Ghastly Cocktail Hour Invitations

My husband and I are planning a fun Halloween-themed get together, and I wanted to pop in really quickly to show you the invitations I made for the occasion!

I used Microsoft Word's "Chiller" font to type out the details and printed them on gray cardstock. Then, I added images from Hero Arts, DeNami Design and Village Arts Press and patterned paper from My Mind's Eye (see complete supply list below). So super FUN to make!

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I made 28 of these and was so happy with the results!!! I hope you like them, too, and are inspired to make something CRAFTY and FUN for Halloween!!!

Now, it's time to get busy working on some BOO-TIFUL decorations, SPOOKTACULAR treat bags, and the MUMMY-licious menu items!!! YAY!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a FANTASTIC day! 

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Supplies:

Stamps: Martini Glass (Village Arts Press), Friendly Ghost (DeNami Design), Web from "Happy Halloween" clear stamp set (Hero Arts)

Ink: Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko), Charcoal Color Box Fluid Chalk Inkpad (Clearsnap)

Copic Sketch Markers

Cardstock: Gray (The Paper Company), Ocean Breeze (Bazzill Basics), Lime Crush (Bazzill Basics)

Patterned Paper: Mischievous (My Mind's Eye)

Microsoft Word: Chiller Font

Quickie Glue Pen: (Sakura)

Edge Distresser Tool: (Heidi Swapp)

Double Sided Adhesive: ATG 700 Adhesive Applicator (Scotch)

 

Grandma's 80th Birthday and News!!!

Hello there, blog friends! Hope you are enjoying your summer!!! We have been SO SUPER busy (thus my lack of posts), but things will soon settle down a bit and I'll have more time for stamping and blogging again!

We recently took a trip to Pittsburgh to visit family and friends! It was SO NICE to catch up with everyone!!! And during that same trip we attended a wonderful party for my grandma's 80th birthday!!! Here are the invitations I created for this very special event:

My grandma's favorite flowers are violets, so the "Year of Flowers: Violets" stamp set from Papertrey Ink was a perfect fit! The "It's a Party" sentiment is from DeNami Design---I just LOVE that whimsical font---soooo pretty! And the giant frame is from Hero Arts!

To make the flowers extra fun and spunky (just like my grandma), I first stamped polka dots in VersaMark ink, then stamped the violets and cut them out. I also added a touch of sparkle to the centers of the flowers with a Spica glitter pen.

To complete the package, I made coordinating envelopes and seals. Here's a peek at those:

I used DeNami Design's Medium Polka Dots for the polka dots on the envelopes. It's the ideal size to create a decorative area to nest an address label within.

My grandma LOVED the invitations, and I was so happy to be able to create something extra special to celebrate what an AMAZING lady she is!! (In a couple of days I'll be back with a post to show you the sets of blank thank you notes I made for her as a birthday gift *wink*)

NEWS: Tomorrow (Friday, July 8th) I am being featured on Noor Nahdi's blog as part of her "Fascinating Fridays" series!!! How exciting!!! Thanks to Noor and her FABULOUS team for giving me this opportunity! I am truly honored!! I'd LOVE for you to stop by Noor's beautiful blog, Paperie Designs' Studio, to check out my interview! Thanks, friends!!

MORE NEWS: If you're in the Colorado area the Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Expo is taking place in Loveland this weekend (July 9th and 10th) and in Colorado Springs next weekend (July 16 and 17th)! I'll be working at the DeNami Design booth! Stop by to say HI and watch Nami demonstrate her INCREDIBLE creativity!!!! 

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Supplies:

Stamps: Year of Flowers: Violets (Papertrey Ink), It's A Party Script F145 (DeNami Design), Medium Polka Dots N136 (DeNami Design), Polka Dot Basics II (Papertrey Ink), frame from Hello You (Hero Arts)

Cardstock: Stampers' Select White (Papertrey Ink), Lavender Moon (Papertrey Ink), Lime Crush (Bazzill Basics)

Ink: Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko), VersaMark (Tsukineko), Pink Pastel Color Box Chalk Ink (Clearsnap)

AtYou Spica Glitter Pen: (Copic) 

You're Sweet!

Hello! It's time for a brand new challenge at DeNami Design!! This time around it's all about RHINESTONES!!!

Here's my creation:

I used the Medium Polka Dots image (DeNami Design) to create a background panel! Then, I added rhinestones to some of the polka dots to jazz them up a bit! They are actually clear rhinestones that I colored brown with my Copic Sketch Markers!!! Such a cool technique! It's so handy to be able to create whatever color rhinestones you need at any given time!!!

I absolutely LOVE this cupcake tower stamp from DeNami Design---totally sweet and so whimsical! And to add a little bit of extra sweetness to those cupcakes I sprinkled them with sugar...I mean glitter! HA! The sentiment is from the recently released Love Sentiments Stamp Set (DeNami Design)---perfect fit for any of the images in DeNami's Sweet Shoppe collection. 

So...what do you think?

Are you ready to break out your rhinestones and DeNami Design stamps and play along??? I hope so! Hop on over to the DeNami Design Blog for all of the challenge details and to check out the GORGEOUS samples the rest of the DT and our Guest Designer have created!!!!

Looking forward to seeing your creations!!!

Have a FABULOUS day!

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Supplies:

Stamps: Medium Polka Dots N136, Love Sentiments Stamp Set PF42, Cupcake Tower G138 (DeNami Design)

Ink: Timber Brown StazOn (Tsukineko), Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko), Rose Bud Memento (Tsukineko)

Copic Sketch Markers

Cardstock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Chocolate Truffle (The Paper Company), Light Pink (scraps from my scrap box)

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: A2 D'vine Swirl (Provo Craft)

Die: Mat Stack 1 (Papertrey Ink)

Ribbon: Pink 3/8" Grosgrain (DeNami Design)

Glitter: Xtra Fine Sparklets Glitter (DeNami Design)

Quickie Glue Pen: (Sakura)

Gemstones: (Hero Arts)

Double-Sided Tape: (X-Press It)

Pop Dots: (All Night Media)

You Warm My Heart

Hi there! Check out the colors for the most recent "Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge!"

Aren't they just so warm and cozy?!? On top of that, this week's sponsor is DeNami Design!! So, the lucky winner will win some DeNami goodies! YAY!

When I think of warm and cozy I think of hot tea or hot chocolate. I love the feel of that toasty warm mug in my hands. Here's my take on the inspiration colors:

I stamped the "Small Latte E96" (DeNami Design) three times and paper pieced them---aren't they adorable? Then, I inked up a portion of the "Steam Curl D87" (DeNami Design) and added it to the top of each mug. The criss-cross pattern at the bottom was created using the "Three Line Border N128" (DeNami Design). I just love that stamp---it's so versatile and lots of fun to use! The sweet little sentiment is from "Tea" by Hero Arts.

Thanks for stopping by today and thank you for all of your sweet comments!!! Each and every one makes me smile!  

Cuddly Critters Blog Hop ~ DeNami Design

Hello and welcome to your next stop along DeNami Design's Cuddly Critters Blog Hop! Thanks so much for visiting! The hop begins at the DeNami Design Blog! If you're on track you've arrived here from Michele's blog. Isn't her work amazing?!?!

As you know, this hop is all about DeNami Design's super cute critter images! My friend's little boy is turning ONE soon, and she recently asked me to brainstorm some jungle-themed invitation ideas! I brought out my DeNami Design monkeys and safari animals and went to work! Here are the three sample invitations I came up with:

This first invitation features the lion image from the "Safari Animals Stamp Set" (DeNami Design) and the "Zig Zag Stitch Border" (DeNami Design). I used a stencil and some polka dot paper to create the large number 1. The number and/or sentiment could easily be changed up to create a birthday card/invitation for kids of any age!

The second sample features all three critters from the "Safari Animals Stamp Set" (DeNami Design). I love how these images fit perfectly in a one inch circle punch and can then easily be layered with a one and a half inch scallop circle punch. Aren't they adorable?!?! And again, the sentiment could be changed to fit any occasion!!!

  

The third design features "Swinging Monkeys" (DeNami Design) and "Stitched Border" (DeNami Design)! I just love these monkeys---their cute little bellies and sweet smiling faces (there's a holiday version of this stamp too which has the monkeys wearing Santa hats---it's totally DARLING!)! I created the sentiment on the outside: "Swing on in and join the fun!" Inside it says, "Jonathan is turning ONE!"

So...what do you think? Which one is your favorite? We'll see if your favorite matches up with my friend's choice for her little guy's birthday invitations! Be sure to leave a comment on each participant's blog to increase your chances of winning one of the 3 gift certificates that DeNami Design is giving away!!

Next stop on the hop---the incredibly talented Wendy Elliot! Happy hopping everyone!

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Supplies:

"Lion Invitation"

Stamped Images: "Safari Animals Stamp Set" (DeNami Design), "Zig Zag Stitch Border" (DeNami Design), "Polka Dot Basics" (Papertrey Ink)

Stamped Sentiment (Studio G)

Ink: "Rich Cocoa Memento" (Tsukineko), "Tuxedo Black Memento" (Tsukineko)

Copic Sketch Markers

Fine Tip Black Marker (Paper Mate)

Cardstock: "Lime Crush" (Bazzill Basics), "Stampers' Choice White" (PTI), "Kraft" (PTI), "Rio De Janeiro" (Bazzill Basics)

Patterned Paper: "Studio Basics 101" (Creative Imaginations)

3" Scallop Punch (EK Success)

Fillable Frames #1 Die (PTI)

Circle Template (Staedtler)

1 from Deja Views Stencils 2" Whimsy

Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal)

Pop Dots (All Night Media)

"Safari Trio Invitation"

Stamped Images: "Safari Animals Stamp Set" (DeNami Design), jungle leaf from "Playful Animals" (Hero Arts), "Just the Ticket" (PTI)

Stamped Sentiment: "Just the Ticket" (PTI)

Ink: "Tuxedo Black Memento" (Tsukineko), "Rich Cocoa Memento" (Tsukineko)

Cardstock: "Kraft" (PTI), "Stampers' Choice White" (PTI), "Lime Crush" (Bazzill Basics), "Tangelo Blast" (Bazzill Basics), "Lemon Bliss" (Bazzill Basics), "Chocolate Truffle" (The Paper Company)

1" Circle Punch (Marvy Uchida)

1.5" Scallop Circle Punch (Marvy Uchida)

Patterned Paper: "Studio Basics 101" (Creative Imaginations)

Twine: (May Arts)

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Foam Squares (Therm-o-web)

Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal)

"Monkeys Invitation"

Stamped Images: "Swinging Monkeys" (DeNami Design), "Stitched Border" (DeNami Design), "A Little Argyle" (PTI)

Stamped Sentiment: "Tiny Alphabet" (Stampendous!)

Ink: "Rich Cocoa Memento" (Tsukineko), "Simply Chartruese" (PTI)

Cardstock: "Vintage Cream" (PTI), "Lemon Bliss" (Bazzill Basics), "Chocolate Truffle" (The Paper Company)

Copic Sketch Markers

Twine: (May Arts)

Button: (from my stash of embellies)

Stardust Clear Gelly Roll Pen (Sakura)

Scor-Tap (Scor-Pal)

Espressly For You

Happy Friday, dear blog friends! Just wanted to pop in and share a card I made using Laura's sketch over at "2 Sketches 4 You." I always LOVE their sketches and all of the inspiring samples created by their DT!!! And after I post my card I really enjoy heading over there and checking out what the other participants made! Talk about a group of talented peeps!! Can't wait to see what everyone came up with this week ;)

Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on it:

When I saw this image (Endless Creations) at a stamp convention recently, I just HAD to have it!!! I also just recently purchased some Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko) to try out with my Copic markers. (Up to this point, I'd always used Onyx Black Versafine and just let my images dry overnight.) I have to say I was really pleased with the way the Memento ink stamped, and I colored the image about 10 minutes after stamping it! YAY!

I created the patterned paper with the coffee beans all over it by repeatedly stamping a group of five coffee beans (Art Impressions).

Even though I'm not a coffee drinker, I LOVE to hang out at coffee shops and enjoy a hot tea (especially on cold or rainy days)! Ahhhh...hot tea and a good book...pure bliss! I'm thinking I need to make another version of this card with a "to-go tea drink!"

Hope you have something fun planned for the weekend! My cousin is visiting us from Pittsburgh! It will be her first time in Colorado, so we're looking forward to taking her hiking and sightseeing!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Supplies:

Stamped Images - "Double Circle" (DeNami Design), "KB's Cappacino Cup" (Endless Creations), Coffee Beans (Art Impressions)

Stamped Sentiment - "Coffee" (Hero Arts)

Ink - "Timber Brown StazOn" (Tsukineko), "Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Ink" (Clearsnap), "Tuxedo Black Memento" (Tsukineko)

Copic Sketch Markers

Cardstock - "Spring Moss" (PTI), "Natural" (The Paper Co), "Chocolate Truffle" (The Paper Co)

Patterned Paper - "Early Bird: Brunch" (Cosmo Cricket)

Twine (purchased at Michaels)

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal)

Pop Dots (All Night Media)

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Home Tweet Home

Hello there! Challenge #7 over at Off the Wall Craftiness is to create a card/project using BIRDS. Here's what I came up with:

A few weeks ago I won "Card of the Week" over at 2 Sketches 4 You and part of the prize package included an incredible stack of BoBunny stickers from Shanna Vineyard! I have been itching to put these stickers to use since they arrived in the mail!!! The tag sentiment with the sweet little birdie is from one of these sticker sets ("Family Deerest"), and I thought it was the perfect starting point for this challenge!  

The birdhouses (Hero Arts) are just stamped onto scraps of patterned paper and then cut out. A little ribbon, some twine, a button, and VOILA!

Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by!

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Supplies:

Stamped Images - "Background Basics: Woodgrain" (Papertrey Ink), "Birds & Branches" (Hero Arts)

Ink - "Timber Brown StazOn" (Tsukineko), "Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Inkpad" (Clearsnap)

Cutter Bee Craft Knife (EK Success)

Cardstock - "Kraft," "Vintage Cream," and "Raspberry Fizz" (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper - "Ocean Dot" (BoBunny), "Wellies & Brellas-Stripes"(Autumn Leaves), "Flower Ledger" (Making Memories)

Sentiment Sticker - "Family Deerest" (BoBunny)

Ribbon - "Chick-a-Doo" (SEI)

Button - "Baby Boy" (SEI)

Twine (purchased at Michaels)

Copic Sketch Marker - "YG03 Yellow Green"

Hole Punch (McGill)

Pop Dots (All Night Media)

Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal)

Zots (Therm-o-web)

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

DeNami Design Color Challenge #2

Happy Friday, everyone! I had the best time today getting inky with a couple of my blog friends!!! I even managed to be somewhat productive and created a card for the most recent challenge over at DeNami Design!!!

Here are the colors for the challenge:

And here's my creation:

The idea was to create a parade of umbrellas dancing in the rain. I created some background paper with Polka Dot Basics (PTI), stamped the umbrellas (DeNami Design) onto the polka dot paper, stamped them again on solid colored cardstock, cut all of the pieces out, and then mixed and matched them across the front of the card.

I stamped the raindrops (DeNami Design) in aqua and then colored them in with Copic Sketch Markers.

My sweet friend whom I was stamping with just happened to have the perfect sentiment (by DeNami Design)!!! I added a bow...some bling...and voila! So what do you think?

And finally, a photo of what I came home to this evening: 

Believe it or not there is a mountain side beyond our deck but thanks to the white-out you can't see it ;) Anyone else out there STILL experiencing winter on May 14th?

Hope you have something extra fun planned for the weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

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Supplies:

Stamped Images - "Large Open Umbrella" (DeNami Design), "Seeds/Drops" (DeNami Design), "Polka Dot Basics" (Papertrey Ink)

Stamped Sentiment (DeNami Design)

Ink - "Raspberry Fizz" (Papertrey Ink), "Onyx Black VersaFine" (Tsukineko), "Aqua" (Color Box), "Fresh Green" (Tsukineko)

Cardstock - "Stampers' Choice White" (Papertrey Ink), "Black" (The Paper Company), "Aqua" (The Paper Company), "Lime Crush" (Bazzill Basics), "Raspberry Fizz" (Papertrey Ink)

Ribbon - "Hibiscus Burst Saddle Stitched Ribbon" (PTI)

Gemstones (Hero Arts)

Copic Sketch Markers

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Quickie Glue Pen (Sakura)

Adhesive Foam Dots

Zots (Therm-o-web)

Finished Card Size: 6" x 4.25"

Tea Party

I made this card based on Kim Wilson's inspiration photo over at Off the Wall Craftiness and Jen Del Muro's most recent sketch at i{heart}2stamp! I have been wanting to play along with Kim's challenges for weeks now and FINALLY had a chance to do so. There are SOOOOOO many fabulous and inspiring challenges posted each week, and I have such a difficult time trying to fit them all in. (Anyone else having this problem?) So, this time around, I combined a couple of challenges.

Here's the inspiration photo (click HERE for the Off the Wall Craftiness challenge details):

And here's the sketch (click HERE for the SFYTT challenge details):

And finally, some photos of my creation:

I absolutely LOVE tea (both hot and iced)! A dear friend of mine recently introduced me to Teavana!!! Oooooo...have you heard of it? It's a total "tea experience." The walls are covered with shelves full of gorgeous cast iron tea pots and tea cups. And when you walk in a staff person takes you around this beautiful space to sample different tea blends. Then, you can order a cup of tea to drink right away...or, you can buy the loose leaf tea blends to take home! If you're a tea drinker, it's heavenly!

  

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you're having a good week!

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Supplies:
Stamped Images - "Sparkle Clear: Tea" and "Sparkle Clear: Coffee" (Hero Arts)
Ink - "Onyx Black VersaFine" (Tsukineko), "Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Inkpad" (Clearsnap)
Copic Sketch Markers
Cardstock - "Kraft" (Papertrey Ink), "Lime Crush" (Bazzill Basics), "Tangelo Blast" (Bazzill Basics), "Watermelon Sensation" (Bazzill Basics)
Patterned Paper - "Spring Green Gingham" (Making Memories), "Raspberry Small Dots" (Making Memories)
Page from old paperback book
Floral Embellishments (Prima)
Lime Flower Brad (Making Memories)
Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)
Quickie Glue Pen (Sakura)
Pop Dots (All Night Media)

Finished Card Size: 5.5" x 4.25"

DeNami Design Product Challenge #1

Hi there! The most recent challenge over at DeNami Design is to create a card using buttons and at least one of the many fabulous DeNami Design images! The challenge ends tonight at 11:59 PM PST, so there's still time to get in on the action! Click HERE for the details! 

Here's my creation:

I thought this would be the perfect little card for my nephew! The graduation owl and the double circle are from DeNami Design! Isn't that sweet little owl a hoot?!?! I love him! I colored him with my Copic Sketch Markers. The patterned paper is something I made using the "Distressed Stripes" set from Papertrey Ink. This was my first attempt at creating this type of background, and I think it turned out pretty cute. I can't wait to try it out with different color combos and different patterns! So much fun!

 

The sentiment is from "You Hoo Owl" by Hero Arts. Inside the card I stamped "Congratulations!"

What do you think?

Hope you had a fantabulous weekend! We went on a beautiful hike today at White Ranch Open Space! The sun was shining, the views were breathtaking, and the smell of pine was in the air! Just perfect!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

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Supplies:

Stamped Images - "Graduation Owl" and "Double Circle" (DeNami Design), "Distressed Stripes" (Papertrey Ink)

Stamped Sentiment - "You Hoo Owl" (Hero Arts)

Ink - "Orange Zest" (Papertrey Ink), "Vivid! Ultramarine" (Clearsnap), "Color Box Canary" (Clearsnap)

Cardstock - "Kraft" (Papertrey Ink), "Yellow, Navy" (scraps from my scrap box), "White" (Archivers)

Buttons (purchased at Michaels)

Ribbon - "Orange Zest Classic Grosgrain Ribbon" (Papertrey Ink)

Marker - "Prussian Blue" (Marvy)

Copic Sketch Markers

Circle Template (Staedtler)

Finished Card Size: 5.5" x 4.25"

Fun With Floss Challenge (Card #2)

Here's my second creation for the "Fun With Floss Challenge" over at Moxie Fab World. Click HERE for all of the details related to the challenge and to see all of the participants' ultra creative projects!!!

I started by stamping the bird image (Hero Arts) onto kraft cardstock (Papertrey Ink). I diluted some Mod Podge in a cup with water and dunked the floss into the mixture. Then I used the floss to "color in" the bird by laying it over top of the image. Once the floss was dry, I hand stitched the yellow outline and beak and added a french knot for the bird's eye.

The initial inspiration for this card came from the picture on the February 2010 Pottery Barn catalog. The idea for the technique came from a project I did in an art class when I was working on my degree in Elementary Education. And, I've seen Martha Stewart do something similar using glue and yarn.

It was a bit messy, and the dark pink floss sort of turned colors on me, but otherwise it turned out pretty nifty! As the floss was dragged around on the card a little while I was working on the bird image, it left traces of Mod Podge all over the cardstock. I thought this gave it an interesting-looking texture (kind of "nesty"), so I used some chalks and a Q-tip to bring it out!  

For the branch, I just wrapped some brown floss around the cardstock three times. Then I added those dark pink blossoms (french knots) for pops of color.

Finally, I stamped the sentiment (Hero Arts), mounted the cardstock onto chocolate brown cardstock, and used my scalloped scallop punch (EK Success) on the right-hand edge.

I may try this technique again to see if I can get it perfected. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment or send me an e-mail. I'd be happy to provide more details!

Thanks for stopping by!! Hope you had an AWESOME weekend!

Just Published

Hello and Happy Over-the-Hump Day! I have some good news to share with you! I was in my local Barnes & Noble recently browsing through magazines when I spotted one of my cards in Just Birthdays! (created by the publishers of Just Cards!)!!!! I was SO EXCITED!!! I had NO IDEA it had been picked up for publication!!! What an ultra pleasant surprise!!

Here's the card:

The photo is a little on the bright side as it was taken on my deck on a very sunny Colorado day. Sorry about that. The photo in the magazine is much better! If you haven't seen the Just Birthdays! magazine yet, check it out! It's full of really fantastic inspiration!!!

Have you been watching the Olympics? Looking for a REALLY FUN book to read to your kiddos at home? Check this one out:

Tacky and the Winter Games by Helen Lester. It's really entertaining and perfect for PreK thru 1st grade!! I guarantee the kids will LOVE it!!! 

Thanks for stopping by!!!! And thank you for all of your wonderful comments!! Each and every one puts a HUGE smile on my face!!!!

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Supplies:

Stamped Image: "Cupcakes" (Hero Arts)

Ink - "Onyx Black Versafine" (Tsukineko)

Markers (Tombow)

Glitter Domes (Mark Richards)

Sentiment Sticker (Paper Crafts Magazine---freebie I received with my subscription)

Cardstock - "Dark Brown and White" (Archivers), "Green, Aqua, Yellow" (The Paper Company)

Polka Dot Ribbon (American Crafts)

Chocolate A2 Scallop Notecard (Yours Truly/Archivers)

Pop Dots (All Night Media)

Glue Dots

Black Fine Point Sharpie Marker

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"