's Inspiration.

Thanks so much for visiting!  We're back to school today, and the rest of the neighborhood heads back tomorrow.  We're so anxious to have our last nine weeks done and over with for the summer but also want to finish strong, so bear with me as I help my kiddos do just that.  Have a wonderful work week, y'all!  Looking forward to getting around to seeing what you all have been up to soon!  XOXO

The Studio Use Your Old Stash Challenge

Welcome to the work week, friends!  It's spring break in our neck of the woods, and my kiddos are chomping at the bit to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather we've been having, especially since I've been keeping them cooped up a bit with not feeling well and all.  I think that I'm going to brave a morning trip to the zoo today, as I was able to get up and around and bathe and start a load of laundry and whatnot yesterday, while my hubby took the big kids to church.  But before that, I wanted to remind you all that a brand spankin' new challenge posted over in The Studio yesterday.

We're asking you to use up your old stash this time, and the Design Team has cooked up some real beauties to share.  So be sure to stop by the challenge link above to check those out.  I had to bow out, due to an illness, this go around.  We will have one more challenge for you all before the month is over.  Then, you'll have until April 12, 2015, to link up your take(s) on any and/or all of our three March challenges over in the right-hand column of The Studio Blog.

I think that about covers things.  I'm off to pack a sack lunch and make sure the tires are aired up on Kaden's stroller.  Feeling tired just thinking about it, but I'm determined to get out of the house today.  I'm sure the fresh air will do us all some good.  Wish us luck!  And have a truly amazing week, y'all!  Hugs!

Stuck?! March 15th Sketch

Morning, friends!  I know it's been awhile.  I've been seriously under the weather, like running a fever and bedridden since last Tuesday.  I don't remember the last time I felt this ill.  Ugh!  I hate being sick!  So, I thoroughly apologize for my lack of visits on top of things being so quiet around here.  I'm hoping to be back to even a fraction of myself later this week.  Fortunately, I had my take on Stuck?! Sketches' mid-month sketch put together before I was down for the count and am here to share it with you all today.

I started this page by painting Skintone and Ballet Pink, acrylic paints, as well as a mixture of the two, onto the notebook, patterned, paper, base page, in vertical stripes.  I then used a chevron stencil to apply a bit of modeling paste over them in the same vertical motion, before sprinkling my page with a little gold Color Shine and machine stitching a gold-threaded, straight, machine-stitch circle to help frame my photos, which were matted with Whisper White cardstock.  A couple torn strips of patterned paper, as well as a bit of scalloped ribbon and Washi, were tucked under my photos before they were secured in place.  I then topped the design with my "EASTER" title, which was created with foil, chipboard Thickers and overlaid with a hand-cut, from patterned paper, "BLESSED" ticket.

A number of stamped, in Tattered Rose and Pool Party inks, on White cardstock, as well as a few gold-embossed, on vellum, blooms, all of which were hand cut out, were clustered in the top right...

 and bottom left corners over bits of tangled gold thread.

 

"#FAMILY" and "the best thing that has ever happened to me" die cut phrases, as well as a glittered, "XOXO" banner and stamped, in Jet Black ink, "I adore you" sentiment complete the bottom corner...

and a couple additional hand-cut, from patterned paper, tickets round out the top.

A sprinkling of colorful sequins; trio of hand-cut, from patterned paper, hearts, which I topped with glitter; couple of heart brads; and a "love" flair button complete the look.

 Further inspiration for this page came from Sassy Scrappers' March Mood Board...

and Scrap Our Stash's Challenge #24 (S = stamping, stencil, stitching, sequins; T = thread, torn edges, tickets; E = embossing; N = nine stamped blooms, notebook paper; C = chevrons, circles, Color Shine; I = ink; L = "love" flair button, leaves, Liquitex modeling paste).

And here is your March 15th Sketch, which I rotated 90 degrees to the left, to get you started.

Our sponsors for this sketch, with a $25 credit and some fabulous new goodies, are...

Please be sure to stop by the challenge link above to get all your challenge details, as well as to see how the rest of the team was inspired.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be blessed!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Ever After (Wplus9); "I adore you" (Jen Hadfield) Paper: Whisper White (SU!); White (Wplus9); hearts & notebook (Simple Stories); dotted (Jen Hadfield); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Pool Party (SU!); Tattered Rose & Jet Black (Ranger); Jet Black (StazOn); watermark (VersaMark) Other: gold thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); sequins, flair button, Washi, & "the best thing that has ever happened to me" & "#FAMILY" phrase die cuts (MME); tickets, brads, & hearts (Simple Stories); modeling paste (Liquitex); chevron stencil (Jenni Bowlin); foil chipboard Thickers (American Crafts); scalloped ribbon (May Arts); Dazzling Diamonds (SU!); gold embossing powder (Ranger); "XOXO" glitter banner & gold Color Shine (Heidi Swapp); Ballet Pink & Skintone acrylic paint (FolkArt)