12 Kits Of Occasions: September "REWIND" & Happy News!

Hello!  I have a happy, card-filled post today.  I was lucky enough to guest design for the 12 Kits of Occasions group two months this year, and I am thrilled that I get to participate in their September "Rewind".  Even after making several cards, I still had oodles left in my kits...and so did everyone else, so today's cards are all made from the leftovers (May and June's kits in my case).  AND...this is the really exciting part...I've been invited to join the 12 Kits Designers on a regular basis.  Yippee!!!  I was a stunned and excited and nervous all at the same time when sweet Renee sent the invite.  Who wouldn't want the chance to get to know these wonderful ladies (whom I've long admired) better and have fun creating with kits while doing it?  Speaking of these talented ladies, I cannot wait to see what they've done with their leftovers!  Head over to the 12 Kits of Occasions blog to check it out, and if you are interested in any of the supplies used on my cards today, click on the Monthly Kit Supplies tab at the top while you are there. :)

Okay, here we go!  I'll start with the cards I made from May's kit:

This is my first attempt experimenting with a clear card stock base.  I created a little scene, gluing some die cuts inside and some outside of the card.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, but the only problem is that I'm not sure where I'll write....didn't really think that part through.  Maybe under the waves? 

Birthday Boat Clear Card

May Kit Supplies + PTI (clear cardstock, Cloud 1 & 2 Die), The Twinery (Maraschino Twine), Lil' Inkers (Stitched Rectangles die)

You are Knot Alone Card

May Kit Supplies + CTMH (hemp, outdoor denim ink), PTI (Star Prints Stamp Set)

I had lots of fun patterned papers left from my May Kit, so I pulled them all out and pieced them together on this card.  I was most excited to use one of the cool wood die cuts Joyce included in the kit.  I added the little stamped stars to the die cut.

While I had the clear cardstock out, I figured I might as well make a shaker card.  I love them, and this one was super easy to put together with this awesome self-adhesive text die cut Joyce included in the kit.  Love the little bit of texture added by embossing a cover up die from Lil' Inkers.

Birthday Shaker Card

May Kit Supplies + Lil' Inkers (Pieced Chevrons Cover Up Die), PTI (clear cardstock), Pretty Pink Posh (sequins)

Okay, time to switch to the cards I made using my June Kit leftovers.  By the way, have I mentioned yet that I had so much fun making these cards!  I can't believe how easily they came together, and I was all smiles the whole time I was creating.  

 Thank You Card

June Kit Supplies + Lil' Inkers (Stitched Rectangles Die)

Love the simplicity of this one.  I thought the little flower die cuts in the kit were so cute, and if I had more of them, you better believe I'd be mass producing this card.

This little birdie actually came stamped as a smooching little pair of birdies, but as I mentioned last week, I really need a bunch of thank you cards at the moment, so I trimmed him out by himself.  I added a little speech bubble and that was that.

Thanks Card

June Kit Supplies + PTI (Bubble Talk Dies) + SSS (Thanks) + colored pencils

The tissue paper Marybeth used to wrap the kit in was beautiful, and way back in June I wanted to use it on a card.  As soon as I found out we'd be revisiting the kits, I was determined not to let this opportunity pass to use that gorgeous tissue paper. My card's layout was inspired by this sketch.

Studio Calico Sketch

My in-laws just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.  I'm not the best at remembering to send cards for anniversaries, so I was grateful to have this kit to give me the little bit of extra motivation I needed to make and more importantly send this card.

Happy Anniversary Card

June Kit Supplies + tissue paper, white thread

Almost done...just one more card to share.

Happy Wishes Card

June Kit Supplies + PPP (marshmallow sequins) + SU! (embossing plate)

The little polka dot bag on this card was another piece of packaging that Marybeth used for her kit.  I loved it.  Honestly, I loved all the packaging in the kit and saved every piece of it.  I thought that this would be perfect to stuff a gift card into, and I love the generic nature of the sentiment because it allows me to use this card for nearly any occasion.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I sincerely appreciate the visits and sweet comments you all leave.  Just as a little heads up...I anticipate my blog and activity in blog land will be on the quieter side for the next little bit.  I'm not really sure how long, but we're going through some pretty big (but good) changes around here.  It may take a bit to adjust and life to return to "normal".

Christmas Blessings (PTI Bog Hop + SSS Anything Goes)

Oh, how I wish I could have photographed this better.  I just love this card.  It was inspired by PTI's Blog Hop and Simon Says...Anything Goes Wednesday Challenge.

I randomly stamped these fabulous sprigs from PTI's Embellished Elegance Stamp set (I am so so so excited to finally own this one).  Then, I created an overlay with some vellum.  I finished it off with a sentiment created with PTI's Wet Paint Holiday stamp set and dies.

This is my last of four cards that I made for these challenges.  (See the others here, here, and here.) I was thrilled to have a some unexpected time to stamp today, and I'm so happy that the cards all came together as quickly as they did.  I hope you all have had a wonderful week and that this weekend brings even more happiness.

Chevron Thanks for PTI & SSS

Hi, again!  While I had PTI's Phone Case Details Die Collection out after making this card, I used the chevron die to make this quickie for PTI's September Blog Hop and Simon Says...Anything Goes Wednesday Challenge.  I also used the same sentiment from PTI's Phrase Play #6 Mini Stamp Set, but this time I inked up the whole thing.  Oh, how I love the simplicity of this card.  Okay, I've got one last card to share today...be back in a jiffy.

PTI September Blog Hop + Simon's Anything Goes Take 2

Back to share another quickie I made for Papertrey Ink's September Blog Hop.  The beautiful knitting in the inspiration photo reminded me of PTI's Phone Case Details Die Collection, so I pulled them out and die cut a bunch of the diamonds.   I finished the card for with a selectively stamped sentiment from the Phrase Play #6 Mini Stamp Set.  I'm also happily linking this card up to the Simon Says...Anything Goes Wednesday Challenge.  Thanks for stopping by...I'll be back shortly with another CAS card inspired by these challenges.

Simple Scrap Thanks

Hi!  Popping in to share a quick card I made for fun.  After I made this card and this card, some scraps were lying to the side.  I picked them up, placed them on a card base, and decided they'd make a nice, simple card.  I added some layered die cuts from Simon Says Stamp's Thanks die and that was that.  It was so easy, and I actually really like it.  Plus, it is perfect for speedy mass production...something I really need these days as I'm in somewhat of a panic of all the things that need to get done and the short amount of time I have to do it.

ETA: After a few encouraging words from some friends (thanks Darnell and Anita), I've decided to link this card up to the current Stamplorations Challenge.  I was surprised to see how well it worked with their sketch.

Paper Weaving Take 2

Hi, I'm back again. :)  I couldn't decide whether or not I was totally pleased with my first attempt at paper weaving for this week's Make It Monday technique, so I made another card.

I love this scrappy onesie.  I also love when I pull out older supplies to make a new card.  Don't get me wrong: new supplies are always fun, but it feels good to use what I have, too.

You may be wondering why I have the up and down pictures.  Well, I always like the way a card looks lying flat in pictures.  I think because that is the way I see the card as I'm making it.  However, my husband always likes the way the cards look standing up.  And sometimes (like today), I have to admit that the lighting and colors are better when the card is standing up.  I'm also really poor at making decisions....manifested by me ordering two different kinds of frozen yogurt last week at my nieces birthday party.  My brother-in-law just laughed, my husband just shook his head, and my sister wasn't surprised at all.  (Let's just say this wasn't an unusual occurrence growing up...it was less agonizing for my parents to let me order two things when we went out than to wait for me to make a decision and then second guess my choice the entire meal.)  So that's why I've included the up and down pictures today.  Are you still there?  Sorry, that was a giant tangent full of information you probably never cared to know. :)  Hope you are having a lovely weekend!

Supplies
Stamps: PTI (Think Big Favorites #19)
Ink: PTI (true black)
Paper: Echo Park (Sweet Girl)
Dies: PTI (Bitty Baby Blessings, Bountiful Banners, Mat Stack 3, Linen & Canvas Impression Plate)
Other: Pretty Pink Posh (sequins)

MIM #180: Paper Weaving Thanks

This week's Make It Monday technique is paper weaving.  It looked fun, and I certainly have scraps to spare, so last night I got to work.  I have a bunch of thank you cards to make, which is a nice switch from all the birthday cards I've been making.  My favorite part is that totally unintentionally this ended up resembling a really scrappy quilt.  And I just happen to know of a quilt I'll be receiving this next weekend from my aunt. :) She's an amazing quilter, and I love that this card will be a more personalized way to say thank you.

Supplies
Stamps: PTI (Wet Paint)
Ink: PTI (pure poppy)
Paper: Echo Park (Sweet Girl)
Other: Michaels (enamel dots)

CASE Study Burlap Tag

Debby Hughes (one of my very most favorite carmakers ever!) is the muse this month at CASE Study.  I HAD to play along with at least one challenge.  The idea for this tag came immediately when I saw the inspiration photo.  I have a gift that hasn't been delivered in over a week because it is missing a tag.  I loved everything about Debby's creation, so I hardly strayed from it at all.

I only swapped out the light blue because that is the recipient's favorite color. :) I hand trimmed the the burlap leaves, outlined the flower with a pen, and covered the whole thing with glossy accents.  And that's about it.  Simple, but just what I had in mind (insert happy smile).

Supplies
Stamps: PTI (Bigger Blooms, Phrase Play #6)
Ink: Color Box (Robin's Egg), PTI (True Black)
Paper: PTI (Stamper's Select White)
Dies: PTI (Bigger Blooms, Tag Sale #3)
Other: Project Life (black pen), SU! (scallop border punch), glossy accents, burlap

A Card for My Niece

Hello!  Just popping in to share a card I made for one of my nieces who recently had a birthday.  Skulls wouldn't normally be my thing for a birthday card, but for a girl who loves Monster High, this works. :) The theme was certainly inspired by my niece, but I was also inspired by the current Fusion challenge.  It's been ages since I played along with a Fusion challenge, but I couldn't get the pink and the tad bit of shiny silver from the inspiration photo out of my head.  I loved the sketch, too, but that will have to be inspiration for another day.  Hope you enjoy the last day of the weekend!

Supplies
Stamps: PTI (Autumn Pattern Pieces, Polka Dot Parade #7), WPlus9 (Strictly Sentiments 1)
Ink: PTI (raspberry fizz, true black)
Other: silver sequins

The FINAL W&W + SSS Challenge Card!

Yep, you read that right...this is the last one...finally!  I really did have a ton of fun making cards for Winnie & Walter's Share the Love Week featuring Simon Says Stamp.  I tried some new things and used some never before used supplies, which is always a good thing.  I also realized that I desperately  need to invest in some more stamp sets from Winnie & Walter.  I guess the one plus in my extremely limited supply is that it made it really easy to enter their Just One Stamp Set Challenge. :)

I also made this card with Winnie & Walter's Rainbow Color Palate Challenge in mind.  I think it turned out pretty fun.  It's actually one of my favorites.  Phew...I'm exhausted from all this posting. Thanks so much for visiting.  I'm hoping to have some time this week to catch up on all of your blogs.  Have the most wonderful week!!!

PS Thanks Marybeth for reminding me about the latest NBUS Challenge going on.  I did thinking of it as I created many of my W&W + SSS cards because I was so happy to be using so many of my "never-before-used-schtuff", but totally forgot about it when it came to posting.  So...I'm also linking this up to NBUS Challenge #2.  (My NBUS on this one are the thanks die and the pink sequins.  And these particular watercolors if you want to be technical.) 

Supplies
Stamps: Winnie & Walter (The Big, the Bold, and the Happy)
Ink: Simon Says Stamp (Smoke)
Other: Simon Says Stamp  (Thanks die), Pretty Pink Posh (Fresh Mint, Pink Peonies, and Sparkling Clear Sequins), watercolors

W&W + SSS Christmas Shaker

Hello, again!  I'm almost done for the day...really...just a couple more to go!  After making this card and this card I had a bunch of extra little die cut holly pieces that I thought would look cute in a shaker, which is how this super simple Christmas card was born.  I added some sequins from Pretty Pink Posh, stamped a sentiment and was done.  I finished this card in 7 minutes 54 seconds and am linking it to Winnie & Walter's 10 Minute Dash Challenge.  Since I only used one stamp set from Winnie & Walter and one from Simon Says Stamp, I'm also linking it to Winnie & Walter's Just One Stamp Set Challenge.

Supplies
Stamps: SSS (Christmas), W&W (The Big, the Bold, and the Happy)
Ink: PTI (True Black) 
Paper: PTI (Berry Sorbet, Clear Cardstock, New Leaf, Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, White)
Other: LID (Stitched Rectangles Die), PTI (Holly Jolly Dies), PPP (Woodland Mix and Sweetheart Mix Sequins)

Winnie & Walter + Simon Says Stamp Christmas Card Take 2

Here is another Christmas card I made for the Winnie & Walter Share the Love Week Challenges featuring Simon Says Stamp products.  I wasn't able to finish my first card in time for the 10 Minute Dash Challenge, so I thought I switch things up a bit and try again.  Why I thought adding more would help me finish in a shorter amount of time is just beyond me!  I do love how it turned out, except can you see my biggest booboo?  I adhered the stamped "happy" word panel upside down.  In my defense, the "h" does look like a "y" when it is upside down.  Hopefully whoever receives this card (a) won't notice or (b) won't care. :)   I'm linking this one up to the following challenges:

Winnie & Walter's Just One Stamp Set Challenge

Winnie & Walter's Sketch Challenge

Simon Says...STAMPtember Stamp-It Challenge 

NBUS Challenge #2 (My never-before-used-schtuff are the SSS Christmas stamp set and the SSS 2 Tier Folded Banner Die.  I used the side options for this challenge: 1) Christmas and 2) create 2 cards using the same stamp. (See the 2nd card here.)

Supplies
Stamps: SSS (Christmas), W&W (The Big, the Bold, and the Happy)
Ink: PTI (Berry Sorbet, Kraft) 
Paper: PTI (Berry Sorbet, Rustic Cream, Spring Moss)
Other: PTI (Holly Jolly Dies), SSS (2 Tier Folded Banner Die), PPP (Metallic Gold Sequins)

Winnie & Walter + Simon Says Stamp: Christmas Edition

I'm linking this up to Winnie & Walter's Share the Love Just One Stamp Set Challenge. I used one stamp set from each company.  W&W's The Big, the Bold, and the Happy and Simon Says Stamp's Christmas stamp set.  I also made this for Simon Says...STAMPtember Stamp-It Challenge and attempted to make it in 10 minutes for Winnie & Walter's 10 Minute Dash Challenge, but it took about 16 minutes to make. This is one of my very favorites from all the Winnie & Walter challenge cards I made.  In fact, I think it is my favorite.   Even my husband liked it, which is always a plus. :)  Oh, and I almost forgot.  The layout is from Winnie & Walter's Sketch Challenge.
ETA: I'm also linking this up to the latest NBUS Challenge #2 going on.  I honestly was so excited to use some of my never-been-used Simon Says Stamp goodies on this card...the Christmas stamps and the 2 tier folded banner die.  Plus, I was able to use the side options for this challenge: 1) Christmas and 2) create 2 cards using the same stamp. (See the 2nd card here.)

Supplies
Stamps: SSS (Christmas), W&W (The Big, the Bold, and the Happy)
Ink: PTI (Pure Poppy) SSS (Fog)
Paper: PTI (New Leaf, Pure Poppy, White)
Other: PTI (Holly Jolly Dies, Prisma Glitter), SSS (2 Tier Folded Banner Die)