Grateful for You!!

Hello my sweet blogging friends! Do you know how grateful I am for all of you who follow my blog, take the time to pay me a visit, leave sweet comments? Well trust me....you're all sweethearts!!! And for that very reason I am having a blog candy give-away! I'm making this easy peasy for you...a simple comment.

Here' the scoop...!!! Leave a comment on this post telling me three of your favorite, must haves, or go to items used in your card making. I will do two random selections on Saturday March 3rd for two packages I have put together. So please leave your comment by Friday the 2nd at midnight! The first comment selected will receive a package containing some of my favorite things! Take a look.....

If any of you know me very well you know I love, love, love polka dots ~hee!! You'll notice the polka dot background stamp by DeNami, polka dot kraft envelopes by Martha Stewart and some polka dot ribbon. Next on my list of favorites would be the bling...most especially tiny bling! Just ask my sister-in-law (aka:stamping buddy) she know I like all things small!!! So I've included an assortment of tiny goodies to add to your little works of art; my favorite sparkly flower gems, teeny keys, a new find of vintage safety pins...a handful of small goodies!
While I don't add many large ribbon bows to my cards, I do have two favorite trims. One little lace lovely that I get from Hobby Lobby and the ever so sweet mini pom pom trims. The one included here is from Joann. I like it because it's not too white. The fruit punch Stickles are the most adorable shade of sparkly pink and the rouge Color Box chalk ink is just the prettiest of pinks. Well I think you get the idea...these are some items I am quite smitten with and I think you'll enjoy them.

The second random comment will receive a package of 6x6 papers ~ another item I am completely addicted to!!! Here's a peek!

There are 16 different paper collections here with an average of 6 sheets each. These are from BasicGrey, Cosmo Cricket, My Mind's Eye, Lily Bee Design, Authentique and Jillibean soup. More of the ever so sweet mini pom pom trims in fun bright colors, an assortment of twine, ribbons and trims.

This is just my way of saying thank you to all of you! I hope to see many comments on what your favorites are! Have a beautiful day and as always thanks for stopping by ~Lisa

PDCC #120 ~ Thinking of You!

The colors this week from the Play Date Cafe inspiration photo sing sweet songs of summer to me. The melodies of clear blue skies and fresh wispy green grasses meeting at the horizon to serenade the soft whispers of the setting orange sun. 

I brought the sky and grass together in my card along with a few sweet witnesses to the beauty of it all. My eyes were immediately drawn to the sparkly bottles in the photo. I bought this stamp from Inkadinkado last summer and this is the first time I've inked it up (sad, but true!). We've all been there... saving a stamp for the right moment. This was just that moment for me!

I have a little cloud template I made years ago. I place it on my card, hold it in place with my finger then swirl chalk around it to create the sky. I move it about as I go. Next I swirled on some green chalk then stamped my wispy grass by Impress over it making the hill. I stamped the bottle a few times and fussy cut it along with the poppies. Then I stamped it once on the card. Using my water pen and ink to color the bottle I then mounted it with foam tape. The snippet of doily was added to ground the bottle. The blooms were colored with layers of colored pencils markers, a blending pen and also mounted with foam tape. I added a touch of glitter pen to their centers. The bumble bees from PSX were stamped then coated with a gel pen for their glossy wings and a glitter pen for their sparkly bodies. My sentiment from Savvy Stamps has me longing for and thinking of those blissful sights and sounds of summer days! Trust me...if you really listen you can hear the earth sing.

Blessings to you my sweet visitors ~Lisa

The Paper Players Design Team Call!

I just discovered there is a design team call for the Paper Players! Sounds exciting huh! To be perfectly honest I just recently discovered their blog and have kind of been stalking it...shhh don't tell! One of my creative goals for 2012 has been to explore new challenge blogs for my card making. So without further ado this is my entry for one of their open positions.

Hi ladies; my name is Lisa Elton and I would like to thank you for visiting my blog and considering me for your design team. As you've asked I'll tell you just a bit about myself. I am a stay at home wife, devoted to my loving husband and officially head over heals for my sweet little mini Schnauzer Max! My greatest treasure is our son and his sweet as can be wife. I thank God everyday for the many blessings in my life.

My former occupation was a floral designer. I owned my own florist for a few years and taught floral design courses at a local university and craft store. Several years ago my husband gave me the gift of stamping classes for my birthday and I've been hooked ever since! While looking at stamp companies on the Internet I discovered stamping blogs. Imagine that...others sharing their works of paper art! Hey maybe this was for me! And that's where My Paper Tales began. I've included three cards as requested; I hope you enjoy them!

This card has special meaning because my son bought this stamp for me and the paper along with the ribbon is from his wedding. I stamped then used sugar beads on the image.

This is one of my favorites from my cute card group. I actually had a commenter tell me she had pinned this card, that was a thrill for me!!

And this little gal is one of my favorites as she reminds me of myself...kind of shy with a touch of sass thrown in (just ask my dad!). She also reminds me of all those floral design years.

Being part of a design team would be a dream come true for me. When toying with the idea of starting my blog I told my sister in law I thought it would be THE dream job to design cards to share! Have someone say use this stamp, these colors or that sketch and come up with a little piece of art.  Throw in some polka dots and a touch of bling and I'm one happy girl!

Thank you so much for popping in ~Lisa

cQc #125 ~ Horizontal Snow!!!

Hi there! I'm back with a cute little number I put together for the ColourQ challenge. I don't have any Stampin' Up paper, so it can be a bit of a search for me to match the colors.

My first thought was to put together something with a quilt like pattern. After looking over my stamps and papers that idea wasn't working for me. But I was drawn to the patterns in the quilt moving in different directions. So I pulled this herringbone stripe paper and went to work. My SIL (aka: stamping buddy!) had given  me the challenge of a winter card. SO appropriate for us as we had HORIZONTAL SNOW yesterday morning!! It blew pretty well for an hour or so, no accumulation...just an Ohio winter show!

I started by stamping my fun snowmen from Northwoods onto white cardstock. I used layers of orange, brown and orange-red colored pencils to match the Dusty Durango color for their carrot noses. I die cut this MFT label from the DP (BasicGrey: Nook and Pantry collection) then layered it over the stamped panel. Next I attached the PTI circle die cut strip of orange (from the same BG collection) horizontally ~ inspired by the pretty quilt design.  This sweet sentiment is by Morningstar Stamps. This was all attached to my gray card base then embellished with Martha Stewart punched snowflakes, gems, Stickles and a touch of chalk for the sky.

Thanks for peeking in  ~Lisa

FMS #22 ~ Home is where the heart is!

Another weekend gone by a new week beginning. This new week brings big changes for us. My husband had his final physical therapy session and the final check up with his doctor. All is WELL!!! His neck has completely healed and the PT has built up his much needed strength. He's back to work this coming week and changes are in store. A new job (with the same company) in a new location. His commute will be twice as long as before and the workday longer. This means much less time at home for him during the day. A place he loves to be. We've so enjoyed these last couple of months (wow...almost 3!!). Our house will seem so quiet and lonesome. But don't get me wrong, it IS a good change. Our other option was to move out of state ~ yikes!!! But hey you came here for some creativity right!!! I have a card to share for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge; one that suits the current mood around here!

I started with an ivory card base then layered on my DP's from the Cosmo Cricket: togetherness collection. The notebook die cut is PTI as are the felt Limitless Layers circle and Love Lives Here house. My divided sentiment is from this set and the trios of teeny hearts are from the Love Lives Here: holiday set. I added the button because it seemed a bit unfinished. 

Thanks for popping by, blessings to you ~Lisa

CR84FN #48 ~ I'm Still Here!

I'm still here! Sorry to have been MIA for a few days. We had an unexpected death in our family and I just wasn't in a much of a creative mood. I've gotten back in to the swing of things today though and am playing along with the CR84FN challenge. 

These beautiful spring colors brought one thing to mind...my mom's birthday! Her birthday isn't for a few months. But the two of us have shared a few of them together at one of our favorite places to visit ~ Mackinac Island. While our men were on those manly fishing trips in Canada, we were drinking in the beauty of the island and smelling the fragrance of the lilacs that were in full bloom! They are my favorite flower on the planet! 

This card began with a wisteria cardstock from Bazzill covered with a pretty green floral panel from lilybeedesign: picket fence . I die cut the lilacs (from the same paper pack) using a MFT die. The pretty filigree border is PTI. One is brushed lightly with a soft gray ink while the other was cut from the text portion of the lilac paper. My tiny postage stamp is a PTI die as well cut from a scrap of decorative paper. The wooden crown comes from the Etsy shop called The Porkchop Show; some former winnings. Perfect for my sweet mom!! I hand cut the little sentiment banner stamped with a PTI stamp. I love the subtle touch of shine from the lavender pearls and chunky button.

That's it for me today friends; errands to run! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit ~Lisa

DeNami Blog Hop ~ 3 Little Indians!

Hello hoppers! It's time for another fun hop with the fabulous DeNami Design! If you've found your way here from Pattie Goldman's blog you're on track. Just remember you can check into the DeNami blog at anytime along the hop if you get lost ~ you don't want to miss out on any of the fun! This month we all have "cute chickie" creations to share and hopefully inspire!

Last year I was fortunate enough to win a set of the DeNami Thanksgiving chickies. I'm completely smitten with the sweet little indian in the set. So I have a fun card to share that might just put a little song from your childhood hopping around in your head today!!

I've followed a cute sketch created by the amazing Paulina to design my card. You can check out the details for this challenge at the DeNami blog as well! As you can see I've flipped the sketch. My DPs are from the MME: Fine and Dandy 6x6 pad (so cute!). My scalloped edge was made with an EK success punch. I've used the three line border and polka dot background stamps from DeNami to create part of my background on the top and bottom portions of the sketch. These delightful numbers are made using my Quickutz numbers die. I stamped, colored and fussy cut several of the chickies and attached them with foam tape for dimension. My "little" words were printed from the computer then punched with this sweet little Martha Stewart tag punch. I edged them as well as the card edges with a creamy brown chalk ink. A sprinkling of gems and some of my favorite brown gingham ribbon dress my card up a touch!

Your next stop on the hop is at Wendy Elliot's blog; she's sure to have something simply dazzling to share! Have fun friends and thanks for hopping by today ~Lisa

Hop details:

When: The blog hop starts on February 12 at 6 AM, PST. However, you have until February 13, 2012, 11:59 pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize).
Why: To be inspired by fun DeNami Design creations and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website!

Prizes: We are giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to our website! We'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant (DT members not eligible) and then we'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!

PDCC #118 ~ To Brighten Your Day!

Beautiful blues and sunny yellows are the colors of choice for the Play Date Cafe challenge going on this week.  We've certainly had our share of sunny blue skies this winter, no complaining here!

Usually I like to pick something from the inspiration picture to help when designing my card. But this week I'm going on color alone and have based my card on some info from a super sweet blogging friend. Marie from Ink'd Wings told me she has daffodils peeking out of the ground already! She laughed at the rude awakening they may be in for with their early arrival! SO this one's for you Marie to brighten your day while stamping in your butterfly garden!!

I started with a fun shaped card I've had on hand for a while. It's made by doodlebug design; purchased at Archivers. My daffodils by PSX are stamped and die cut using a PTI limitless layers circle and framed with a sweet polka dot paper by Lasting Impressions (scalloped die from the same set). I stamped and fussy cut several of the daffodils to embellish my sentiment banner. This sweet sentiment is Stampendous. A sprinkling of gems and a glitter pen might just wake those silly daffodils up to a frosty reality!! My trio of butterflies were made with a Martha Stewart punch. Or perhaps they've escaped from Marie's butterfly garden ~ hee!

Take care friends ~Lisa

PTI Anniversary ~ Best Wishes!

Hello! I have a fun card to share tonight using a cute sketch provided by Papertrey Ink.  You should stop by Nichole's blog to print out your copy of the sketches. So great to have on hand when those creative blocks creep in!!

I stated by stamping some PTI simple sunflowers on a strip of white cardstock using autumn rose ink, then adding a leftover felt die cut to the bottom of it. This pretty die cut is what you have left after cutting the  PTI heart border. And you also get a leftover tiny scalloped edge too. So really you have a three for one with the die. LOVE that!!! Next I die cut the fillabel frames additions #3, then satmped it with autumn rose ink. The sentiment (from the same set) is stamped in spring moss. These items were added to a white cardtock base covered with a limeade plaid panel from Lasting Impressions. I embellished the frame with an additional sunflower, a felt butterfly from the Love Lives Here die set and an assortment of PTI buttons.

In hindsight I think I should have reversed the placement of the butterfly and the additional sunflower. Oh well...next time!

One of my sister-in-laws just had eye surgery; so I'll send this out to her with best wishes for a speedy recovery! Thanks for taking a peek ~ Lisa

cQc #123 & FMS #21 ~ Just Because!

Hello! I have a sweet little card to share today for my entry in the ColourQ challenge this week. Would you just look at this adorable inspiration photo from Arielle...too cute! The only owl I have is pretty small, so I opted to let the playful colors, hearts and gloss of the cookies inspire my card.

I'm also playing along with Freshly Made Sketches this week; a new challenge for me! The design of my card is pretty self explanatory since I followed their sketch. This sassy little girl is a Stamping Bella stamp. She's colored with a combination of markers, and colored pencils. Her skin is done with my one and only flesh tone Copic marker ~hee! I've added some glitter and gloss to her ~ love her little boots! Now about this tiny rose print paper. I can't tell you the maker; but I've been HOARDING two 6x6 sheets for YEARS!  Now I'm down to 1 & 2/3...can I bear it??? Snippets of ribbon, trim and buttons from my stash along with a Quickutz itty bitty tag add a bit of playfulness. And this little sentiment is a Savvy Stamp.

That's it for me friends...have a blessed day ~Lisa

Papertrey Ink Anniversary ~ Thoughts of You!

If you haven't joined in on the fun and festivities over at Papertrey Ink, it's not too late! Wow oh wow are they giving away some amazing prize packages and punching things up a notch with lots of changes and additions to the February release.

Today's challenge is all about color. The DT has put together some of their favorite color combos. We're asked to choose one and make a card ~ easy peasy, they did the hard part for us! This is my pick from Lisa Johnson.

 

Funny thing...its says Lisa's favorites and it happens to be mine too!! A girl can never go wrong with red and kraft combined...am I right!

I decided to CASE Lisa's card as well as her colors. I've use the Mat stack 4 die and stamp paired with the wreath and sentiment from tag-its #3. My stamped die cut butterflies are from the Love Lives Here set. The floral and polka dot paper are Cosmo Cricket: odds and ends and the stripe is My Mind's Eye: rosy. Like I said easy peasy!

***Before I go I want to give a BIG WARM WELCOME to my new followers! I've had several flutter in over the last couple of days; so hugs to you all! I'm grateful and humbled that you've seen something here at My Paper Tales that inspired or intrigued you and you have decided to join me. And to my followers that have been with me for awhile; thanks for your continued support and encouragement!  HUGS friends ~Lisa

Papertrey Ink Anniversary Celebration!

Well I must say I was majorly bumbed not to have had time to play along with day one of the Papertrey Ink Anniversary celebration. But life goes on and I'm here today with a card for the day #2 contest!! I chose to use Heather's sweet little bird with the polka dot border.How could I possibly resist the polka dots!!!

I kept my card pretty clean and used shades of the color from her free image. (Free PTI images...how fun!!). I backed the image with a piece of MME polka dot paper. I die cut the simple circles die using ocean tides felt and attached some PTI buttons using their button twine. The sweet little flowers stamped with aqua mist ink along the bottom are from Heather's tag-its #3 set. Then of course I had to add my favorite tiny tag complete with polka dots, hugs and kisses!

Thanks Nichole and all of the fabulous designers at Papertrey Ink for your wonderful product and magnificent inspiration. ~Lisa

cQc #122 ~Love You!

Hello! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I've been staring at the colors for the latest ColourQ challenge putting together this and that trying to make something work for days!! Goodness I don't know why these colors threw my for a loop, seems like it would be an easy combination! I think the problem was that I didn't have much in the way of the regal rose color. But somehow I managed to put together something acceptable ~HA!

 
I finally remembered a little pad of Anna Griffin journaling cards in my stash. A perfect array of pinks and reds to choose from! After playing around with different images I thought my sweet little Piglet from All Night Media would fill the open space nicely. I started with a panel of kraft cardstock stamping an Inkadinkado flourish on the left and right centers using black ink. Next I added the journaling card stamped with a teeny DeNami lady bug then stamped a few of them on the kraft panel. These are colored with a red Tombow marker and the wings glazed with a Gel pen. I punched a heart from kraft cardstock using my Fiskars punch and stamped it with the same flourish. This is added with foam tape. I stamped, colored and fussy cut Piglet then added him with foam tape as well. I positioned him to be grinning at a lady bug fluttering by! I made the tiny banner from a scrap and stamped it with a portion of a PTI sentiment from the Fruit Fusions: apple set. Aren't these shiny red heart buttons cute! The finished panel was added to a rose checked cardstock from Lasting Impressions. 

It took  me awhile to figure this one out! But I'm happy with the final results and hope you enjoy it too. Thanks for stopping by today ~Lisa

CR84FN #47 & SSSC #151 ~ Sending a Hug!

Welcome friends! We've had a couple of glorious warm sunny winter days and took full advantage taking long walks with Max and a couple of outings! Yesterday we decided to use the Olive Garden gift card we had received as a Christmas gift. Upon walking into the restaurant who should be in front of us but my hubby's mom and his cousin! Yay...lunch for four please! And today we took our sweetie pie son to a quick lunch. He had an employee out sick; so we couldn't linger...busy busy!! Hugs all around, it's been great. Anyhoo...on to the card!  I put this little number together for the CR84FN color challenge and a new challenge for me: Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

This card was inspired by the sweet as can be inspiration photo from CR84FN. The country chair and pie in the middle brought to mind a county fair. So I ran with the idea choosing papers and patterns that reflected that for me!

I started with a cherry splash Bazzill cardstock topped with a panel of grid paper from MME. Next came my two panels to follow the sketch using the light blue paper with tiny stars from Pebbles and the gingham/floral paper from The Girls Paperie (I just love this paper to pieces!). I topped these panels with a bit of cherry splash paper cut with pinking shears and stamped with a tiny sprig from Stamps by Judith. The red gingham from October Afternoon is die cut with my PTI: mat stack 4. Two PTI: limitless layers dies top that. The bottom is a very soft pink and the grid circle is stamped with a PTI: tag its #3 vine. I embellished with a bit of machine stitching, a tiny MFT rolled rose, buttons from my stash and an October Afternoon butterfly ~ polka dots...of course!!

Many steps but it brought me many smile. I hope it does you too!! ~Lisa