Laurie, You'll Always Be My Idol!!!

Happy Monday morning! Four months...yes, I know it has been a LONG time, but I'm here today with a very special post for a very special, and madly talented fellow Paperdoll. Laurie made it to the top 10 of Papercrafts Gallery Idol 2011. I've never had the guts to go for something like that, but Laurie went for it and did an amazing job with the various challenges she was given. I especially liked her take on the 'fabric meets paper' challenge for Round 3...you can see her card for that one here. Is that not the cutest little baby card!?!

Anyway, a few of the Dolls are hopping today to show her just how awesome we think she is. Thank you Lee Anne for setting this up! The 'challenge', if you want to call it that, was to choose a card of Laurie's and case it. If you'd like to play along, we have a linky over on the Doll's blog. We'd love to have you join us! Here's a list of the Dolls playing along with me today!

Amy (kolling143)
Christy (christea)
Kristin (jcmom04)

Suzanne (*suzanne*)

Katie (choc0holic) <---You're here!
Lee Anne (Lee Anne)
Renee (Renee L.)
Sara (hiinaz)

Tanna (tfiskers)

Now, I am very drawn to Laurie's style and would like to think that my style meshes with hers, so casing a card wasn't too much of a challenge for me. I decided to take this card of Laurie's to case. Here is her card {I hope you don't mind me borrowing it, Laurie!}:

And here is mine:

Clearly, I didn't change much from Laurie's card.  I went with a color combination that I consider very "Laurie"....Kraft, Pure Poppy, and True Black. Instead of the silver brads, I used the red rhinestones. I also used a different impression plate and scalloped edge, but clearly it's not too different. Laurie is an amazing stamper; there's no doubting that! I always love stopping by and checking out her work. It truly inspires me. I sure wish I lived close enough to participate in the "Stamp Away" days she does with Amy and Jen! Those lucky girls!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy hopping...and please play along!

{THANK YOU, LAURIE} 

All supplies are PTI unless noted 

Stamps: Mehndi Medallion, Think Big Favorites 2
Paper: Linen Vellum, Stamper's Select (White), Pure Poppy, True Black, Kraft
Ink: Pure Poppy, True Black, Crumb Cake {Stampin' Up!}
Accessories: Medium Scallop Die, Linen & Canvas Impression Plate, 3/8" Corner Chomper {We R Memory Keepers}, Rhinestones {Hero Arts}, Dimensionals

Paper Dolls Challenge #35

It's my turn to host the challenge over at the Paper Dolls Blog this week, so please go over and check it out. You won't need any special materials...what you have in your stash of scraps is all you need! Although there are many sketches that would have enabled me to use use more scraps on a single card, the following card is what 'came to me' as I was messing around. It will probably be the card I give my daughter for her 8th birthday coming up in June. Too bad the blinged border didn't shine in the photo like it does in real life. She'll love it!

The cut edge is on the front panel of the card, whereas the stamped Sweet Blush cardstock is on the back of the card. It was a BEAR to get a picture of this card so it would stick shut long enough using repositionable adhesive. ;) Although I always look through my scraps before cutting in to a new piece of card stock, it was fun to limit myself for a change. I love how the coordinating PTI products make it so easy!

Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something from your heart today?

MAKE A WISH} 

All supplies are PTI unless noted 

Stamps: Cupcake Collection, Mat Stack 4 Collection, Polka Dot Basics II
Paper: Sweet Blush, Stampers Select, Doodlebug Lily White Sugar Coated Cardstock
Ink: Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate
Accessories: Mat Stack 4 Die, Cupcake Collection Dies, Edgers #1 Die, Dimensionals, Bling (from clearance at Office Max)

Papertrey Paper Dolls Blog Hop

Welcome to the first Paper Dolls' blog hop!

If you're just stumbling across this post of mine head on over to the Paper Dolls blog to start from the beginning! We have a couple prizes up for grabs...details can be found near the end of this post, or over at the Paper Dolls blog!

We recently said goodbye to a few 'Dolls' and welcomed others to join us! We're having this hop to become better acquainted with each other. But first, I'll show you what I came up with...that way you can see what you're really here for...eye candy!

Lee Anne, the amazing 'doll' who organized this blog hop, challenged use to use P...T...and I on our card. I hope it's okay that I used some other things...like the Fillable Frames, Ripe Avocado card stock, etc. It's all PTI...that's all that matters, right?

P: Pure Poppy card stock and ink

T: Rustic Jute Button Twine, Teacher's Apple stamp set

I: By the Numbers Impression Plate, Inside & Out: Thank You stamp set, It's Official stamp set

If you don't want to read the 'getting to know you' stuff, hop along to Laurie at Hiding In My Craft Room!  If you get sidetracked or find a broken link, you can always go back to the Paper Dolls blog for a complete list. Don't forget to leave comments along the way...we have a "Made of Snow" stamp set up for grabs for a random commenter. It could be you! After you've finished the hop, we'd love to have you play along! A $25 PTI Gift Certificate is up for grabs!!! I KNOW!!! With a new release right around the corner, I'm sure $25 would be helpful! Link your project up over at the Paper Dolls Blog!

As I mentioned above, the dolls are holding this blog hop to get to know each other. So here goes...my forum name is "choc0holic"...when I signed up over at SCS 'chocoholic' was taken, so I substituted the 0 for the middle 'o.' Rather than try to keep track of different forum names, I've stuck with 'choc0holic.' I currently live in Utah but will forever be an Oregonian by heart. I'm a "Domestic Engineer" with 4 kiddos...ages 7, 6, 4, and 1 (almost 2). Yup...I've got my hands full. My wonderful husband (we've been married for 9 years next month) tolerates my PTI addiction because he knows how much joy I get out of making cards, giving them to others, as well as participating in this amazing online community.

I've known about PTI from the very beginning. I waited a couple months to place an order because I was unsure if I was ready to make the jump from red rubber stamps to clear photopolymer, but I haven't regretted that jump one bit! Oh yes...I wanted to qualify for free shipping too...back then it wasn't so easy to meet that requirement. :) I'm one of the 'original' Dolls...the group was formed last April...and consider myself so lucky to be part of this group of amazing and talented stampers! I've been a terrible blogger since last summer, but I have tried to keep up with commenting on the Dolls' blogs and am continually inspired by them!

Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something from your heart today?

{CARD TITLE} 

All supplies are PTI unless noted 

Stamps: It's Official, Teacher's Apple, Fillable Frames #11, Inside & Out: Thank You
Paper: Pure Poppy, Stampers Select, Ripe Avocado, Kraft
Ink: Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado
Accessories: Rustic Jute Button Twine, By the Numbers Impression Plate, Foam Tape

Make It Monday with Foam

Back again and it hasn't been over 6 months...amazing, I know! Papertrey Ink's new Make It Monday's have me really thinking outside the box and I've been able to try things I never would have considered trying. Take this past Monday's challenge...to use fun foam. How fun is that!?!?! I finally snuck down to my room tonight after getting the kids down for bed and played a bit with fun foam.

Please forgive the poor lighting on the photo...hopefully I'll be able to get a better picture when the sun comes up. I die cut the Jar Label die from white fun foam, and inked it up with Aqua Mist ink to create the look on the right side of the card. I then cut another Jar Label from Stampers Select card stock for the sentiment. See the Aqua Mist layer under the sentiment? That's actually the fun foam I used for the stamping. Cool, huh? I scored a line to 'separate' the inked portion of the card base from the uninked portion. It seemed to be lacking a little something so I drew a narrow white line. For the rest of the materials see the 'recipe' down below.

Have a happy day...or night as the case may be!

{THANKS SO MUCH} 

All supplies are PTI unless noted 

Stamps: Friendship Jar, Background Basics: Text Style II, Tag-Its #1
Paper: Aqua Mist, Stampers Select, Happy Spots
Ink: Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate
Accessories: Jar Label Die, Signature Series: Butterfly Die, Limitless Layers: 1-3/4" Circle Collection Die,  Foam Tape

PTI Blog Hopping with Scallops

From the moment I saw this month's challenge to use scallops, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Then my kids got the flu. And of course, after giving plenty of huggles and snuggles, I would up getting sick myself. So instead of making a killer card with scallops cut from a vintage dress pattern I've had in my stash and pairing it with a few of the new doily products and the new Button Boutique set, I made a scrapbook page. Let me clarify that I in no way consider myself a scrapper. However, a 'memory or gratitude' page was requested as a gift for my husband's grandmother who is celebrating her birthday today.

I am actually quite pleased at how much I enjoyed the process and am actually hoping to make more of an effort recording my family's memories. The scallops seemed to be just the right thing for this page. And look...there's even a strip of glittered up Scor-tape! (For you PTI fanatics like me, that was this week's Make It Monday challenge.) I blinged up the center of the flower with glitter as well.

I didn't get a picture of the reverse side of this page, but it may be even better than the front. I stamped a large flower and two leaves for each of my kids to color. They were quite colorful...although my son opted to go with only red. I hope my husband's grandmother enjoys the page as much as I...we...enjoyed making it!

Thanks for stopping by...I'd love to know what you think!

{VIOLET MEMORIES} 

All supplies are PTI unless noted 

Stamps: Year of Flowers: Violets

Paper: Kraft, Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark
Accessories: Medium Scallop Dies, Scor-tape, Dimensionals, Copic Markers, Clear Embossing Powder

New Challenge over at the Paper Dolls Blog

I'm hosting this week's challenge over at the Paper Dolls Blog. Here's a peek at what I made for it!

I'd love for you to play along! You have three whole weeks to add your creation! Have a fabulous day!

{CARD TITLE} 

All supplies are PTI unless noted 

Stamps: LIST STAMPS USED
Paper: LIST PAPER USED
Ink: LIST INK USED
Accessories: LIST ACCESSORIES USED

Paper Dolls Challenge #6

I'm totally trying to squeak this one in. This post will have to be done in record time to link it up over at the Paper Dolls blog. You'd think 3 weeks would be plenty of time for me to make one little card. Deena, it's not that I didn't like the sketch...I love it, in fact. I have had NO time down in my stamp room. Between running after my 4 cuties and trying to get some work done outside before it becomes unbearably hot, my fingers have seen very little ink.

What seems like an eternity ago (but in reality was only three weeks ago), Deena gave us a fabulous sketch from Papercrafts magazine's Go-to Sketches to work with. Here's a sweet, but simple little thing I came up earlier this afternoon while my baby napped and my oldest played at a friend's. I broke out several background sets for this one. Love them!!!

When friends and families welcome a new little baby to their homes, I really like to be able to help out by bringing in a dinner. After having 4, I know how nice it is to not have to add making dinner to the schedule with a newborn in the house. Unfortunately, I don't live close enough to do so for everyone. In such cases, I give the family a gift card to a restaurant that's convenient for them to get some take out from. For the purposes of showing the card, I cut a piece of Kraft card stock to size to slid into the little pocket. I'm thinking I may save this for one of my fellow Paper Dolls who is expecting...those lucky gals!!!

Well, it is too late to participate in this challenge, but there are a couple fabulous challenges hosted by Laurie and Lee Anne that are still open (and yes, I am behind on those too). Oh yes, and how can I forget!?!?! A great new challenge will be up tomorrow...hosted by moi...so you NEED to play along with that one. ;)

Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something from your heart today?

{CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW LITTLE BUNDLE} 

All supplies are PTI unless noted 

Stamps: Signature Greetings, Background Basics: Text Style, Background Basics: Petal Power, Background Basics: Botanicals, Background Basics: Geometrics 
Paper: Sweet Blush, Lavender Moon, Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist
Ink: Fresh Snow, Lavender Moon, Sweet Blush
Accessories: Vintage Buttons, 1/4" Silk Ribbon, SU Dimensionals, WRMK Corner Chomper