Belated Mother's Day and Birthday

We weren't able to see my mother-in-law or sister-in-law for Mother's Day and birthday, so we're on our way today to visit today. The Mother's Day card is a variation on the one I made for my mom, which I cased from Arlene at mybutterflykisses on You Tube.I used craft this time on the Italian Flourish doily and I really like the contrast of the shapes and colors for both doilies. I also positioned a larger cameo differently.

Supplies
Stamps: Mother (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Antique Linen Distress
Paper: Fabric Paper (DCWV), Kraft (PTI), White (Georgia Pacific)
Accessories: Doilies, Butterfly & Leaf Flourish (Cheery Lynn Designs), Label Nestabilities, Pearl Spray, Cameo & Flowers (Wild Orchid Crafts) 

I was planning on doing a similar card for my sister-in-law as I had done for my other sister-in-law, but this particular cut from the Walk in my Garden cartridge was terrible. I had to cover it with something like looked like flowers! I hadn't used my rosette trim since Valentine's Day and thought that cutting apart the rosettes would be perfect. 

Remember the giveaway for the Cricut Cartridge is open until 11:59 EST tonight.

 Leave a comment on this post.

Supplies
Stamps: April Kom 2012 (Unit Stamp Co.), Banners (Lawn Fawn)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen Distress, Paris Night (Memeneto),
Paper: Summer Fresh Collection (Simple Sotires), Base White & Green  (Coredinations), Natural White (PTI), Kraft (PTI
Accessories: see Cheery Lynn Dies Above, Woodgrain Impressions Plate (PTI), Rosette Trim (Etsy - KarlaS001), Linen Thred (PTI), Baker's Twine, Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels)

Happy Birthday to...

I LOVE Simple Stories Summer Fresh line!I used the 6X6 pad to create this card, but do also have sheets from the 12X12 collection. I cannot get enough of the colors and designs. I'm sooo anxious for summer break! I really had fun with the colors and design for this one. The marigolds are so pretty!

I also love the Unity/Simple Stories co-branded stamps that coordinate with the Summer Fresh paper collection! Might have to use my Unity KOM discount on a few of them!

Supplies
Stamps: April KOM (Unity Stamp Co.)
Ink: Tea Dye Distress, Faded Jeans Distress, Linen Distress, Peeled Paint Distress, Rich Cocoa (Momento)
Paper: All designer papers are Simple Stories Summer Fresh except for the yellow polka dot, which is an October  Afternoon paper, Cardstock is Coredinations, Kraft (PTI)
Accessories: Walk in My Garden (Cricut), Banner Die (PTI), Italian Flourish Die (Cheery Lynn Designs), Linen Thread (PTI), Pearls, eyelets, Sizzix embossing folder (Stampin Up)

Happy Retirement

This is for one of the cooks at school who is retiring. One thing lead to another and this card resulted. I know...I didn't punch out pieces from the top die. Done purposely. ;) Thinking about giving away something very soon! Have a great day!

Supplies
Stamps: Mega Mized Messages (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Linen  Distress, Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Paper: Coordinations Textured CS, PB & J (Basic Grey), White (Georgia Pacific), Kraft (PTI)
Accesories: From my Kitchen (Cricut Cartridge), Doily Die (SU), English Tea Die (Cheery Lynn Designs), Banner (PTI), eyelets, flowers (Wild Orchid Crafts), Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Scintillating Silver Starburst Spray (Lindy's Stamp Gang), Linen Thread (PTI), Button (Cupboard Distributing)

Inside
Recipe divider folded and used as a pocket for a giftcard

Mother's Day

I am blessed today to be a mother and have my wonderful mother still with me. I never thought I wanted to be a mother. Frankly, it was one of the things that was furthest from my mind. Since becoming a mother of two, my life has never been the same and I am so thankful and humbled by it. There is always a new "normal" that I have to adjust to, and adjusting is not one of my strong suits. Be that as is may, I couldn't be happier even in moments of extreme frustration. (After those moments have passed...) I pray that I can be the mother to my children that my mother was to me.

A little about this card for my mom...this was my first experience was "fabric paper". I love the look and effect, but it is a real pain to get straight! You cannot see it in the photo, but I sprayed it with pearl glimmer mist and distress inked the edges.  All of the paper flowers and die cuts were in white and sprayed with starbursts, flat fabios, glimmer mist or inked. I always purchase my flowers in white to color them to my preference.The  center of the card is layered above two different doilies, which are dies from Cheery Lynn Designs. Very intricate and beautiful. I cased this design from Arlene.

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Tattered Rose Distress, Linen Distress, Tuxedo Black (Momento)
Paper: Georgia Pacific White, Fabric Paper (DCWV)
Accessories: English Tea Die, Flourish Die, Butterfly Dies, Italian Flourish (All Cheery Lynn Designs), Label Die (Spellbinders), Pearls, Paper Roses and Flowers (Wild Orchid Crafts), Cameo (Wild Orchid Crafts), Spray Mists (Tattered Angels - Olive Vine & Lindy's Stamp Gang - Flat Fabios Hawaiian Island Set & Starburst Sprays in Nantucket Pearls Set)

I just received my Simple Stories collection papers and pockets from Two Peas in a Bucket today and am drooling over the co-branded Unity Stamps that coordinate with the collection. I plan on using it will all of the great family memories we will share this summer. Below is a video of my recent haul not including the Simply Summer Fresh paper collection. Stay tuned for my "School's Out" Giveaway, which I will posting here and on You Tube (morissasweeney) around May 25th.

Friday Flair with Unity & Giveaway

Top of the morning to ya! Well, I did it last night. I submitted my masters portfolio for review. It is a HUGE weight off of my shoulders, although I will be pretty anxious until I hear from my professor. Two years of hard work comes down to a few hundred pieces of paper and thousands and thousands of words. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in my life who encouraged me, proofed my work and simply make the experience a little less daunting. (Especially my husband!) I have one more elective to complete, but that will be nothing compared to the culmination of this portfolio, which is the final hurray for this program. Stay tuned to my blog and YouTube channel for "School's Out" Giveaway to kick off summer break!!

Supplies
Stamps: Unity KOM (March)
Paper: Kraft (PTI), Cream (PTI), Green
Ink: Versamark, Peeled Paint (Ranger)
Accessories: Embossing Powders - Lettuce, Butterscotch, Red Pepper (Adirondack), Cork Butterfly (My Etsy Shop), Flower (Prima), Ribbon (SU)

Haul: Lindy's and Two Peas

With Sympathy…

My husband’s Uncle Don passed away on Friday after receiving a  long awaited heart transplant last Sunday. We are heading across the state as I type to be with his Aunt Debbie and his mom’s family.  I made this quickly today before leaving. I wanted it to be something that would bring more of a smile to Aunt Debbie’s face than tears. We would appreciate prayers for strength and healing as Mitch’s Aunt Debbie and cousin Tiffany deal with their loss.

A Couple of Haul Videos & Mitch's Marble Run Set-Up for Easter (SUPER COOL!)

Happy Easter, everyone!

Inspiration!!

Fortunately, I have had both creativity and a little bit of time on my side lately. No more time that usual, but renewed energy, which I am totally crediting to my new diet and workout routine.  I actually can't believe that I have pretty much stuck with it for the past five weeks! Go me!

My niece's birthday card....kind of a joke...she HAD to have a rooster and now he is the entire family's worst nightmare! lol! Used my first Action Wobble on this guy!

I generally intensely dislike photos of myself, so I forced myself to scrap one of me. I used my Unity March KOM. Loved paper piecing the banner and stamping the background branches.

I don't have a lot of photos of mom especially after her stroke and fewer of her smiling.  I wanted to  showcase this for myself, my children and, of course, her. It's been a long road, but, thankfully, she is still with us and doing well. Adore the DCWV paper. Absolutely artistic!

Liam's 5th birthday was this week. He loved Octonauts and there isn't much out there yet as in party supplies, clipart, etc., so I used my Create a Critter Cricut cartridge to make him a birthday card of the character Peso. Apparently, he prefers Kawzii. lol! I used an action wobble on him and later put the card in a 8X8 shadowbox frame, which he enjoys picking up and wobbling to see Peso dance.

This card was made from my March Unity KOM colored with Copics, which I included in my previous haul video. 

St. Paddy's Day Cards

Even though I am posting these late, I had them finished and mailed out in time for St. Patrick's Day. Love them! I designed the shamrock card with my Gypsy, which unfortunately, I have to send for an exchange b/c the USB port broke off inside of it. With the Gypsy goes all of my files. :( The roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts and were sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink set on a Nestability die cut. The papers are a variety of greens from some Basic Grey paper pads. Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them. ;) Scroll down for a couple of Haul videos!

Part 1

Part 2

Lovin' Rosette Trim for Valentine's Day

I have been busy getting caught up on birthdays and Valentine's Day cards. Good times! I adore the rosette trim! It creates such a great look for larger die cut images. I spritzed the hearts with some glimmer mist...hard to see here. You can find the rosette trim in a few Etsy shops in a variety of colors. I have a set of butterflies that I dyed that are in my shop. Super cute!

Supplies
Stamps: We Treasure You (Unity Stamp Co.)
Ink: Rich Cocoa
Paper: Kraft, White, DP (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Heart Die & Heart Doily (Spellbinder's), Banner Die (Papertrey Ink), Pearls, glimmer mist (Tattered Angels)

Supplies
Stamps: We Treasure You (Unity Stamp Co.)
Ink: Rich Cocoa
Paper: Kraft, White, DP (Echo Park)
Accessories: Heart Die & Heart Doily (Spellbinder's), Banner Die (Papertrey Ink), Pearls, glimmer mist (Tattered Angels), gems (Kaiser Craft)

Supplies
Stamps: We Treasure You (Unity Stamp Co.)
Ink: Rich Cocoa
Paper: Kraft, White, DP (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Heart Die & Heart Doily (Spellbinder's), Banner Die (Papertrey Ink), Pearls, glimmer mist (Tattered Angels)

Supplies
Stamps: Can You See (Technique Tuesday)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Blue?, Confetti Cream, Oxford (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Linen Thread (PTI), Chocolate Embossing Powder, Clip (Tim Holtz)

Supplies
Stamps: Say Cheese (Maya Road)
Ink: Tuxedo Black
Paper: Basic Gray, Black, White
Accessories: Film strip (Tim Holtz), Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder (Stampin Up)

New Additions to My Etsy Shop

I just added a few new things to my shop. We'll see how they go. My fave are the rosette butterflies, although anything made in cork is at the top of my list!! Hope you are having a terrific weekend!

Hand Dyed Rosette Butterflies with Pearl Trim

Cork Butterflies

Felt and Fabric Flowers

Fabric Dressforms

Cork Flowers

Chipboard Flowers

Rosettes

Chipboard Butterflies

Rosettes Just Because

I made three similar cards for friends at work using my new Tim Holtz Rosette Die. Soooooo much easier than scoring every 1/4" for 12" by hand and folding! The die cuts and pre-scores all of the segments. Again, very easy to use.

I also experimented with die-cutting some beautiful rosette trim that I had purchased for KarlaS001 's Etsy shop. I pulled the wire that was around the edges out of it and simply cut the butterfly. I die cut the same butterfly out of chipboard to keep it from flopping around on top of the paper rosette. The rosette trim is GORGEOUS! If you haven't gotten any, you should! Looks strikingly similar to the same butterfly by Prima and Recollections, but much less expensive.

Also, check out my Etsy shop. I have a bunch of stamps for sale and hope to be listing some die cut rosette butterflies in various colors along with die cut felt, chipboard and cork.

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink" Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Waffle White, , Truly Yours (Echo Park)
Accessories: Pearl Trims (KarlaS001 Etsy), Oval Punch, Butterfly Die (Stampin Up),  Chipboard butterfly, Rosette Butterfly (trim from KarlaS001 Etsy), Paper Tape & Rosette Die (Tim Holtz)

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Tradewinds (DCWV)
Accessories: Tim Holtz Rosette Die, Lace, Paper Tape, Pearls

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Waffle White, Paper Heart Collection (Paper Crate)
Accessories: Rosette Die & Paper Tape (Tim Holtz), Lace, Pearl Trim piece (KarlaS001 Etsy)

It's Been Awhile!

What has been going on? Beginning of the new school year, grad school, family and all the good stuff that goes along with it! I have had very little creative time in the past couple of months. Absolute craziness. Nothing bad at all. Just crazy.

No more shopping ban. That ended after my first paycheck of the new school year. I have been trying to keep it tame. (I say this and I bought a Cricut Imagine...got a super deal though!) Honestly, it is soooo much easier for me to walk into a store and out with nothing that it ever has been. Online is pretty easy, too. I think it was a great thing for me. I'm still trying to work through the crafty stuff that I already have.

Here are a couple of things that I made recently. The first is a card that just got mailed to my sweet friend Patty. Miss her! I need to mail out more cards to friends and family. No reason not to. The second is a baby shower invitation for my friend Kerry. We're all so happy for her! I used my Imagine to create the patterned paper and giraffe. Love it!

Supplies
Stamps: Unity KOM (March 2011)
Paper: Confetti Cream, My Mind's Eye - Lost and Found
Ink: Haystack, Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Butterfly (Recollections), Pearls and Lace (REcollections), Tag (Tim Holtz), Washi Tape ( K & Co.)

Inside
I like the layering of the sentiment and the subtly of the stamped roses.

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: Kraft, Patterned (Cricut Imagine More Cartridge), Giraffe {Everyday Paper Dolls(giraffe) & Imagine More(pattern on giraffe)}, Tag (Lacy Labels - Cricut)
Ink: Black, Haystack
Accessories: Doily (Wilton), Baker's Twine (Divine Twine)