Marvelous Monograms is the theme for PTI's February Blog Hop. Here are the details:

 Pull out your letter stamps and alphabet dies and create something monogrammed!  It can be a gift for someone special or a treat to keep for yourself!  You could monogram a set of note-cards, stationery, coasters, journals, home decor or anything else you can dream up!  Have fun and experiment with combining different fonts, pairing up stamped & die-cut letters, pull-out neglected patterned papers to use as backgrounds, add texture with impression plates and you can even play around with with unique color combos!  We can hardly wait to see what YOU create!

I choose to make a gift item. Can you think of anything cuter than pictures of a little one? I made a photo cube that could be the perfect addition for a birthday or even Christmas present. Wouldn't it be cute tied to a package?
 

"J" is for Jaiden. I used the Aida Impression plate to add a little texture under my "J."


Happy Hopping! ~Rhonda 

supplies used:
paper: PTI - Stamper's Select White; PP - Digital from my stash
other: PTI - Block Upper Alphabet die, Aida Impression Plate; Spellbinders - Labels One die; Micheal's - 2" wood cube and Modge Podge; Wal-Mart- screw eye and spray paint; Photoshop CS4

I have jumped on the Project Life bandwagon AGAIN. I have made a couple of attempts in the past. I ordered the complete binder + core kit but didn't do it. I started taking a picture of the day last year and then tried to do it digitally but my skills were just not there. So after learning so much more about my camera and digital design I am ready to try again. Plus having a iPhone to catch so many more pictures is key for me. 


My goal is to keep it simple so I will complete it and to stop going back and tweaking! Enough already!!


In the layout below you might remember the chicken recipe. Are you familiar with Chrismons?
 
I did take Jessica Sprague's Digital Project Life class here. It has a lot of helpful information. Cathy Ziekske's blog is another great resource for tutorials and some great freebies. 

One important thing I have learned is how crucial file structure is for digital design. I am getting better so hopefully I can give all the designers credit for their awesome products. I had files downloaded wily nily everywhere!!

Have a fabulous day! ~Rhonda
 

I am playing along with Papertrey Ink's MIM #104 which is to add handmade pinwheels on your project this week. I don't think I have made a pinwheel such I was a kid. I had FUN! 



I went a little wild with the twine but it seems to add some movement. I had originally considered some kind of banner but ended up this direction. I love this sentiment.


Thanks for stopping by today. ~Rhonda

I posted earlier today about what you can do to get ready for the new products you ordered that is if you did!  wink!

supplies used:
stamps: PTI - Inside Out: Thank You
paper: My Mind's Eye - The Sweetest Thing Tangerine; PTI - Lemon Tart, Stampers Select White
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
other: PTI - Simple Stripes Impression PlateFabulous Frames die, Double Ended Banner Die, Lemon Tart buttons, twine; MFT - Fishtail Flag Stax; sewing machine

for your NEW stuff to arrive! Nothing derails an organization system faster than when you bring new things home and you don't have a place set up for them. I have some ideas that will help as you stalk the postman.


Are you using the Tim Holtz or Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby folders for your stamps? How many sets did you order? Do you have the acetate and white card stock cut and in the folders already? You should get them ready now.


Oh. My. DIE! How many did you order? How do you store them? Do you have the paper in your pouches ready to go? Do you need to make an additional long border die pocket?


What a pretty new color! Did you order the new paper and ink? Get the folder set up for the paper. Put the name on your index label.


Do you use Evernote? Those new product images are on the company's website. Add your new notes as you wait.


What set are you going to use first? Did you fall in love with an inspiration piece? Sketch some ideas or print out some favorites so you can get inky quick.

While you are stalking the postman, you could make them a card of appreciation!! Have a great week. ~Rhonda

Happy Valentine's Day! Just grab one of these M &M sticks through the screen. I wish I could hand deliver one to each of you. Just imagine the places I could visit.


I have made these before and I am sure I will make them again. They are an easy treat that even little kids can do. The trick is to get the M & M's in the tubes as quick as you can before your family finds you in the assembly stage.


I used PTI Tiny Treats: Valentines for my tags that are tied on with twine from The Twinery. Using a Crop-a-Dile to punch through the card stock and plastic make the job of attaching the tags easier.


I have ordered my plastic tubes from two different sources with NO problems.
I purchased them from GT Bag Company in 2011 and more recently from Clear Bags R Us (thanks to Renee for sending me their direction). The bags are 1 x 8 lip and tape bags. Roll over the company names for the link. If you are interested in more detailed instructions click here.

Have a great day! ~Rhonda

supplies used:
stamps: PTI - Tiny Treats: Valentine
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
paper: PTI - Royal Velvet, Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz, Stamper's Select White
other: Copic markers for Red heart; PTI - Limitless Layers 2 1/4": Circles; The Twinery - several colors
Clear Bags R Us - 1x8 lip and tape bags; M & M's from Target

I never get tired of polka dots. Do you? I decided to see how many sentiments I could get on a heart! HA!! Hope you are having a great week!


Can I just say one more time how much I LOVE the Fishtail Flag Stax dies? I use them ALL the time.

 

I have all my cards and packages in the mail. I totally cleared out my stash of Valentine cards. I figure I'll want to start fresh next year. It is kinda of fun to see a card category EMPTY. ~Rhonda

supplies used:
stamps: PTI - Little Labels, Tiny Tags, Fillable Frames #10, #11, Mega Mixed Messages, With All My Heart; Verve - Wings of Love
paper: Teresa Collins - Now & Then; PTI Soft Stone and patterned paper, Pure Poppy
ink: PTI - Enchanted Evening, Pure Poppy
other: MFT - Fishtail Flag Stax; PTI - Double Ended Banner, Limitless Layers: 2 1/4" hearts; SU - 1" circle punch

We are coming down to the wire! Hope you have all your Valentine projects ready to wrap up. This layout is going to be a keeper. I can imagine other things in place of hearts such as butterflies or buttons. 


I have been using my sewing machine a lot. Just a little zig zag here and there. 


Here is a question for you. Would you have made another pink heart or gone with the red heart? I couldn't decide. ~Rhonda

supplies used:
stamps: PTI - Heart-2-Heart #3, Framed, Mega Mixed Messages, With All My Love
paper: My Mind's Eye - Lost & Found Ruby; PTI Stamper's Select White
ink: PTI - Sweet Blush; MFT - Wild Cherry; SU - Going Grey
dies: PTI - Heart-2-Heart #3, Fabulous Frames, Framed Out #2; Spellbinders - Classic Square Large
other: sewing machine, pop dots

I am having a blast with Valentine cards this year! I have made so many that I will probably be handing them out to strangers on the street! Of ALL my creations this is one of my favorites. With a little blue and green, I think I can even give this to one of my sons. 


The hearts are from Verve - From the Heart dies. The perfect size for this card. To color the hearts I used the back of a large stamp to totally cover the heart. I used one of the rainbow color schemes that Nicole Heady recently had available for download. I chose #3. You can get the download here.

Enjoy your day! I'm headed to Chinese Food for lunch. ~Rhonda

supplies used:
stamps: Fillable Frames #11
paper: Teresa Collins - Now & Then; PTI - Vintage Cream
ink: PTI Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest
dies: Verve - From the Heart
other: PTI - twine

Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 6th Anniversary. Their annual Designer Printable is ready for download and I am playing along. I would love to win the adorable prize. 

Fifth CARD!!  This birthday image is from Heather Nichols. Thanks Heather! I can't wait to see this one in stamp form. I hope we can put lots of different sentiments in the middle. 



I used the flowers from Heart-2-Heart #7 and sequins! I used sequins for the very FIRST time. Love the shine they add. ~Rhonda

Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 6th Anniversary. Their annual Designer Printable is ready for download and I am playing along. I would love to win the adorable prize. 

My fourth card uses the fun Flamingo image from Erin Lincoln. Thanks Erin!  I didn't think I could color the flamingo well enough to do her justice so decided to work with black, white, and a pop of PINK!


I had already made some of the little frames with clear plastic behind them due to some inspiration from Jessica Witty for Valentine projects. Perfect for my heart.


I also colored her necklace and created a computer generated sentiment. Impression plates are playing a BIG part of my cards today.
 
Do you think my sweet hubs will notice that I'm creating cards instead of dinner? ~Rhonda

Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 6th Anniversary. Their annual Designer Printable is ready for download and I am playing along. I would love to win the adorable prize.


My third card features the candles from Lizzie Jones. Thanks Lizzie! I love the colors that she chose for the candles. I tried emboss and resist for the FIRST time with this card. I embossed the numbers from Countdown to Christmas and used some Blueberry Sky and Berry Sorbet ink to create the background. In real life the Blueberry Sky is a little softer.   

Thanks for stopping by! ~Rhonda

Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 6th Anniversary. Their annual Designer Printable is ready for download and I am playing along. I would love to win the adorable prize. 

My second card uses the sweet Happy Birthday image from Dawn McVey. Thanks Dawn! I love that I could use Limeade Ice patterned paper. The Simple Borders Circles die is the perfect scale for anything punched with a 1 3/4" punch.


I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch a tiny hole at the top and bottom for my twine. It sure makes it easier to tie a bow when the twine isn't sliding everywhere.

I'm still making cards so I'll be back! ~Rhonda

 
Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 6th Anniversary. Their annual Designer Printable is ready for download and I am playing along. I would love to win the adorable prize. The first one I chose to use was this ADORABLE tea cup from Melissa Bickford. Thanks Melissa! I am hoping that dies will be available for this cute set.


Did you spy the differences between the 2 cards? 



I couldn't decide if both cards needed the little red heart? or rounded corners? What's your thought?

I hope you get a chance to play along. ~Rhonda

I am still playing with black card stock and embossing. I was inspired to use the big dots after seeing several people use them on the recent PTI Blog Hop. They make me HAPPY!


This sentiment is my new favorite. It's from My Favorite Things - My Favorite Sentiments 6th Birthday Celebration! Woo - that's a LONG name for a set. You will see this one again.

Have a great day! ~Rhonda

supplies:
stamps: MFT - My Favorite Sentiments 6th Birthday Celebration; PTI - Polka Dot Basics II
paper: PTI - True Black; Authentique - Lovely Collection
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
other: PTI Fillable Frame #9; Seam binding ribbon; clear and black embossing powder

I am back with the completion of my die storage. Storing the larger and long dies was a challenge, but I hope I have discovered the pitfalls and some solutions that will make it easier if you choose to implement a new system.



I found two different products. The first is the Office Depot clear pockets. I love the weight and the little thumb notch at the top. Problem - some of my dies such as the PTI seed packet and essential pillow box dies wouldn't fit!



The next product is the Staples sheet protectors. I had to do a couple of things to make them work. The first is of my own choosing to cut 1/2" OFF the top to stay consistent with the clear pockets I had started with. The second was to cut off the binder holes. I wanted the clean look in my box. 

TIP for YOU: If I has starting from scratch I would buy the sheet protectors and cut off the binder holes and forgo the clear pockets. 



As I don't have as many large and longer dies I decided to group these by category such as large dies, impression plates, cover plates, and long border dies. 

TIP for YOU: Do you own any of the masks/stencils used for spray mists? I put my Studio Calico masks as a category in their own page protectors. This way I won't forget that I own them.


For the long border dies I used the sheet protectors and my sewing machine to stitch pockets that are 2" wide. I put the name of each one on the outside.


I received several questions asking if the Spellbinder dies would work in this system. The answer is YES. The only set that I own that wouldn't fit in the small pouches is the long rectangle dies seen below.


The only die that I own that didn't fit in any pocket is my PTI - Front and Center die. It is large enough that it just stands on its own.



I keep my top cutting plate, metal shim, and painter's tape in the front of the box. My embossing pads and extra cutting plates on in the back. Just keeping it all together people.


My box is a matching piece to my smaller Target Threshold Tip Towel Basket. This basket is called the "small basket." The dimensions are 9" L x 7 1/4" W x 6 1/4" H. I love that I can store them on my work counter or . . .


in the cabinet above. You can also see some of the organization I have been doing of ALL my craft supplies. It you are interested in "seeing" inside the cabinets let me know.


 
I hope you have been inspired to take control of your dies. I think it was a worthwhile investment of my time. If you missed my first post on die organization you can find it here.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week. ~Rhonda