Simple Vertical Thanks

A creation for the CAS(E) This Sketch #129 challenge.  A very interesting sketch!  I’m not sure this is really clean and simple enough for the challenge.  I tried to keep it simple, and I know it has a few layers, but I really love this card and had such a fun time creating it. I love these colors.

Thanks for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

Challenge Photos:
Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Simple Sprig (Waltzingmouse)
Paper/Cardstock:  White (Xpedx); Aqua Mist, Smokey Shadow (PTI); Regal Rose (SU)
Inks:  Regal Rose (SU)
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Recollections)
Tools:  Songbirds Die (PTI); Thanks Card Die (Simon Says Stamp); Simple Sprig Dies (Waltzingmouse); Guide Lines Grid Impression Plate (PTI)

Some Two-Step Flowers

I was a little late to the party, but I snatched up the Two-Step Sprig stamp set from Waltzingmouse Stamps as soon as I saw all the lovely samples out there in blogland.  I am far from the best 2-step stamper around, but I think my first batch of blooms turned out fairly decent.

Here are two cards featuring these cool, fun flowers:

This card seemed like a good place to add my favorite Verve sentiment.

And MFT’s On The Line sentiment here on this card.

Thanks for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Two-Step Sprig (Waltzingmouse Stamps); One Person (Verve); On The Line (MFT)
Paper/Cardstock:  Dark Chocolate, Kraft, Lemon Tart, Rustic White Cardstocks (PTI)
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Recollections, Kaisercraft); Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Marker
Tools:  Linen/Canvas Impression Plate (PTI)

Dynamic Duos #44

Stopping by with my creation for today’s Dynamic Duos challenge, which is for the colors So Saffron and Basic Black.  There is also a Dessert Option for ribbon.

It was difficult for me to see anything but ‘bumblebee’ with these colors! 😉  But I fought that instinct and used my Botanical Silhouettes stamp set for a little get well card, instead.  And I might send it to myself, because I’m going to need it next week!

I fussy cut each of the blooms and attached them with foam adhesive, also adding a few little black marker dots to them (don’t look too closely – my eyes have had a hard time lately!).  Then a few rhinestones here and there.

That’s it for me today.  I am in for a crazy week ahead, but I am hoping to see you back here next Saturday, at least, for the next Dynamic Duos challenge.

Make sure you stop in to see what the rest of the Design Team have created and to check out the details for this challenge.  I hope you will participate with us!

Allyson Andersen (me) | Christina Barnes | Vicki Burdick | Karen Day | Deanna Dean
Jenny Engelke | Anne Marie Hile | Erna Logtenberg | Bobbie Trost | Amy White

 

Thanks for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Botanical Silhouettes, Healing Touch Sentiments (Papertrey Ink); Text It (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper/Cardstock:  White Cardstock (Xpedx); So Saffron Cardstock (SU); Smokey Shadow Patterned Paper (PTI)
Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); So Saffron (SU); Antique Pewter (Colorbox)
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Recollections)

Play Date Cafe Roses

Here is a little something for the Play Date Cafe #158 challenge:

I used the Sweet Life stamp for the roses, but I didn’t go through all the stamping steps because I wanted them to have a bold, bright, modern feel.  So I stamped just one step onto Regal Rose cardstock using the same ink for a tone-on-tone effect.  The leaves were done the same way using Wild Wasabi.

The mat layer and text are both Basic Gray, and the sentiment is from PTI’s Heart Prints stamp set.  I scattered a few rhinestones for a little bling.

And on a personal note…

We’ve had a pretty good week with lessons, but I am happy to have a few weekend days to chill. 😉  I was finally able to add in the twins’ math lessons, and they love it!  Thank goodness.  PrincessA has taken to putting her arms around me or resting her head on my shoulder while we sit on the sofa and I read aloud to her, and that makes my heart feel good.  Little Man is on the verge of really taking off with his reading, and I love watching this stage when all the light bulbs start going on in their minds and things start to connect.

And my little PrincessM, who has struggled with pronouncing her ‘r’ sounds ever since beginning to talk, just up and blurted out the most perfect little ‘r’ sound out of nowhere this week, and it was like music to my ears!  Thank the Lord!  I have been waiting and waiting, trying to be patient and not worry too much about speech problems and such.  And when that sound came out of her mouth, it was as though heaven itself opened up and angels began singing the hallelujah chorus, I’m telling you!!  Such a sweet, sweet little life moment.

In other good news, we were finally able to figure out what the stench was coming from the children’s bathroom.  We think a little person (ahem) stuffed a bit of food down the little emergency drain hole at the top of the sink – who knows how long ago, based on the stench!  And after the toilet tank in the other bathroom sprung a small leak and then finally cracked, we were able to fix it fairly quickly, so things are looking up, I suppose. 😉

We have the twins’ birthday up this week, so we will be bowling, making cake, and opening presents the day before Thanksgiving.  I can’t believe my twin babies are 6 years old!!  Then we have dinner with my family on Thanksgiving day, dinner with Hubby’s family the next day, and then Saturday to ourselves to put up our Christmas tree and decorations.  Since we all have been a little bit sick this past week (and a little bit sleep deprived for me as a result), I am really hoping that we can escape the family parties next week without having to become sick again.

I hope you all are having a good weekend.  Thanks so much for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

Challenge Photos:
Supplies Used:
Stamps:  The Sweet Life, Heart Prints (PTI); Text It (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper/Cardstock:  Oatmeal Cardstock (Wplus9); Basic Gray, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi Cardstocks (SU!)
Inks:  Basic Gray, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi (SU!)
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Recollections)
Tools:  The Sweet Life Dies (PTI)

CASology – Leaf

I have tried today to use my time for mostly creative pursuits, since we have 3 days left of the sleepover, after which we will pick up in earnest with lessons again next Wednesday.  Lessons will be much more involved as we begin a new curriculum for each of the two grade levels, and with twins for one of those levels, I anticipate being BUSY.  So I’ve tried to fill a bit of my time this week with some creative fun for me.

Today’s card is for the CASology #14 challenge, on a theme of LEAF.

I went straight for my Harvest Berries stamps and dies and also my Ocean Tides ink.  I haven’t used anything Ocean Tides in a while, which is sad because I just love that color, especially with cream and brown.  So that’s what you have here!

I also used my new Oatmeal cardstock from Wplus9, and I really like it.  Filled in with some gems here and there, and a little wrap of twine at the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

Challenge Photos:
Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Botanical Silhouettes, Harvest Berries (Papertrey Ink); Text It (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper/Cardstock:  Oatmeal Cardstock (Wplus9)
Inks:  Dark Chocolate, Ocean Tides (PTI)
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Recollections); Rustic Cream Button Twine (PTI)
Tools:  Rounded Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers);  Harvest Berries Die (PTI)

Play Date Cafe 151

I finally broke out my The Sweet Life stamp set, in order to play along with the Play Date Cafe challenge this week.

I’m not an expert on these flowers, obviously.  They were a little tricky for me to line them all up for the coordinated whole, even with the ‘cheat sheet’ from the PTI forum.  I practiced and practiced first on scratch paper, but I still need lots more practice, I think.  But I don’t think they’re terrible for my first try!  And it was fun to practice with them.

I used some Fine Linen striped paper on the bottom of the card.  And I figured I would get acquainted again with my long-neglected Edgers #1 die!  Also making an appearance here are a couple of stamps from the Waltzingmouse Say It Loud stamp set.  And I took quite a bit of liberty in the color shades, I think.  Hope it’s not too much of a stretch.

Thanks for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

Challenge Photos:

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Say It Loud (Waltzingmouse Stamps); The Sweet Life, Background Basics: Tin Types (Papertrey Ink)
Paper/Cardstock:  Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream Cardstocks; Fine Linen Pattern Paper (PTI); White Cardstock (Xpedx)
Inks:  Dark Chocolate, Melon Berry, Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel, Simply Chartreuse (PTI); Pink Pirouette, Pumpkin Pie,  Regal Rose (SU!); Tea Dye Distress Ink (Ranger)
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Kaisercraft, Recollections); Vintage Cream Ribbon (PTI)
Tools:  The Sweet Life Dies, Edgers #1 Die (PTI)