First Day of School!

Hi there! Sorry for the absence....I was so busy last week getting the kids back to school and getting errands done! I also am getting over mono, so have been moving a little slower and napping a little more often!

I wanted to share some pics with you of the first day of school! I will be back later today with some PTI cards. Here are the boys the morning before school. They are so proud of their new lunch boxes and backpacks!

Parker is going into 1st grade. He is obsessed with pulling up his socks! I try to bribe him to fold them down, but it does not work! I guess it will be great blackmail material for his high school girlfriends!
This is him with his teacher!
Katie is going into 8th grade and was so ready to get back to her friends, etc!

This is my baby, Carson. He is going into Pre-K. This is his sweet teacher! He liked school and was mad when I got there to pick him up b/c he wanted to stay and play longer!

That's all, folks! ~Tori

More Chocolate!

Good Wednesday Evening! I just got back from my daughter's rainy soccer practice - luckily I sat in my car! It has been a tiring week trying to get everyone back on their schedules - including me!

Here is another Riley card! This is a birthday card for my Aunt's Birthday - the same one I made the PTI card set for! Here Riley is pigging out on bon-bons on the couch - oh, the life...not a care in the world! LOL! Anyway, I used some new Basic Grey Lemonade along with some Aqua Mist (PTI), Kiwi Kiss (SU), and Stamper's Select White (PTI). The ribbon is Purely Pomegranate. I used my oval nesties to layer and sponged some Kiwi Kiss ink around the edges. I ran the Kiwi Kiss through my CuttleBug using a paisley print embossing folder. The sentiment is computer generated.

Here is a close-up of the piggy...I mean, moose! I popped Riley up using 3-D foam tape and added some Liquid Glass (CTMH) for his chocolates! Here is a look at the computer generated sentiment on the inside of the card. I sponged some Kiwi Kiss on this too.

I did not snap a picture of the Copics, but I used: E30,31,33,35,37, R20, Rv11, 14, BG10, 11 & 13 - I think that's all of them! :)

Have a great night - I am turning in early tonight! ~Tori

Updated Scrap Room Pics

Happy Saturday!

I snapped a few pics earlier this week of my updated punch storage and organization on my desk.

**Warning** - messy pictures!

I finally hung the rest of my Bygel rails from Ikea. I moved my SU ribbon in the baskets off of my desk and hung them on the rails. As I add more punches, I will move the ribbon baskets.

I wanted to show you where the punch storage is in my office. It's a perfect location for me. I am a lefty, so all I have to do is lean over and grab what I need! See, I told you messy!

(click on photo, for a better view)

This is where most of the magic happens! LOL! I do tend to make a huge mess when I craft, but I do have a 'place' for everything! :) I was in the middle of working on some PTI cards and did not feel like clearing it off...you caught me, I am messy!

Over & Out! ~Tori

PTI - Floral Fusion Card Set

Happy Friday! Today was the last official day of summer vacation for my kids and they had orientation. They had fun seeing their friends and meeting their new teachers!

I have a Thank You card set to show you that I created using PTI's Floral Fusion. This is the free set that was only available at CHA. It is so pretty and easy to work with! I cranked out 5 cards and decorated the box in no time....and I am slow! This is the outside of the box. I stamped the belly-band using Guide Lines One on Guide Lines One paper in Hibiscus Burst & Ripe Avocado - I {heart} this color combo....so bright & cheery! This was the first time I had ever used the pre-printed GL1 paper and it is incredibly easy to work with! I will definitely be keeping lots of it on hand!Here are two of the cards in the set - I stamped the same background paper and used some bling from Kaiser Craft to finish off the flowers. On the left card, I used the CB Swiss Dots Embossing folder on the card base.
For these, I used the Guide Lines two set - I do not have the GL2 pre-printed paper, but will definitely be ordering it soon. I also used the Ripe Avocado ribbon and the Ribbon Tag Trio Nestie.

This set is a gift for my Aunt's 75th Birthday! She loves flowers and writing notes, so I am sure she will love it!

Thanks for stopping by! ~Tori

Safari Riley....and some BIG news!!

Good evening! Hope everyone is well!

I have some BIG news to share tonight....so without further adieu, here it is:

I was chosen to be the Guest Designer for Hanna Stamps for February & March 2010!!

It is such an honor to be chosen out of the talented pool of ladies that tried out! I am looking forward to getting to know the Hanna Stamps DT ladies!

I had some time today to play along with this weeks Hanna Stamps Challenge over at SCS: Distressing HSC82. As the title hints, the challenge was to use distressing on your card. I inked up my brand-new Safari Riley and colored him while I was at the Orthodontist's Office - my dd got her braces put on!

I pulled out my stash of Basic Grey Archaic along with some Mellow Moss and Chocolate Chip papers. I inked all of the pages using VersaMagic Chalk Ink in Jumbo Java. The sentiment was computer generated and punched with a SU oval punch. Riley and some of the 'ground' are popped up using foam tape. I hand-drew the tree on Chocolate Chip and cut out. I punched the branches using a Martha Stewart Fern punch in Mellow Moss and BG paper, inked them and layered. See below for a close-up of the tree - I am really happy with how it turned out!
Here are the Copics I used:

Thanks for stopping by tonight! ~Tori

Warm Happiness Thanks....and an unwelcome guest!

Good Monday evening! It was a busy one for me. This is the last week before school starts and there is a lot to do to tie up loose ends!

Here is another sample using PTI's Warm Happiness.

I stamped the inside of the mug in Aqua Mist on Kraft (SU) and then stamped the outline in chocolate chip. The background paper was stamped on Aqua Mist in the matching ink using PTI's Guide Lines two stamp set. This is the first time I have used this set and it is incredibly easy to work with! The sentiment comes from SU's Live Your Dream set. I layered the Aqua background paper onto some Dark Chocolate and stitched the edges together. I made the scalloped edge using an EK Success border punch. To finish it off, I used some brown polka dot ribbon and an Aqua Mist button.

Here is the mugshot of the very unwelcome guest I found in my craft room yesterday while cleaning out!!

Ack!! I hate scorpions!! We have found about 7 of these in our house in the last 2 years. From what I am told, these are not poisonous and the ones I have seen are only a little bigger than a quarter. Still, I do not like them! Luckily, I yelled for my hubby and he came right up and killed it! Hope I did not traumatize you with that image! LOL!

Thanks for stopping by! ~Tori

PTI - Warm Happiness

Hello again - long time no see!! LOL!

As promised, here is a card using another one of my new PTI sets - Warm Happiness.

Look Ma, NO COPICS!! Can you believe it? I did not use Copics on this card at all! I know, I am just as shocked as you!!

I used Aqua Mist, Stamper's Select White and Bitty Dot Basics in Dark Chocolate. I {heart} these colors together! I stamped the mug in Aqua Mist and then stamped the outline using Chocolate Chip (SU). I sponged around the edges using some more Aqua Mist. I added some stitching and Aqua Polka Dot Ribbon to finish it off.

Here is the inside of the card:

The sentiment stamped a little light - next time I will do it in the Choc Chip. I still think it turned out really cute!

I tend to give a lot of Starbucks gift cards and I think this set is perfect for making a gift card holder!

Thanks for stopping by again tonight! Have a great one! :) ~Tori

More Vintage Picnic!

Happy Saturday night to ya! I had a blast last night hangin' with my 'peeps', the CaRD ChiCKs! They are such a fun group of girls! We were short 2 of our cohorts last night - hope they can make it next time! We shared images to stamp, shopped online and stamped a little!

Tonight, I have 2 more cards to show you from the Vintage Picnic Set from PTI. I kept the color scheme the same as the card that I posted the other day, as I am making a gift set of cards. I am just really slow at it!

This is the first one - Happy Harvest. I used Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise, Stamper's Select and Polka Dot Parade DP - All PTI. I added a little stitching to this one along with some Spring Moss Satin Ribbon (PTI), linen thread (SU), Nestabilities and punched the tag using a McGill window punch.

Here are the Copics I used:

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Here is card #2:

I used the same papers, however, I ran out of Summer Sunrise and had to substitute some Bazzill until I get another PTI order! I used a CB Swiss Dots folder and some linen thread (SU) to finish it off. I did not snap a pic of the Copics, but here is what I used:

Apples - YG91, YG93, Y32, Y35 / Basket - E53, E55, E57

I will be posting another one soon using the PTI Warm Happiness set!

Thanks for stopping by!~Tori

Sophie Spa Set - HSGDC3

Here is my 3rd entry for round 2 of the Hanna Stamps Design Team Guest spot! Wish me lots of luck - I really hope I make it!

This is Bubbly Sophie's very own Spa Set! Didn't you know she has her own line of pampering products? I created this super-cute purse, using Lauren Meader's Pretty Petal Pocket Timeless Template. I used Pale Plum SU cardstock along with some We R Memory Keepers DP. I like this DP since it is very glittery! I made the flowers using Lesa Rapp's tutorial and some heart-shaped Nesties. The sentiment was computer generated. I used a crimper and some Kiwi Kiss to create the 'grass' for the inside of the basket.
Here is a close-up of Sophie. I colored her with my Copics, masked her off and airbrushed the background. I added some Liquid Glass (CTMH) to the bubbles and puddle on the floor.

Here is another shot of Sophie's own line of Pampering products. She has a body butter, body wash and bath salts. I created the tags using the large oval tag (SU), my crop-a-dile, and some ribbon to secure the tags. I really need to indulge in her products myself - it has been a long summer at home with 3 kids!

Above is the Copics I used.



Supplies: Stamps - Bubbly Sophie - Hanna Stamps, Sentiment - Computer Generated; Paper - Pale Plum, Kiwi Kiss, Gina K 120# White, We R Memory Keepers DP; Ink - Memento, Copics; Accessories - Heart and Circle Nesties, Kiwi Kiss Ribbon, Brad (HL), Copic ABS, Timeless Template (Lauren Meader), Oval Punch (SU), Bath Stuff (?), Liquid Glass (CTMH)



Hope you liked this one!

~Tori

Vintage Picnic - Thank You

Good Wednesday evening! Hope you are all doing well! I am exhausted. My 13 yo dd had her first unofficial soccer practice...against the parents! I played a little with her team and the rest of the time with my boys. It was great for them to get out and run around after it had cooled off a little tonight. They really don't like the heat.

This is my first card using my some of my new PTI stamps!

I picked up these babies at CHA!

This is from the Vintage Picnic set. This set is so versatile - there are 5 different baskets as well of several different goodies to fill it with, AND great sentiments to go with each goodie! I used Lemon Tart, Summer Sun, Stampers Select White (by far the best paper I have tried for Copics - it blends so nicely and with little effort!) , Polka-Dot Parade DP and Lemon Tart Ribbon- all are PTI products. I colored the image with my copics and then double-layered the basket using foam tape.

Here is a close-up so you can see the dimension.

Here are the Copics I used:

I love this set so much, I stamped a bunch of images last night and am working on a few more cards. I plan on making a gift set of cards to send to my MIL. She loves to send cards to people for every occasion. I will have to see what box templates are available to hold these 4.25 x 4.25 cards.

Have a great night. I am already looking forward to the weekend! My girlfriends the 'CaRD CHicKs' are coming over to stamp on Friday night - I LOVE hangin' out with my peeps! It's going to be a pretty full house - 6 out of 7 of us will be there....along with Starbucks! LOL!

On Saturday, I will be posting challenge #3 for the Hanna Stamps Guest Designer Challenge. It has been such a fun run and I have met so many new girls "The Sistah's of Round 2"- it has been a great experience! Make sure to stop by on Saturday and wish me some luck on snagging one of the 6 spots! :)

Ok, off to bed now, hopefully I will not have insomnia - I have been having trouble sleeping for the last month - not sure if it's too much on my mind or what! I am tired, which is a good sign!

G'nite! ~Tori

Bewitched & Happy Birthday Kerri!!

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone is having a great day! I wanted to give big thank you to everyone that has left me comments lately! They are greatly appreciated! I love hearing from my peeps!

I have to start off tonight's post giving a birthday shout-out to my friend, Kerri! She is probably flying the friendly skies tonight, but hopefully she had the day off to spend with her family!! She is the best flight attendant ever and I hope you get the priviledge of flying on one of her Delta flights one of these days!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kerri!!

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Ok, onto my post...

I made this Scallop Bag to go along with my new Spooktacular Set from The Greeting Farm!

Isn't this little witch adorable?? I just thought she was so cute!

I went through my Halloween DP stash only to find, I had much less than I originally thought! Oh well, that just means that when the new Basic Grey Eerie DP comes out - I 'need' it!
Shameless justification! :) I am drooling over it!

I used some Plum Pudding (PTI), Kiwi Kiss (SU), and some leftover K & Co Dp from last year. It is very sparkly and cute! The scallop bag die cut is a SU exclusive die - it is so easy to put together! I finally used my Scor-Tape that I got at CHA - I {heart} it! I just wish I had sprung for the 1/4" rather than the 1/2" tape! I can just cut it down the center and have double the tape, right?? I also added a button, linen thread, and some polka dot ribbon. To close the bag, I used some velcro. I will probably make some of these for my kids teachers for Halloween.

Here is a close-up of this bewitching beauty!

Here are the Copics I used!
Have a great night! I am definitely getting busy tonight in my stamp room! :)

(Kerri is probably going to kill me for announcing her b.day, but I love ya girl!!)
~Tori

2 New Cards!

Happy Monday! We had a great weekend. We took the kids to see Aliens in the Attic on Saturday night. It was really cute. Yesterday, my parents came over and we grilled out and swam! There are only 2 weeks until school starts, so we are trying to pack a few more things in before we get busy with school and 3 kids playing soccer - eeek!! I am ready, but on the other hand, I am not!

I had some time this afternoon to throw together a few more cards using some of the images I colored when we were at the beach. This is another image from the Miss Anya Collection from The Greeting Farm. These girls are so pretty!

I used more DP from We R Memory Keepers along with some Pale Plum and Gina K. 80# White CS. The sentiment is from Amy R.'s Beach Sentiments. I stamped the image with Memento ink, colored it with my copics, and then inked the edges with Pale Plum ink. I used a Martha Stewart Border punch along with some Kiwi Kiss Ribbon (SU) and some stitching. Below is a close-up of the flower embellishment I created.

To create this flower embellishment, I used one of each of the flowers from the SU Boho Blossoms punch. I stamped each flower with an image from PTI's Guidelines Two set with Pale Plum ink and then snipped each petal a little more so they would bend and crinkle better. I crumpled each of them, punched a hole in the middle and then added a brad. The leaves are SU's sizzlets die.

Here are the Copics I used:Ok, here is my 2nd card...

I just had to pull out my cute Hula Sophie from Hanna Stamps to use with this MM DP! Can you tell I am a little addicted to this paper? I just love Aqua, Orange and Avocado together!

Sophie was stamped with Memento ink, colored with Copics, masked and airbrushed using my Copic ABS system - I swear, one of the BEST things I ever bought! This sweet sentiment is another one from Amy R's Beach Sentiments! I cannot say enough about her sentiment sets - they just rock! I used some of PTI's Aqua Mist and Ripe Avocado along with more of the MM Great Escape DP and Gina K's 120# White CS. I added a little VersaMark chalk ink in Pumpkin Spice (one of my fav chalk ink colors!) The flower is a QK hibiscus flower die that I have had for a long time! Thought it went perfect with this DP and some leaves punched out of Ripe Avocado using an EK Success punch. A brad and some orange polka dot ribbon finishes it off!

Here are the Copics I used for this card:

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you week is going well!
~Tori

Hanna Stamp Guest DT Challenge #2 - HSGDC2

Happy Saturday, Y'all! I am a little tired today - hubby and I went to the Kenny Chesney concert last night! It was awesome! Can't wait until he comes back next year!

This is my 2nd submission for the Hanna Stamps Guest Designer Challenge. I think this Sophie set turned out so cute. I have had this travel set of Mango Mandarin Bath & Body Works stuff for a long time. It just screamed to be used with this paper!!

For this card, I used some Bazzill Cardstock, MM Great Escape DP and PTI White Cardstock. This is the first time I have used it - I {heart} it! The colors blend so well! The ribbon is Ripe Avocado from PTI. The sentiment is computer generated - I thought it went well with the bubbles and bubbly!

I colored Sophie with my copics, masked her off and airbrushed the background. The sentiment was airbrushed too. I used oval nesties for layering, EK Success's scallop border punch. I inked up the edges with VersaMagic Chalk Ink in Pumpkin Spice. The flower embellishment was made with a prima, BG button, linen thread, and EK Success leaf punch. I added some Liquid Glass (CTMH) on the bubbles.
The packaging for the bath set was made using Milk Made - one of Lauren Meader's My Timeless Templates. These templates she creates are awesome. I inked the edges and used the same DP and flower embellishment. I tied some Ripe Avocado Ribbon around the necks of the bottles. I think this little set turned out adorable!

Here is a close-up of Sophie, her bubbles & bubbly! LOL!

I used the following Copics to color & airbrush:

E30, 31, 33, 35 & 37, Y11 & 21, YR02 & YR16, BG10, 11, & 13, C1 & 3, and 0 - colorless blender.

I used the colorless blender to remove the orange from the bubbles after I airbrushed.

Thanks for stopping by! Wish me some more luck - we have one more round to go next Saturday the 15th!

~Tori

Shop 'til you drop!!

Happy Thursday!

While I was at the beach last week, I had some down time and got some images colored! I finally had a few minutes today to put together a card! This is one of the stamps from the Miss Anya set. I used some more of the MME Bloom & Grow DP along with some Bazzill and Tangerine Tango. I really like the patterns in this collection - I like teal and orange together! I created the sentiment using the 'Ma Sexy' font off of the internet. It was sponged with Baja Breeze and layered onto some TT cut using a Ribbon Tag Trio Nestie. I also sponged some Baja Breeze lightly around the stamped image.

I got my inspiration for coloring her from Wicked Pixie! This girl has some skillz! Check out her blog, but be sure to bring a towel for the drool!

Here are the copics I used!

Have a great night! I am looking forward to this weekend! The hubby and I are going to see Kenny Chesney! YAY!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Tori

Finally back home!! CHA goodies!

Hi there! I am finally home from the beach with my kiddos for the week! We got home Friday afternoon from New Smyrna Beach, FL (aka Shark Bite Capital of the World....yes, I said world!) I am soo far behind after being gone so long, but I get to go to CHA in Orlando!

Here are the goodies I got from the PaperTrey Booth!!

I was drooling at their booth!! I had such a hard time deciding on stamp sets - I wanted them ALL! All in all, I was not overly impressed with CHA (other than the PTI booth, which ROCKED!) - I wish some of the manufacturer's would have stayed and at least teased us with their new product, even if they were not going to let me buy it! There were a lot of other crafts there - beads, knitting, etc. and it was much smaller than I expected. MFT had a nice booth there and I did pick up the Scor-Tape I wanted as well as an Alien stamp set! I also picked up some more Copics!

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Ok, a few shots from our trip to the beach!

I love my beloved beach! It gets such a bad rap with all of the shark bites. The sand is like sugar, there is no debris that washes up and clutters the beach, no jellies (at least during the summer), etc. There is something about the inlet in New Smyrna that draws the fish and sharks inland. That being said, we are very careful in the water! I really do not go in past my knees and almost never past my hips and I keep my kids close to me!

Here is the digging crew! My boys have the hats on and my dd has the board shorts and blue shovel in hand.

This is my baby - he loves to boogie board. The bright orange thing in his ear is his ear plugs - he had tubes put in his ears this Spring. Here is the gator that we carved in the sand. The kids had some help from the adults!
Here is another pic of the gang. My boys have the hats on.Thanks for stopping by!

~Tori