Well today is the 25th. That means there is a PTI Blog Hop! Details HERE!

I wasn’t sure I was going to get to play, let alone upload, but I got it done! Feels so good to get stamping.

I LOVE polka dots, and the Polka Dot Parade patterned paper was a no brainer for me!

With the holidays quickly approaching I wanted to make some gifts that were thoughtful, inexpensive, well made, but not time consuming. I decided a recipe wrap-(AKA recipe card holder), would be a great gift idea, even for male recipients! I would include some great grilling recipes on the cards for the guy’s, or a favorite meal, once I decide who is getting what. In the mean time I can just get them ready!! We do lots of Yankee swaps and I think this would be a fun thing to give with a special set of seasonings 😀 Don’t you?

SO I got to work using the recipe cards,  the Recipe Box set, and recipe labels

So when I made my Recipe Wrap card holder I wanted it unfold, and store easily. I also wanted it to hold a nice number of recipe’s without being too much. You know when you get overwhelmed with too much of something, you end up NOT using it. That also makes me thing of it being a great FIRST APARTMENT gift idea too!!! You could even include a shopping list with the recipes you choose! This takes up NO counter space either. Something I personally love, since I don’t like too much on mine.

Front view, all tied closed.

I used my Kraft cardstock, and Aquamist for my mail color on the front.

The Recipe Wrap has 6 categories. You can make more or less if that suits you. Each slot holds 5 recipe’s! I think this is a great gift. Especially if you are a consultant for Tasefully Simple, or Pampered Chef!! The list goes on 😀

Side view of Recipe holder

Untied, and open

Unfolded again

Close up of  first 3 categories

Close up of last 3 categories

Recipe-all unwrapped

View from the top

This is a close-up of the pocket that I created to hold the 5 cards per category. I wrapped some ocean tides ribbon across the top, for a nice finished look.

This polka dot paper makes this either masculine or for everyday, anyone. I love the colors.

I stamped the tops of my recipe cards using ripe avocado ink, and one of the card topper images from the set. I think its a nice touch.

Well what do you think? A great, simple gift for those hard to buy for on the list, or if you need a gift for someone you may not know well, or are swapping with!

Well that is all I got for you tonight.

Enjoy the blog hop 😀

My favorite day is here! Saturday!

Im a bit late with this post, and foggy headed because I have the Flu! What a great thing stress is for your body huh? Makes you STOP in your tracks. The part I hate the most is I am losing my voice. Me being a big talker, that is AWFUL for me! LOL!!! Oh well. Lots of fluids should help, and maybe getting some rest too.

I have gotten some great suggestions out there from you all re: my templates, which I will definitely be bringing up to Nichole (thank you) and ideas for my Saturday Sketches. One is from Kristin Butler , and it is to have a click-able button that you can copy/paste. Kristin actually made her own which is super cool! Thanks Kristin 😀 Im actually having my blog girl Sara Williams, who does all my super cool stuff, come up with something for that when she gets some time 😀 She did make my banner on my side bar for My Timeless Templates clickable!! Thanks Sara – you rock!

OK so this weeks sketch is a tricky one!! But that is the point. Get you out of that rut!

KEYWORD: mytimess09

This sketch was inspired by this card that I did for the Papertrey ink release.

Now I think this sketch has many possibilities.

The large squares I believe were 2 inches, and the little square are 3/4 inch. Olive panel was 2 1/4 X 3 1/2.

Now for my sketch sample.

I LOVE my Elzybells Fairytale collection 😀 I have been dying to ink them more, but got a little busy. I thought it would be perfect for this sketch so I went to work! I wanted to show people that think you always have to use the entire portion of a LARGE image, that you really don’t! Just cut it down. While I love the large image of this stamp I used, I like the cut down version just was much.

I used the Knight and Princess, as well as the Castle for this card. Sentiment is Fairytale ending

I stamped them on WHITE! I them used some sponging to age it like my patterned paper.

My squares on this sample aren’t the same size. I used my sketch to inspire my creation, but I didn’t let it LIMIT me. That is the important thing to remember with these sketches. Use it as a starting place! I point of inspiration. If something doesn’t work, or it inspires a new creative idea or take on the sketch, then go for it!! The point of this weekly challenge is to get you stamping 😀 I find sketches the PERFECT starting place for when the mojo is low too.

I sketch endlessly. That is how I get so much done 😀 Later I will post what my “day” looks like. Many of you asked how I fit everything I do into a day. So I’ll share  my typical day with you all. Trust me, its not all that exciting. Im a SAHM just like you, with lots to do. Maybe after seeing my “schedule” you will see a way to fit certain things into your day! Or maybe see there is no magic just creative planning! 😀

Well that is it for me today.

Send us a link if you get to try the sketch. I still have comments to make from last week. Sorry. Life has been a little upside down here this past week!!

Make sure you check out the Sketch Team! More creative takes on the sketch!

Till tomorrow.