Latte Love

In September, a friend and I were out shopping.  In a major bookstore she spied a knitted coffee cozy for a travel mug and fell in love.  Until she looked at the price tag. 

“Put that down!” I told her, “I can make you one”.  Her eyes got wide and said “Really?!”,

“Sure, I can knit. How hard can it be?”

I’ve never knitted in the round on double pointed needles.

How hard can it be?

It’s not impossible, but it sure was a challenge!

After a few re-reads of my “I learned to knit” book; an in-depth conversation with my Nonna (Italian for grandmother) over Thanksgiving dinner (Canadian Thanksgiving is in October), a quick swing by her house the next morning before the 7 hour drive back to London to pick up some size 4 double pointed needles, and I was ready.

Ready to try a total of nine different patterns, 4 types of wool, and receive a good lecture from my massage therapist about my knitting posture.

I am stubborn.

I am a perfectionist.

I want my customers to be satisfied.

So I knitted on until I was happy and turned my vision into reality.

I combined my new love of knitting with my forever love of paper, and created Latte Love.  A hand knit coffee sleeve with a coffee-themed gift card holder, perfect for the holidays and every other reason to give a coffee lover a gift card.

 

The gift card holder just might be my favourite part, but I’m so proud of the knitting.

 

 

 

 

 

I designed my own packaging within the clear card box, to allow the coffee sleeve and gift card holder to be ready to wrap and put under the tree.

 

 

 

 

I was over the moon when the first Latte Love gift set sold in 10 hours on my Etsy store.

 

 

 

 

Latte Love is currently available in orange at A Paper Buffet and I am working on some more turquoise and will be adding a purple one as well. 

Custom orders are always welcome at A Paper Buffet or by email at

apaperbuffet@rogers.com

 

 

Share the Latte Love!

Happy Tuesday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: A Paper Buffet,Latte Love,knitted coffee sleeve,gift card holder,gift set,Etsy

Wildflower Kids Rubber Stamp Release Day!

Wildflower Kids Rubber Stamp Company is releasing two great sets today available exclusively at Stamp Happens.

No Girls Allowed

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Pretty in Pink

 

 

 

 

 

Aren’t they great?!

I get to play with Pretty in Pink and I had so much fun colouring them up…until I spilled my water all over the table! 

Good news: I only ruined 1 out of 2 projects. 

Bad news: I ruined 1 out of 2 projects.

Guess that’s how the cookie crumbles!

So here’s the project that was not affected by the tsunami on the table,

I haven’t made a 4.25 x 4.25” note card in a while, and FINALLY got to try Jacquie’s smooshing technique with the ribbon.

I really like how light and girly this is, and I just love the wording “giggles and laugh” doesn’t that just scream girly slumber party to you?

 

Here’s a detail shot, these are the first pictures with my new camera; if you click the picture, you can see the texture of the paper.  It’s gorgeous in real life, thick and wonderful to hold, and these were actually scrap pieces left over from a custom order of bridal shower invites.  I loved the paper so much, I couldn’t throw out any of it.

Now head on over to the other Stampin Sistahs and see what they put together to show you,

Senior Sistahs

Tonya ~ Beth ~ Julie ~ Jen

Stampin Sistahs

Alyssa ~ Donna ~ Gayle ~ Leigh Ann~ Sarabeth

Then cruise on over to Stamp Happens and pick up your very own set from the Wildflower Kids collection- and there’s lots of Holiday digi items too! 

 

 

 

 

ps- thanks for all the lovely comments from the New Moon blog hop. I’m still making my way through, so I’ll continue to hop as I find time :)

Happy Monday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: wildflower Kids Rubber Stamps,stamp happens,A Paper Buffet,handmade cards

Twilight Tuesday.com New Moon Blog Hop!

*You should have arrived here from April D’s blog. If you haven’t please go back to Twilight Tuesday’s home page to start the hop*

I was so excited and honoured when I was asked to be a Guest Designer for the New Moon hop. I knew I’d have to bring my A- game after a very long hiatus in the TTIC weekly challenges (after formerly participating in every one!). I love these ladies and what TTIC has become over the past year.

I pondered and pondered over what I would do. I wanted the project to represent New Moon well; and y’all know I’m Team Edward *swoon* but New Moon really is about Jacob and Bella.

Although Jacob drove me batty for most of the series, I can appreciate his love for Bella and their friendship.

My project may not be as eye-catching as some others, but it is deep with meaning.

I wanted lots of layers to represent the layers of love and friendship between Jacob and Bella.

I wanted straight edges; Jacob feels his love for Bella is simple and straightforward and without the complications of her love for Edward.

I wanted knots to symbolize the tie that Bella and Jacob will always have to each other.

I wanted a sentiment to express the commitment Jacob makes to Bella.

I didn’t want it to be fussy; neither Jacob nor Bella are.

Jacob literally follows Bella off a cliff- how perfect is this quote?? It’s from a book of Quotes for scrapbooking and I’ve used them before for friendship cards.

Card base is SU Very Vanilla with layers of SU Chocolate Chip and SU Kraft paper. Brown Satin ribbon is from Michaels.

Next stop on the hop is my fellow Stampin Sistah Leigh Ann who is guaranteed to have something awesome waiting for you.

I hope you all enjoy the movie; I was so busy with work, I totally dropped the ball on getting tickets for tonight, so I’ll have to wait a little bit to see it. Until then I’m living vicariously though all of you!

Happy New Moon Friday!!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: New Moon,Twilight Tuesday,blog hop,Jacob,Bella

4 Morgans; 2 sketches; and a whole lotta Sassy Christmas cards!

Dear Beth, creator and owner of Stamp Insanity Stamps. I heart you. I heart Morgan and I heart the Naughty and Nice set.

I took some non-traditional Christmas colours and went to town, using first the MojoMonday sketch and, this will qualify for the Basic Grey Challenge this week too.

I heart Morgan so much, I made another card, switching the Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses paper.

I heart her even more, I found Jen Del Muro’s SFYTT and made another, using more BG Eskimo Kisses, and the very last of my coveted SU Purely Pomegranate paper.

“who you callin’ a Ho Ho Ho”

Beth, you are a genius. Did I tell you I heart you?

I switched the papers and the location of the snowflake, but kept the sentiment, because, you know, I heart it.

Matching snowflakes on the inside.

I heart snowflakes too.

Do you heart Morgan as much as I do? Show Beth you love her, and visit Stamp Happens, the ONLY place to buy Stamp Insanity stamps.

Happy Tuesday,

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Mojo Monday,SFYTT,Basic Grey,Eskimo Kisses,Stamp Insanity,Stamp Happens,snowflakes,Christmas cards,a Paper Buffet

Wildflower Kids Snowman has left the building!

Remember this guy? 

I sized him and coloured him for a gift tag, but then it wasn’t working, so I made this card?

 

Well, the Wildflower Kids Snowman, lets call him Sid, he was talking to his friend Pax the Penguin.

Pax told Sid the Snowman about this new housing development that was going up and that Pax was really happy living there.

So Sid packed up.

He left. He gave his notice to his landlord and packed up his stuff and moved out!

 

 

 

Sid is all unpacked at his new place and wants to invite you over to check it out.

Sid is soo much happier in his new place!

The windows!

The view is just incredible!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sid brought some of his snowflakes to make the new place feel more like home, but he is downsizing, so he didn’t bring them all with him.

 

 

Sid’s got lots of space though, so don’t worry.

 

 

 

 

The best thing about Sid’s new place? Totally mobile! He can pick up and go anywhere around the world with just one stamp!

Talk about cheap airfare!

 

 

 

Want Sid at your place? Easy Peasy.  Click here.

Want to make your very own home for Sid? No problem.

Wildflower Kids are available exclusively at Stamp Happens.

 

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday ;)

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: A Paper Buffet,Etsy,Wildflower Kids Rubber Stamps,Stamp Happens,Snow Globe,Snowman,snowflakes,handmae cards,greeting cards,Christmas cards

Pax the Penguin…in a snow globe?

Have you seen these snow globe cards making the rounds? They’re just awesome!

I found this tutorial at SCS and it’s really simple to follow.

I was lucky enough to win Pax the Penguin from the The Character Cafe Blog Hop last week, ( I was super thrilled, because he was my favourite out of all the new releases) and thought he was perfect for trying in the snow globe.

Isn’t he CUTE!??

I used the Imaginisce paper again, and some SU Real Red ribbon. SU Certainly Celery makes the card base.

I used embossing powder to make the snow at the top of the globe and stamped the snowflakes in Opaque Staz-on cotton ink.

Here’s a look at the inside, I used the same embossing powder on the snow on the inside, and coloured Pax with my prismas and used OMS to blend. I used some blue glitter and Crystal effects on the fishing hole.

Here’s a side view of the card. I thought I was being smart going to the office supply store to get some overhead transparencies to use instead of ‘clear cardstock’…but it was TRIPLE the price! Go figure?

The best thing about this card is that it fits in standard A2 envelope!

This card is available at my Etsy store, along with a few others I’ve added this weekend.

I’m totally hooked on the snow globe, and hooked on Pax. I made a birthday card for my little cousin who’s turning 3 in a few weeks.

Pax comes with a few different messages, and this one just makes me giggle! Y’all know how much I love puns!

I used BG Lime Rickey DP for this card with some SU Night of Navy and Going Grey cs for the layering. I coloured Pax the same way, but added some Fun Flock to his belly since my cousin is little and I like the texture it adds.

I know I’ve been quiet here for the past few days, but I’ve just been super busy crafting. I’m trying to get my stuff ready to take to the Hair Salon here in town to sell, and I’m getting ready for my first ever craft show Dec 5th…yikes! A bit nervous what to expect; any advice from you craft show vets would be awesome…**wink wink, nudge, nudge **

Oh! and do you like my new banner? I made it with the help of Joyce from Happy Cloud Moments who posted a tutorial on her blog! it’s much easier than I thought!

Happy Sunday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: handmade cards,snow globe,SCS,Pax the Penguin,The Character Cafe,SU,Stampin Up,Basic Grey,Imaginisce,Happy Cloud Moments

In Flander’s fields

the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

~Lieutenant  Colonel John McRae, MD (1872-1918); Canadian Army

Written May 3rd, 1915; Published December 8th, 1915.

To the men and women who fight to keep “our land/glorious and free”, I thank you.

Happy Remembrance Day

Technorati Tags: In Flander's Fields,John McCrae,Remembrance Day,poppies,November 11th,Canada