Lens

First Papertrey Ink order!

 

I was so excited that my box from Papertrey had arrived.  I adore the buttons!  I was pleased with how carefully everything was packaged and appreciated the kind note of thanks for my business that was included.  It's a small touch, but it is noticed.  I can't wait to have a chance to play with the stamps and ink.  Maybe tonight while I watch the World Series.  :)

Cardstock & Circle Punch & Ribbon

Picked up a few things at Michael's on the weekend: Marvy Uchida Mega Clever Lever Craft Punch, 2.5" in diameter, Bazzill Basics cardstock in "Glitz" and "Mud Pie," and Celebrate It holiday twine

I had intended to do another Halloween craft with my sweet kidlet (and perhaps will still do so), hence the desire for this particular punch. I chose two pieces of each color of cardstock (that will coordinate with the American Crafts Every Day paper I'll use for a project soon).  And this braided Christmas twine looked fun and useful. . . I didn't realize (as the packaging didn't indicate it) that it is wired in the middle. 

 

American Crafts goodies from Two Peas

My box arrived from Two Peas in a Bucket yesterday.  I was very pleased at how carefully the items were packaged and will make sure that the styrofoam peanuts are reused. 

I like the "Everyday" paper collection from American Crafts and some of the papers weren't available at my local store.  In addition, I found Thickers in a cool color, some small white brads, and paper flowers that match the colors in the papers, none of which were available locally. 

 
Everyday "Good Morning"

 
Everyday "Nice to See You"

 
Everyday "BonJour"

 
Everyday "Hola"

 
Everyday My House paper flowers

 
Vinyl Thickers "Sprinkles"

 
White mini-brads

Heidi Grace Designs Halloween & Everyday Alpha stamps

 

I got a great deal on these from Widget Supply.  I was just going to get the Halloween stamps (I saw someone's card with the little witch on it and couldn't resist picking them up).  Then I saw that they were on sale, so decided to add these versatile alphabet stamps, too. 

Shopping :-)

I did a bit of online shopping today, picking up some American Crafts supplies from Two Peas in a Bucket for scrapbooking our back-to-school adventures, some Heidi Grace Designs clear stamps (which are getting harder and harder to find): one alphabet set, which looks very versatile, and a Halloween one I couldn't resist because of the little witch and spider web paisleys, and some Papertrey Ink items: Vintage Ornaments stamp set, Signature Christmas stamp set, ink, and buttons -- my first order from them.  I'll post pictures as the goodies arrive.  :-)

Now the rest of the fall I'm going to be "good" and primarily shop for other people, do some scrapbooking,  and make some Christmas cards. 

Three Spools

I am definitely in the habit of buying something for crafting each weekend, but in trying not to break the bank, I sometimes only spend a few dollars.  Really!  This weekend I decided to just spend what I had in my wallet -- just over three dollars -- and get some ribbon that was on sale.

 
This American Crafts Halloween ribbon will be great on a scrapbook layout or on a card.  There's only four feet on the spool, but honestly, for a dollar and for such a specialized item, it's a bargain!

I like this Celebrate It! satin Autumn ribbon -- also $1.00 -- I think this would be great on a layout about our trip to the cider mill two weekends ago:

 

 And finally, some great Celebrate It! cream twill ribbon that says Merry Christmas:

 

I can see myself getting completely carried away with collecting ribbon, because it has so many potential uses besides just cards and scrapbook pages, such as wrapping presents, hanging homemade ornaments, or making decorations.

I am actually developing a style of present wrapping that I really like.  I use tissue paper, which is inexpensive and works for any occasion, and then tie on a real ribbon bow.  That makes it look special, but doesn't cost a lot.  It also makes me think of my grandmother, who often used tissue paper for wrapping.

"Hi" card

 

A friend recently lent me a handful of quarters for the parking meter when I hadn't brought enough cash with me -- I'm going to send this to her with a reimbursement and my thanks.

Supplies: Simply Paper card base; Heidi Grace Designs "Reagan's Closet" rub-ons; white cardstock from stash; KI Memories stamps; Stampology "Pink Sapphire" ink; Sakura Gelly Roll pens; Pop Dots

Sympathy card

 

My husband had need of a sympathy card to send and I needed one to send to a friend.  I made both of those, and a third for a future need.

The design is very simple, both because that's my style and because I wanted to keep the weight down for mailing. It might be hard to tell from the picture that there is a layer of vellum on top of the sentiment and the butterflies are adhered to the vellum.  I'm happy with how the butterflies look -- they keep the design from being too stark.  I love this font, called Chopin, from dafont.com

Supplies: Black Bazzill Basics dotted swiss cardstock; Recollections white cardstock; The Paper Company Translucent Alabaster vellum; butterflies cut from a sheet of paper from Amscan; sentiment printed from the computer; corner rounder

White pumpkins

We had the occasion to visit a cider mill over the weekend that also had pumpkins and gourds for sale.  These white pumpkins caught my eye.

 

Yay -- goodies in the mail!

Many thanks to the Paper Crafts folks for the fun box I received in the mail today (the result of being the lucky random winner of a giveaway on their blog.)  The goodies are: a KI Memories "Daydream" 12 x 12 paper pack, a copy of the awesome Holiday Cards & More special issue of the magazine, a package of KI Memories Sparkles glitter alpha stickers ("Cookie Cutter") and matching "Brushed Flowers," both of which are a pretty glittery white.