Retreat Treats

I haven't posted as much lately, and here's the reason why. Okay, these cards didn't really slow me down, but the event that they were for sure did! Like many churches, mine holds an annual retreat for the women, three days when we can get away and just be girlfriends and have fun. Well, I've been having a little trouble getting back in the swing of posting since I got back--I think I need three more days away! ;-D

I started a tradition last year of making cards for my closest friends who would also be attending the retreat--a chance to tell them what their friendship has meant to me during the last year, and how they've contributed to my spiritual journey. Last year I did all unique cards, but this year I changed to matching ones in the interest of time. :-) I chose an outside image called Tiers of Treats because I wanted to use the inside sentiment, "Friends--God's Sweetest Gift." That's PTI's It's Official order pad image too so I could emphasize that their friendship is exactly what I'd order! :-D You can't see it in the pictures, but the front of the card is impressed with PTI's Picnic Plaid impression plate. It's a nice deep impression too, so I'm sorry it doesn't show up. :-)

Supplies
Stamps: Stampendous--Tiers of Treats; Inkadinkado (inside); PTI--Simple Alphabet & It's Official
Paper: PTI--S.S. White, Scarlet Jewel, Berry Sorbet, Bitty Dots
Ink: Versafine--Onyx Black, Ranger--Aged Mahogany & Tattered Rose Distress Inks; Embossing Powder--Filigree Clear
Copics: YG23, YG25, YG95, E57, E59, RV83, RV85, RV89, R20, R22, R24, C1, W1
Misc.: Pens--atyou Spica--Silver; Dies--Spellbinders Classic Rectangle, Scalloped Rectangle, Ribbon Tags Trio; Ribbon--American Crafts, Michaels; Impression Plate--PTI Picnic Plaid

Happy 2011!

A wonderful new year to each one of you who've popped in to my blog! I'm filled with that new year optimism that takes a hold of most of us at this time, chock-full of card making resolutions and plans! In 2011, I'm hoping to blog weekly, do at least one challenge a month, make all my birthday cards a month ahead of time, comment more regularly on others' blogs, and make Christmas cards all year long. What about you? What special resolutions do you have for your crafting time this year?


I'm starting the new year off with a card that is one of the few custom creations I've been asked to make. Remember the 80th birthday card I posted here? I call this the "companion piece" because a dear lady at church saw the other card and requested one for her friend in a similar style, in peach tones. I had just figured out what I'd done wrong threading my sewing machine (the bobbin was in backwards, of all things!), so I wanted to add some decorative stitching and she really liked that touch. You'll notice the classic PTI stamp set Blooming Button Bits (don't worry, I tacked that far right button down further after seeing this picture, lol). I call it classic because it really is, isn't it? Flexible, non-trendy, and super useful. I love all of the Button Bits sets and hope there's another one or two added to PTI's inventory this year.

Supplies
Stamps: PTI--Blooming Button Bits & Green Thumb
Paper: PTI--Melon Berry & Vintage Cream; October Afternoon--Thrift Shop; stash
Ink: Versafine--Vintage Sepia; Versacolor--Bamboo; Ranger--Antique Linen & Mustard Seed Distress Inks; PTI--Melon Berry
Buttons: PTI--Melon Berry
Floss: DMC--Ecru
Embossing Powder: Ranger--Super Fine Detail Clear
Misc.: Sewing Machine, Spellbinder's die