PTI's Birthday Bash Challenge #3

For PTI's Anniversary challenge #3 today (for details see this post), I chose this adorable star candle sentiment from Melissa Bickford for a fun little birthday card. Again, because I'm rushing to see how many I can get done, I'll just give you my simple little details below. I sincerely appreciate your visiting me today; I'm having such fun!!!

Paper: PTI's SS White & Spring Rain CS

Image: Melissa Bickford's Download

Tools/Accessories: Spellbinders' Wizard & Star Die; Fiskars' Upper Crest Punch; Copic Markers; Ribbon: American Crafts

PTI, LPS & Spellbinders' Quick/Easy Christmas Card

Papertrey Ink's 2009 Holiday Tag Collection and Spellbinders' Labels 5 dies made quick/easy cards! The tags could easily be switched out on this basic card sketch too! My Labels 5 were out from making Gwen's birthday card/box, so I ended up using them again here. Took red/green precut/prefolded cards I'd had forever and added two 1/2" PTI Gold CS strips for my "package". Then cut/embossed my Labels 5 shapes from PTI's Ripe Avocado/Gold, stamped my tree label, and added gold & red Stickles. My sentiment from Little Paper Shop's Christmas Tags set finished it off quick & easy!

Spellbinders' Eyelet Pendant Pumpkin

When I saw this adorable pumpkin on Kimberly's blog (right after I bought the Eyelet Pendant with a coupon from our new Hobby Lobby), I just had to CASE it. Finally got around to doing it today using some lightly textured paper from Bazzill's Warehouse Sale. Full directions are on Kimberly's blog, along with a smaller one made with the next smaller die in the Eyelet Pendant set, so I won't repeat them here. The smaller one is totally cute too, but my beloved Wizard is "acting up", so I haven't made a small one.

Paper: Bazzill CS; PTI's Dark Chocolate

Embellishments: PTI's Leaf Ribbon

Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard & Eyelet Pendant & Tags Trio dies

Time for Flip Flops

Yes, it's that time of year again when we gals need to use our pumice stone & nail polish to spruce up our heels and toes & slip into our favorite pair of flip flops!!! I couldn't resist this darling Wishblade file when I saw it @ http://www.timeforcrafting.co.uk/index.html. Thanks for the darling pattern, Sara! For those of you without a die cutting machine, Sara also has a pdf pattern of the sandal for you to trace and cut out, so stop by her fun site & see her other awesome ideas! This was the card I shared for our Designing Divas stamp group's May get-together on Saturday.
Paper & Ribbon: Unknown brands from my stash
Embellishments: Amanda Blu chipboard flowers; Making Memories mini flower brads

Bookmarks for Improved Readers

My SBS8 Sister Kelly, http://kelleast.blogspot.com/, needs bookmarks to reward students who have improved their reading skills, so I made some brown/pink flowered ones for the girls. I used Making Memories Cosmoplitan Collection cardstock and patterned them after tutorials on http://technostamper.blogspot.com/by Mary Jo and by Dawn @

http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/ using flowered eyelets instead. Hope the girls like them!

For the boys I used their school colors of red & blue, but instead of white I cut silver holographic sticker paper on my Wishblade to read, "Way to Go!" and made an arrow at the top. I was trying to find something that they'd hopefully like and actually use!

Reading well is truly one important key to success in life, so I hope these teens will continue to improve their skills for a brighter future!

Papers: Making Memories Cosmopolitan Collection; Red/Navy Linen cardstocks

Embellishments: Flower Eyelets from my stash

Tools: COD; Xyron Wishblade

Architectural Male Birthday Card

Seeing this free Wishblade cutout card design by Mary (www.mamawslegacy.wordpress.com/) made me think of architectural elements -- a perfect fit for a masculine card. Since my husband's birthday is fast approaching, and it's always tough to come up with something non-feminine, but still classy, I think this worked well. Just cut the Wishblade file, add the rub-on, some mirrored cardstock, a few metal dots and I'm done!!!

Paper: Black Linen & Silver Fleck Cardstock; Dark Charcoal Grey Metallic; Silver Mirror Cardstock

Embelllishments: Karen Foster Rub-On; ColorBok Metal Drops

Tools: Xyron Wishblade Personal Media Cutter

Happy Easter Egg Wishblade Card

This paper-pieced Easter egg and greeting was created and uploaded to the Wishblade (personal diecutting machine) Yahoo Group by Kelly of the Wishblading Well: http://www.thewishbladingwell.com/. Isn't it the cutest? I wished I'd had more colors in this metallic paper, but I still like how it turned out! Hope it brings a smile to all who visit here!!!

Paper: Purple Cardstock & Lavender/Silver Handmade Papers from Costco; metallic text

Embellishments: Silver eyelets from my hoard

Heartfelt Valentine Card

Probably my last Valentine card for this year; think I'll be a little tired of pink/red for a while now! This card is also for a very dear friend who's helped inspire me for many years! I'm quite sure she'll appreciate this gorgeous heart from my heart to hers!
Once again, after finding http://mamawslegacy.wordpress.com/, which is Mary's beautiful blog again, I couldn't resist using this precious heart on a card right away! It cuts like "butta", Mary!!! Thank you!
Paper: Silver Metallic text & red cardstock from my huge stash
Stamp: Stampin'Up's Heartfelt Thanks set
Ink: Tsukineko's VersaMark
Glue: Elmer's Craft Bond Multi-purpose Spray Adhesive

Heart Lock and Key to my Heart Valentine

A card for a dear, sweet friend who may not even know how much she means to me -- she's sweet, helpful, funny -- well, just everything a wonderful friend should be!!! The true meaning behind what Valentine's Day is all about when it comes to a friend's love, I think!

Just as in my previous post, I've used a fantastic .gsd file created by Mary, http://mamawslegacy.wordpress.com/. If you have a diecutting machine, check out her awesome blog - you won't be disappointed!!!\

Paper: MemoryStor (sold by Costco) Handmade Paper - red with gold dots; gold metallic text

Punch: Martha Stewart 1" circle punch

Stamp: Stampin'Up Retired Set: Key to my Heart from 1999

Ink: Tsukineko's VersaMark

Madly in Love With You, Valentine!

A card for "guess who" -- he's my one & only!!! Hopefully, he'll continue to "not look" at my blog until tomorrow!!! Normally he sees most everything I make long before the intended recipient, so doesn't feel a need to look @ my blog.

This card was easily cut on my Wishblade from a file so beautifully created by Mary @ http://mamawslegacy.wordpress.com/. She very generously shares her cutting files there for free. Thanks, Mary!!! When I saw this I just knew it was perfect for "him"!!!

Paper: Silver Metallic text; red cardstock

Embellishments: Making Memories silver eyelet; other brad/eyelet from my HUGE stash!

Glue: Elmer's Craft Bond Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive

Tools: Crop-a-Dile; "Old Blue" Wishblade!

Handmade Christmas Cards

I received two handmade cards from dear friends this week. Ilene's poinsettia card was created with embossed snowflakes on vellum & finished off with the greeting and a poinsettia cut from Wishblade, then matted all around in black -- very lovely!
My Stampin'Up demo, Kimberly, sent the simple & adorable tree card with corrugated red strip on a green card. Simple and yet, simply adorable! Love the way she tied her ribbon! Thanks so much ladies for sharing your creativity!