Paper Canteen Random Postings: Something Special For My Sweet Girl

Yesterday was a big day in our house!!  My eldest went off to First Grade!!  (proud beaming Mom!!)  It was quintessentially THE best day for the first day of school here in MA.  It was a crisp and clear day.  Cool enough to wear a denim jacket with her first day of school dress but warm enough to hit the pool for one of the last times after school.

Her wonderful teacher asked that we have our children come to school with name tags complete with name, bus number and room number.  Well, I clearly couldn't send her with a standard "Hello My Name Is" style tag.  So in lieu of the aforementioned tag here is what I came up with!

I started with a circle of chipboard measuring 3.25".  I used my daughter's favorite colors - pink and purple to embellish.  I used my circle nesties to cut my layers.  I used the dotted text lines from the following MFT set to line up my Lawn Fawn - Harold's ABC Text!

The text lines are very faint as they are inked in a very light pink.  I went completely around the edge of the tag with 3-D heart stickers in all sizes and added three loops of purple, spider-web ribbon attached to the back.

I used denim, cut with my nesties, to attach the ribbon (sandwiched and glued in between the chipboard and denim), as well as my jumbo safety pin.  I used fabric glue to hold it all together.  

My daughter was beaming when I gave it to her and wore it proudly on her first day!  So far we're off to a beautiful start to the school year!

It's Hop Time! Bombshell Style!!

 Greetings Fabulous Bombshells!!  SO glad you've hopped by today!!  Our amazing Bombshell designer Alison has issued a most amazing challenge this month.  "In The Movies" was our issued theme!!  Immediately I thought of Bombshell Angel and Breakfast At Tiffany's!

First off - if you came here from my darling friend Alaine's blog then you are on the right track!!   If not please head here and start from the beginning!! 

Here's the movie poster that inspired me:

And here's my take on it!!

I kept it pretty much like the movie poster!!  I colored Bombshell Angel with my Copics and trimmed her out.  I added individual self-adhesive rhinestones for her necklace, ring and hair flower. 

I added a fun camera stamp that I colored and trimmed out in lieu of the city background.

 I used a super fabby music note stamp to lessen the white in the background, a dotted line stamp from MFT and a super adorable alphabet from Lawn Fawn to create the title. 

I hope you are enjoying the hop today and leave feeling inspired to create something special!!

Thank you again for visiting and any kind comments!!  Now, off you scoot to the fabulous Kelli's blog!!!

Tiddly Tuesday!! Let's Read!!

Good Tiddly Tuesday everyone!!  I'm so sorry for my "late" post but due to Hurricane Irene (or Tropical Storm Irene) as it made it's way into MA took power from us for 36+ hours.  We got it back in the middle of the night last night and as much as I wanted to, I wasn't about to start blogging at 2 am!!  LOL!  So here I am!!  This week's Tiddly Challenge Theme is Reading.  My hubby and I just decided to let our kids watch the first Harry Potter movie for the first time!!  (love family movie night!) And they LOVED it.  I'm now going to start reading them the first book.  They are a *little* young for such a verbose book but I think if we go a few pages at a time they'll be able to stick with it.  So with Harry Potter on the brain I created this card along with a tag insert.  I used one of Christy's newest TI additions: 

wizard

As you can see, I started with Griffyndor colors of Crimson and Gold.  I added subtle tones of all throughout my creation.  I added an office tag that I coated in Crimson Pearlescent Ink then covered with Copper embossing powder.  I tied this tag with rough twine.  I layered that along with a cork skull and crossbones sticker, lots of stitching and some super cool, sparkly chipboard letters. 

I found the pocket in a pack at Michael's.  Super cool.  Lots of different sizes and colors, AND they are self-adhesive - which is nice.

My tag is cut using one of the newer MFT dies.  I printed the image, lined up the die, cut and then colored.  I colored my image with my Copics and added a bit of bling and distressing to keep it lively.  I added a ratty piece of black ribbon, frayed purposefully.  

I used some simple black Grosgrain ribbon double tied into a fluffy bow with my bright gold tape measure ribbon.  

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!  Please come play along with us this week over at the Tiddly Ink Challenge blog!!

OCL79 - All About The Trimming

Hi All!!

I'm popping in today to join the fabby gals at OCL for this weeks challenge - TRIM!  Oh I have oodles of ribbon, bling, twine, yarn, fibers, hemp, etc!!  I had so much fun finding JUST the right trim for this week's creation!!

I've used Tree-mendous Love (love this crazy cute giraffe!).  I first stamped and colored my giraffe.  She is colored with Copics.  I then stamped the solid heart in SU! yellow ink then in SU! Espresso using the open hearts on top.  I used a mish mash of papers and LOTS of bling to embellish!

My favorite is the red and white, double fluff, grosgrain ribbon!

There's something about the contrast with the yellow, red and chocolate brown that I'm LOVING!!

 

I hope you enjoy and have been inspired!!

Ryan Update!! New Address!!

Hi All!!

Thanks so much for being patient while I waited on the new address for Ryan!

If you'd like to keep sending cards here is his new address:

Trinity Neurologic Rehabilitation Center

Attn: Ryan Porcelli, Room 131B

1400 Lindberg Drive

Slidell, LA 70458

 

Due to the delay while Ryan was being moved I am going to extend the entry deadline to post your card for another 10 days!  Here is the link for you to enter your post!! 

Thank you again to all of our amazing sponsors!!!  

Crafty Hugs!!

Meredith

Tiddly Tuesday!!

 

Hey Fabby Tiddly Inkers!!  So glad you've popped in on this wonderful Tuesday!!  My simple and crisp creation today introduces a brand new member to the TI family - Dandelion Fairy.  Seriously...isn't she CRAZY SWEET???  I'm in love!!

You can find her here!

I printed her out and cut her with my circle nesties.  I used SU! Shimmer White cardstock as my base measuring at 5.25"x5.25".   I then layered Kraft stock followed by a deep sea blue Grosgrain ribbon.  I used copper brads in the corners and settled my main image, colored with Copics and Martha Stewart glitter, in the center. 

My sentiment is from MFT. 

My fellow design team members made STUNNING bookmarks for this week's challenge.  I do hope you come and play with us!!

Cards For Ryan Update

Hey All!!

Ryan is being moved to a new building today so please hold your cards until I hear further what his new address is.

I will update the original email and notify you all as soon as I have his new address!!

Thanks so much!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

OCL78 - From The Heart

Hey All!!

Just popping in with a second creation for this week's OCL challenge!  Here's our inspiration!

And here's my second interpretation!  I kept this one CAS!!!  (A technique that I'm a little uneasy with but love trying new things!)

I also used Tree-mendous Love set for this creation.  My card measures 5.5" x 5.5".  I started by stamping the hearts onto the white cardstock and then backing it with eggplant cardstock.  I then continued the line of  hearts onto my Kraft cardstock and popped my main panel up on 3-D foam dots.  My sentiment is in the lower right hand corner and says "From The Heart".

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired to come hang with us at The Lounge!!

Our Craft Lounge - A Secret and Challenge OCL78

Hey All!!  I've been keeping a secret!!!  Shhhhhhhhh!  LOL!  I've been asked by Our Craft Lounge to be a Guest Designer for the month of November and December!!  YAY!!!  I'm so excited and the gals at OCL are so talented and super duper sweet!! 

Until I officially start designing for my Guest months, I'll be playing along in their weekly challenges!  This week's Challenge - OCL78 is based on the following color palette:

And here is my interpretation using Tree-mendous Love.

I was inspired by the Hydrangea picture above and used my scalloped ruffles to mimic the fluffiness of the gorgeous flowers. One of my children's (and my) favorite books is The Giving Tree. So you can see where I pulled inspiration from this amazing book!  I had the entire tree colored and trimmed out and then I decided to take the top off and simply use the trunk.  I have a wood grain stamp from Smeared Ink that I coated in Tim Holtz distressing in and stamped onto the trunk.

I stamped the image again onto white cardstock, colored the heart with my Lipstick Red Copic marker, coated with my Versamark pen and heat embossed.  I added it to the tree trunk with a 3-D foam dot. 

I used two different ribbons pulling from my color scheme to create an extra fluffy bow.  I zig zag stitched the perimeter for a little added visual interest.  

I hope you come play with us over at The Lounge!!

A Call For Cards - Please help =)

As we all know, there are times in this beautiful crafty world where bigger parts of life come into play.  More serious parts of life.  Well, one such part of life has come my way.  It's on the periphery of my life but more centralized to someone special in my darling brother's life.

My brother's dear friend and former roommate, Ryan, was involved in an accident on a Saturday afternoon in April 2011 in New Orleans, while riding his bike to meet up with friends.  The facts of the accident remain unclear but Ryan did sustain a brain injury.  As a side note - Ryan moved from CA to NOLA after Katrina to live there and help/work with the relief efforts to help the citizens of NOLA rebuild.  Ya...he's an amazing young man.  

So - what am I asking of you?  I'm asking you to think of him, send blessings, prayers, white light, love and healing (however you manifest those thoughts and feelings) in the form of cards to send his way.  Here is the post that his family put up:


Here is the link to the call for cards for Ryan.


You can read the information further on his blog or you can read the snippet that I've added below:

"On a separate note, Ryan has received a few cards recently and seems to really enjoy opening them and looking at them. We would really like to continue showering him with cards! Below is his address at the hospital if you'd like to send him one. These can also be useful with his rehabilitation by triggering memories. To help his parents and therapists in explaining the cards to Ryan, it'd be great if you could include a picture of yourself and/or a description of how you know each other (i.e. college, work, etc.). Another idea would be to write about a great story or memory you and Ryan share together. Thanks and have a good weekend."

Ryan’s Address:

Trinity Neurologic Rehabilitation Center

Attn: Ryan Porcelli, Room 131B

1400 Lindberg Drive

Slidell, LA 70458

If you could be SO lovely to send a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) card to Ryan, I KNOW that it would make his day, put a smile on his face, and bring him encouragement and strength for the long and healing road that lies ahead of him.

To avoid confusion, please write somewhere in the card that you are a friend of Meredith Winston - Ethan Goldstein's sister.  That way Ryan will have a frame of reference as to where the card originated from.

As a thank you to all who send a card to Ryan I will have a small prize for each of you.  I'm not entirely sure what yet but I will get back to you.  Just to say thank you for sending a card to a lovely and cherished friend in need.  I've just sent off THIS card and plan on doing another one next week.  In order to receive your prize from me, please post your creation on your blog (if you have one) and leave a comment here after you've mailed a card to Ryan.  Please make sure that I have a way of getting in touch with you =)  If you don't have a blog that's ok, just leave me a comment with your info.

Also - (and I know I'm asking a lot) but if you could forward this to anyone you know that might send a card out I'd be greatly appreciative!!  I think it's a very worthy cause and something that all of us can easily do with all of the boxes of cards we have lying around!  =)

I truly and sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read this and hopefully drop a fun and cheery card in the mail to Ryan.

Here is the fabulous prize pack that will be given to each person who sends a card to Ryan!!

PRIZE PACK

Please link your cards using the Inlinkz tool here:




Don't hesitate to let me know if you have ANY questions!!

Thank you so much my darling crafty friends!!

XOXO-
Meredith

Tiddly Inks Challenge #62 - Inchie Style

Good Tiddly Tuesday Everyone!!!  Oh I LOVE this week's challenge...it's all about "inchies".  I love any artwork that is teeny tiny!!  Because of the way I photograph this card doesn't look as tiny as it is.  It's a 4"x4" easel card using the adorable Little Bugg.  Seriously, could she be ANY cuter??  Tee hee!  I shrunk her down before printing and am using the main image, after being colored with Copics and paper pieced as the "anchor" for my easel.

I used the main sentiment "Consider Yourself Hugged" as my "inchie" panel (it's not quite square).  I used my labels nesties to cut out the sentiment and backing.  I popped my sentiment up on foam adhesive and tied a double bow with MFT Baker's Twine.  I then added a Making Memories glitterati frame that I've had for a long time and have been waiting for JUST the right creation. 

I used my heart row punch to add a little extra love under the bottom of the glitter frame on the front.  I lined the interior with white cardstock and then backed my Bugg with red and kraft stock to match the rest of my creation.  I love how simple and crisp inchie creations can be!  So much fabulous room for interpretation!!

I do SO hope you come along and join us over at the Tiddly Inks Challenge blog!!  There's SO much insane gorgeous inspiration by everyone who participates!!  And if you need help, check this out!! Fabulous inchie information!!!

And please don't forget this!!!  Everyone who participates will get a FABULOUS free digi pack!!  I promise you, it's REALLY GREAT!!!

MFT - Wednesday Stamp Club

Hey All!!  Just popping in with this week's MFT Sketch Challenge!  I have sent this off in the mail today to Ryan. 

Here is the sketch:

and here is my interpretation:

 

I used the new MFT ALM - I Spy.   LOVE THIS SET!  I started with my "Shrinky" charm.  I have an entire pack of shrink film.  I used my nesties to cut a circle out.  I sanded the shrink plastic, stamped, colored and blasted it with my heat gun!  So fun!!  I backed her with a primary lined DP and then with Ouchless Cardboard from Gauche Alchemy.  I tied off the SU! ribbon with two pieces of MFT Baker's Twine.  

I then stamped my ALM onto white stock and colored.  I then stitched and set it with glossy accents.  It's very clear in person but came out a bit cloudy in the photo.

I used papers from SU!, Bazzill, American Crafts and Recollections.

Here is the interior:

For the interior, I've used MFT's Well Worn Greetings Die-namics.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Update on Sponsors for Ryan's Card Drive!

 Update - Monday, August 15th:  I have another new sponsor to share with you all!!! 

 

Yep! The amazing Kim aka "The MFT Lady" has very generously donated a $5 gift card code available for digital stamps at the MFT Boutique!!  Yep!  That's right!!  $5 in MFT digi stamps simply for sending a card. 


Thank you Kim and the amazing friends at MFT for this super generous donation!!!

All you have to do is:

1)  read HERE

2)  mail Ryan a card:

Attn: Ryan Porcelli, Room M622

Touro Hospital

1401 Foucher St.

New Orleans, LA 70115

3)  link your card to the Inlinkz tool back HERE

and the entire prize pack is yours!!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Foto Friday - By Lori Boyd

The very sweet Lori Boyd has started an amazing feature on her blog called "Foto Friday".  This is my contribution:

He's just too delicious!!  Late afternoon light...just perfection!

Great idea Lori!!  Thanks for the beautiful inspiration!!