Sneakin You Another Peek!

Here is another peek at one of those new sets from CC Designs...this one is called Love Ya Much

and I paired it with more Sassafras Lass paper. This design is called Decadent. I hope I can explain how I did this card and make it make sense!

1. I lined up my printed paper on the front of my Real Red cardbase and using my Mega Scallop Oval punch (from Marvy) I punched through the base and the printed paper.

2. I grabbed an scrap of Real Red and punched the Mega Scallop through that and then centered that hole into the Giga Scallop and punched. The piece that is left over is my frame and was adhered around the window on the front of the card. I tied some ribbon around the edge of the frame created on just the printed paper. I then adhered the printed paper to the base, matching up the holes.

3. I stamped the birds and colored them on Whisper White and then punched them out with the Mega Scallop and mounted them inside the card.

The cute little tag was made by a tag punch my mother got me over a year ago. She got it from LTD if you can believe that! It has 3 different sizes of tags and I use this itty bitty one the most! The words from Everyday Flexible Phrases and Fancy Flexible Phrases fit best inside it!

Supplies Used: Real Red ink, cs, More Mustard marker, Creamy Caramel ink, Close to Cocoa ink, Cool Caribbean ink, Aquapainters, Ticket Corner Punch, self adhesive jewels from JoAnn's, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cord, Marvy Scallop Punches (Mega and Giga), Sassafras Lass paper

CC Designs Sneak Peek

Here is my first Sneak Peek as a All That Scraps designer. This adorable kitty image (and saying "You're the Cats Meow" is from a new set to be released on January 4. The set is called Love Ya Lots. The paper is from Sassafras Lass, a company I had never heard of till I was browsing the patterned paper selection at All That Scraps (http://allthatscraps.com/). Isn't it adorable paper? If I had to choose one color combination that is my all time favorite, it would be Cool Caribbean and Real Red. I just love how cheerful it is and this paper included those colors and cute flowers so I had to order it! I usually have a hard time with Valentines cards. I get so stuck on the pink and red and they just never really turn out the way I intend them too. When I saw this paper (and several others I'll share with you over the next few days) I thought it would be perfect for Valentine's Day. And, how purrrfect was it that the saying fits inside the Word Window Punch from Stampin Up?! Keep watching for more projects featuring a stamps from 2 new CC Designs sets that will be available on January 4!

Supplies Used: Cool Caribbean cs, Real Red cs, Grosgrain Ribbon, Going Grey ink, Aquapainter, So Saffron Marker, Regal Rose Marker, Certainly Celery Marker, Pretty in Pink ink, Grosgrain Ribbon, Ruby Red Brads, Ticket Corner Punch, Word Window Punch.

Lizzie, It's Cold Outside...

Here is a project I did using Lizzie Anne Designs and some pretty Basic Grey paper (this is called Shiver). This card is for a LAD set swap I signed up for on Splitcoaststampers. I adore the Soft Sky and Caramel for winter themes so it was quite exciting when I found the patterned paper that had those colors in it. (A great thing about us stampers, we get excited by very small things!) In addition to these colors being great for winter, if you throw in some silver accents it really floats my boat! You have seen several cards lately on my blog using this set by LAD. It is the only set of theirs that I own but there are a couple on my wish list. They will be releasing some new stamp sets in the next week or so and I can't wait to see what they have to offer this time!

Supplies Used: Soft Sky ink, cs, Creamy Caramel ink, cs, Aquapainter, Staz On Black, Caramel Gingham Ribbon, Silver Brads, Christmas in the City (Lizzie Anne Designs).

Sweet CC Snowman

Here is the first project I have done with my first CC Designs stamp ( http://www.allthatscraps.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=360_361_545) . Isn't this little snowman the cutest?!?! I paired him with the birthday hat and sentiment from the new Stampin' Up! set, A Little Birdie Told Me. I wish I could tell you who the patterned paper is by. My mom bought a stack of papers somewhere and shared some sheets with me. This patterned paper was in it. Sometimes when you complete a project you sit back and look at it and think......hmmmmm....something is missing, this isn't doing it for me....that is how I feel when I look at this card, but I won't get a chance to stamp today as we have our Christmas gathering with my husband's family today and it has been days since I shared anything at all. So, what do you think could be added (or taken away) to do it for me?

Supplies Used: Almost Amethyst cs, StampinWrite Marker, So Saffron cs, SW Marker, Apricot Appeal Grosgrain Ribbon, Certainly Celery cs, SW marker, Staz On Ink, Signo White Gel Pen, Paper Piercer, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Diamond Stickles, CC Designs Snowman.

So Sorry

This card is for someone I don't know. Yesterday I was browsing the blogs of some of the other gals who made it on the ATS design team and I came across Tricia Traxler's blog http://www.simplystamping.blogspot.com/. Tricia had a post this week telling of a friend who recently lost her baby girl. Most of you don't know that going on 7 years ago we lost a daughter too. We had just 4 weeks left in our pregnancy and she died inuetero. Emma's death was hard at the time but God's hand was in the entire process. To make a long, emotional story short, my husband and I were not Christian's at the time and within month's of Emma's death, we were both baptised and are raising our other children to love our savior, so that we can all be with Emma together again in Heaven someday. Anyway, whenever I hear of a mother who is grieving the loss of a baby I feel compelled to offer a shoulder and a prayer. So, I will be sending this on to this mother who is grieving the loss of her baby during this season of joy.

This birdie stamp is another that I got yesterday on my outing and was made by Inkadinkadoo. The printed paper is from Cosmo Cricket ( you can grab this pretty paper, and LOTS more pretty papers, at All That Scraps). It is from the Hey Sugar line and is called Candy Girl.

Supplies Used: Sage Shadow cs, ink, Stampin Write Marker, More Mustard cs, SW Marker, Vanilla cs, Linen background stamp, Twill Tape, More Mustard Brads, Linen Thread, Word Window Punch, Fundamental Phrases set, Giga and Mega Oval Scallop Punches (Marvy), Large Oval Scalloped Frames and Doodles stamp set (Gina K), Inkadinkadoo birds.

Sweet Birdie Valentine

Today I went out shopping...I know LOTS of people were out shopping today, 3 days before Christmas....but the point to my shopping trip wasn't for Christmas gifts. I wanted to take a friend of mine to Jane's Craft Studio in Waterford (http://www.janescraftstudio.net/). I love that place! It is a small store about 25 minutes from me but they have stamps from a few of my favorite stamp companies there..Amuse, Elzybells and Rosies Roadshow (http://www.rosiesroadshow.com/) Alas, due to it being the end of the year and most people are done looking for winter/Christmas stamps, the Elzybells stock was pretty depleted but it was fun to look at what they did have. I ended up buying some stamps that really called out to me...I chose a couple birds from Inkadinkadoo. They are perfect for Valentines Day! This sample uses two of the stamps I bought. This card is 4 x 4. On the Chocolate Chip scallop edge I used a flourishy heart thingy (so technical!) and stamped it with Chocolate Chip ink. The printed paper is from Basic Grey and you can get that at All That Scraps ( http://www.allthatscraps.com/). Both are from Basic Grey. The stripe is from the Blush line of papers and is called "Eternity". The floral is from their Infuse line and is called "Lace". I used my Regal Rose Stampin Write Marker, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive to ink up the stamp and do some huffing on it to stamp the bird. I punched it out with the Stampin' Up! Scallop Circle punch, added some Stickles and used my Stardust Jelly Roll pen to add some sparkle to the bird's flourishes. Hope you enjoy!

Supplies Used: Chocolate Chip cs, Stampin Write Marker, Regal Rose SW Marker, Pretty In Pink SW marker, cs, grosgrain ribbon, Slit Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Old Olive Brad, Word Window Punch, Stardust Stickles, Stardust Jelly Roll pen.

Layout from a Customer!

There is nothing I love more than seeing creations my customers make! I love to see that they are using their stamps and I get particularly giddy when they make really cute stuff! The other day I received a Christmas card from one of my customers and the whole darn thing was adorable! I particularly noticed the layout and decided I had to use the layout myself! So, today I pulled out my FREE set from Stampin' Up!, Time Well Spent and had fun with it. It did take awhile with all the cutting and coloring but it was worth it, I think it turned out cute. I didn't include one embellishment because I ran out of room, but maybe the next project I make will use the same layout again and include the omitted embellishment...I love showing how you can use the same layout and change the set and colors and have a whole new card...so keep watching!

Supplies Used: Bashful Blue cs, ink, Stampin Write Marker, So Saffron brads, SW Marker, Certainly Celery cs, SW Marker, Brocade Blue SW Marker, Old Olive SW Marker, Regal Rose SW Marker, Stampin Dimensionals, SU Large Oval Punch, SU Circle Punches, Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon, Stardust Stickles, Cutie Pie Designer Paper, Time Well Spent set, Seeing Spots set.

New Stamps are Coming!!

I am sure that by now you have all peaked at the adorable stamps CC Designs creates over at All That Scraps (http://allthatscraps.com/). Aren't they so cute?!?! My favorites are the Lucky and Lulu stamps and yesterday I got a sneak peek at a set that is comin' my way baby!!! You are going to love it! You will "squeal" with delight when you see it! All of the images are so "dog-gone cute" - - - trust me, I'm not "lion". I can't wait to start creating with these and share them all with you, so keep watchin' because they should be here any day and I am sure my "tweetheart" won't mind giving me some time to play with them as soon as they arrive!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Here is a card made with the My Favorite Things set, Baby It's Cold Outside. I love paper piecing the girl's coat! It makes matching it with the printed paper so easy plus it is less coloring to do! I used some paper from Basic Grey...this is from their Figgy Pudding line of paper. Both sides of the paper are represented here. You can get both the Basic Grey paper and the stamp set at All That Scraps, http://www.allthatscraps.com/.

Supplies Used: Soft Sky cs, ink (Stampin' Up!), Chocolate Chip cs, ink (Stampin' Up!), Basic Grey paper (Glacier), Brass Jumbo Eyelets (Stampin' Up!), Watercolor Paper (SU), Pumpkin Pie inc (SU), Going Grey ink (SU), Stardust Stickles, misc. ribbon.

New Catalog .... OOOH!

The New Stampin' Up! catalog arrived in my mailbox today and it is so pretty, it really is! The colors are great and it indeed has the feel of spring! Christmas is still a week away and after looking at the new catalog, I am craving sunshine and warmer temps!

Here is a peek at one of the new Hostess Sets. This is made with a Level 3 set called "Time Well Spent". Stampin' Up! sent these to all current demonstrators late last month and this is the first time I have inked it up! On this one I used the Polka Dot background stamp and embossed it on the Rose Red panel with clear embossing powder and added some faux zig zag stitching around the panel. Otherwise this is pretty easy to do, a bit time consuming to water color that big flower, but there are no real secrets here! Don't you adore the sentiment on this one??? "Time Spent With Friends Is Time Well Spent". LOVE IT!

Supplies Used: Old Olive cs, ink, brad, Soft Sky ink, cs, Rose Red ink, cs, Pumpkin Pie

SW Marker, Aqua Painter, Versa Mark, Clear Embossing Powder, Paper Piercer, White Signo Gel Pen, White cs, Black Staz On.

Altered Journals - Personalize Your Gifts...

Yesterday I had my Christmas gathering with three of my closest "peeps"..you know, the ones you can belch in front of and they laugh so hard they can hardly stand it, the ones you tell your fears to and share about your past. Anyway, I made them journals this year for Christmas. The journals themselves are the large On Board Art Journals that we sell through Stampin' Up! This one was for Jennifer and I really tried to make sure that I used colors and styles they would like. Jennifer loves anything distressed, pink, girly...she is into antiques and has a beautiful sense of style. Anyway, as soon as I started her journal I knew just what paper to use! I grabbed this Basic Grey paper and was off and running. I used some chipboard from EK Success and traced it onto Cool Caribbean card stock. I also used the Big Pieces set for this one. The punch I used was the Stampin' Up! scallop circle. I really like how this turned out and I think she did too!

Da, Da, Da-Da!!!! The BIG News!

Here is the news...I can't really believe I am typing it! You are now reading the words of a design team member for All That Scraps! ME...yes, you bet...the computer didn't switch you to Taylor VanBruggen's blog, or Julie Ebersole's or even Julie Campbell's but you stayed right here at my blog. I have been walking around giddy since Saturday night when I got the e-mail from Amy Rysavy inviting me to part of the All That Scraps design team. "Who the heck is All That Scraps?" you ask??? UMMMM, RUN over to their site!!! (Check out the Design Team page and scroll down and you'll see me!) Here is the link to their site: http://www.allthatscraps.com/

First and foremost ATS is a great store that sells a bunch of top products! You can get Lizzie Anne Designs stuff there (insert a huge grin here!), Bind It All (momma may be "rewarding" herself with a purchase soon!), Basic Grey paper (I don't really like Basic Grey do I? I NEVER use their paper! he he he)....but they also sell C.C. Designs stamps: http://www.allthatscraps.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=52&chapter=0 And I have been noticing them on a few blogs and I keep visiting the ATS site and stopping myself from ordering but NO MORE! I can't wait to make my first project with their stuff and post it for you to enjoy. Their stuff is just so cute! My kids were watching me as I was choosing some stuff to come live at my house and they can't wait to be able to play with the new stamps when they get here.

The other thing I love about ATS is that it is very similar to Splitcoaststampers because they have a gallery and message boards. The galleries are incredible and I must admit I am a bit intimidated by the projects that some of the more experienced DT members over there have shared with everyone....BEAUTIFUL, fun stuff! So check out ATS and keep watching my blog for projects with C.C. Designs stuff!

Here is a list of all the additions to the ATS DT and their blog links:

Cyndi Bundy ------------- BLOG

Inge Groot ----------- BLOG

Jeanette Fincher --------- BLOG

Katie Stilwater -------- BLOG

Laurie Schmidlin ----------- BLOG

Lesa Rapp ---------- BLOG

Linda Black --------- BLOG

Renée Van Stralen ------- BLOG

Shannan Teubner --------- BLOG

Sue Berker ------------- BLOG

Tricia Traxler --------- BLOG

Chipboard Coaster Ornament

My 3 "peeps" and I always have a small Christmas gathering for us girls where we talk, giggle and exchange small gifts. Each year Jennifer and I handmake something and for the last several years I have made them Christmas ornaments...last year it was the Maya Road tins, the year before it was microscope slide ornaments...this year I wasn't going to make any because I couldn't think of any way to create a ornament that was different from the previous years and then I was sitting in my stamp room and it dawned on me-----a couple months ago I ordered some chipboard coasters from Emily Giovanni and I hadn't done a darn thing with them! So...I pulled out some supplies and got to work. This is one of the coasters I did using a set that is retiring from the current SU! catalog. This set is called "It's Snow Time" and is one of my all time favorite sets. I can't believe they are letting it go! The Designer Series Paper is also retiring. This is from the Cerise line. I think I may end up ordering a pack before it leaves because all the red and white is perfect for Christmas cards or scrapbook pages.

These are SO easy to make...I am really lazy and it helps to have easy projects:

1) Cut your DSP to fit the coaster (4 x 4) and using Mod Podge spread it all over the coaster (Be sure to coat the entire thing really good) **You can buy Mod Podge at any craft store, even Walmart**

2) Lay your DSP down and smooth it out ;

3) Leave it to dry;

4) Stamp and color the snowman image ***NOTE: Originally I used SW Markers to color everything except the hint of Soft Sky on the snow, but when tried to seal the entire ornament, the red areas smeared... so for this one I colored everything with my markers EXCEPT the red spots, for those I used my ink pads and aquapainter to color those areas***

5) Mat the image however you like and adhere to ornament with sticky strip or mono adhesive;

6) Seal the ornament with a layer of Mod Podge over top of the entire thing being sure to smooth out the glue;

7) Once dry you can embellish however you like. I put the stickles glitter glue on top of the image after the mod podge was done. I tried it both ways - doing it before I seal it and doing it after and it really doesn't make a different when it was done but because it is 6:30 am the day I am to give these and I am just finishing up, it the interest of time, I wanted to get it over with quickly! (See, lazy!)

8) To adhere the ribbon hanger for the ornament, flip your ornament over and use sticky strip to adhere the ribbon to the back.

Supplies Used: Cerise DSP, Old Olive cs, Stampin Write Marker, Real Red cs, ink, Soft Sky cs, ink, Pumpkin Pie SW Marker, So Saffron SW Marker, Old Olive Brads, Old Olive 5/8" Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Diamond Stickles, It's Snow Time set.

EEEEEKKKK!!! BIG News I Tell Ya!

But I can't tell ya yet...lets just say I was giggling and nearly speechless when I heard the big news and that doesn't happen often! I hope to get to stamp tomorrow and share a new project with you. As soon as I can share the big news I will.

Monochromatic Birdie

Today I took part in the Ways To Use It Challenge at Splitcoaststampers. Everyday of the week there are different challenges at Splitcoaststampers that help you jump start your creativity. I usually look at the Color Challenge (Tuesdays) and the Sketch Challenge (Wednesdays) but I haven't really ventured to any of the other ones...the biggest reason is that I don't have enough time to stamp everyday. To find the challenges just go to http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ and on the opening page, look at the column on the right, follow it down a bit and you will see a list of the challenges. I happened to see that today they were doing a Monochromatic Challenge as the Ways to Use it Challenge, so I thought I would try. I love the look of monochromatic cards but I don't do them often because they intimidate me. This is what I came up with using that new set, "A Little Birdie Told Me". Can you tell what monochromatic color I was going with? HA! I paper pieced the bird again using the So Saffron Designer Series Prints paper. I used my Marvy Giga Scallop Oval Punch as the base for the bird (THANK YOU CLAUDIA!!!!). The remainder of the layers were done using the other prints in the So Saffron DSP collection. Do you like the layout? Well....that layout was done for the Sketch Challenge at SCS...Yes, you can combine 2 challenges (or more) in one card. SO, the next time you have a project to do and you feel as if you are creatively challenged, run over to SCS and see what you come up with!

Sneak Peek to New Catty!

I got some new toys today! Actually I got a couple new toys...I got the one set I pre-ordered from the Spring/Summer Collection. I pre-ordered this set, "A Little Birdie Told Me". I have been really drawn to simple birds lately and I saw a set at Archivers that I liked but I held off hoping Stampin Up! would have a set with a couple birds in it here it is! This set is perfect! It has 8 different sayings, 2 birds and 3 other pictures (including this cute umbrella). This set is PERFECT for paper piecing. I have adored the look of paper piecing for some time but the few times I have tried, I haven't really liked the result. (Probably "user error" **did you see that Sue and Pat? Even I have "user error" too!) Anyway, I used the Cutie Pie designer paper, one of the few that is NOT being retired (THANK YOU SHELLI!!). I stamped the bird on the paper and then cut him out...after cutting him out I stamped the image on my white card stock and layered the cut out bird on top of the one on the white card stock. SIMPLE! Then I did the same with the umbrella only with the umbrella I used a Stampin' Dimensional to pop the umbrella top up. I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to align the umbrella and it turned out so cute!

I made this card for my oldest...she is 8 and stayed home from school today sick. And this time, she's not faking! She hasn't eaten yet and has thrown up any liquid (including acetaminophen to lower her fever). She grinned from ear to ear when she saw that mom made a card for her....

Supplies used: Cutie Pie DSP, So Saffron ink, Stampin Write Marker, cs, Bashful Blue cs, Rose Red cs, Certainly Celery cs, Oval Coluzzle, Baroque Motifs, A Little Birdie Told Me, Slit punch, Marvy Giga Oval Scallop Punch, 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch, Stampin Dimensional, White Signo Gel Pen, Black ink.

"I Ate An Ornament"

HUH? Yup...that is what my 3 year old said to us last week. So we have these cute GLASS ornaments that look like peppermint candy...my husband and I were sitting in the livingroom in the back of the house when we heard her scream and come running to us. She was holding her mouth open and crying so I asked her, "Did you bite your tongue." She responded with, "NO, I ate an ornament." That's right. She found one of the peppermint ornaments and thought she would have a snack. She bit piece of glass off that was the size of an adult's thumb nail. She is fine, she had cuts in her mouth and we were able to get a few pieces out of her mouth but I can't be sure if she swallowed any at all. I'm sure if she did, it has exited her body by now. It seems funny now, but at the time I was quite nervous. This child is different from the other two in so many ways...let me say, neither of them ever ate an ornament.

Now, to the photo, I made these Christmas ornaments for gifts last year and they were so fun to make. I can't recall where I bought the tins from but I know you can get some from Maya Road...here is their website...http://www.mayaroad.com/new/newsite/index.html

I wish I could remember the size, but I can't recall. The hardest thing about making these was cutting the image out to the correct size for the inside of the tin. I used the set City of David from Stampin' Up! (it is retiring at the end of this month, so if you need to order it feel free to e-mail me). I water colored the images, closed up the tins and then using Sticky Strip and the True Thyme stitched ribbon from last year, I wrapped the ribbon around the seam where the top and bottom of the tin met. It was a fun gift to make and I think they turned out really cute too!

Not This Time...

So, I didn't win the MFT contest and I'm ok with that. Clint told me today that Thomas Edison went through over 2,000 protypes of a filament for the light bulb before he finally got one to work. Made me feel better....(not really) I don't handle rejection well so I can't imagine submitting for 2000 design spots and still getting rejection! Anyway, check out this link to see who did win, they really deserved it! http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306316

I am so stuck on winter cards right now....could have something to do with the fact that it is freezing here in Michigan! I was so proud of this sample! I made it last night in about 20 minutes. This was my third submission for the MFT design team challenge. I used the skate stamp from Lizzie Anne Designs set Christmas in the City (I sure am getting ton of use of this set...I LOVE it!) I love when you sit down to make something, and it just seems to be flowing so well. When you are all done, you sit back....hold it out and take a look and just .....smile....that is how this card went. Remember I had to do an ATC first, the ATC is the 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 piece of Moss with the Soft Sky and the image on it. I used Rust to matt the ATC on to make it pop a bit on the whole card. As just an ATC it turned out cute. I used to LOVE making ATC's but I never really did anything with them...this challenge was a perfect way to use those ATC's I have piling up. It is also a great way to really make the main image pop out at you. The color combo came from the Fall Flowers paper that is used on this card. Perfect winter combo don't you think?

Supplies Used: Soft Sky ink, cs, Really Rust cs, Going Grey ink, Mellow Moss ink, cs, Grosgrain and Gingham ribbon, Always Artichoke ink, Aqua Painter, Watercolor Paper, SU Ice Circle Brads, SU Fall Flowers DSP, Christmas In The City stamp set (Lizzie Anne Designs)

Blog Candy Winner!

COME ON DOWN....Peggy Maier....your the next winner on my blog! HA! Peggy said she is most thankful for:

Lots of reasons to be thankful!Some of the top ones are:

1. God - & His gift of salvation through Jesus!

2. Husband - even though our marriage isn't perfect, he's a really good guy all in all

3. Family - I'm really blessed!

4. Friends - including all my on-line friends.

5. Church Family - so many great people, all encouraging each other as we grow in faith

Peggy, contact me via e-mail (caspen1973@yahoo.com) to give me your snail mail address and I'll get your suprise in the mail to you soon! Peggy is getting the retired Stampin Up! set called "Blooming With Happiness". The images still remain some of my favorites! I hope you enjoy it Peggy!

My Favorite Things and Stampin' Up!

I have been eyeing the stamps that My Favorite Things sells for awhile now. They have some really cute stuff but I have restrained myself. Over the last week or so several of my favorite stamping blogs have been giving "sneak peeks" of a new set called "Baby Its Cold Outside". The set hasn't been available to purchase until last night. I stayed up to be one of the first to purchase it because it is so, so cute! (They are even offering a coupon of 20% off till December 8th on ANYTHING the store carries). I can hardly wait to get my new set and make a card for my friend Marcy who LOVES snowmen. Anyway, during the release of three new stamp sets last night, they announced a contest for a guest designer spot. So, I am frantically trying to get the kids lunch and put them down for nap so I can play too. I did get this one done and thought I would share. The challenge is that you had to make an ATC first (Artist Trading Card). The size of which is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2. After you make the ATC you are required to make a full size card incorporating the ATC. You can see the ATC on this sample, it's the rectangle that includes the focal point (the scallop circle). I made this ATC when the catty came out in July and I am glad to be putting it to use. I really loved the way this ATC turned out when I made it, I adored Caribbean, red and yellow together. So, even though these stamps aren't the style of MFT (most of their stamps are line art images), I thought I would have fun with this ATC anyway. I'm hoping to use an Elzybells image on the next one I submit (so come back to see another Elzy sample soon). Wish me luck on the contest!

Supplies Used: Cool Caribbean cs, ink, Real Red cs, ink, So Saffron cs, Stampin' Up! scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Apricot Grosgrain Ribbon, White Grosgrain Ribbon, So Saffron brad

Last Couple Days for Blog Candy

Kinda a trick...on the 26th I posted a question, I wanted to know what you are most thankful for. I didn't tell you in the heading that it was Blog Candy because I wanted to see if people read posts that don't have photos...anyway, here I am letting you know to zip on down to the post on November 26th and leave a comment...I'll draw a name on Friday morning and the winner will receive a stamp set from my stash of Stampin' Up! sets!

Over the River and Through The Woods...

Isn't this little Elzy adorable?!?! While everyone else was ordering Winter Song by Elzybells, I was ordering Girl With Sleigh (now, this doesn't mean that I don't regret not getting Winter Song, as a matter a fact, that one is on my list of must haves!) Here is a sample I made recently using some designer paper that is left over from my favorite EVER Simply Scrappin Kit from Stampin Up. This kit was from last year and was available only during Sell-a-bration. I so adored this set that I collected them..yes, collected...I think I have about 4 of them. Unopened because I don't want to use them all up...I mean, what if I need them and I don't have enough of the pretty paper? PLEASE! Anyway, I love these colors for winter and thought this layout was a great way to incorporate the 2 different patterned papers while still showcasing this adorable little Elzy!

Please Don't Go - Sniff, Sniff

Can you believe it?!?! (Insert the Elaine smack here) Cold Play is being retired?!?! I hope I don't offend any Frosty lovers out there but COME ON! Frosty has been around for YEARS and it is just now being retired but we have only been able to enjoy Cold Play for about 3 years. Can you tell I am shocked and angered?!?! Anyway, here is one of the Christmas cards I am making this year. It is such a quickie! The original idea for this card is not my own. I found a card just like this on Splitcoast. The designer's screen name is LauriF. It was originally a square card but I am too cheap to spend the extra 17 cents the post office wants to deliver it so I adapted it to a standard sized card.

This card is SUPER easy to make. The easiest way to do the snowmen is to stamp a bunch out on your white cardstock just changing the place your nose is placed. Then punch the faces out using Stampin' Up!'s 1 1/4" circle punch. Next, adhere your face to a large sheet of Bashful Blue and then punch using the 1 1/4" square. This way you don't have to worry about lining up your snow guy into the blue and trimming the edge off. So...if you haven't started your cards yet, what is stopping you...get going!

Supplies Used: Whisper White cs, ink, Bashful Blue cs, Real Red cs, ink, Black ink, Pumpkin Pie ink, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Bold Snowflakes Wheel, Red Gingham ribbon, Cold Play stamp set.

Subscribe To My Blog

OOOH, I DID IT! It has only taken me a week but I finally figured out how to add the little box to the right that will allow you to subscribe to my blog! I know you are out there...lots of you right? You have just been waiting to subscribe so you can see all my projects right away...Well, what are you waiting for? Go subscribe!

Oh Christmas Tree

As a kid our family bought real trees at Christmas time, so did my husband's. I believe the first couple of years we bought real trees. I remember one time actually going out to the farm and cutting it down with a saw. Wonderful memories to make with your children right? Well, now we have a fake tree. I know-boo, hiss. But as we started having kids, we realized that all the falling needles were just going to become baby food. Not only that, but I have enough to do each day and didn't need to add "Clean up Tree Needles" to my list. I love our fake tree and now if I want to put it up the weekend of Thanksgiving I can. (Not that I did mind you, we haven't had time). Anyway, these stamps are part of the Christmas In The City set from Lizzie Anne Designs and this layout was what I submitted for this weeks Sketch Challenge over at the Lizzie Anne Designs forum on SCS :

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303239

Notice the design called for what was likely supposed to be a paper strip over there on the right, but I used twill tape instead. That is what I love about sketches, you end up getting ideas you never knew were in your little head!

Supplies Used: Blue Bayou cs, ink, Ruby Red cs, ink, brads, Old Olive cs, ink, Twill Tape, Linen Thread, Canvas Background Stamp, Christmas In The City set (LAD), Aquapainter.

Stained Glass Technique

Here is a sample that I cannot take all the credit for. I received a card VERY similar to this in a swap on Splitcoaststampers. The original was created by Annie Pie (screen name). What I did differently is that I used the Stained Glass Technique for the main image. This is the technique I have been demonstrating at my stamp club meetings this month. For this technique you need vellum CARD STOCK. Yes, there is such a thing...Stampin' Up! sells it and it is wonderful. You stamp your image with Staz On, watercolor your image like usual and then flip it over and mount it on white card stock. The soft vellum tones everything down and it looks like stained glass. Isn't it pretty?

Supplies Used: Really Rust cs, ink, Black cs, grosgrain ribbon, Staz On (Black), Brocade Blue ink, Olive ink, Fundamental Flexible Phrases set, Print Pattern background stamp, Sassy Stems set, Brocade Blue brads and grosgrain ribbon.

My Free Set Came!

Remember that Lizzie Anne Designs contest where I was a runner-up? Well, my free set came! I selected Christmas In the City and it is adorable! Here is my first project with that set. There is a lot of the direct to paper technique done with this card. It really needed that on all the layers so as to mimic the distressed look of the patterned paper. I have really had an aversion to using patterned paper...like I don't know how to do it and have it look nice, but I have noticed that the last several cards use patterned paper so I guess I am figuring it out....slowly!

Supplies Used: Frosty paper from Basic Grey, Blue Bayou cs, ink, Ruby Red cs, ink, Mellow Moss cs, ink, Confetti White cs, More Mustard ink, Creamy Carmel ink, Aquapainter, Moss Gingham Ribbon, Linen Thread, Word Window Punch, Pewter brads

What Were/Are You Most Thankful For?

I know this is AFTER Thanksgiving, but I didn't get to the computer on Thanksgiving like I had wanted to so this is after the fact.....But I am really curious as to the top 5 things you are thankful for....leave me your list and you may get something in the mail if I draw your name! (No need for random number selectors around here because there won't be more than 5 posts anyway!!!)

The Top 5 Things I am Thankful for...

1- Jesus, honestly His presence in the lives of my husband and I have changed us in remarkable ways over the last 6 1/2 years.

2- A healthy marriage. Sure, sometimes my dh says really insentive things and acts like a big oaf, but he is a man. We have a marriage that was on the rocks for awhile but the last year God has worked miracles in each of us and we are so blessed to have a healthy marriage.

3- My children. OH yes, they drive me crazy, they have brought to the surface things in my personality that I wish were not there, but they are the greatest blessing! There is nothing like the feel of my youngest's hand in mine as we walk together. I love the smile on my middle daughter's face...ooooh that dimple in her chin melts me everytime, and my oldest is so much fun to talk to and watch her grow into her own person.

4. Our home and my husband's job. 2 years ago he was laid off for a few months and it was the scariest thing ever. Living in Michigan, I am always aware how lucky we are that he is employed and I am able to stay home to raise the girls.

5- Friends---Christian friends, stamping friends, friends you love like family...some of them even fit into mulitple categories. I can't imagine my life without friends!

Snowfalling Deer

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was wonderful! We had 3 days of celebrations...on Thursday we celebrated with my husband's family, Friday we visited with some friends we only see a couple times a year and Saturday we celebrated with my family. The best part was that on Saturday my mother had two helpings of my Sweet Potatoes! My mom is pretty picky when it comes to her dining choices and doesn't usually enjoy trying new things. But she not only tried my sweet potato casserole thing that I threw together but she liked it enough to have seconds! I was thrilled! Hi mom!

I worked on two cards last night and here is the first. I love it! I used the Pepperberry paper from Basic Grey, I am loving this paper!!! The burgundy strip in the middle is the reverse of Pepperberry side. I also cracked open my pewter jumbo eyelets from Stampin' Up! They provide a great place to tie ribbon through. I used the deer from my growing collection of Elzybells. If you look at the card a few posts down using this stamp you will see a slight difference. I masked off the star and put the snowflake (from the falling snowflake stamp that Elzybells makes) there instead. I also used the "happy holidays" stamp from Amuse as the greeting. I hope you like it!

Build A Brads Are In!

I was glancing at my blog, being particulary proud that I have posted several projects in the last few days, and I realized that hardly any are made with SU products! Here is a project I have been sharing at my Stamp Club's this month. I was going to save it till next week because I still have one stamp club, but not everyone in that club reads my blog (I don't think). This was made with the Build A Brads. Build a Brads have been in the catalog since July but have only been available in the last month or so. I guess there was a quality control issue with the brads themselves. So, anyway, here they are! These are the pewter ones. This card is SO fast and SO cute! It uses a sheet of paper from one of my favorite packs of Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! This comes from the Cutie Pie pack. The only stamping done on this is the "Friendship" sentiment. This stamp comes from Think Happy Thoughts.

Another Elzy Deer

Here is the other Elzybells stamp I purchased this weekend. Isn't it cute?? They have a robin just like it, which I had in my hand, but I resisted and chose to get the deer since it matched the deer in my previous post. This card also uses some printed paper by Basic Grey. This paper is from their Figgy Pudding line and I grabbed a piece or two of a few other Christmas designs from them. Maybe I will use them later this week.

Supplies used: Cool Caribbean cs, ink (retired), Bravo Burgundy cs, ink, Timber Brown Staz On, So Saffron SW Marker, Basic Grey Pepperberry paper, Sanded background stamp, Hodgepodge Hardware (pewter) brad, Mellow Moss cs, Reindeer Postage Stamp by Elzybells.

Snowy Christmas Deer

Most of you know that I pretty much stick with Stampin' Up! stamps and supplies..however, there are a few companies whose stuff I buy - those include Amuse Artstamps, Lizzie Anne Designs and now Elzybells (sold by Amuse). On Saturday my pals Claudia and Katy took me to a shop in Waterford called Jane's Craft Studio. I walked in and my jaw hit the floor...there were so many Amuse stamps and right next to the door sat just over a dozen Elzybells stamps looking at me, begging to be held! I left with this adorable image of a deer and bird gazing at a star, the Reindeer Postage stamp and "happy holidays". Let me tell you it was very hard to not take any of the Elzy girls home as well, but Christmas is just around the corner and I had to remain controlled. While on our expedition we also made it to Archiver's in Sterling Heights...my first time there and Claudia graciously shared a 30% coupon so I snagged a Mega Oval Scallop punch!!! So, here is what I made last night and I LOVE IT what about you?

Supplies Used: Bashful Blue cs, Stampin' Up! Christmas paper from last year's Holiday Mini, Chocolate Chip ink, Stampin Write Markers: Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Lt. Blue Gingham Ribbon (SU), White Grosgrain ribbon (SU), Diamond Stickles, Mega Marvy Oval Scallop Punch, Stampin Dimensionals, Reindeer Star stamp (Elzybells), happy holidays (Amuse)

I Forgot How Good It Feels

To stamp that is...I haven't had time to sit and stamp at all! I didn't realize how much I had been missing it either till I actually sat down with some friends on Friday and got several cards done. We had a great time laughing and stampin! Here is a card done with Stampin' Up! supplies. I apologize for the lack of lighting. It is late fall here in Michigan and we won't see the sunshine again until late March so I am forced to take photos in the house again.

This one was made for a swap on Splitcoaststampers. We had to use the set True Friend, some printed paper and ribbon. This is what I came up with. I often have a hard time using printed papers in my projects and this was no exception but I LOVE the colors on this and really adore my new Paisley Background.

Supplies Used: Close to Cocoa ink, cs, Soft Sky ink, cs, Certainly Celery Stampin Write Marker, cs, Certainly Celery Designer Prints paper, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, Paisley Background Stamp, Fancy Flexible Phrases (Spring Mini Catalog 2007).

I Know, "Post Something Will Ya!"

Lorien left me a comment telling me to post something...honestly I haven't really made much! I have been so busy the last 2 weeks in the evening that I haven't sat in my chair downstairs to create. BUT, as Lorien knows, tonight I have three friends coming over (including her) and we are going to stamp all night. SO, I will have several things to post soon. What is on my To Do List you ask? 1) Do my swaps for DKOS#15 and I think I am in 3 groups for that one... 2) Work on a birthday gift for a friend....

3) Start 3 Christmas gifts...

SO...I won't be able to show you the Christmas gifts till after the holidays because 2 of the gals who are getting them occasionally check my blog...I won't be able to show you the birthday gift because she is also a blog reader so you have to wait till December to see that...But really, with 3 cards to work on I'll have some things to share. The only problem is that since Lorien will be here tonight, she will have already seen the cards!

Happy Halloween and I'M A WINNER!

Happy Day After Halloween! Here is a picture of the girls getting ready for all the festivities! Every year I take their photo in front of the same tree in our front yard. It is so amazing how fast the kids grow! What a beautiful night in Michigan for trick or treating! It was mild enough that Megan only needed a jean jacket and Brooke and Kira were toasty in their costumes. We did get a bit wet, it started sprinkling but we walked through it. We were out a LONG time, just over 1 1/2 hours and Brooke walked nearly the entire way! We got so much candy...notice I say "we" because of course some of it is meant for me! Especially the Snickers and the couple York Peppermint Patties.

Guess what?!?!?! I WON THE LIZZIE ANNE DESIGNS CONTEST! See my post just below for the card I submitted. I can't believe I won! I obviously love people to tell me that they love my stuff otherwise I wouldn't have a blog! So, this is the ultimate encouragement, plus it doesn't hurt that I get a FREE stamp set! I am getting Christmas In the City. Run over to Lizzie Anne Designs (LAD) and check it out! http://www.lizzieannedesigns.com/

Last Contraband for Awhile

Here is another sample I made using a recently purchased contraband stamp. This beautiful fairy was made by Lizzie Anne Designs. I saw it for the first time on Cambria's blog where she made this adorable tooty fairy box for her daughter. http://cambriaturnbow.blogspot.com/2007/10/lizzie-anne-tooth-fairy-tin.html As soon as I saw it I knew wanted to make some of these boxes for my three girls. I wish you could see how sparkly the fairy is...you just can't stamp a fairy without adding sparkle. I sent this card in for a contest they are having at Lizzie Anne Designs. I wasn't even paying attention to the date so I hope it gets there in time to be considered.

The card itself is really easy to make. The beautiful fairy is stamped on Watercolor Paper with Timber Brown Staz On and colored with my aquapainter. I added stickles to her crown, wand and skirt. I used my Cuttlebug embossing folder on the Soft Sky panel and used Stampin Up's largest circle punch to punch a circle out of the panel where I wanted the fairy to be shown. Then I used a piece of Groovy Guava and punched the same circle out. Next center your SU scallop punch over the Guava circle and punch. I used my white gel pen to trace the edges of the scallop circle and put little dots in the scallops. I adhered that to the Soft Sky panel. To do the grass I stamped an adorable flower that LAD enclosed for free when I ordered Fairy...so I don't know if it goes to a set or if it is a little individual thing, not sure but it was FREE so I really loved that! So, I stamped the flower randomly on Certainly Celery cardstock and then just freehand cut the hills. I sponged the Celery ink directly on the edges of the hills. I used my white gel pen to trace these little lines that are part of the flower stamp. I adhered the front hill on top of the bottom hill with dimensionals. Finally, I used Stampin' Up!'s Fancy Flexible Phrases and stamped "Wishes" in Timber Brown. I punched it out with the Word Window punch and added the pretty little diamond jewel.

Supplies used: Groovy Guava cs, ink, Soft Sky cs, ink, Timber Brown Staz On, Certainly Celery cs, ink, So Saffron ink, Creamy Caramel ink, Aquapainter, Fancy Flexible Phrases (SU!), Word Window Punch, SU! Scallop Punch, White Gel Pen, Cuttlebug, Fairy (Lizzie Anne Designs), Stickles

Elzybells!!!

If you know me at all, you know that I am a die hard SU snob! I don't buy any paper but theirs, no inks, no embellishments, NOTHING! I love our stuff, plus I can sell our stuff and as a stay at home mom with three girls I need to make some cash right?!?! So, it stands to reason that my money goes where I can earn money...investing in my business. I spend time on other stamping blogs and have been persuaded to buy just a couple (I think about 4) stamps from A Muse Artstamps because they are adorable, but yet, I have remained controlled...(did you see that Lorien? CONTROL....) Anyway, I saw stamps on this blog: http://elzybellsna.typepad.com/my_weblog/ the other day, and lost all control! I bought 4 stamps from them and I can't wait till they come out with more...Isn't this little girl adorable? She is called "Winter Girl". I also got "Girl With Sled" and you see the snowflake on the pink? YUP, it's from Elzybells...AND, so is the cute greeting that is on the tag, it says "Warm Winter Wishes". If I haven't personally directed you to their site, run there and check these cuties out. The other plus....wood mounted!!! YES! The trend in stamping is leaning toward acrylic stamps which I still haven't enjoyed and I will admit that some stamps I have considered, sitting on the fence to purchase, but the fact they are acrylic has stopped me. But these cuties are wood mounted. AHHHH, so, my goal is to flood the gals at Elzybells with cute samples and hope they beg me to be on a design team..who knows, it could happen right?

Supplies used: All Stampin' Up! (are you surprised?) and of course the Elzybells stamp!

SNEAK PEEK!

Don't you love free stuff? I attended Stampin' Up! regionals in Canada last month and after the event was over I received a free set in the mail. This set will be in the Spring/Summer Collection and I got a chance to make a card with it! Here is is! What do you think? This is an adorable set and I used my favorite designer paper with it, Fall Flowers. I love the mix of the Soft Sky, Really Rust and Olive. This set is called Enjoy Every Moment and has 11 stamps in it. Hopefully I will get a chance to play with it more later tonight. This particular card was made for Trish Kustra (scottsmom on SCS). She sent me a wonderful altered tin filled with ribbon, Peppermint Paties (one of my favorite chocolates!), a stamp set, some embellishments and a chipboard alphabet! She sent this to me because she said I am a great swap hostess! What an ego boost! I loved her treat so I wanted to send her something to say thanks...I hope she likes it!

Supplies Used: Soft Sky cs, ink, Olive cs, ink, Really Rust cs, ink, Fall Flowers paper, Olive Wide Grosgrain, Photo Corner punch, Earth Elements buttons, linen thread.

We All Gotta Have A Hobby

Some people may actually think it is weird that I spend my free time rubberstamping...why not sewing or knitting they may say....but hey, everyone has gotta have a hobby. Why not rubber stamping? My husband has several outdoorsy type of hobbies. He is not your typical hunting or fishing type of guy but rather gardening and bees. Yes, bees. He has sevearl honeybee hives in our backyard and several more at a friend's house down the road. He gets looks when people hear about the bees. Mainly looks that say, "Are you crazy?" But he loves it. Lately he has taken to removing honeybee nests from buildings. He has done 2 removals this summer so I thought I would share a photo of a bunch of bees that took up residence in an apartment building...amazing!

What is Bo-Ho Anyway?

If any of gals that were at our stamp club meeting last week see this post, they will be laughing...(waving a cyber hi! to Marcy, Pat, Tiffany, Kelly and Abby!) I LOVE, LOVE the set True Friends from the current mini catalog and especially LOVE this flower image. Isn't it sweet? I don't know what it is about it that grabs me but it is so sweet. But what I want to know is what is BoHo? Currently the BoHo style is very popular in paper crafting. This set has a BoHo feel but I don't know what it means to be Bo-Ho? Anyone else know?

I wish I could say this pocket card was all my idea, but it wasn't. I seem to be stuck in a CASE-it rut right now. We did a card just like this at Regionals in Canada a couple weeks ago. The only thing I changed was the image on the tag. The original card that Stampin' Up! designed used the {Thank U} image, which doesn't do it for me. So I used my favorite image in this set, the BoHo flower. I colored it with Stampin Write Markers and can say I adore the way this turned out. The colors were completely Stampin' Up!'s design and I love them together!!

Supplies: Kraft cardstock, Soft Sky cardstock and ink, Mellow Moss cardstock and ink, Red gingham ribbon, tag corner punch, Ruby Red brads, So Saffron cardstock, Stampin Dimensionals

Christmas Card Class #2

This is another sample from my Christmas Card class 2 weeks ago. It was the last one I created for this class. Usually the last card I design is my least favorite....you have gone through many color combos, layouts, stamp sets, etc. and you are tapped out creatively. Well, I loved this when I was finally done. I wasn't even planning on using this set but it seemed that my Cold Play set walked off and I couldn't locate it. So...this is was my final design for that class. I plan on using this design as some of my Christmas Cards this year.

Supplies: Snowflake Spot stamp set, Purely Pomegranate ink, card stock, Bashful Blue ink, card stock, Mellow Moss ink, card stock, ribbon. Versamark ink, heat tool, Irradescent Ice Embossing Powder, Crafter's Tool Kit, Photo Corner Punch.

Halloween is Coming

As a kid, I loved Halloween and I still think Halloween is fun for kids but it has become so adult the last several years. Many of the decorations are too scary for young kids. Did the adults that buy these things forget that this "holiday" is supposed to be for kids. My middle daughter wouldn't even go trick or treating last year because she was so freaked out by the yard decorations in the neighborhood we were trick or treating in. I don't think I have ever sent a Halloween card. But, I did enter a swap in which we were requested to make a simple Halloween card. This was my submission. Enjoy.

Supplies used: Pumpkin Pie card stock and ink, Black card stock,ink, grosgrain, Always Artichoke ink, linen thread, scallop circle punch, circle punch, Creepy Crawly Designer Series paper, paper piercer and template, black eyelet.

Fall...It's the HOTTEST Time of the Year?

Here in Grand Blanc, Michigan we have our air conditioning running today. It is over 90 today! I don't remember a time it was this warm in October. So, here is a fall"ish" sample for you to enjoy.

Supplies: Groovy Guava ink, cardstock, ribbon, Mellow Moss ink, cardstock, Ruby Red ink, cardstock, watercolor paper, brads, aquapainter, Give Thanks stamp set, Canvas background stamp, Vases in Vogue stamp set.

Christmas Card Class

This Saturday is my 3rd annual Christmas Card class. I love this class because I get to break out the Christmas CD's and Christmasy candles. I have 17 registered for this class. It should be fun!

Here is a card we are making. It uses Peaceful Wishes (my favorite holiday set), Hung Up On The Holidays and Fundamental Phrases. I really love this color combo...Kraft, Soft Sky and Mellow Moss. It is a different holiday combo but I just love it. It feels so cool and country at the same time. The main panel was stamped on Shimmery White cardstock. I wish it were a bit more shimmery. I think if you didn't know it was "Shimmery White" you wouldn't even notice. I'll have more samples from that class soon!

Big Week!

Ahhh, the sounds of fall....shhhh, can you hear that? At my house it is a bit quieter from the hours of 8:20 and 11:30. Megan and Kira went back to school last week. Megan started 3rd grade and Kira started Kindergarten. Megan has never really liked school but for the first time she seems excited. I don't know if it is the teacher or the fact that she can read and has been enjoying writing much more. She was going on and on one night about the fact that if she gets all her work done during the day she can have free time and she has chosen to spend her time writing stories. Our digital camera doesn't always work when I want it to so the first morning of school I used my 35 mm so I KNEW I would get some photos. So, no digital pic of Megan on her first day.

On Kira's first day I wanted just one digital pic so I could send it to daddy at work, so here she is in all her glory. She is definitely adjusting. She was so excited to start school but after the first day she said she didn't want to go back. Yesterday when I asked her how her morning was, she said that she didn't cry at all. We do "the Kissing Hand" each morning as the bus rolls up (have you ever read that book? Her teacher read it to them the first day of school and I had forgotten how great of a story that is for kids going away to school!)

And if all this weren't enough, as the girls were preparing to leave for school Brooke, our youngest who is 3 years old, decided she wanted to use the potty so that she could go to school too. She is doing so well! She has only had 2 accidents in 8 days and is wearing under ware at night with no accidents! So, next Wednesday I will drop her off at Tiny Tots (class at a church in town for 2 hours, one day a week)...SOOO, next Wednesday, the house will be completely quiet for 2 hours! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!? I can't.

Didn't Get It....But Here's a Sample.

Well, I heard back regarding my first ever submission for that design team and I didn't get it. No big deal. I'm sure there were tons of incredible submissions and mine probably wasn't even on the table to be chosen from!

Here is another sample I sent in for their consideration. It is also a swap that I sent in for Jami's Holiday Mini Swap on SCS. This one was made with a set that is currently available from our Holiday Mini Catalog. The stamp set is called Naughty or Nice?

Another One for You Tandra!

HA! Thanks for asking me to post more stuff Tandra! Three posts so now I should be good for awhile! Actually I will have some stamping time this Sunday evening as my husband will take the two older girls to his folks to camp out in the yard and I will put the youngest to bed at 7:30, so maybe I will have more projects early this coming week....when 2 kids are in school!

Here is another that I submitted to Cornish Heritage Farms.....I LOVE this image by Stampin' Up! It screams fall and I LOVE fall, the smells, the chilly temps, the leaves. Michigan is a beautiful place to celebrate fall.

Supplies used: Give Thanks set, Fall Flowers paper, clear buttons, linen thread, Soft Sky card stock and ink, Linen background stamp, Everyday Flexible Phrases set, Groovy Guava card stock and ink, Going Grey ink, Black Staz On ink, Alway Artichoke card stock and ink, Reall Rust card stock and ink, aqua painter.

Simple Swap

I needed a quick but cute swap recently and I came up with this one using the new set Think Happy Thoughts. I love that it is a companion to one of my all time favs - Seeing Spots. I love this layout and it all went together really quickly. I may even do a version (try other colors) for my regionals swap. I loved the colors in the Cutie Pie paper that made up the journal below, maybe I'll go for that color combo. So, what do you think...if you were in a swap would you want this or would it hit the trash for being too simple?

Request for More...

I just assume no one reads this blog so I am terrible about updating....Tandra posted recently that I need to update more because she wants to see more. How sweet....someone reads this?!?!

Here is one I made for a Design Team Call. I have NEVER applied for a design team spot but Cornish Heritage Farms was having a design team call for people who have never been published and I fit into that category! Here is the altered project I submitted via e-mail.

This is one of Stampin' Up!'s On Board Journals. I used Cutie Pie Designer Paper, Bashful Blue card stock and ink, Rose Red card stock, Certainly Celery ink, Polka Dot background stamp, Polka Dots and Paisley stamp set (for greeting), Basics Outline jumbo wheel, Spiral punch, white gel pen, brads, ribbon.

This journal is where I am keeping track of all the cute pronunciations the girls have made or the cute things they have said. Things I don't want to forget. That is why I thought it was perfect to use the greeting from Polka Dots and Paisley for the cover.

I love the colors in the Cutie Pie Designer Paper. I also love that the Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon matches well enough for me to use it on this project. Did you notice the different "stitches" I did with my gel pen? Yes, I poked all those holes. Isn't is driving you crazy Lorien?

Just Like You - Again...

Can you tell I really like the Ronald McDonald House set? Here is another sample using this set as well as the new Fall Flowers paper (which I adore). It also uses the Photo Corner Punch - another winner in my book. I inked up the flower buds and the stems using my Stampin' Up! Stampin Write Markers and added a little bit of shine to them using Stickles. OOOOH, how I wish SU! sold Stickles...they are so much less messy than glue and glitter. This is a very simple layout. It was a reject for Jami's New Catty Swap (I rejected sending it in). You will see a few posts below which one won out. It is the one using the Fall Flowers paper, Priceless and the scallop circle punch. I liked both cards but I felt this was a bit too simple for the incredible stampers I was swapping with.

Suprise Baby!

Here is one I made a few weeks ago for a baby shower. A baby that is very much a suprise. A couple from church found themselves expecting. Their oldest child is around 14 and their youngest is maybe 13. They had decided they were done having babies long ago. BUT God had a different plan for them! Now they are expecting another daughter in the next 2 weeks or so.

This one was made with a retired hostess set from last year. The supplies used are: Blooming With Happiness, Simply Said, Curvy Verses, Chocolate Chip cardstock, Pretty In Pink cardstock, Certainly Celery cardstock, Marvy Scallop Square punch, slit punch, Pink Gingham Ribbon, Stardust Stickles, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink Stampin Write Markers, White Gel Pen.