Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Hi Everyone!! I'm here tonight to do a quick post to wish my Dad a VERY Happy Birthday!!! I haven't given him his gift with this card yet so I'm not emailing him this post until I do!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! :) The above picture has ALWAYS been a huge favorite of mine. My Dad just looks so happy. He's got a bit of that "holy sh*t I'm a DAD!!" look about him...but they ALL do for the first year or two as the reality sets in!!

I've figured out that judging my enormous, chunka baby size that it's the summer after my 1st birthday....so I'm somewhere in the range of 12-14 mos.

There are a few things that I must point out as why I love this photo SO much!!

• the wide open balcony railings off of the standard brick high-rise apartment building...
• the old school umbrella stroller in the background...
• my dad's honkin' huge College or Law school ring...I'll have to ask him when I see him which is was...I'll keep you all posted... ;)
• the fact that my Dad is wearing frayed, denim, cut-off shorts...otherwise known as "jorts" (jean short) - Oh Dad.... (hehe)
• i totally LOVE my Dad's hair - it's very "Ponch-esque" (I know you all watched "C.H.I.P.S!" This is exactly how my son's hair gets about 2 weeks after his haircut and that is where it is PERFECT!
• i believe my Dad is wearing his Mezuzah necklace...it was always one of my favorites...
• and i LOVE my Dad's 'Stash....it simply rocks. He had it all my life until RIGHT before my wedding he had some crazy notion to cut it off! No warning from him...so when I saw him without it for the first time, I started to cry...completely spontaneously...I didn't even feel it coming on!! Me thinks that Dad was having a bit of an adjustment to me getting married!! =) In any event...he looked so handsome that day and now has it back and it's still just as cool!

So those are my favorite things that I think about when I look at this photo. Most of who read have already seen this card here.

If not you can go there and ready about how I made it, if you'd like.

I hope you have a great year Dad!!

Love-
Meri

Robyn's Fetish Saturday Technique Challenge!! Swing Card!

Hello!! Happy Challenge Saturday!!! I am posting from the lovely tiny town of Limington, Maine as my family and I desperately needed to get AWAY for the weekend. But oh the beauty of modern technology letting me write and post from anywhere!
Today, we at Robyn's Fetish , are presenting a Technique Challenge! Don't worry...it's not difficult. And the results are FABU!!!

We challenge you to create a Swing or Flip/Flop card!! I've added the template at the end of this post - as well as the link to where I found the template on SCS.
I started with my base of light pink MS paper. After scoring and cutting to create the actual card I then started decorating. Keep in mind the images and the size of the images when you decide which goes on which side of the flip/flop part. As you'll see part of one side will be covered when the card is "closed". So use an image that will fit the space that will be displayed as you don't want half of your image to be covered.
I used an older SU! set (the only drawback to writing my post remotely is that I can't turn around in my studio and look at the name of this set!) to stamp paisley the border in Rocket Red Brilliance Craft Ink and heat set it.
I then chose 2 RF images - slice of cake and heart crown. I opened them up in MS Paint and colored them in that way. It sometimes tends to lend a crisper line than coloring by hand...depending on the look that you're going for.
So folded the cake is on the technical 'front' of the card. I layered it with a slice of manila folder backed with a darker pink cardstock. I then stitched the layers together using a straight stitch with Chocolate Brown thread. I used PTI Tiny Treats Valentine Set for the sentiment "you take the cake" stamped also in Rocket Red and heat set.
When you flip the card open the other side is the princess crown also colored in MS Paint, I added self-adhesive rhinestones to the hearts on the crown and backed it with the same papers and stitching to create cohesiveness throughout my card. The only difference is that I used a zig zag stitch in lieu of a straight stitch.
The Happy Valentine's Day sentiment is also from the same PTI set and is heat embossed using the Rocket Red ink.

As a final touch I added a button trio in matching colors with tiny ribbons threaded and tied through them.

I had SO much fun creating this as I have never tried one of these before!! It's not hard at all!!!

I CANNOT WAIT to see what you come up with!!!

Please join us on the RF Challenge Blog and link your creation in the comments section!! (I'm going to try to get Mr. Linky working so that we don't have to keep asking you to post your links in the comments section.)

Thanks so much and don't forget to check out my fellow Design Team members creations!!! You will most CERTAINLY not be disappointed!!

• Alicia
• Jeanette
• Leanne
• Mia
• Michele
• Michelle
• Stephanie
• Suzanne

Template:


Here is the link to the actual tutorial that I found on SCS. Enjoy!!!

XOXO-
Meredith

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

I want to wish my in-laws a VERY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! (yesterday!) I am blessed with AMAZING in-laws. I know that most people have gripes about theirs but not me. I've been with my darling husband for almost 19 years so I've known them as long. They are my family, they are part of my world and I am very grateful to have them. They are fantastic parents and amazing Grandparents.

They listen, and listen well when we need help or advice. They are generous and kind and EXTREMELY thoughtful.

My Mother passed 4 years ago this past Sunday. And people asked me if I was sad and missed her. My answer was, of course, but without missing a beat I said, but I'm so lucky to have Ian's Mother, Sue, who I consider like a Mom and a wonderful Mentor to me. We share the same parenting philosophy, she will listen to any problem I have and give me good, solid advice, and REALLY, really listen to me. We shop together for hours and have a blast. She is calm, cool and collected and helps me to remember how to be that way, for most of the time I am very easily whipped up over things when I don't necessarily need to be. She is constantly thinking of my children and what is best for them and for my family. I am a lucky girl.

My Father-in-Law, Cooper, is simply the best. He's amazing with my children, he has a wonderful sense of imagination with them, he'll get down on the floor and play the SECOND they arrive at my house. And I have a feeling that his unbelievable musical talent has been passed down to my son, Tyler. (and even to Ian who plays the guitar...self taught...and is awesome) He is also a wonderful listener. When my husband and I are struggling with family decisions whether it be career, house, or family related BOTH of his parents will listen, help and advise.

And they are always there for us and will someday be moving closer to us!

In ANY event....I made them this ADORABLE card for their wedding anniversary. I used one of my The Cat's Pajamas sets that I received in December. I LOVE their stamps!!!
I layered piece upon piece using mostly navy, light blue and kraft paper. The neutrals look so pretty together. Because their anniversary is in the winter I chose to do a snowflake stitch around the outside border. I stamped this adorable penguin in Colorbox Harbor blue ink and heat set him. I then colored him with my Copics. I disguised the Holly on his hat (seeing as Christmas is long over) with a little rhinestone.

I popped him up on 3-d foam dots for some added dimension. I created a scallop border for the inside sentiment which is from an MFT sentiment set. I hope they enjoyed my creation as much as I did making it!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!! =)

XOXO-
Meredith

Tempting Lorali Thursday Featuring Nivia!

Happy Thursday Everyone!! Today I pulled Nivia out of my stash and had SO much fun with her!!! She is inked on PTI basic white cardstock in Colorbox Harbor Blue ink and heat set. She is colored in my Copics, Sparkly Sakura Gel pens and my Souffle pens. I then mounted that panel to some Martha Stewart light blue cardstock and stitched them together.
I then set her aside to let everything on her dry.

I grabbed a piece of my favorite Basic Grey paper and a manila folder that I had lying around. I trimmed up the folder to fit the background and fit the BG paper on top of it. I then created a little embroidery stitch on the right hand side using my sewing machine. I stamped the word FRIENDS from the January WIS kit. The sentiment is stamped in the same Harbor Blue as Nivia and is heat set. I love the tab sticking out!! I intentionally crumpled it up a little bit for that worn look.

I made the swirly, rope embellishment out of the handle of an old shopping bag. I just rolled it in a coil and ran it through my sewing machine a few times until it was held together. I added the self-adhering rhinestones for a little bligidy bling ;)

Lastly before I adhered anything to my pink card base I used some awesome Paper Source paper ribbon to tie the jumbo bow!! The stuff is awesome!!! My darling friend had given it to me tied around my Christmas gift and I've been waiting to reuse it!!

I hope you enjoyed my creation today!!

Thanks for visiting!!

XOXO-
Meredith

Robyn's Fetish Wacky Wednesday Freebie!!

Hey All!! Here I am with another week of the awesome Robyn's Fetish Wacky Wednesday Freebie!! This week you are SURELY going to want to grab the ADORABLE and NEW image!!! Perfect for that special someone for Valentine's Day!!
I went with what ended up being more "altered art" than card really. But it is a card that I will be giving my 3 year old for Valentine's Day. I designed it with him in mind, actually. The puppy reminds me of our dog Billy so I colored him to somewhat resemble him. All black and white spots with one patch of brindle. =)
I printed out puppy and colored him with my Copics on his spots. And traced him with my lightest Grey Prismacolor marker - 10% cool grey. Just to give him a little dimension. My son's favorite colors right now are green, purple and blue. So I tried to run with that as much as I could but I also tried to let myself just go where my creative side wanted to go. And it went alright!!

I continued to color the puppy's heart with my Copics and Sakura Sparkly Gel pens. I then used my Diamond Glaze (last thing I did) for the inside of the heart. I used my Souffle pens for his furry tuft on his chest. I matted him on a piece of kraft paper and corner rounded two of the corners.

My card measures 6x6. The card base is a light green from a Martha Stewart jumbo cardstock pack I bought on sale at Michael's. The next layer is from an older SU! 6x6" paper pack. I then pulled out an old, vintage postcard that's in his favorite shade of blue. I backed it with more MS cardstock in Navy and used Modge Podge to give it a little sheen.

I trimmed out the hearts with wings and the heart that says courage as my boy is simply one of the most courageous kids I know. Not with everything but with things that matter the most.

The LOVE stamp is from an old SU! set. I stamped it and heat embossed it. Backed with a little scrap of the same yellow and white paper that you see in the scallop next to the puppy. I stitched carefully around the outside and adhered it with a foam pop dot. I needed something in the upper left corner so I used a Doodlebug stamp LAUGH, stamped and heat embossed. I then realized that I had the sentiments laugh and love and the third one LIVE just goes perfectly with them!! So I used some silver sticker letters to add the LIVE sentiment next to the puppy.
That left the right side of the puppy a little blank looking. So I used my notch punch from SU! - you know...the one with the little half moon on it? to create the scalloping on the right side. I punched holes and added the copper brads. Lastly I added a cool skull sticker to the bottom. Just peeking up a little...my boy loves pirates!!!

So all in all while this card is mish-mashy in my opinion I love how it came out, I love that it makes me think of my darling Tyler and I know he'll love it for Valentine's Day!!!

Thanks for visiting!! Please check out my fellow DT members gorgeous creations as well!! They provide SO much inspiration!!!

• Alicia
• Carina
• Jeanette
• Kristyn
• Leanne
• Mia
• Michele
• Michelle
• Robyn - Owner
  
• Sally
• Stephanie
• Suzanne
• Wendy

Robyn is have a FANTASTIC sale to celebrate welcoming Digi Kitty to our shoppe!! 30% off the entire shoppe starting TODAY through THIS SUNDAY!! C'mon and shop!!!

Also - PLEASE come join us at our awesome forum!!! Lots of fun going on, tutorials to share, tips, tidbits, images, challenges, swaps, etc!! Come join!! It's open to everyone!!!

Crafty X's and O'S!

Meredith

Now run off and grab the FREEBIE!!

QKD - Inspirational Hop!!!

Hello Everyone!!! Welcome to another fabulous QKD Tuesday Hop!! This week we were issued an inspirational challenge. These are always VERY challenging for me as there's SO much you can do with them. Lots of open ended thinking, tons of variety and oh so many places you can go with the images we're given.

But first:

If you came here from the WIS blog then you are on the right track!! If not, start here so that you don't miss one fabulous creation!!!

Here is the image that we were given this week:

It's so beautiful, the colors, the textures, everything! My favorite is the headboard...I know you're going to think it odd but it immediately reminded me of swirly cupcake frosting. And my kiddies had JUST made cupcakes this past weekend with Daddy (he's so good and bakes with them all the time) so I knew that I had AWESOME pictures to work with.The other thing I love about the inspirational challenges is that they for some reason inspire me to do scrapbook layouts which I never do as I rarely have time.

So I ran with the color scheme and I used 3 different QKD sets.

Mini Sweets
Sweet Memories Mini Set
Happy Birthday To You Set

I started with a 12x12 piece of ivory confetti cardstock. Since I was out of photo paper, I printed my kiddies pictures on heavy cardstock and then went over them with Modge Podge and let them dry overnight. It gives them a glossy effect and kind of antiques them a little bit.
I continued to work on my layout. I created a border with the Happy Birthday To You set using the cupcake strip and Brilliance Blue chalk ink. I heat set it using clear embossing powder and colored them in using my Souffle pens. Love those things! I backed it with a light blue Martha Stewart strip of cardstock. I then set this aside to dry.

Once my pictures were dry I matted them with a variety of blue scraps of DP. Once they were matted, I started positioning them around the page. Once I had the photos positioned, I lined up the Cupcake border and started finding other embellishments to help bring the page together.
On the left hand side I used what appears to be ribbon but is really a strip of paper. I cut a K and a T using my Cricut, covered them with glue and then their respective colors in glitter. I set those aside to dry for the night.

I then worked on some decorative panels for the spaces in between the photos. I just used a variety of DP scraps, matted on black cardstock. One is black and white (top left) that I colored in a bit with my Copics.

The one on the top right, I matted and then tied a small piece of twine around it for some texture. The final panel is stamped with both the Mini Sweets Set and the Sweet Memories set. The cardstock that it is stamped on with the heart is from The Paper Source. They are actually simply small, flat cards that you could use as placecards, love notes, etc. After stamping and heat embossing I then stitched that panel to a scrap of DP to match the rest of the layout.
I used 3 dimensional stickers that I've had FOREVER that matched and worked out perfectly for this scene. Last but not least, the next morning I added the glittered up K and T and it all fell into place!

I love when this happens!! I truly hope you enjoyed my creation today!!

Now, off you go to Sara's blog to see what beauty she's got for you today!!!

Thanks so much for visiting!!

If you go shopping right now, not only do you get to take advantage of the sale below- but since the Queen is away for CHA- you also get a FREE stamp for waiting for your order to be shipped!
Tuesday Twenty
It's gonna be Tuesday for the rest of the month!
Take 20% off everything!
That makes all clearance items 75% off
(Good today through 01/31/10)
use coupon code: TT20

XOXO-
Meredith

Bliss...

The last year has been a journey for me. Good, bad, indifferent... I've learned a lot. I know where to focus my energy...and where not to. I've learned how to be me...with all of it's oddities, eccentricities, and quirks. I work on it daily.In any event...last April, my husband and I along with our dogs and gorgeous kiddies went to our house in Maine for a week. We spent it mostly taking lots of nature walks, doing lots of arts and crafts, puzzles, block building, etc. I did some small crafts at night for myself to soothe my soul.
I didn't have a ton with me. I just brought up a few tools and some scraps, knowing I wouldn't have a TON of time to craft.

I was journaling about what I considered to be PURE Bliss in my life and within that process I decided that I wanted to do something altered with these thoughts.

So...I looked around and grabbed a one of my kiddies mini raisin boxes. I used ribbon, paper and glittered scallop scraps to alter this box. I was so happy with how it came out. I then needed a way to take my thoughts and put them into my new Bliss Box.
I grabbed some notebook paper and some thing cardboard that was in the recycling bin from a cracker box or something. I doodled and wrote and decorated....making sure that my doodled journaling piece would fit in the box. Once I was done I folded it a couple of times and considered myself done. I love this tiny reminder of all the wonderful things in my life...and all the things that I love.I hope you enjoy and are inspired by this piece!

XOXO
Meredith

Just Because...

Happy Sunday Everyone!!

Just a little card that I made for a true and dear friend to tell her how much I love her. Simple, basic, easy.
I used PTI's Plum Pudding Perfect Match Cardstock for this longish card. I corner rounded the bottom two corners along with the image/sentiment that's popped up on the front. The "grateful for you" stamp is from SU!'s Puns from the Past set. Such an adorable set!! Stamped in Brilliance Graphite Black ink and heat set.

I added a heart brad as a little extra dimensional touch and added the 'cupcake' sticker to the front of the envelope. I hope you enjoyed my simple creation today!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

XOXO
Meredith