Focal Point Sentiments

I am making a very rare appearance on my blog to participate in Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday #90 Challenge. I absolutely love Betsy's cards she created for this challenge and really wanted to try it for myself. Check out the video and project here at Nichole Heady's blog. Here is my take on the challenge. Thanks so much for stopping by. Laura

I'm back with a big thank you and welcome Penny to blog land!

I haven't been around for quite a while. The end of 2011 was tough. It was busy, and hard, and not very fun.

But, 2012 is already looking up. I pray that things continue to go on the better and brighter path.

Because I was having a hard time the past few months, I wasn't feeling very crafty. The few craft projects I did, I really didn't feel like blogging.

New Year, new outlook! I FINALLY got around to making some much needed Christmas thank you cards. I was very inspired by Nichole Heady's card here. I love that little penguin!

This is what I came up with:

I loved Nichole's card design. It is really versatile and I can see myself using it often.

My oldest son, DJ, is going to be losing his tooth any time now. He is really excited....and so am I. I remember when I was little I had a special pillow that I put my tooth in. It was pink and frilly and very special. I wanted to do something similar for my sons, minus the frill. Thanks to Pinterest, I was inspired to make a tooth pillow for DJ's tooth.

I'm not much of a sewer, but I think it turned out cute. And, I hope that he will look back on losing his teeth and remember this little tooth pillow.

And one more thing. Please welcome Penny to the blogging world! She has just created her first blog post with some ADORABLE tags. She is also generously giving some amazing blog candy to celebrate her new blog! http://pennyspapercraft.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for stopping by and happy, healthy, and prosperous 2012!

September PTI Blog Hop

I can't believe it is already the 25th of September! Wow! Where has the month gone? My oldest started kindergarten this year, and it is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that he will be starting his 4th week of school already.

This month's PTI blog hop challenge is to create a project based on this photo:

I love the colors and all the white, crisp lines. I am a big fan of simple card design with lots of white space. Know who does this perfectly? Laurie at Soapbox Creations. Its one of my very favorite blogs. I kinda feel like I found my inner Laurie for this card. Here is what I came up with:

Along with the photo and Laurie, I was also inspired by Nichole Heady. I was going through Nichole's blog, looking back at some of the posts that were created before I discovered PTI, and I came across this post. I thought the layout was perfect for the linear photo. Thanks for the extra inspiration, Nichole!

Well, I better get off the computer and back into the real world. We have a big day today. My sister is coming to visit. I am going to take her out to dinner and a movie for her birthday (although its kinda a gift for me too. I get to have a night out with one of my favorite people-and kid free!) We are also HUGE Green Bay Packer fans, so we are going to have some couch time rooting on our favorite team. Once the kiddos are in bed for the night, I have some serious blog hopping to do. Sounds like a PERFECT Sunday to me!

Thanks for stopping by!

First Day of School!

Today was the first day of school for my oldest son, DJ. He started kindergarten today. (sniff, sniff- they grow up so fast!)

Isn't he cute holding that super-cool Scooby Doo lunchbox!

I made him a little treat for his lunchbox using the Lunchbox Die. I LOVE that die. So, so many possibilities.

This is the inside of the lunchbox note. I included a little note that DJ will be able to read (we've been practicing this summer!) and a snack size M&M package. I folded the sides in a tiny bit to get it to fit. Works perfectly. A smidge of adhesive keeps the M&Ms in place. He will love the little unexpected treat!

And, here is a little something that I made the teacher. Inside are 9 Hershey Nuggets decorated with Limitless Labels. If I had 23 5 year olds at one time, I know I'd need some chocolate! My middle son, Dean, starts preschool on Tuesday, and his teacher will get one, too.

Thanks for stopping by!

September PTI Blog Hop

Time again for another PTI blog hop. The challenge was to come up with a project inspired by this picture:

And, here is what I came up with:

I thought this would be a nice card to include with a Barnes & Noble gift card or just passing a great book along to a friend.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wedding!

Not mine! I've been happily married for 7 years. This wedding is for a former co-worker. She asked me to make her invitations and favors. I was honored that she asked. So, I have been very busy the last few weeks making around 200 wedding favors. I really enjoyed doing it and feel so accomplished now that it is completed.

First up is the invitation that were sent out a couple weeks ago.

The invitation started with a picture of an invite that the bride-to-be really liked. But they were $24 per invite. Yep, $24 per invite. And that is without the personalization. Yikes. I told her I could do something similar for 1/6 of the price. The process evolved with help from the mother of the bride and the BTB, and the above is what we ended up with. They are really pretty and the BTB was thrilled.

This is the wedding favor that used Favor It 3 from PTI:

They are simple and elegant with a bit of bling. They also serve as the place cards for the guests. Genius!

Because I was so honored that the BTB asked me to do such an important part of her wedding, I made a Thank You card for both her and her mom who I worked very closely with through out the process. Here is the card that I came up with.

I kept the same style and colors as the invitation and the favors, which is so beautiful. I hope Sara has a beautiful wedding and lives happily ever after!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy First Birthday, Reese!

One of my good friends from college has a precious little girl who is turning 1 this Friday. I made her this little card to celebrate the occasion.

Everything is from PTI except the Label 1 dies from Spellbinders.

Thanks for stopping by!