Stamper's First Aid

Hey y'all! I just wanted to share a little something from Papertrey's Stamp-A-Faire.  The fabulous Jessica Witty chose one of my past cards to give a little stampers first aid to. 

Here's a photo showing my card and her great re-make of it:

I love all the changes she made! 

Be sure to head on over to her blog to see her process here.

Free Printable 3x4 Chevron Journaling Cards

I have been absent from my blog for quite some time!  This time of year, with Summer coming along, I get sidetracked with a million different things and seem to have a hard time focusing on anything in particular.  Does anyone else have that problem?
Anyhow, I thought I would share a fun little printable I made to use in Project Life, mini albums, or whatever you can think up.  Here is a sheet of FREE printable 3x4 chevron patterned journaling cards for you to enjoy.  I hope you like them!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.

CTD183 and FM50

I had a little bit more time this week to play with a couple more of my favorite challenges!

This time I mixed two different challenges together:

Color Throwdown Challenge 183:

I'm really loving that Really Rust color right now!

and:

the Friday Mashup  Challenge 50:

I was really excited to try these colors out together and they looked even better than I imagined.  I definitely see myself trying out this color combo a lot more.

I had some Really Rust cardstock, which I used to cut the heart border, but I didn't have matching ink.  So with a little playing around I discovered if I inked my stamp in red, then in Pumpkin Pie, it's a perfect match!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

FMS26

I hope everyone had a great St. Patrick's Day weekend!  After my fill of one of my most favorite foods ever, corned beef, I had plenty of energy to get a bit crafty.

The ladies over at Freshly Made Sketches have yet another fun sketch to try out this week.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my go at it:

I've never been terribly good at following rules, so that is why I really enjoy a lot of the sketch challenges out there.  You don't have to re-create the sketch exactly, but just create something based on your interpretation of it.  I didn't change this sketch up too much but I was having a difficult time with the strip across the top so I opted to shorten the strip a bit and move it down toward the center.  Not too bad, eh?

Stamps: PTI Rosie Posie, Text Style, Mat Stack 1(sentiment)
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, So Saffron
Paper: SU! Soft Sky, Very Vanilla.  PTI white, fine linen.

FSM23 and PDCC 120

When I'm out of mojo, I love to combine a sketch challenge with a color challenge to make the planning of a project so much easier.  With all the colors and layout picked for me, I just get to do the fun part and get inky!

This week I worked with Freshly Made Sketches #23:

And the Play Date Cafe Challenge #120:

And here is my take on the two challenges:

I used a cute little $5 set from PTI to bring together a really quick and easy card.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Handmade Ryan Gosling

Oh boy.  Just in case you haven't heard of it yet, or seen it, Handmade Ryan Gosling is a pretty fun site to peruse.  Photos of the gorgeous Ryan Gosling....what's not to love?!?

Here's a couple of my favorites:

(Apparently I'm not the only one.  I pinned this on Pinterest and it had almost 30 re-pins in just a few minutes.  Hee-hee!)

Blog Candy Winner

Random.org chose lucky number 5....Danielle, that's you!  Send me an email @ sarastemplates(at)yahoo(dot)com to let me know where to send your stamps.

Blog Candy!

 Hello everyone!  Today I have some blog candy up for grabs!  It is a brand new set of beautiful thank you stamps from Papertrey Ink. 

This little set is not available for purchase as it was a nice thank you gift they included in some recent orders.  I was lucky enough to get one in my December order, and one again in my January order.  Seeing how it's almost Valentine's day, I thought I'd share the love---and the stamps!

Here is a card made with the larger image from the set.  It fits perfectly on a die-cut of Mat Stack 5.  I simply adhered it with dimensional adhesive on top of a background I stamped using "Rosie Posie".

Cardstock: PTI Kraft, Stampers Select White

Stamps: PTI Rosie Posie, A Big Thank You

Ink: SU! Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette

Here is the set up for grabs:

It's a little difficult to see the actual images since the stamps are clear, but the larger image is the one featured on my card above, and also seen on the back of the package.  The smaller image can be seen as the sentiment in black on my card HERE.
 
All you have to do to win is leave a comment on this post.  I'll use the random number generator to pick a winner next Monday, February 20th.  I'd also love for you to follow me, though it's not a requirement to win.  I'm always looking for new blogs to follow as well!

Couch to 5k

So, I'm a little late to the bandwagon because apparently this has been around a while.  But it's new to me and new to a few people who I've talked to this week who haven't heard of it.  What is it?  It's Couch to 5k!

For a while now I've known that I need to get myself in gear, get moving, and get healthy.  Now that I'm done having babies and my littlest isn't so much of a baby anymore I had to tell myself now is the time to do something.

A friend of mine who recently completed her first 5k recommended this to me and I am so grateful.  Just by looking at the outline of the program I could tell this is something I can do.  30 minutes, three times per week.  Perfect for a busy momma!

Today was day one. Overall I was pretty impressed that I kept moving and didn't stop.  I didn't plan it, but the end of my workout put me right back on my doorstep as the music was ending.  I will have to remember next time though to plan a route off the main road by our neighborhood.  I saw about 67 people I know drive by me as I was panting and wheezing.  Back roads would probably be much better for the ego!

I felt like Phobe from Friends everytime someone I knew drove by:

A good pair of shoes was in order since I haven't bought any since the academy.  Those have way too many miles on them.  I was pretty excited to find these with the added bonus of my favorite color: teal.

I also snapped a photo of the breaking-in of my new shoes for my Project Life: 

I bought these at Kohl's

Nike Reax Rocket.  Doesn't the word 'rocket' thrown in there just sound fast?  :)

  Some good beats and a catchy tune definitely get me pumped up and ready to go.  If you Google "Couch to 5k podcast" there are several sites which offer free downloads which go along with the Couch to 5k program.  After looking around at a few I found a great set of podcasts you can download free here.    These are some great upbeat songs to keep you moving.  The voice-over telling you when you are halfway done, and how many run sessions you have left is quite helpful.  It was for me, at least!  The biggest help is that the voice-over also tells you when to run and when to walk, so you won't need a timer or stopwatch.  Just put your earphones in, turn on your mp3 player, and get going!

Something I forgot but totally needed was one of those arm bands to strap your ipod down to your arm so you don't have to hold it while you're trying to run.  I'll have to pick one up this week.  An ace bandage works in a pinch, but looks kind of funny.  Don't ask me how I know!

Is anyone else doing this program, or have you done it?  I'd love to hear your input and any tips you have to offer so be sure to leave a coment to help this girl out.  Thanks! 

OLW76

Teal is my favorite color.  Gray and teal work so beautifully together so it was no question as to what color I wanted to use for Susan's One Layer Wednesday challenge this week.

First up though is some color inspiration I have in my file using these colors together.  This watercolor painting is simply gorgeous!

                                                                     PHOTO SOURCE


Here is my project for the challenge:
(I'm horrible at photographing my cards at night under artificial light.  Sorry!)

 Just a tiny touch of teal:

I stamped the medallion and the sentiment in ColorBox pigment ink in 'Wild Hare' and heat-embossed both with clear embossing powder.  It gave a nice polished look and gave a bit of dimension to an otherwise flat one layer card.

I had to resist the urge to stamp the sentiment in black, but after seeing Susan's cards with grey sentiments I was totally inspired to try it.  Not bad, eh?

Stamps: PTI Mehndi Medallion, Botanical Silhouettes

Ink: ColorBox 'Wild Hare'

Cardstock: PTI white



Super Simple Sunday

I have just a quick, super simple project to share today.  It is a one-layer card with a little added dimension by use of rhinestones in the middle of each medallion shape.

Something I've really been loving about clear stamps is how easy it is to line them up an see exactly where you want them to go.  Add in a grid-lined acrylic block, and it's so easy even I can do it!

Stamps: PTI Mehndi Medallions, bonus free Thank You set
Ink: SU! Perfect Plum, Tempting Turquoise, Momento black
Other: SU! clear rhinestones

FMS19 and CTD176

Freshly Made Sketches  has a great new sketch to try this week.  The scalloped border immediately made me want to use my newest border die, so I was all ready to get started.


Then I saw the Color Throwdown Challenge for this week and just love these colors together! The bed in the inspiration photo is really beautiful, too! 


And here is my project combining the two challenges.  It isn't exactly what I planned in my head, but it's not too horrible :)

Stamps: PTI Botanical Sihouettes, Mehndi Medallion

Ink: SU! Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: SU! Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Rose Red DP, PTI white

Dies: PTI Mat Stack 5, Mat Stack 1, hearts border, filigree border

Color Inspiration 3

I just love the soft colors in this fine art print I found on Etsy. The combination is perfect for a Valentine's Day project!

Photo Source

CTD175

The Color Throwdown Blog has one of my favorite color combinations up as the challenge this week in Challenge CTD175.  I've always loved these colors together and even used to have an ivory couch with kraft colored specks in the fabric and big red poppies with olive leaves.  Oh, how I loved that couch!  The hubby didn't love it so much, and an ivory couch wasn't so ideal when the kiddos came along.

Anyhow, on to the projects!

Here is the Color Throwdown inspiration photo and color palette:



And here is my take on it:

Stamps: Stampin'  Up! Watercolor Trio

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Red Riding Hood, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Dies: Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 5, Sizzix leaf die

Punch: Stampin' Up! Scalloped Circle 

I made the flower by punching six scalloped circles from Riding Hood Red cardstock, scrunching them up by hand over and over until they softened up and were pliable, then attaching them all together with a brad in the center.  Once attached, fluff them up by hand.  It's such an easy and economical way to add a dimensional emellishment to your project!

And an extra super-simple one just for fun (though this one doesn't have kraft, but a darker brown):

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Botanical Silhouettes

Ink: Stampin' Up! Kiwi Kiss, Red Riding Hood, Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White

Other: Clear embossing powder

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'm off to go get ready for company coming over to watch the game with us, and watch the Forty Niner's win.  GO NINERS!!!

**Post edited**

In a rush to get to watching the game, I forgot to add my supply list for my projects.  I've added them below each project photo.

Is anyone else crying with me after the Niners lost?  So. Not. Cool.  They played a good game though, and another season will come around.

After reminiscing about my old couch mentioned before as part of this color challenge, I looked back and found an old photo of my beloved couch.  Excuse the paint line near the floor, it was before the floorboards were put up. 

More Color Inspiration

I came across this photo of these pillow cases while searching for....um, well...I don't remember what now!  Funny how the internet sucks you in like that, eh?

I absolutely love the combination of colors and especially like the pattern in the two middle ones on the left.  Unfortunately, the photo didn't have any info attached on where to find them so I had to play web detective and try to track it down.  The best guess I could find is this Etsy shop: 'Kalla'.  She has a great selection of fabrics to sew your own pillow cases with!

This one is my favorite color and pattern combo:

Photo source

Here are some beautiful colors together:

I really meant to post this yesterday (Monday) and to actually create a project from these colors last night, but the house was quiet and after a long weekend away I opted for a hot bath and early bedtime instead!

Color Inspiration

A lot of times when browsing the internet, I come across photos that catch my eye *mostly* for the colors that jump out at me and say, "that would make a great color combo for a project!"

I can then pull the colors from the photo to use later for inspiration, and now with Pinterest I can save the photo there as well.

Just for fun I thought I'd start sharing some of my favorite color combo inspirations  here on my blog and maybe you'll be inspired, too! I pulled the main colors from the photo and made a little pallette at the bottom just to break it down. I hope to share these on Mondays from now on, so check back.  :)

Here is one which recently caught my eye.  I don't even remember what I was searching for when I came across this (I promise it wasn't a hat for my kitty.  I swear!) but the colors, not to mention the subject itself, really caught my eye.  I love the fabric in the background.

I can't help but notice this guy doesn't look too happy about his new fashion accessory!



If you are so inclined to buy a little hat for your kitty, you can find it here:
photo credit: http://www.etsy.com/shop/shan329

I'd love to see any projects you've made with these colors, so feel free to link to your blog in the comments!

Project Life 2012 Title Page

So.....once again, I'm attempting to do Project Life this year. 

I figured the best way to start is with page one.  A title page.  It gave me a space to write down a few ideas of my hopes for the book and give me a reason to stick to it. 

*layout based on PageMaps December 2011 sketch.
Supplies: PTI kraft cardstock, Crate Paper 'Restoration', Martha Stewart punches, AC Thickers, Recollections glitter alphas.
Photography and adorable kiddos by Me!(and Mr. Paperaddict)  :)Some little hand-made butterfly embellishments:

I was so happy there was a four of hearts in this paper!  There are four of us in our little family, so it was perfect.

One thing I learned from my dismal failure  unfinished project from last year is to not place so much stress on making it perfect.  If I don't take a photo every single day, so what?  I fell behind on my photo taking, because let's face it: being a grown-up and/or momma is just downright tiring some days.  With the million things to do each day it may not always be the first thing on my mind to pick up the camera.  So this year I give myself permission to not stress about tyring to be perfect.  At anything.

I especially mention this because I've chatted with a few friends recently about their attempts at this project last year and how they gave up after falling behind.  I've also seen several people mention it on-line as well that they just completely threw the towel in after falling behind.  I say just pick up where you left off and keep going.  You can do it!  Again, so what?  So what if it's not a photo every day?  You are still recording your memories, big and small, and creating a priceless record of your life.  Imagine how much fun it will be to look at in 10, 20, 30 + years and remember all the everyday little things that make you and your family who you are!

I'd like to share a quote I've recently come across that translates well, not just for this project, but for pretty much anything:

 "I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work."
~ Thomas Edison.

Moving into 2012, I definitely plan to keep this idea in mind.  I suppose you only fail when you stop trying.


Happy 2012!

Happy New Year, everyone! I've always loved the idea of New Years.  A fresh start, in a way.  A brand new calendar to fill up. New goals to work toward.  A good time to start new projects.  We'll see how far I get with Project Life this year ;)

I've been busy doing more cooking and baking than anything crafty lately, so I'd like to share a recipe I recently discovered.  This breakfast is definitely  the perfect meal after a night of celebrating :)  It's good any time, even for dinner! French toast.  Mmmmmm..... One of my favorite breakfast foods ever.
My hubby made a delicious french toast casserole last year for Christmas breakfast, so I wanted to try making one this year.   I came across this recipe on Pioneer Woman last week for cinnamon baked french toast.
It's so easy to make and I really like that you can prepare it the night before and just pop it in the oven in the morning.
Here is what my finished casserole looked like before it was devoured!

Best wishes to everyone for a happy, healthy, and wonderful 2012!

December Daily

...or December Occasionally?   :)

I tried December Daily a couple of years ago, but just like my last attempt at Project Life, the need to follow through every single day is a little overwhelming for me. Life is busy as it is.  Add in the extra time crunch of the holidays, not to mention the fact that I always seem to take on too many projects no matter the time of year, it just didn't work out for me.  I would always go to bed telling myself I would catch up the next day, but one day became two, three, four, etc.

This year I decided to go with a basic binder so I could add pages as I go.  I also didn't number

the pages so there wouldn't be a need to add every single day.  For now I think my plan is just to cover the main highlights of the holidays like getting our tree, a trip to the snow, decorations, food, etc.

Here is a look at the cover: 

and a peek at the inside:

This is a Maya Road 5x7 chipboard binder that I painted with Making Memories paint (color: "Meadow").  The papers and elements are from Crate Paper's "Snow Day" collection.

Washi Tape

Washi tape.  Paper tape.  Decorative tape.  Photo tape.  Whatever you call it, the stuff is pretty fun to use!  So far I only have one roll of the real thing and even though it was only $1.99 for the roll, I've been hoarding it for use on only the super-extra-special stuff that needs taping.  It goes perfect with my Smash Book though and is a fun way to tape in the loose bits and pieces.
You may have noticed I finally have a snazzy new little blog header up there.  It's something I've been meaning to change for quite a while and finally got the chance to get it done today.  The tape I used was an awesome free download from Libby Bonjour:

Visit Libby's blog and download the Lake Collection washi tape here.

So, seeing how easy it was just to play with this digital tape with no worries of using it all up, of course I was on a quest to find some more.  Here are some other pretty ones to check out:

Digital washi tape by Rhonna Designs



Pixel Paperie on Etsy



Ursula's amazing collection (be sure to visit her blog for more photos)