Beach Bums in Maui

Ahhhh, beautiful Maui - also known as the sunbather's paradise. This was the only port of call in which we chose not to schedule a daytime tour. Two whole days of relaxation. This is the beach day (obv). Look at that beautiful blue water!


Cardstock/Paper: TLC - Runway; DCWV; SU - chocolate chip
Stamps/Ink: PTI - Simple Alphabet; SU - taken w/ teal
Misc: grossgrain ribbon; K&Co - chipboard, stickers; Sizzix - Sassy Serif; Zips; Xyron; pop dots

Kona Le'a Coffee

Our day in Kona was one of our most-anticipated. We chose to take the Explosion of Flavor tour on which we would visit the Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, Kona Le'a Coffee Plantation, and the Hawaiian Vanilla Company. We were certainly not disappointed - it was an "explosion of flavor" and then some!


Cardstock/Paper: TLC - Runway
Misc: Luxe - travel rub-ons; chipboard; Sizzix - Aphrodite; MM - rub-ons; pop dots

Pub Crawl!

One of the many things we really loved about our Hawaiian cruise was the fun ship-sponsored activities. We never found ourselves wanting for anything to do. On one such afternoon, we participated in a pub crawl where we got to sample a drink at each bar, play some games, and make some great friends. We laughed ourselves silly that day!


Cardstock/Paper: TLC - Slumber Party
Misc: chipboard; pink gems; Sizzix - Broadway Melody; Uniball - Signo white gel pen; DCWV - rub-ons; misc. satin ribbon; Zips; Zots; Xyron; pop dots

Hilo Botanical Garden

While in Hilo, we enjoyed a day-long excursion on which we toured Volcano National Park, the Thurston Lava Tube, the Mauna Loa macademia nut farm, and the Botanical Garden. I was enamored by the beautiful flowers and plants in the garden. This layout is but a small sampling of the many wonders of the garden.


Cardstock/Paper: TLC - Runway; Luxe - Simply Luxe
Misc: buttons; Michaels - flower; MM - big brad; Sizzix - alphabet; Luxe - adhesive tag; TLC - parens; Xyron; Zots

Mudbugging

There are quite a few layouts from our Hawaii album that I have not shown you. Slowly but surely I'm finishing up this album. Sad when it takes you two years to get the layouts done. LOL! For this layout, I used another one of Becky Higgins' sketches. A basic recipe sure makes pages come together more quickly!

While we were in Kona, we went mudbugging on the old sugar plantation. We had a blast "gettin' dirty" on the trails. It was beautiful country to drive through and we even recognized several of the vistas from movies like "Jurassic Park" and "Six Days Seven Nights."


Cardstock/Paper/Elements: TLC - Urban Threads; kraft

Ink: SU - chocolate chip (edge distressing)

Misc: TLC - brown distressed rub-ons; Sizzix - alpha; Luxe - travel words rub-ons; pop dots; Canon photopaper; Xyron 250

Good Luck

This week my most favorite bus driver is leaving. It's an unfortunate part of riding the bus. We only get to keep our drivers for six months before they move on to other routes. I've been riding the bus for six years, and I cannot recall a driver I have liked more. Michael is courteous, polite, and takes a genuine interest in his riders. He notices when we don't ride. He holds the bus a few minutes when we're running late. He takes pride in his job. And it shows: he was selected as Driver of the Year for 2008. In short, Michael is a real gem. I made this card to wish him farewell and good luck as he moves on.

Cardstock/Paper: TLC - black, cream underground; SU - real red, very vanilla

Stamps: Luxe - Swirls; SU - Figures of Speech

Ink: Versamark; SU - real red

Misc: Stampendous - midnight black embossing powder; MM - red star brads; white satin ribbon; red velvet ribbon; Zots; Zips; pop dots; Sizzix - top notez; circle cutters; star punch

Inspiration layout

Project Complete

My voice teacher chose the stationery sample she liked the best, which will be a gift for her sister's birthday. I was a little surprised by her choice, but I knew she would know her sister's tastes better than I. I'm pleased with the result, and I think she will be too.

Base: white pre-scored card

Paper/cardstock: TLC - misty blue city cafe; SU - baja breeze; DCWV - luxury stack

Ink: SU - taken with teal, close to cocoa

Stamps: PTI - simply stationery

Misc: scor-pal; PTI - packaging; SU - felt double-stitched ribbon, hemp twine, teal corduroy button, choc. chip button; tacky tape

Third Sample

For my third sample, I attempted to improve upon my first failed attempt. I think I was able to find a relatively good substitute combination that works. Unfortunately, when I purchased the in-color cardstock, I didn't think to purchase the ink. Silly me! It made ink-matching a bit of a challenge. But I think it works alright when you're not too heavy-handed.

Base: white pre-scored card

Cardstock/paper: TLC - misty blue city cafe; SU - baja breeze; DCWV - luxury stack

Stamps: PTI - simply stationery

Ink: SU - taken with teal, close to cocoa

Misc: ScorPal

Reject

My voice teacher loved her set of monogrammed stationery so much that she asked me to make several sets for her to give to friends & family. I've started on samples for the first set she's requested. Funny enough, I decided to start by posting the sample reject. I'm working with a blue color palette for this project, but the blues I selected for this card did not work in the end. I liked the elements individually but once I put them all together, it just did not work for me. Talk about YUK! Toss this one in the scrap heap!

Base: white pre-scored card

Cardstock/paper: DCWV - luxury stack; TLC - misty blue city cafe; SU - bashful blue; white

Stamps: PTI - simply stationery

Ink: SU - brocade blue, creamy caramel, not quite navy

Misc: satin ribbon; pop dots; ScorPal

Happy Thoughts

One of my friends is a little down this week. Thought I'd send him a little note to perk him up. Kinda a "this too shall pass" & all that.

Cardstock: SU - baja breeze, bashful blue, windsor knot

Misc: SU/Sizzix - top note die; SU - hodgepodge; MM - pewter brads; TLC - lt. blue floss; K&CO - Addison chipboard, Happy Trails felt flower & brad; misc. olive buttons; Zots

Inspiration here

Thinking of a Friend

A friend of mine has been very sick. She has had appointments with numerous doctors & specialists and no one seems to have an answer for her. She tends to be a bit of a worrier, so the myriad of appointments and tests without answers have really been tough for her. I made her this bright & cheery card in hopes that it brings her a little smile.

Base: white pre-scored card

Cardstock: SU - so saffron, real red; TLC - runway meadow brook circles; white

Ink: SU - real red, so saffron, pumpkin pie, old olive

Stamps: VV - petals & stems; SU - frames with a flourish

Misc: TLC - iceberg outerwear slumber party; SU - filigree brads; SU/Sizzix - Top Note; pop dots; Zig - o5 pure red; gems; Zots; Xyron 250

Inspiration here