Monday, January 24, 2011

Valentine's Day Treat

Thank you for your concern about Maddie. Last week was honestly pretty rough. She made some progress through the week, and we started to see the "real" Maddie come out a little. She did have another seizure yesterday, however it was a minor one. Of course we don't want any seizure, but we can at least handle small seizures better than the "grandma" seizures. It's honestly something I never want to see Maddie go through again.

With everything going on with Maddie I thought I'd make some Valentine's Day treats in the hopes it would cheer me up.

I'll tell you a secret about Chase and I. We seriously love Fun Dip. It's like we're 12, but we still love it. Yummy colored sugar. Here's how I created these little Fun Dip wraps.


1. Cut 2.5” x 10” stripe of patterned paper.
2. Score twice at 2” and 5.75”. Wrap piece around candy.
3. Punch decorative edge and adhere inside patterned paper.
4. Tie bow around candy.
5. Stamp image and sentiment, die cut.  Adhere with foam tape. 

 Stamps: (Look Up!) Practicing Creativity
Ink: (Craft White) Stampin’ Up!, (Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Cardstock: (Pretty in Pink) Stampin’ Up!
Patterned Paper: (Lush Red Diamonds) My Mind’s Eye
Die Cut: (Labels 1) Spellbinders
Ribbon: (Pink Twill) May Arts
Punch: (Apron Lace) Fiskars

 Thanks for stopping by today!



Wednesday, January 19, 2011

One Crazy Week

I have a quick card to share with you today. It's one I made awhile back because I haven't made anything this week. Our sweet little 5lb. Yorkie, Maddie had a seizure on Monday, and we've pretty much been on dog duty this week testing medicine. It was a really bad seizure, but we are hoping the medicine will work. However right now it's too strong and she is like a little deer trying to learn how to walk. Since Chase and I don't have kids, Maddie is our kiddo. So it's been a rough week.

So here's the card!

 1. Make card from cardstock, adhere rub-on.
2. Punch border and adhere to card.
3. Stamp sentiment on cardstock and adhere with foam tape.
4. Cut heart from cardstock and adhere with foam tape.
5. Tie bow.

Rub On: (Out on a Limb, Antique White) Hambly
Stamps: (Key to My Heart) Practicing Creativity
Ink: (Onyx Black) VersaFine
Cardstock: (Innocent Pink) Gina K, (Hibiscus Burst) Papertrey Ink
Ribbon: (Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink
Punch: (Starburst Border) Fiskars

And I know this card is way way way too pink for me. But I kind of like it... (shhh..). Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Farewell to 2 Sketches 4 You

Today is a sad day. We are wishing 2 Sketches 4 You goodbye. When I heard the news from Laura and Kazan I was sad, but I totally understood. These challenge sites really take a ton of work, and I know Laura and Kazan both have great things in store for us in the future.

All of the current design team and design team alumni are working with two fabulous sketches. I know you'll want to join us for these two final sketches!


And here's what I came up with (we are all focusing on miss you/good bye cards).

1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Cut stripe of cardstock and adhere to bottom of card base.
3. Cut a 2x3 piece of patterned paper. Stamp balloon and adhere.
4. Stamp balloon three more times, cut out balloon and accent piece adhere.
5. Stamp cloud, cut, and adhere with foam tape.
6. Stamp sentiment, adhere.
7. Tie bow and adhere ribbon.



Stamps: Look Up Additions, You're Dandy (Practicing Creativity)
Cardstock: New Leaf, Hawaiian Breeze, Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Solar White (Neenah)
Ink: Powder Blue (Jenni Bowlin), Black (VersaFine)
Ribbon: New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)

So go check out 2 Sketches 4 You and wish Kazan and Laura luck with their new adventures!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

December Daily Week - Day 3

It's the last post with pictures of my December Daily album. Have I told you about our cake pop experiment? Well I got Bakerella's new book. I've read her blog for a long time, but I had never actually tried cake pops before. Chase actually volunteered to help me make them, so why not right? I thought it was awesome, but Chase was pretty tired of the decorating once we got to that step. They turned out great though. You can click on any photo to see it larger.

 Here's the back side of that page with Chase and I in action with our cake pops. Don't you love our plaid shirts. We have problems. On the right starts the 24th page. That's my brother and Chase. They are so goofy together. You just can't help but to laugh.
 This page worked out great with the frame I had already adhered to the acrylic date page. I love how it ended up working!

This is Chase and I on Christmas. I broke out another one of my book plates for this special page.
 This is another family Christmas party. My dad got me an electric cutter for Christmas. I've been having fun creating some really cute title headlines.
 To be honest on the 20th I didn't have much to say or show. So instead I did a December Tweets page. I stole this idea from myself and this scrapbook page. I still love doing these pages.
So that's all of my December Daily. It really was hard this year, but I'm so glad I did it!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

December Daily Week - Day 2

Hey friends. I'm back with some more pages from my finished December Daily again. These four are some of my most favorite pages from the completed project.

 This first one is the back of the intro page. I used the shape I had originally used as a mask for this card. And I just love this picture. It's of my nieces birthday party. Isn't she the cutest?

I just love this page because the picture is so funny (although the color is way off). The Funky Griddle in Nashville is where you cook your own pancakes or grill cheese. It's really good. We were celebrating my friend Pam's birthday. I decided to add lines to the page, it needed a little funky.
One of my other coworkers Becky made chocolate covered bacon for the Kids Ministry 101 blog we both write for. It was so fun. And for the record I'm not a fan, but a lot of people liked it.
And this is our neighbor Sam. Sam loves Maddie. It's super cute.
Alright thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

December Daily Week - Day 1

This week I'm traveling to Orlando for work. And although it won't feel anything like Christmas I thought I'd share all of my December Daily projects with you! I really like to do this during Christmas, but this year it was just too busy.

You can check out the making of the album here:
Cover
Pages 3, 4, 5, 6
Pages 12, 13

I really used random stuff this year. Usually I go and buy a few inspirational things, but it really ended up just being things I had. I kind of like the funkiness of it all. I love this side shot of the finished project (you can click the pictures to see them larger).

 And another view... I mean do I sound proud? I really can't believe I even got it done this year.
 And here's some of the finished pages:
The back of day 2 and the beginning of day 3.
 The back of day 4 and the beginning of 5.

And then two different shots of day 9. Chase and I both ran a lot this December. Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe that's where my time went.

Alright, so that's the first couple of pictures. I'll be back later in the week to show you some other days of the album.

Did you do a December Daily this year? I'd love to see yours!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Carved Love and Another Year Winners

I wanted to jump over here an announce the winners from last week's release of  Another Year and Carved Love! But first... I have to tell you it snowed here! It snowed a lot. I randomly woke up at 3:30 this morning, and I looked outside... all white. So fun.

Okay but back to the winners:

Carved Love


Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
7 
Timestamp: 2011-01-10 22:31:42 UTC

 Lee Anne said...
Wow! I'm so excited about this set...I've never seen anything like it! I'd love it to make Valentines for my family & friends this year - it's probably my favorite time to craft...a little less pressure! Thanks for the chance to win!


Another Year


Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
11 
Timestamp: 2011-01-10 22:32:57 UTC

Lee said...
Ooh can"t wait to get my hands on this stamp set. I'm like you, one can never have enough birthday stamp sayings!!!
January 4, 2011 10:37 AM

And the winner of both sets:
Here are your random numbers:
28 
Timestamp: 2011-01-10 22:34:01 UTC

jen said...
Happy Birthday to Practicing Creativity- and congrats!!
loving the peeks!

Congratulations! Email me at Courtney@practicingcreativitydesigns.com with your address!

Happy Snow Day!


Friday, January 7, 2011

Another Birthday Card with Another Year

Whew! We've release two more stamp sets, Another Year and Carved Love. If you missed it, just scroll down though this week. I have another card using Another Year for you. I just love this set.


I went a little crazy on my colors, but  I think I really like it!

1. Make a card from cardstock. Using the circle stamp stamp background.
2. 4.25" x 3" piece of cardstock, stamp number background, highlighting your number of choice. Adhere and sew edges.
3. Cut slit across the top of the card, feed ribbon through and tie bow. Add button with twine.
4. Adhere die cut shape. 
5. Stamp sentiment on a stripe of cardstock and adhere.
6. Adhere buttons.



Stamps: Another Year (Practicing Creativity Designs)
Cardstock: Hawaiian Breeze, Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink); Solar White (Neenah)
Ribbon: Parrot Green Twill (May Arts)
Ink: Craft White (Stampin' Up); Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Buttons: Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink)
Die Cut Shape: Favorite Frames (Laina Lamb)

Thanks for stopping by! I'm currently in the mountains of North Carolina for work! I'm wishing I had time for a little skiing, but there certainly won't be time for that.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Introducting Another Year and Carved Love





Both sets are now available at our store, Practicing Creativity Designs

Each set is $13. Free Shipping with orders of $50 or more within the US. 
All other orders are a flat rate of $4 in the US and a flat rate of $6 for all international orders!

Thank you for joining along with us as we celebrate our first year! We couldn't have done it without you!

Introducing Carved Love

I'm so excited to show you this stamp set today! I hope you enjoyed yesterday's peek of Another Year. I so enjoyed reading all of your comments! If you haven't already checked out yesterday's post there's still time to comment and win!

Today, it's all about love. Let's get right to it. Here's a set of cards I made using Carved Love. I went for a more masculine look with these cards. I really love how easy it is to make guy cards with this super fun set.


And I have a video for you all about Carved Love.

You can also view it here on YouTube.

And check out what the design team has created:


Karen created this super cute card showing the classic use of Carved Love. Don't you love how cute that heart is?

 
Dana shows off how you can use this set to customize your cards! Did I mention it has an entire alphabet along with that birch background? And don't you love that embossed background? So cute!



 Paulina made this super cute card with the birch background and the hearts. I just love how she paired them up.


Go check out these girl's blogs for more details on all their fabulous cards! 

Carved Love will be available January 6 at 12:01am (aka tonight at midnight)!

Before you leave, leave a comment and we'll be giving away Carved Love. I'd love to hear who your favorite person is to make Valentine's Day cards for.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Introducing Another Year

You all guessed right! To celebrate our one year anniversary the first set this month is an all-birthday stamp set. If you're anything like me the majority of the cards you actually use are thank you and birthday cards! I really never have enough.

Here's one of the cards I made with the set:

This set has one large background made up of number 1-100. I love it just for a background, but it really has so many more uses with the sentiments included in the set. I also am giving you a little peek at tomorrow's stamp set. Can you find it?
I also used our aqua grosgrain and satin ribbon. I love that stuff.

I also have video for you today with Another Year. I know you'll want to see exactly how this set works!

You can also view it on YouTube here.

And now the design team has been hard at work creating some super cute cards using Another Year. Each member has made two cards showing how this set can really be used for any birthday!

 
 
Karen shows off just how versatile this set is with a neutral card and a kids card. Did you notice how great the numbers look behind her little scene? It's just a detail that I love! 

 
Aren't these so cute? Paulina shows off a super girlie teen card and a masculine card. Don't you just love that color combo? I do! 



 
Dana rocks both of these cards. She highlights specific birthdays, and I just love the custom attention that brings to both cards. Don't you just love all the possibilities with the "...again" sentiment?

Go check out these girl's blogs for more details on all their fabulous cards! 

Another Year will be available January 6 at 12:01am! 

Make sure you check back tomorrow where we'll show you sneak peeks from our other set that's releasing this month! It's sure to make your heart beat a little faster (hint hint).

Before you leave, leave a comment and we'll be giving away Another Year. And since it is "Another Year" I'd love to hear what you're excited about in 2011!