How about a favor for the Thanksgiving dinner table?  Verve has the cutest turkey that I used to decorate my pillowbox. Hey Julee, sure wish there was a die for this little fellow.


I also made a card using the little turkey. I think the peek-a-boo chevron is a fun addition to the card. The sentiment is made with the double-ended banner die. After I die cut the shape I put it back in the die the opposite direction to get the pointed end.


Here is a look at both projects. I just need to make a few more and my Thanksgiving table would be complete.


I can't decide what to put inside my pillowbox.  Any suggestions? ~Rhonda

Give thanks pillowbox
stamps: Verve - Bountiful Harvest, Happy Fall
paper: PTI - Vintage Cream, Text-style Fall Prints and Patterns; October Afternoon - Seaside
ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
other: PTI - Essential Pillowbox, Mat Stack #3, Double-ended banner, Enchanted Evening button, twine; Snug Hug seam binding; Copic Markers - sorry I didn't write them down  

Counting my Blessings card
stamps: Verve - Bountiful Harvest; PTI - Gratitude Journal
paper:
PTI - Vintage Cream, Text-style Fall Prints and Patterns; October Afternoon - Seaside
ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
other: PTI - Double ended banner die; MFT Peek-a-boo Chevron die

Tis the season to begin some tags or it won't happen. These were simple to make. I stamped Tag Sale #7 with the background stamp first. If you have background stamps you need to be using them. It is amazing how make interest they add to a project. 


The top snowflake I spritzed with Mister Huey's Shine. I love the added sparkle. I have been using my sewing machine a little more as well. It is really nice when you are making several of the same item. 


Thanks for stopping by! ~Rhonda

Snowflake tags
stamps: PTI - 2012 Birthday Tags, Background Basics: Postmark
paper: PTI - Vintage Cream, Stamper's Select White; Authentique - Wonder Collection; Hobby Lobby - vellum
ink: PTI Spring Moss, Scarlett Jewel
other: PTI - Tremendous Treats Christmas die collection, Tag Sale #7; Spelllbinders - Snowflake Wonder dies; EK - Large Edger oval chain punch; The Twinery - Honeydew; Mister Huey's Shine; buttons - stash; Hobby Lobby - White cotton perle thread; sewing machine

the MOST valuable thing that anyone can spend! I love this sentiment. It is a great reminder. A quick card using PTI's Hands of Time. 


You can hardly go wrong when you are stamping lots of grungy effects. I think the key is to keep layering the colors and stamps. I think sometimes I "quit" to quick.


I hope you are enjoying sweater weather in your part of the world. ~Rhonda

Time card
stamps: PTI - Hands of Time, Grunge Me, Crackled
paper: PTI - Canyon Clay, Vintage Cream
ink: PTI - Canyon Clay, Orange  Zest, Summer Sunrise
other: PTI - Hands of Time; Making Memories - brads

I went a little crazy playing with re-inkers, distress inks, etc and created a pretty paper that I turned into tags for autumn.


The 1st tag is the gratitude tag. I die cut the apple several times from cereal box cardboard and then went to town with the glitter. I hope you can see the background stamping near the bottom of the tag. LOVE it!


The 2nd tag is the leaf. I used the chicken wire stencil across the bottom. Modeling paste is really easy to use and dries quickly. You need to give it a try. 

Have a great week! ~Rhonda

Gratitude tag
stamps: PTI - Fall Elegance, Background Basics: Postmark
paper: PTI - Classic Kraft
ink: too many colors to count
other: Martha Stewart glitter; PTI - Apple Prints die, Just the Ticket, Tag Sale #5; cardboard from cereal boxes; Hug Snug Seam binding;

Leaf tag
stamps: PTI - Leaf Prints, Just the Ticket
paper: PTI - Classic Kraft
ink: too many to count
other: PTI - Tag Sale #6, Leaf Prints die, twine, Just the Ticket die, Canyon Clay button; Crafter's Workshop - Mini Chicken Wire stencil; Liquitex Light Modeling Paste; Hug Snug Seam binding

 
Are you dressing up for Halloween? What is your favorite candy? Do you decorate big time? Our neighborhood gets together for hot dogs and chili before the kids start knocking on doors. It is a great time to connect before everyone starts winter hibernation. 


I used BB:textstyle II on my typing paper to add a little interest and then put the block alphabet letters on top. 


Some distress ink around the edges of the typewriter die toned down the bright white. What do you think about my cheesecloth spider web? I much prefer this one to the real thing. Be safe. ~Rhonda

Boo card
stamps: MFT - You're just my Type; PTI - Background Basics: Textstyle II
paper: Basic Grey- Bowties Collections; PTI - Stamper's Select White
ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; PTI - Smokey Shadow; Ranger Distress - Pumice Stone
other: MFT - Your Just My Type die, Blueprints #6; PTI - Block Alphabet die; The Twinery - Mandarin twine; Xyron Machine; Making Memories - Spook Alley Spider brad

The Verve Diva Dare for October is Tag, Your It! So you are supposed to make a gift tag or a tag on a card, or be inspired by a tag. I went with a tag on a card. I got out my re-inkers to create the background paper for my tag. The yellow just happened to be in the right place for the word brightly. Happy coincidence! 


I inlaid the starry die stars into the constellation background paper. Gives such a clean look.


I don't think we will be seeing any stars at our house tonight. We are getting a much needed rain! ~Rhonda


Shine Brightly card
stamps: Verve - Shining Star
paper: Echo Park - Happy Camper; PTI - Stamper's Select White
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; PTI re-inkers Enchanted Evening, Summer Sunrise, Ocean Tides
other: Verve - Starry die, Sweet Scallop Tag die; Hug Snug Seam binding

The inspiration for this hopping card is a new Vertical Aerobics class I started. It is held at Flight Deck Trampoline Park. I am doing my workout on trampolines!!! This may be old hat to some of you but I had a blast. You can't help but smile through the burn as you are hopping around.


I had some of the little Tremendous Treats Santa's on my craft desk and imagined Santa hopping around, getting his core in shape before he heads out Christmas Eve. Betsy's MIM #138 is all about inlaid die-cuts so this is a perfect fit.The inlaid die-cuts give a great sense of motion.

Hope you are having a great week! ~Rhonda

Hopping Santa card
stamps: PTI - Tremendous Treats: Christmas, Destination
paper: PTI - Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
other: PTI - Tremendous Treats: Christmas die; Ranger Diamond and Christmas Red Stickles; Copic Markers C1, E11, C7, R22, R24, R29

 
I'm playing along with Papertrey Ink's October Blog Hop.  The challenge is - This month we thought we would challenge you to get a head start and create a quick set of five gift tags.  They can be as simple or as complex as you wish, but be sure to make at least five! You can get more information here.


 
I am using Tag Sale #7 as my base. Love the deckle edge bottom. I used the Background Basics: Postmarks on all of my tags. I cut out lots of trees using the Believe tree die from different pattern paper packs. What is your favorite way to tie your tags? I tried a couple of different ways.


Oh my! Do you have shimmer paper? I'm in LOVE. The sheen is subtle but so pretty. I am going to find some more soon. I cut the "merry" and "25" from it.


The stars at the top of the trees were colored with saffron glitter glaze and glossy accents. Great shine! I also put my sewing machine to work on the punch border and merry.



Aren't the stars that follow the to/from great? These stamps are in the 2012 Birthday Tags set.

 

I am embarrassed to think how much time I spent on getting these to come together. Happy in the end but boy did I struggle. Enjoy hopping everyone!! ~Rhonda

Tree tags
challenge: PTI October Blog Hop create a set of 5 tags
stamps: PTI - Countdown to Christmas, Background Basics: Postmark, 2012 Birthday Tags
paper: PTI - Vintage Cream, Scarlett Jewel Shimmer paper; Authentique - Wonder Collection; Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage
ink: PTI - Spring Moss, Scarlett Jewel
other: PTI - Believe die, Wonderful Words: Holiday, Double-ended banner die, Headline Number dies, Limitless layers 1 3'4" circle dies; Tattered Angels - Glitter Glaze Saffron; Ranger Glossy Accents; Sewing Machine; Zyron machine; red twine - stash

Friends. Those special people who encourage you in your daily journey. I am thankful that I have friends who stay around for the messy days and the good days. The ones that tell me like it is the - the reality check.

As a card maker I have the privilege to use my hobby to encourage those same friends. This Chalkboard Greetings set from MFT is perfect. The large sentiment becomes the focus.


I made several of these to have an hand. Do you keep a box with special cards and letters that you have received? I do. ~Rhonda

Friends card
stamps: MFT - Chalkboard Greetings; PTI - Rosie Posie
paper: Crate Paper - Portrait Collection; PTI - Stamper's Select White, Black
ink: PTI - Hawaiian Shores, Enchanted Evening, Fresh Snow, and Simply Chartreuse; Versamark
other: PTI - Rosie Posie dies, Happiness in Bloom dies, Mat Stack #4; Zing White embossing powder

Well I think fall is finally coming to North Texas. We are supposed to be in the 50's tomorrow which will be a welcome change. I pulled out PTI's Leaf Prints to make an easy fall card. I was inspired by this card from Debby Hughes at Lime Doodle Design. I loved ALL the detail on the top 1/3 of the card but couldn't quite pull out the Christmas yet so went fall. I used the large Front & Center #1 die to create the scallop on the green dot paper. 


I used lots of inks on the leaves. My combo's were Canyon Clay and Terracotta Tile, Summer Sunrise and Orange Zest, and finally Pure Poppy and Terracotta Tile together.


Do you have the Herringbone Impressions plate? It is perfect for fall.  


Enjoy your week friends! Maybe I'll need to make some hot chocolate. ~Rhonda

Celebrate Autumn card
stamps: PTI - Leaf Prints, Fillable Frames #7
paper: PTI - Text Style Fall Prints & Patterns, Stamper's Select White
ink: PTI - Orange Zest, Terracotta Tile, Summer Sunrise, Pure Poppy, Canyon Clay
other: PTI - Leaf Prints dies, Herringbone Impression Plate; sequins from my mother's old Christmas ornament kits

We just returned from a fabulous trip to Seattle, WA and Victoria, BC. Everyone said to plan on rain but we squeaked into beautiful weather. On our last day we made a trip to the Merridale Cider Apple Orchard on Vancouver Island. I had NO idea that cider can be made like wine.


We sampled some wonderful ciders and had this Charcuterie Platter of house cured meats, local artisan cheese, marinated olives, pickles and mustard for an appetizer.


We finished the lovely meal with the BEST apple pie and ice cream of course!


We walked around the orchard which them gave me my inspiration for this weeks MIM #135 Layered Emboss Resist. Nothing talks fall better than apples. 

I used the Mighty Oak cover plate as a stencil for the embossed leaves and the background is Text Style II.


I decided that I would keep the tree trunk white. I thought it was a little more unexpected. Did I make the right choice?



For the inside I used Thanks All Ways and the border from Apple Prints. I will put this one in the mail to thank our hosts for a wonderful trip! I hope you are having a wonderful week. ~Rhonda

Thanks card
stamps: PTI - Apple Prints, Mighty Oak, BB: Text Style II, Thanks All Ways
paper: PTI - Classic Kraft, Scarlett Jewel, Stamper's Select White
ink: Classic Kraft, Scarlett Jewel, Harvest Gold; Versamark
dies: PTI  Mighty Oak Cover Plate, Apple Prints
other: PTI twine; Tim Holtz distressing tool,

I needed a thank you for the guys who have been working on our HS Youth Group House. I love to see walls come down.


I would like to do this card again and somehow create belt loops for the tools! Any ideas? ~Rhonda

Thank you card
stamps: Handy Hardware
paper: PTI - Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Stamper's Select White; My Mind's Eye - Lost and Found
ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Stamping Up - Going Grey
other: PTI - Handy Hardware dies; My Favorite Things - Blueprints One

The next Stamp a Faire challenge was the Rolled Dough Challenge. Your challenge is to use Paperclay in a creative way either in a project on it's own or incorporated into a card. I decided to use the method that Melissa Phillips used to sandwich the dough between vellum. I was amazed at how cool the texture is. I stamped them with Background Basics: Text Style II.


I had forgotten how much I liked the Argyle pattern. Need to use this one a lot more for fall. ~Rhonda


Birthday Joy card
stamps: PTI - A Little Argyle, Stylish Sentiments: Birthday, Background Basics: Text Style II
paper: PTI - Kraft; Hobby Lobby - Vellum
ink: PTI - Spring Moss reinker, Raspberry Fizz and reinker
other: PTI - Beautiful Blooms #2 dies, Happiness in Bloom Leaves, Raspberry Fizz button; cheesecloth; twine; Delight Paperclay

I participated in the first SAF challenge - Breakfast Bake and Take. Your challenge is to pick one color scheme and one sketch to whip up a quick project you can be proud of! I chose to use the following recipes.


The book print impression plate was perfect for adding a little more dimension and interest. I really enjoyed the color palette. Not one I would have chosen on my own.


Hope you are having a great week! We are supposed to get a cold front this week. Temps in the middle 90's. We will take it. ~Rhonda

for the best teacher card
stamps: PTI - Apple Prints
paper: PTI - Smokey Shadow, Orange Zest, Simply Chartreuse, Stamper's Select White
ink: Versamark; PTI - Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy
other: PTI - Book Print Impression Plate; Corner Chopper; Embossing Buddy; Heat Gun; White embossing powder

Last week was my 2nd Annual High School Girly Event for our Youth Group Girls. Our theme was Love. Everyone did a Love Assessment. If you aren't familiar with Love Languages you should check out the books written by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell. You should spot a few hearts used in the decor.


My dear friend Robin came over the night before to set up for the event. We were whacking on my shrubs in the dark to hang in the chandeliers. I used PTI's Limitless Layers: Hearts cut from kraft to hang from the branches.


We used mismatched plates with silver charges and white napkins that we tied with tiny tags stamped with different words. So cute and super easy!


Old books, mason jars filled with roses, phlox, and crepe myrtle flowers and candles on vintage lace table clothes = perfect.