Make It Monday on Tuesday!

With all that's going on this week at Papertrey Ink, my friend Amy and I were texting about the first PTI stamp sets we purchased.  PTI's first release was in February of 2007.  Do you remember their first stamp set?  It was Paper Tray!  And I bought it!  That same year I also purchased the Borders and Corners Circles and the Ambassodor Monogram Edition.  Little Lady is still on my Wish List, but she seems to keep getting pushed aside. 

In 2008, I added Mixed Messages, Everyday Blessings and Remember to my collection.  Would you believe I just used Remember last month?!  Shame on me!  Still on my Wish List from 08?  Honey Bees and sentiments. 

Most of my stamping budget went to PTI in 2009 as there were so many incredible sets to choose from!  I purchased On My Couch, In Bloom, Take Note, Signature Greetings and Turning a New Leaf.  When finances permit, I still hope to add Damask, Tea for Two, Vintage Picnic, Autumn Abundance and Signature Christmas.

2010 was the Year of Stamps and I was blessed to increase my collection of PTI as I never imagined!  My favorite freebies from this year:  Year of Flowers; Studio Style; Delightful Dahlias; Chair-ished; It's Official; Up, Up and Away; Flutterby Friend; Tea for Two Additions; Love Birds; and Sheet Music.

It was fun to reminisce about the past releases.  Even more fun:  Make it Monday!  Papertrey Radio!  And...the BIG Giveaway!  PTI sure knows how to host a celebration!

Here's my take on Make It Monday!  For me, this card became all about the buttons!  Once I decided on the layout, I knew it needed them.  Not only did it need them, but they had to be sewn on.  Do you know how hard it is to stitch threw 3 layers of paper/cardstock?!  It was so worth it though.  I heart those PTI Razzberry Fizz buttons!  

Hope you're having as much fun as I am with PTI's Anniversary celebration!  Thanks for stopping by~ Patti

PTI Brightens My Day

Another day of anniversary festivities at Papertrey Ink!  How exciting that Maile Belles is going to be designing stamps now too!  Maile has such a fresh, clean style.  I thought I'd try my hand at the look for today's challenge. 
This is so not my usual style, that when my husband saw the card laying on the counter, he said "Who made that card?"  After I told him I had, he said it was too "minimalist" for me.  Perhaps, but it was fun to try something different. 

I'm so excited about the sneek peeks that have been featured this past week on Nichole's blog!  Mat Stack 4 stamps!  The "newsprint" background!  Doillies!  My Wish List just keeps growing!!!  Maybe I'll get lucky and win another year of stamps.  That's probably too much to hope for!  ;)  Hope you're playing along for your chance to win! 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week! ~Patti

Papertrey Favorite(s) of 2010

Happy Anniversary Papertrey Ink!  Having been the winner of their 2010 Year of Stamps, it was my hope to be able to highlight all of the amazing stamp sets I recieved throughout the year on my blog.  Afterall, it seemed the least I could do having recieved such an amazing gift!  Alas, life got in the way and blogging was pushed aside by things like college applications, band concerts and family gatherings.  Sorry, but I wouldn't trade them.

The good news is, while I was busy working full-time, coordinating a mentoring program at an elementary school, acting as VP in the local Music Boosters and juggling the schedules of our four children (ages 12-19), I still found time to enjoy the stamps.  :)  And, the finished product made it into the hands of family and friends who were celebrating milestones or needed to be thanked or cheered. 

So what did I do with all of those stamps (over 120 sets!).  I shared them...with a couple of my dearest friends.  Each month, I would pick my faves and let them pick theirs.  As we each have different styles, it worked out well.  I'm really hoping one of the two of them wins this years prize, so we can continue sharing the joy of free stamps.  lol

What was my favorite PTI item they ask?  The Mat Stack 4 die!  I reach for it time and time again.  Dawn McVey's Sheet Music background!  I have four musicians in my house, so it's a perfect addition to my collection.   The Year of Flowers sets!  Each one is so beautiful and has lovely sentiments.  The felt!  I bought way too much at CHA this summer.  That was more than one wasn't it?!  Well, it's just too hard to choose.

Today I'm sharing a card that features some of my PTI favorites of 2010. 

I can't thank Nichole, Jane and Julie enough for the wonderful gift of stamps I've received this year.  They have been a blessing that I (and my friends) will enjoy for years to come!

Congratulations PTI on another year of success!  It's well deserved.  All the best! ~Patti

Vintage Friends

Nothing like the gift of time off to get the creativity flowing.  We have been under a mound of snow here in Illinois for the past couple of days.  Both school and work have been closed.  I've cooked, cleaned, enjoyed time with my family and even stamped!  It's been very therapeutic!

Valentine's Day always makes me mindful of the blessings of friendship, so I set out to make some cards for my dearest friends.  In going through my stash of supplies, I came across some vintage friendship stickers from Cloud 9.  I think I bought them a few years ago.  (I know, I know)  At any rate, they were a perfect match for the Basic Grey Wisteria paper that I've been hoarding.  ;)  

Achieving the perfect vintage look has always been a challenge for me.  I absolutely love it and I am totally drawn to it, but creating it is another story.  I'm certainly no Julia Stainton or Betsy Veldman,  but I feel like I'm making progress.  I think I'll keep at it and see what else I can come up with today.

Until next time, stay warm and be safe! ~Patti

CHA: A Slice of Crafty Girl Heaven!

I was fortunate enough to spend the day with four great friends at the CHA Supershow in Rosemont yesterday!   Wow!  I mean, WOW!!!

As we waited in line to enter, you could feel the excitement.  We were definitely in for some serious crafty goodness and fun!

First stop was the PTI booth.  We decided to start with a make and take...a pretty little felt flower pin.  On to shopping where Nichole greeted everyone with a warm smile.  The entire crew was so friendly and helpful.  It was pure joy to be able to thank them for the amazing gift of stamps I've been receiving each month.  Seeing all of those beautiful colors and products was amazing too.  I treated myself to buttons (lots of buttons), felt, felt and more felt, a handful of dies and even a stamp set. 

Highlights of my day at CHA: 

Kaisercraft booth-  Got a ginormous bag of goodies for free!!!  Clear stamps, paper, rub-ons and embellishments!  Oh my!

MFT booth- The rolled flower die turned out to be my favorite find of the day!!! 

Taylored Expressions booth-  Hands down the cutest booth there!   Adorable make and takes!  And Taylor and Jon were so sweet.

PTI booth- Loved being able to see their product up close and personal!  Met Debbie, Dawn, Mish, Jennifer, Jane and Nichole.  Fantastic make and takes!  Beautiful CHA only stamp set!

Of course, it was all made even better by sharing the day with friends.  We had lots of laughs and enjoyed an amazing Italian dinner before we took our goodies and our aching feet home. 

I'm already looking forward to next year's CHA experience!!!  If you get the chance-GO!  Thanks for stopping by today!  Enjoy your weekend! ~Patti

What's Your Style?

I spent the better part of  my morning perusing the Paper Crafts STYLE blog hop.  From Clean and Simple, Cute and Fun, Classy and Elegant to Shabby Vintage, there was a plethura of  styles to behold.  With the focus on style, it got me thinking about my own personal style. 

The Shabby Vintage look is beautiful and I always admire it, but I can't seem to perfect it.  Although the Clean and Simple look is fresh, it doesn't have enough going on in the way of embellishments for me.  I don't do super cutesy and I don't think my cards are elegant. 

So, where does that leave me?   Hmm.  I think my cards are a combination of clean, fun and classy.  They seem to have all the right elements, for my liking anyway.   The right color combo, some layering, a little dimension and the perfect embellishments.  A "classic" style! 

Hope you're enjoying stamping your style today! ~Patti

Blast from the Past Blog Hop

It's time for another Blast from the Past Blog Hop with Taylor!  It's always fun to break out Cuppie and give him a little color.  This is Love is Sweet and Cuppie is all decked out in Bo Bunny's Sun Kissed paper.  He's a ray of sunshine and sending smooches to a very special girl.  

My daughter Sarah and I say "smooches" daily, whether it be an off to school smooch, a have fun at your friend's smooch or a good night smooch.  Sarah's going away for a week this summer and I don't want her to miss our smooches, so I'm going to hide this smooch in her suitcase.  Shhhh! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoy hopping! ~Patti