Kindred Arts

Brand New Ippity Stamps!

2010-02-15T15:10:00.007-05:00

I will be setting up paypal buttons once my toddler is in bed! Meanwhile, if you would like to order any of these (most of them are $18, but a couple of them are $15)... just send me an email to stampmaniac at gmail dot com!!! Thanks!

{ippity} skippity!

2009-11-18T20:22:00.003-05:00

She's BAAA-AAACK!!!!

I think it has been something like three months or so since I've stamped ANYTHING!!! Here are my first two {ippity} cards . . . hope you like them!!

And if you LOVE the stamps, check out my post below and you can BUY them!!! Only a handful of folks so far are offering {ippity} stamps for sale... and I'm one of them!!! These high quality stamps will make great Christmas presents for the crafters in your life, including yourself!

introducing {ippity}!!!!

2009-11-08T14:51:00.026-05:00

I'm so excited to be back!!! I have some fun news to share!!!

I'm going to be selling some new, amazing stamps from a line called {ippity}, which is a sister company to Unity. If you've read my blog before, you know I've been a big fan of Unity since the very beginning!!! These awesome {ippity} stamps are super high quality--thick, red rubber, attached to ez mount--just use them on any acrylic blocks, as you would any unmounted stamps!!!

They are perfect for both scrapbooking and cardmaking!! Here are the first 8 {ippity} sets available--aren't they gorgeous??

Simply Home $15.00

Life's Little Moments $20.00

Kissmas & Mistletoe $15.00

Devoted $20.00

Straight from the Heart $15.00

Just Wanted to Say $15.00

Alphabetically Adorable $20.00

Because of You $15.00

Shipping and handling is a flat rate of $1.00 per set. Oh, and there will be 8 new sets released every 3 months!!! These would make great gifts for the stampers and scrapbookers in your life!!! (including YOU!!) *grin*

Awesome link to blog candy!

2009-08-12T12:09:00.001-04:00

Wow! Stephanie has some awesome candy over on her blog. She's gotten over 25,000 hits and has reached 100 followers! Go take a look at her inspiring blog, and enter for the great blog candy, too!

Pink and Brown

2009-08-02T21:19:00.003-04:00

I don't think I ever posted these... sorry the pictures aren't very clear. I was going through a pink and brown phase a couple of weeks ago!

Well, I'm officially no longer a Stampin' Up! demo... it feels pretty good!!! Maybe someday I will pick it back up again, but for now, it is the right decision.

Here's my little guy:

He's taken to trying on hats when we are shopping!! He looks like a little Sinatra or something!!!

Simple and Sweet and Some News...

2009-07-28T19:16:00.003-04:00

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later... I'm going back to work in a few weeks. I have a wonderful lady to watch my boy, along with a couple other cutie pie kids. We were just out there again today to visit, and he absolutely loves it there. I can't believe he is 20 months old already, nearly 21 months!!! I'm so grateful that I was able to spend that many months at home with him, when I originaly thought I'd only have about 3. He has just started saying "I love you" which sounds like "oh-vee..." and calling us "honey." :-)

I am also giving up my Stampin' Up! demo-ship... it is just too much of a struggle for me to make my minimums, and when I buy stuff myself, it ends up sitting there, unused. I want to keep stamping, I just don't want the pressure of being a demo anymore. Any of you who might be former customers of mine, if you want, drop me an email, and I'll hook you up with a new demo. Thanks for your support all of these years!! Someday I may pick it back up again, but for now this is the right decision. I'm also going to purge my stamping supplies and get them down to a manageable amount. I will list the items I have for sale here soon, so if you are looking for some goodies, check back!!! I'm hoping to keep stamping when I can, and so will blog occasionally, but probably not as often as you'd like!!

I did stamp a couple of really simple cards today, one for a friend of my dh whose wife had a little boy, and one for a friend of mine who is due soon with a little girl. I used an old Wordsworth clear set that is getting old and brittle, but still worked for these sweet cards!!!

Win $1,000 at TheCuttlebugSpot.com!

2009-07-11T20:29:00.001-04:00

Want to win $1000 in scrapping supplies?? I just found out that The Cuttlebug Spot is having a contest - "The Journey to 1,000"! They are trying to reach 1,000 followers by the end of July and need your help. To enter all you have to do is go to their site, sign up as follower and complete a few easy steps and you could win a $1,000 gift certificate to Custom Crops (www.CustomCrops.com)! GO NOW and check it out at www.TheCuttlebugSpot.com

What's Black and White and Red all Over??

2009-06-04T20:06:00.003-04:00

Why, this of course!!

Stamps: Unity
CS: Red, Black, and White (SU!)
Paper: polka dots by ????, page from a magazine
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Ribbon: from Hobby Lobby (I think?)
Bling: Kaisercraft black gems

Ssssssomebody Stop Me!!!

2009-06-03T19:34:00.005-04:00

I can't quit doing that pleated ribbon and stitching thing...

Oh yeah, and I also suddenly seem to be addicted to Kraft, in case you hadn't noticed!!! :-)

Stamps: Unity
CS: Kraft and Kiwi Kiss (SU!)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise and Green Galore
Ribbon and Buttons: from JoAnn's

Sew Crazy!!!

2009-06-03T12:03:00.004-04:00

I went SEW crazy today!!!

First, I crocheted an adorable little flower using Nichole's pattern. Love this pattern--thank you Nichole!!! The great thing about it is you can create a little flower from any color embroidery thread you want--so you can be all matchy-matchy with any patterned paper you like!!!

Then I went a little overboard with my sewing machine on a card I was making . . . once I started I just couldn't stop!!! I think I did too much, but I'm pretty happy with the general idea of the card. The layout is from Jen's Sketch for You to Try.

Stamp: Unity from May KOM
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Cardstock: Kraft from SU!
Paper: Reagan's Room Collection from Heidi Grace
Ribbon, thread, button, embroidery floss for flower all from JoAnn's.

Twice in One Day??

2009-06-01T20:08:00.002-04:00

Wowza!!! Somebody stop me!! I actually stamped TWO cards today!! This one is a Mojo Monday sketch and uses a Unity monochromatic challenge. I think I would like this one better if I did it in red. Perhaps I will remake it tomorrow. Enjoy!

2 Sketches 4 You Card

2009-06-01T12:54:00.004-04:00

I LOVE the sketches at 2 Sketches 4 You!!! Twice now they have pulled me out of a complete creative SLUMP!!!! True, I have been incredibly busy with my classwork for my first grad class and taking care of (playing with, really) my sweet little boy, but even when I've had a spare moment, I have not had any clue how to start stamping again. It has been a long dry spell. This morning I saw Laura's sketch 27, and just decided to jump right in. I felt inspired, I knew just the colors I wanted to use, I basically just whipped the card up from start to finish with no pausing to make decisions. I LOVE it when that happens!!! I love it even more when I actually like the finished product--and I adore this one!!! The colors are just so bright and happy. What do you think?This is my entry into the 1st Annual 2 Sketches 4 You Ultimate Card Showdown!!! Wish me luck!

Mmmm... Mmmmm... and Oops!

2009-05-21T19:54:00.004-04:00

Had some fun making yummy lemon cream cheese cake balls this week, and stamping some fun packaging to take them to a friend of mine!! We shared them with a group of about seven of us--and they were a big hit!!! I promised to make chocolate next time.

Here is a recent pic of the babe... who is now 1 1/2!!!!! I can hardly believe it!!! He loves to go for "awks" (walks)!!! As you can see from his skinned up nose, sometimes his feet move too fast for him!!! Also, can you believe he was a year and a half before someone actually got him a noisy toy like this recorder--AND can you believe it was NOT a family member who got it for him to torture his parents with, but *I* got it for him??? I know, what was I thinking?? :-)

Unity KOM Blog Hop!

2009-05-15T10:06:00.001-04:00

Hi!!!

So it has been MONTHS since I stamped!! And yesterday I stamped not ONE, but TWO cards, and I actually like them! It is all because of these AWESOME Unity stamps:

Both of these cards use the April Kit of the Month. This and all past kits of the month are on sale right now!!!

Hope you are enjoying the Unity blog hop!!!

Go see **Tasha** next!!!

Not Good....

2009-04-22T09:21:00.002-04:00

I don't feel like stamping anymore.
I can't figure out what is wrong with me!!!
Any ideas???

Bunny Bags

2009-04-11T10:54:00.002-04:00

No stamping, but I DID use punches to create these adorable little Easter treat bags for my nephews. We are going over to dye eggs with them later today. I think I'll save them until tomorrow, though, when we have Easter dinner with them too.

What do you think? I have seen many others make bunnies with the Top Note die and punches, so I did not create this idea. I used it as a topper on a little lunch bag, and I added the bunny tail! Not sure what will go inside, but rest assured, it will be something yummy!!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Two Days in a ROW!!!

2009-04-08T07:58:00.003-04:00

I hope I can keep this up!!! It is good to have a routine, and to be able to fit some creativity into each day! Even though my dh did not care too much for yesterday's card (which is weird, because he typically loves all my cards) I did another card with the same colors. I used Julee's Mojo Monday sketch. I left off the trio of embellishments because I didn't have room. Oh well! I felt if I had tried to squeeze them in it would have looked too busy. I already am not sure if I love it or not...

I do love the colors and the stamps, but I think I used too much pattern. Oh well. I'm getting slowly back into the creative process...

Edited to add: I am looking at the Mojo Monday blog and see that my card looks an awful lot like Mary Fish's. Well, hers is MUCH nicer than mine. I feel awful, because I didn't copy it, but wanted to use this stamp set again, and now it looks like I copied her!! I didn't even see her card until today! I'm going to have to try another one, now, that is ALL my OWN!!! :-)

Bad Blogger, No Mojo

2009-04-07T13:11:00.003-04:00

Well, I have not been able to stamp for quite some time. I just haven't had it in me. Have you ever had that happen before? Today I decided enough was enough. I grabbed the current sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You and I just started working. I've been dying to try the sewing on pleated ribbon look I've been seeing so much lately. I have no idea if this works or not, but AT LEAST I STAMPED SOMETHING!!! :-) Yay me!!!

I used Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red as my color combo, with various patterned paper in those colors. The stamp set is "Great Friend" and is in the current mini. If you'd like more info on any of the products I used or would like to order them, please drop me a line at stampmaniac at gmail dot com!

Earlier today while trying to get the little guy to help me clean the room up (read this as Mom was crawling all over the floor, singing "clean up, clean up, everybody clean up," and putting a zillion mega-blocks and books away) this is what the smart little one decided to do:

He had a great view of his mom crawling all over the room, didn't he? :-) And luckily, he let me snap a pic before he moved.

Unity World Record Inspirational Blog Hop

2009-03-28T11:00:00.005-04:00

I'm so happy you could join us on this awesome hop!
If you haven't already, make sure you start at the AWESOME Unity Blog!!

"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. It is a choice based on the knowledge that we belong to God and have found in God our refuge and our safety and that nothing, not even death, can take God away from us. Joy is the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing--sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death--can take that love away."--Henri Nouwen

Today, I took my cue from the stamp I chose to use,
"Live Simply," and I kept it very simple.

SU! cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip and Kraft.
SU! markers: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green
Hunter grosgrain ribbon

Next, go see the super sweet and talented
AJ at her blog: The Willow Garden.

Daily Dose of Baby

2009-03-27T13:19:00.002-04:00

He's been hanging out in just his diaper lots lately . . . he dances around the living room!! Yesterday he needed to wear his coat too, and did a couple of fashion poses for the camera.

Still fighting our head colds... :-(

Sickies . . .

2009-03-26T13:00:00.002-04:00

I was away for the weekend, and now my little guy and I are both sick . . . so I have done little to no stamping (just one thing, and I have to save it for the big Unity blog hop on Saturday.) Once we are feeling better, I will get some stamping done for you! Please don't give up on me!!! I know I've said it before, and I'm sorry, but I love you guys and I WILL get back to regular posting soon...

Take care!

WOW!

2009-03-18T13:20:00.003-04:00

So I finally used my Manhattan Flowers Impressions folder... WOW, WOW, WOW!! It leaves SUCH a deep impression. I am amazed at how quick and easy it was to whip these cards out, and they are gorgeous!!!

Seriously couldn't be quicker... maybe 10 minutes (but possibly not even that long??) for BOTH of these cards!!!

To purchase this fabulous folder (similar to CB folders, and can definitely be used in the CB as well as the Big Shot) or any other Stampin' Up! products, please drop me an email at stampmaniac at gmail dot com or visit my website!!! Sale-a-bration is almost over, so take advantage of the freebies with $50 purchase!!!

Feel the Joy

2009-03-17T13:45:00.003-04:00

I used the SCS color challenge to get me going today. I wasn't loving it when I read the combo: Riding Hood Red, Kraft and Summer Sun. Turns out it is a FABULOUS, bright, cheerful combo!!! What do you think?

Not sure what is up with the baby lately, but this is the third day in a row of him cutting his nap, which is normally 90 minutes, down to less than an hour. Today it was 44 minutes. He is up there fussing right now, not really crying hard, but I haven't gone to get him yet because I'm really hoping he'll go back to sleep!! Anyone every experience this before? What could be causing him to wake up early? It is so frustrating! First I went from having two 90 minute naps a day to myself . . . so I was napping sometimes, working out, showering, doing dishes, stamping, computing . . . down to only one 90 minute nap, and now I'm getting less than an hour!!! Oh man!!! Regardless, here he is as cute as ever:

He is loving climbing on things and getting up into all the chairs and couches by himself. Super cute and learning like crazy!!! Yesterday I started counting, said "one" and then he suprised me by saying "two"!!

Have a great day, and

Oval All and Mojo Monday

2009-03-16T13:04:00.006-04:00

I have a sneak peak of a set that is coming in the next SU! mini catalog... starting April 1st!! This first picture is of the "bonus project" my gals at class got to make on Saturday. We did this fabulous cupcake project using Crazy for Cupcakes, and then I whipped the supplies out to create this cute little Easter basket!

Today I wanted to stamp during nap time (still now as we speak, knock on wood!), but I could not think of anything to do! So when I lose my Mojo, so to speak . . . I have to turn to something to help me get started . . . a sketch, a color challenge, a new technique... since today is Monday, I relied on Julee's fabulous Mojo Monday sketch. I haven't done one in a while, and I am so glad I did it, because I love how this card turned out!!

I used the Regal Rose prints from the Level 1 Hostess paper pack, and that gorgeous stamp is from the Oval All set coming in April!! I used Shimmery White Paper and added Dazzling Diamonds to the flower.

And finally, for your daily dose of baby (who by the way, is awake now, but happy, so I'm going to finish my post) please enjoy the following picture. Being the good mommy that I am, when my son got trapped under the table while trying to pick up the cereal he dropped, rather than rescue him, I ran for my camera! :-)

I did get him out after I snapped a few pictures. I promise. :-)

Animal Sounds

2009-03-11T21:41:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to see if this works:

Just having a little fun with my baby today... :-)

Jess

Tool Time

2009-03-10T20:00:00.005-04:00

This is one of the cards we've done at my last couple of workshops. I hardly ever do a masculine card, but I really like how this one turned out. Those Big Shot Texturz plates are SOOOO cool!!! I was terribly embarrassed as my spiral edge punch totally broke after only about three stampers used it at my weekend workshop. I got on the phone with Demo Support on Monday and they have already shipped out a replacement! I love great customer service!! Obviously, it would have been better if the punch hadn't broken, but they're replacing it, so I'll get over it!!

Totally Tool is such a fantastic set for masculine cards. Check it out:

Click HERE to order Totally Tool or any other Stampin' Up! supplies and stamps you may NEED. :-)

Here is a picture of my little 16 month old and me before church last week. I can't believe how big he is getting! He's learning things so fast right now. It is really exciting!! We ask him what sounds different animals make, and he says them on demand (unless he's had enough!) . . . tiger, dog, cat, lion, bee, bear, snake, monkey, cow . . . it is soo cute! I'm going to try to get a video of that to share with you tomorrow.

I WILL BE BACK, SOON!!!

2009-03-09T12:07:00.002-04:00

I have been on a sort of "vacation".... my parents were visiting here, and then we were visiting them in Michigan... we got back last night, so I've got some sorting out to do, and I am REALLY hoping to find some stamping time this week!!! Please come back and visit me!!! I really miss the habit of stamping and posting to my blog, so I'm going to try to get back into it. :-) Thanks for your patience!!

Dance, Sing, Live!

2009-02-24T13:16:00.003-05:00

Okay, here is the last of my Verve February Sketch challenges. The twist on this Verve sketch was NOT to use patterned paper . . . I went YEARS without using ANY, and boy was it tough not to reach for any today . . . I really have come to depend on it!! I ran all of my colored cardstock through the SU! Big Shot texturz plates, to get me over my patterned paper withdrawal!! :-)

Love these colors together... I sure will be sad when Baja and Pirouette "retire."
Have a great day!

Yummy Elzybells!!

2009-02-24T11:54:00.003-05:00

Oh my gosh--have you seen the February Elzybells release!!!??? The stamps were made JUST for me--cupcakes, coffee, tea, chocolate, desserts, funny sayings (my favorites: "I'm not fat, I'm just a nutritional overachiever!" and "there are only two kinds of foods: if it's not chocolate, it's a vegetable.") Go check it out!!

Not that you need MORE enabling... I know I don't. I've been on a steady spending freeze, but a girl can dream, right?

Insert Witty Post Title Here

2009-02-23T21:01:00.004-05:00

I never know quite what to title my posts... so you get this today!

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend. We did--we had friends over on Saturday for Jambalaya (which the hubby made) and Bad Movie Night. FUN!

I had to try a couple more of the Verve sketch challenges for February. You can click on them if you want to see them bigger. Here they are:

Not loving the second one, which was supposed to be monochromatic. I wish that I had NOT distressed the edges. I think it would look better that way. Oh well. Next time.

Here is your daily dose of baby . . . a trio of adorable baby on daddy's shoulders pics . . . in the first, he is drumming on Daddy's head, in the second he is trying to give a kiss, and in the third, he is trying to reach for the camera. Enjoy!

Take care and--

Flowers and Friday Fill-in

2009-02-20T10:01:00.003-05:00

Good morning!! Happy Friday!! Hip HOP Thursday was so much fun yesterday!!! I made a box earlier in the week that got picked to win a stamp. (It was random, but I LOVE the box!!) Here it is:

I found some leftover caramel apple kisses from this fall, that were perfect for this box, since they were wrapped in orange and red foil!! This next picture shows a close up of the butterfly. I
glued the body down to the box, and popped the wings up on dimensionals--oooh, so pretty! Yes, I love myself. :-)

No baby pics today, sorry. He's waaaaaaay too cranky. Three molars are trying to pop through, and the pressure and swelling are causing him to be a little, whiny grump!!! :-( Poor thing. Here are my Friday fill-ins, though:

1. Give me chocolate and I'll be a happy, happy girl.

2. Whenever I get grumpy, I want chocolate (see #1).

3. I wish I could eat some chocolate.

4. Chocolate was the last thing I ate that was utterly delicious.

5. To live in this world one must have chocolate.

6. Other than this one, http://brookelien.blogspot.com/ is the last blog I commented on. (DANG! I thought I could keep the chocolate theme going!!)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to stamping with the ladies at a Stampin' Up! workshop, tomorrow my plans include Bad Movie Night and Jambalaya with friends, and Sunday, I want to enjoy the music at church!

Time to Stamp!!

2009-02-18T20:01:00.003-05:00

I am so excited!! I made time to stamp today! It certainly helped that out of nowhere, the baby decided to take two naps today, which hasn't happened in awhile...

I used Amber's Viva La Verve sketch for the first week of February. I decided to be a rebel (ha ha!) and flip the sketch sideways. I know Father's Day is a ways off, but I think I am going to add some Mother's and Father's Day cards to my etsy shop to see if they will sell.

I did something new for me too . . . I "did" the inside of the card too. What do you think?

Here's your daily dose of baby:

Today was a rainy day, and along with two naps, he grabbed a blanket and hopped onto the couch and covered up. (He's never done that before, so I had to snap some pics!) I also caught him in a VERY rare moment--being NICE to the cat!!! I think the cat might have been more surprised than I was.

Could he be ANY cuter? (yeah, probably by tomorrow!!!)

Wednesday Unity Challenge

2009-02-18T06:49:00.000-05:00

Good morning!! Amy picked a beautiful picture of yellow tulips as inspiration for us this week. I went with a slightly paler shade of yellow, but I really like how this card turned out. I don't really have any bold flower stamps, so I felt that my bright yellow paper was just too overpowering.

Make sure you check out all the other Unity addicts' cards today. The links are over on the right side of my blog.

Tough to Keep Up

2009-02-16T20:46:00.003-05:00

Hi. I certainly never MEAN to have so much time pass between posts... life just gets in the way!! Last week was a crazy nap/sleep/cold week for the babe, and I pretty much didn't make time to stamp, other than a little Valentine I made for my friend.

Luckily, I have a card ready for Wednesday already, so make sure you check back!!

Crazy for Cupcakes Class

2009-02-09T19:36:00.005-05:00

Cupcakes and Cards, my first Stamp Camp in quite some time, was a great success on Saturday! If you were there, it was so great to see you! Thank you for coming! If you missed it, I have another great class in store for you--check it out!!!

Crazy for Cupcakes Class

Make your next birthday celebration an event to remember when you give your friend or loved one this mouth-watering cupcake themed card set!

Date: Saturday, March 14th

Time: 10am-2pm

Cost: $45, including Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp set and LUNCH!

Location: First United Methodist Church, Newark

Please email me by February 21st at stampmaniac at gmail dot com to reserve your spot.

If you are not local, or cannot make it on the 14th, but are still interested--I have two other awesome offers for you!

Option #1: Class Kit to Go
You will receive the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set, and the paper, ribbon and accessories needed for finishing this project (already cut and scored for you!) All you will need to do is stamp and assemble. (The On Your Birthday set is not included, so you will need to provide your own alternate sentiments, or you may order this set through my website!) This option is $45, including shipping, and you may purchase using this paypal button.

These classes are not available for purchase to other Stampin' Up!

demonstrators.  If you are a demonstrator and are interested in this

class, please email  me @  stampmaniac at gmail dot com, directly.

Option #2: Class Instructions free with $50 purchase
Make a $50 purchase from my Stampin' Up! website, and I will email the directions and templates for you to make this project. This is a spectacular time to order, because in addition to the Crazy for Cupcakes class, you will earn a free Sale-a-bration stamp set or bundle with your $50 purchase!! Here are the supplies you will need to make this project (you can substitute similar products if you have them):

Stamps: On Your Birthday, Crazy for Cupcakes
Inks: Basic Brown, Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose Classic Inks
Paper: Sweet Always DP, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Medium Whisper White envelopes
Accessories: Sticky Strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, 1” Double-Stitched Chocolate Chip Ribbon, 5/8” Regal Rose Ribbon, silver brads, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, paper snips, 1/16” handheld circle punch, 1 ¼” circle punch, ticket corner punch, key tag punch, crimper, blender pen, Stampin’ Scrub, Stampin’ Mist, paper trimmer & scoring blade, bone folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, embossing buddy, Uni-ball Signo Gel pen, Stamping Sponges, pencil & ruler.

Make sure you drop me an email, telling me you ordered and would like me to send you the

Crazy for Cupcakes Class to Go instructions!!

PTI Challenge

2009-02-07T21:35:00.003-05:00

The title is misleading, a bit, because I have no PTI to stamp with... but I wanted to enter the sketch challenge today, so I used a new stamp that I won from Paper Pretties. I turned the PTI sketch on it's side . . . I'm a rebel like that! I also HATE the flowers I added... SOOO not my style, not to mention that they have nothing to do with bunny slippers, but I had an ink smudge in the corner, AFTER I had colored and added to the card... don't you hate it when that happens? Hence, the flower.... the other one I added for "balance"... yeah, right!!! Oh well. (I just re-read all of this, and I am totally writing in stream of conscious tonight... no regard to punctuation... and I refuse to fix it, so don't make me, Dad!!)

Where is Jessica?

2009-02-07T21:20:00.000-05:00

Where has she been all week? I know you have nothing better to do than sit around asking yourself this question about me... :-) Yes, I know you love me THAT much!! :-)

Well, I've been cuddling my sick kidlet... he has had a cold all week, which has left him grumpy and whiny and tired, which in turn has left me grumpy and whiny and tired. He has had trouble napping, which means I've had trouble stamping!!

The only stamp time I had was devoted to getting ready for my Stamp Camp this morning: Cupcakes and Cards. I have not held an event like this since before the babe was born over 15 months ago!!! It was a great success! I made yummy vanilla cupcakes and vanilla frosting FROM SCRATCH!!!! Here are two of the projects the gals made. (I gave my only version of the third project to a friend to give to her grandchild, before I got a picture of it)

For your daily dose of baby: he has decided he loves yogurt, and he would prefer to feed it to himself. Take a look at how THAT is working out for us:

Hopefully he will get healthy and start napping again, I can start stamping again! :-)

Birthdays and Bathtime!

2009-01-29T19:43:00.003-05:00

I have two birthday cards to share with you today, both made with SU! Party Hearty, and both using some of Taylor's Anniversary Cupcake Challenge Sketches!!

The first one is using Worldwin Doublemates cardstock, and an Imaginisce striped paper, as well as SU! rhinestone brads.

This one uses SU! Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette cardstock, paper and ink. I dazzled up the cupcake on both cards using Dazzling Diamonds glitter from SU!

And now for your daily dose of baby . . . we gave him his last bath in his ducky tub tonight. Tomorrow will be the regular bathtub for the first time!!!

Make sure you click on these, especially the second one, to see them bigger--the water droplets are so cool!!!

Well, my dh just got the call that tomorrow is another snow day (the roads are still SO icy here . . . ) so that will make a one day work week for him this week and a SIX DAY WEEKEND!! :-) What a nice vacation!

Snow Day Fun!

2009-01-28T19:17:00.003-05:00

Now, I'm already a SAHM right now, and my son is only 14 months, so he doesn't have school, BUT dh is a teacher, so snow days are fun for us too! Today was his second in a row, and his fourth in the last two weeks! What fun to have him home with us! We got crazy amounts of snow and ice in the last 24 hours!! So here's your daily dose of baby:

I have another card using Crate Paper's Mia collection from Limelight. This one is using the red patterns, like I promised the other day. I also followed one of Taylor's Cupcake Challenge sketches. What do you think?

The scalloped edge is the Mia glitter strips, I paper pieced the dress (which is Unity), and I painted the eyelet holes and the flower with Angel Wings Shimmerz. Yum!!

Pretty Peacock

2009-01-25T11:51:00.003-05:00

Good morning! Happy Sunday to you. I want to show you a card I am really diggin' right now. This is a very strange color combo that I never would have chosen on my own (I'm thinking sage/plum/mustard, but because it is inspired by the Crate Paper Mia Collection from Limelight, I went with it, and it even got a "Wow!!" from the hubby!!!

Isn't the Unity Peacock divine? I used Sparkle, Stack and Water Lily papers. I paper pieced the peacock using the sage and plum papers, and I painted over them with Angle Wings Shimmerz!! Don't you love the sparkle? This card also uses the glitter borders and texture brad from the Crate Paper Mia collection, also from Limelight. Mandy has some amazingly beautiful new papers over there--take a look! I love this collection... there are some more papers with red in them, that I'll be using in the next few days... so make sure you come back to see!

And, now that I'm posting again, you're in for a daily dose of baby! He's been in to tipping over towers that we build for months. Here, I finally caught it in action!!! He is just starting to help build the towers too, so I'll try to get an action shot of that! Enjoy!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Long Time No See!!

2009-01-24T13:55:00.003-05:00

Sorry it has been so long since I've posted a project!!!

Life gets in the way sometimes, you know? Not in a bad way, it just IS!!! Busy with my little one! Here he is being silly . . . he stepped into his little tiny shape sorter bucket--very cute, although I couldn't get a pic while he was smiling!!!

I do have a project to share with you too! I think this was a challenge to use bling???? I tried to make a blingy cherry blossom tree . . . I used pink Kaisercraft gemstones, after making the leaves with the tip of a green marker.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Finally Friday!!

2009-01-23T13:30:00.002-05:00

1. Oh, I am so craving chocolate!

2. I kind of *like* changes, big and little.

3. During the night, I wish I could fall asleep easily.

4. Pegged Jeans (a la Katie Holmes); are you kidding me???

5. Right now I'd like to be someplace warm and tropical.

6. My laptop is my favorite gadget.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping, tomorrow my plans include sleeping and Sunday, I want to sleep!

Happy Hardware Club!!!

2009-01-19T20:40:00.003-05:00

Ladies, the new Stampin' Up! catalog is fabulous! If you don’t have one yet, give me a call or email me to set up your workshop, where you will get one for free! You can find my contact info on my SU! Website, HERE. You can also order from the new catalog RIGHT now from my site! I have several dates in February and March still available . . . and it is Sale-a-bration during those months, so you and your customers can earn even more free stamps!!! There are some beautiful new stamps in the catalog, and LOTS of new fun accessories. If you are like me, I know you’ll want to get your hands on ALL of them… but who has $107 just to spend on accessories? I know I don’t! So I am offering you a fantastic chance to get a great assortment of all the new buttons, brads and clips! Read on for details:

You will 44 pieces, with 1 of most of the new hardware accessories, including:

1 Clear Rhinestone Brad
4 Jumbo 5/16″ Brads (one each of Chocolate Chip, Silver, Whisper White and Very Vanilla)
4 Jumbo 5/8″ Brads (one each of Chocolate Chip, Silver, Whisper White and Very Vanilla)
4 Flower Assortment brads (one each of Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink and Pumpkin Pie)
3 Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Buttons (1 button of each style)
3 Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons (1 button of each style)
3 Kraft Corduroy Buttons (1 button of each style)
3 Pacific Point Corduroy Buttons (1 button of each style)
3 Pumpkin Pie Corduroy Buttons (1 button of each style)
3 Summer Sun Corduroy Buttons (1 button of each style)
10 Latte Buttons (one button of each style offered in the package)
3 - 1/2″ Library Clips (one each of Chocolate Chip, Whisper White and Old Olive)

You can see all of these items online on pages 174 - 176 of the new 2009 Spring-Summer Catalog. Each club will consist of 8 people. When a club fills, I will place the order for that club and then start a new club of 8 members. I will place the first club order as soon as it fills! It will take approximately 2 weeks from the time the order was placed to ship to you.

This club is for U.S. orders only!

To join the club, please place your order by paying below. The $21 total includes all of the items listed above and shipping from me to you! This will allow you to try ONE of every hardware item that is new to this catalog. Then you can decide which you really love and order full items of those!!

Chairs to You!

2009-01-16T06:37:00.004-05:00

Good morning! What a fun Friday! Check out the Flourishes blog today... I'm on there!!!! Why? Well, Julie Koerber asked her blog readers a while back what stamp sets we thought were missing out there, that we'd like to see. I left her a little comment with the thought that immediately popped into my head--chairs! Chairs??? Yep, chairs... and guess what? She liked the idea and passed it along to the gals at Flourishes, and they made a chair set, along with a few sentiments that I suggested! I even got a chance to play with the set early. Want to see what I did?

I used basically the same materials for both cards: WorldWin Doublemates Fairy Tale Pink double color cardstock, Fabriano watercolor paper, My Mind's Eye Bohemia Blossom "Angel" Small Damask, SU! Chocolate Chip CS, Oval Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder & Big Shot
dimensionals, Memento Rich Cocoa Ink, Watercolor Crayons in shades of brown and pink, SU! retired ruffled ribbon and narrow chocolate grosgrain, Kaisercraft Blush Pearls, assorted punches.

What a fun set to work with! Make sure you see what the fabulous Flourishes design team did with it too! Julie has them all linked from her blog post. Thanks so much, Julie and Flourishes (and their fabulous new artist, Lauren Pope) for liking my idea!!!

Happy Friday!!

2009-01-15T22:27:00.002-05:00

1. Enough with the new American Idol judge--what's that all about?

2. Work (as in do I go back to work and leave my child with someone else just so I have money?) causes me to be conflicted.

3. I've been craving pretty much everything that tastes delicious but is terrible for me.

4. Mitch Hedburg makes me laugh. (what a shame he's gone, because he was one funny guy!)

5. I wish I could go to CHA next week.

6. My family has been on my mind lately.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hopefully going to bed early, tomorrow my plans include going out with my best friend and Sunday, I want to go to church WITH my husband instead of seperately!

Inspiration

2009-01-09T22:16:00.001-05:00

I did not write these, but they seem to be all over the web, so I figure it is okay to share them with you... (if I ever figure out who authored them, I will edit this post to reflect it.) I just find them very inspiring.

Tips for an Exceptional Life

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a DVR. Tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to__________ today."

5. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie (not you guys.) Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give it time, time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

32. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36. Do the right thing!

37. Call your family often.

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for __________." Today I accomplished _________.

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

Friday Fill-in

2009-01-09T12:41:00.005-05:00

Happy Friday, folks!

1. It's January; 2009 will be a very good year for me!

2. Chocolate is what I crave most right now.

3. Cork and wine go together like (I'm stumped on this one...)

4. Friendship is so nourishing.

5. Let us dare to smile and share a kind word with everyone we see during the day.

6. My husband and my son are my home.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed early, tomorrow my plans include watching Wall-E with my best friend and nephews and Sunday, I want to cook a yummy dinner!

Happy New Year, Finally!!!

2009-01-07T06:31:00.002-05:00

I hope you all had very happy holidays, and the new year is starting out great for you!

It has been way too long since I've posted. I have been SO out of it in terms of stamping. Even now, I am finding it hard to get started again, even though I WANT to. I'm having trouble getting myself into the creative mode. Thankfully, for our Unity Wednesday Challenge, Kim came up with something perfect:

Since we've all been busy,some are searching far and wide for their long lost mojo, and others have indulged (just a little) this holiday season, I'm offering up a SLIM (he, he) Challenge for next Wednesday.........

Sometimes

Less

Is

More

A card base (you can layer if you like), an image and/or sentiment, and one embellishment.

I'm a pretty simple, basic kind of gal and like those clean and simple type cards that are quick and easy to make. Unity has lots of great stamps that shine all on their own. So............this coming Wednesday, just keep it simple!! Easy enough, right?? Can't wait to see what everyone creates!!

Well, I kept it simple, alright. In fact, I was reminded of the term KISS: Keep it Simple, Stupid!!! and thought it applied to me this week. So I used my Kiss stamp from November's KOTM.

Self explanatory, I think, other than I tried out my new Martha Stewart glue pad to stamp the kiss with, and then used red glitter. Super easy, and yet it seriously taxed me. I'm going to have to get back into the groove somehow!!! Anyone have any ideas for me??

Looking forward to Hip Hop tomorrow... maybe that will get me going.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T13:36:00.001-05:00

I want to wish you all a very happy holiday! I hope you have fun times with family and friends, yummy food, warm fires, and full hearts!! I am enjoying time with my family, and will post again when the holidays are over! Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Where's Jessica?

2008-12-17T09:59:00.003-05:00

Hi friends!
Thanks for wondering where I am...
I'm sorry I haven't posted! You KNOW how the holidays can be! We've been so busy here, I haven't really made time to stamp. Without projects to share, blogging has slipped my mind. I have a couple of things I COULD show you, but since they are gifts, I need to wait until after Christmas, so no one sees them ahead of time. We are headed to Michigan to visit our families for the next couple of weeks. PLEASE come back and visit me in the new year! I will be posting regularly again then!!! I am not sure what if anything I will be posting between now and then, though. I LOVE sharing things with you, and love reading your comments, so please don't forget about me!!
Meanwhile, Happy Holidays!!!

Friday Fill in

2008-12-12T22:27:00.002-05:00

Yeah! I remembered to do this ON Friday!!!

1. Friends are dessert for my soul.

2. Good health; it's a blessing.

3. I'm ready for my cough and congestion to be gone.

4. Lancome' Tresor is one of my favorite perfumes or aftershaves or smells.

5. The oldest ornament I have is probably a paper and cotton lamb I made as a child.

6. Take some hot water, a Stash Green Chai tea bag, milk and sugar, mix it all together and you have bliss in a mug.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping, tomorrow my plans include our very first "Make your own Christmas" with my BFF and my nephews and Sunday, I want to enjoy church without a coughing fit!

Growing in Unity Day Five

2008-12-12T05:38:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my final day hosting Growing in Unity! I hope you have enjoyed seeing my projects as much as I have enjoyed sharing them!! I know I've kind of talked up this last project of mine, but I REALLY LOVE IT!!! So, without further ado, here is my lovely little Christmas Cocktail recipe book!

My parents love making special cocktails at Christmas time . . . it is so festive to have a yummy drinkwith a candy cane over the edge of the glass, while sitting in front of the fire! If you are not a drinker, you could make yours a recipe book of Christmas Sweets/Desserts, and use all the yummy cupcake and other sweets stamps from Unity to accent your pages!!

I think the SU! Top Note die makes fabulous little pages for a mini album like this. I covered chipboard with Wassail paper. The pages are this AWESOME paper from WorldWin, called double mates. They are different shades of the same color on each side. So if every other page set looks different, it is!! One set of pages is bright red and green, the other is dark red and green. There are LOTS of things I would do differently if I made this little recipe book again. I'm not a scrapper, so placement of embellishments is hard for me, somehow. I would probably print the recipes on an ivory cardstock next time too, and sponge the edges of everything, to add to the distressed look that the cover has. Oh well, live and learn! I'm still pretty pleased with it!

Thanks for joining me this week! Have a great weekend!!

Growing in Unity Day Four

2008-12-11T05:16:00.005-05:00

Good morning! Hip HOP!!! Today is our fun Hip Hop day over at the Unity forum on SCS! Come on over and join in the fun, starting at 11 am EST!! In honor of Hip HOP! and because Angela (Unity's owner) is so extremely generous, I am able to give away my favorite single, Create Yourself to one of you lucky readers today! Just leave a comment here on this post, and tonight at 9pm EST I will draw a random number and post the winner on the Hip HOP! forum!! Thanks so much for checking out my projects this week for Growing in Unity! Please come back tomorrow, because I have an AWESOME project waiting for you!

I have to admit, because I've been so busy getting Friday's project ready, I was pressed for time and creativity in making today's. There isn't much stamping involved. Just one image. Sorry!!! I used a template I have had for years (Darcie's Country Folk) for a little window box. I filled it with starlight candies and added a bow and an ornament (this is the one stamp!!!), and voila! A small gift for my 93 year old grandma, who never wants anything for Christmas, nor does she need anything! My brother and I usually get her food of some sort, so this is a start to my gift for her.

Do you see the little bit of shimmer on the ornament? That is Angel Wings Shimmerz. Love that stuff!! Again, I'd like to apologize for the simplicity of this project... if only I had gotten all my projects done ahead of time! That would have been smart, huh?! :-)

Don't forget to leave me a nice comment, and then you'll be entered into a drawing for my favorite Unity single!!!

Growing in Unity Day Three

2008-12-10T05:23:00.001-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Welcome to day three of my week for Growing in Unity.

As I was preparing to start today's project, I was drawing a blank. I was thinking . . . what else can I do for Christmas gifts for my friends and family?? So I dug through my stash of things that I've picked up over the years, intending to use for stamping, hoping something would jump out at me. I found some lovely naked big clothespins, just begging me to alter them A light went on!! I am short on cash, and have a darling little boy!!! I will make a cute little photo holder for my little monkey. Here it is:

Now, this project will take you much more time than yesterday's, but yesterday's was almost too easy! Here are the deets: I covered the front and back of the clip with patterned paper (SU!). I stamped the monkey from Unity's Wild and Crazy Bunch twice, once on cocoa and once on caramel, then cut out the belly, ears and face from the caramel, to paper piece on the cocoa. Then I glued the monkey to another piece of cocoa cardstock to give him stability before I cut him out. I attached him to the clip with stampin' dimensionals. I tied a ribbon around the clip, and looped the monkey's tail over the ribbon. Finally, I stamped the word little from the "little one" sentiment and the word monkey from the "let's monkey around" sentiment. I punched it out and layered it on three squares of cocoa cardstock to give it stability, and attached the edge of it to the clip with stampin' dimensionals, tucking it under the monkey's arm. As a final touch, I added my OWN LITTLE MONKEY to the clip. What do you think?

I am not finished with my Friday project yet . . . I'm still working on it. I am SO excited about it, so make sure you come back and check it out!! Thank you so much for visiting my blog this week! It has been so much fun!

Growing in Unity Day Two

2008-12-09T05:29:00.003-05:00

Good morning! I love snow. Our street is coated with it right now. I am sure I will be sick of it in a couple of months, but for now, I love how clean and beautiful the world looks under a blanket of snow!

On that note . . . here is my Unity project for day two...

Today's project is seriously the easiest thing EVER! I would guess from start to finish this gift took me less than five minutes!! And it is lovely! You start with pre-made notecards. Mine are Fabriano that I have had in my stash for years. These things are thick, watercolor paper, that make the notes look and feel SO rich!!! I love it! But even plain notecards will work just fine! One color of ink, two stamps, and a bit of glitter! The stamp is the snowflake is from September's kit of the month. The sentiment is from Jolly Winter. I did four cards and tied them up with a pretty bow for a fun presentation! WOW!! Easy peasy lemon squeezy!!!

If you mass produce these, you could have multiple gifts to give away to folks like your kids' teachers, your hairdresser, or even your favorite checkout lady at the grocery store!!! Keep a stash by the front door, and send all of your holiday visitors home with a pack as a little gift!!

I hope you enjoyed today's project. Come back for more tomorrow!

Growing in Unity Day One

2008-12-08T05:16:00.004-05:00

Good morning!!! I don't know about you, but I can hardly believe it is December 8th already!

I am hosting Growing in Unity this week! So check my blog daily, December 8th through 12th for a project using fabulous Unity stamps!!

I would have loved to feature Christmas themed projects for you, but I only have ONE Unity Christmas set, so that won't get me very far. Instead, I'm going to offer up my ideas for little Christmas gifts you can make up quickly to give to family, friends or others you need gifts for!

Today's gift is a notebook set. This is a variation on something I've been doing for years. I found these fantastic notebook sets on clearance one year after school started, and I stocked up! Now, any time I need a quick gift, I pull out a set and get busy! You can use any spiral notebook, although the double spiral like this is easiest for removing the covers, which you will need to do.

I take the covers off by opening the metal rings a bit. I use Mod Podge to attach patterned paper that I've trimmed to size. For this project I chose an American Crafts paper in Unity's colors of brown and turquoise. After the glue is dry, I sand the edges with a sanding block, to kind of melt/blend the paper into the cover. Sometimes I ink the edges, for a distressed look, but this paper is so clean looking, that I left the edges bare. Then I add my stamped pieces and embellishments and put the covers back on! If I need a matching pen, I cut a small piece of matching paper and roll it around the ink tube of my RSVP pen, and stick the ink tube back into the pen. DONE!! Sometimes I add ribbon to the spirals, but again, I was going for clean today. Which kind of makes me wonder why I added the flowers and bling!!! :-) I actually made these for some fellow Unity lovers . . . for my Unity Secret Santa and one of the Unity DT . . . I'm wondering, did you get them yet? :-) I'm kind of bummed by my picture . . . these are MUCH prettier IRL!!!!

I hope you enjoyed today's gift!! Come back tomorrow for more!

Friday Fill-in

2008-12-05T09:11:00.003-05:00

1. Snow is beautiful (as long as it isn't yellow!).

2. I'm looking forward to seeing my family at Christmas.

3. Chris is the best aunt ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is the Love Boat.

5. I'm done with negative people.

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is the music, the decorations and the smells, the friends and family get togethers... (oh was I just supposed to pick one?).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Oz with Jay, tomorrow my plans include stamping with friends and Sunday, I want to relax after Church!

Finally Friday!

2008-12-05T08:45:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday! This is very similar to another shoe card I made. You can't see, unfortunately, but the flower is red glitter stickles. It is so much prettier in person.

Make sure you check out Ryann's blog for Limelight's day FIVE giveway!!

We Have a Winner!!!

2008-12-04T08:39:00.003-05:00

Here is the winner:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2008-12-04 13:38:22 UTC

Heavenly Blessed said...
Cute!! A few of those took me serious though and even had my husband pondering :) LOL....sending you an email now!

The answers were:
1. Silent Night
2. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
3. White Christmas
4. Jingle Bells (I would also accept Silver Bells)
5. Away in a Manger

Don't forget about Day 4 of Limelight's Christmas!!!

On the Third Day of Christmas...

2008-12-03T06:08:00.005-05:00

Limelight gave to me....

a chance to win some epoxy (sing that e-e-pox-eee, for full effect.) :-)

I have a little game for you to play... and a chance to win these spectacular Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic epoxy stickers:

Okay, no stamping is involved today... you just have to put on your thinking cap...

I love these little Christmas Carol riddles. Here is an example: what is this Christmas Carol--Decorate the Interior Passageways? (answer: Deck the Halls.) Now it is your turn:

Write the real names of these Christmas Carols in an email to me at stampmaniac at gmail dot com. (I spelled it out to hopefully avoid spam.) Then leave me a comment on this post to let me know that you emailed me! Don't post your answers to this thread, because I don't want to give away the answers!! I will draw a random winner from all the correct answers. Here they are:

1. Nocturnal time-span of unbroken quietness. (this is my very favorite Christmas song.)

2. Expectation of arrival to populated area by mythical masculine perennial gift-giver.

3. Natal celebration devoid of color.

4. Tintinnabulation of vacillating pendulums in inverted metallic, resonant cups.

5. In a distant location the existence of an improvised unit of newborn children's slumber furniture.

Remember, email me the answers!!! Good luck! Don't forget to play along each day for Limelight's 12 days of Christmas! Each time you play, you also get an entry for the grand prize!!!

I was hoping to get some stamping done for you today, but things have been crazy around here!
Next week, I will have something for you EVERY day, so make sure you check back!!

On the First Day of Christmas . . .

2008-12-01T07:34:00.003-05:00

Limelight gave to me....

A chance to win an awesome goodie. :-)

Limelight Papercrafts 12 Days of Christmas starts today!!

Today go visit Lisa's blog ~ My Little Creative Escape. She's got a challenge for ya with a PRIZE!

Every day for the next 11 days after this, another Limelight gal (or guy) will be posting something fun for you, along with a chance to win a fun prize! Each time you participate in a challenge or game, your name will go in a drawing for a GRAND PRIZE at the end of the 12 days! So in addition to being able to win daily, if you participate every day, you'll also have 12 chances to win the grand prize! WOW! My day for the challenge (as a former 7th Six Chick) is December 3rd, so make sure you check back for my game!

Also, if you are in the mood for some fantastic eye candy--the talented Lisa Hetrick is showcasing Unity projects all week long, starting today. Go and enjoy, and leave her some love!

Friday Fill-in on Saturday

2008-11-29T14:56:00.002-05:00

Oops, forgot to do this yesterday...

1. My stomach is full of good leftovers.
2. Sweet potatoes is what I ate the most of on Thursday.
3. The yard is in terrible shape and will probably stay that way indefinitely.
4.With my family is where I'd rather be at any given time.
5. The smell of holiday candles reminds me of Christmas at my parents' house.
6. Lots of money is what I need right now!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping, tomorrow my plans include decorating the Christmas tree and Sunday, I want to sleep in, but I won't get to :-)!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T06:43:00.004-05:00

I hope you are having a wonderful, relaxing day with your friends and family. We are having our very own little family Thanksgiving here, with just the three of us. I'm making way too much food, and we will be eating leftovers all weekend! Yum!

As you may know, I've had the honor of serving as Limelight's 7th Six Chick (Guest Designer) for the month of November. It has been such fun! Today is my last official "job" as such... the sketch and product challenge.

While some of us are busy pouring gravy all over our turkey and mashed potatoes, I know there are an equal number of people out there who are pouring over the Black Friday sales ads! I can hear them shouting "Bring on the sales!". They must have been listening over at Limelight, because not only do they have some awesome sales scheduled for Black Friday, they also have a challenge focusing on all things black! How easy is that?! Anything black will do, although, I recommend the Black Magic cardstock, black licorice Pixee Stix glitter, or black fun flock! If you don't have anything from Limelight, go ahead and play along anyways! Here is the sketch:

Sketch and Product Challenge using black for Black Friday!
Uploads to SCS should have the keyword: LLPC009
Participants should post a comment and a link to their card on Mandy's blog, all entries must be submitted by Sunday, November 30th, at midnight for a chance to win a Limelight Papercrafts Gift Certificate.

Here is my take on the sketch... I turned it into a tall card, 3 x 6. I used SU! in colors, Tangerine and Kiwi, as well as black. I also used these adorable Thanksgiving images from Unity's Fall Festival that my friend Lisa sent to me (yes, there IS a Unity kit I do NOT own... :-) Thanks, Lisa, for sharing!! I hope you are enjoying some PIE today! :-) Finally, as some fun embellishment, I knotted a length of Raven Tulle from Limelight. Fun stuff!! I think I need some Copics (oh, but first I need to win the lottery, since that's pretty much the only way I'll ever be able to afford them!) because I really don't love the coloring job I did. I need to practice.

Make sure you check out the other talented design team gals' cards:

Becky
Brandi
JenMarie
Katie
Lisa
Mandy
Ryann

This next card does not fit the sketch, but I had to include it in honor of Black Friday tomorrow. Ever since I got the black Pixee Stix Glitter and black Tulle I have had some version of this card in my head. I knew I had to do a black and pink "shopping card" for Black Friday. I used the purse and sentiment from Unity's Shopaholic kit, as well as Distressed Dots background, which I stamped with Versamark, added heat and stick powder, and the black glitter!

Happy shopping tomorrow! Don't forget to shop at Limelight! Mandy arranged some AMAZING deals!! Straight from the Limelight blog:

Don't miss these great deals this weekend...supplies are limited to the early birds (but we have plenty to go around)!
*Pebbles, Inc. RIBBON IRON packaged with TWO assorted RIBBON PACKS - $10
*Unity Stamp Company's LUKE 2:14 GLORIOUS ANGEL - $3.50
*Unity Stamp Company's DELECTABLE DELIGHTS stamp set - $4.50
*Odd Bird Planet's Snowman - $10 (This stamp is BIG!)
*Odd Bird Planet's Beau Christmas - $6 (assorted, facing left or right)

New pics!

2008-11-26T20:07:00.002-05:00

No stamping today, but I wanted to share some cute baby pics. Come back tomorrow for some stamping! My post is already scheduled, since I'll be busy cooking!

Like his shirt? Sometimes we call him Charlie Brown, just for fun, so I had to get him this outfit for his birthday!

He's not going to let me dress him in dorky hats for very long, so I thought I'd take advantage of it while he's young...

Another one of my favorite outfits of his right now... my little cookie monster!

Daddy had an extra day off today... they really enjoyed the extra time together! :-)

I am so thankful for my beautiful family.

Come back tomorrow for a Limelight Sketch challenge and some cards!!

Friday Fill-in

2008-11-21T23:08:00.002-05:00

Just for the heck of it, because I stumbled across a cool "new to me" blog, and it is still Friday:

Friday Fill-ins:

1. The last band I saw live was Dixie Chicks.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is stuffing/dressing.
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is not even started yet.
4. Thoughts of digital scrapbooking that I want to try fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear pencil skirts and high heels.
6. Bagpipes make me tear up.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with my dh, tomorrow my plans include cleaning the kitchen and Sunday, I want to enjoy Church!

Totally non stamping related, but I still haven't found my mojo! Has anyone seen it?

Finally Friday!

2008-11-21T05:53:00.005-05:00

Happy Friday!

Did you Hip HOP! yesterday over at the Unity SCS forum? If so, you surely saw lots of amazing cards and projects from all of the fantastic Unity design team! One of the hip HOP! challenges was to make a snowflake card. Mine is below.

I am SO glad it it Friday. I have had a grumpy week. I think I have only stamped TWO things. Here they are:

This was supposed to be a shaker card, but I couldn't find my microbeads, so I ended up having to use glitter, which just sticks to the window. Then I couldn't decide what sentiment to use or where to put it, so I didn't use one. Then I got carried away adding bling. LOVE those Kaiser gems, but this is too many, even for a bling lover like me! Oh well. Maybe I will get my mojo back soon...

No wait, I guess I only stamped that card. This next one I did last week, for a workshop I had on Friday night. I think they liked making it!

The baby has become best buds with Ozzy the cat this week. Every day he lies down on the floor and cuddles with the cat, or uses him as a pillow, or grabs his tail (this is the one I'm worried about...)

He has also discovered some of my stamps that I am selling, and has been carting them around the living room.

This was from the day we did his one year/Christmas pictures, which is why he's so handsomely dressed! :-) Usually it is just sweats!

Child, Chai and a Card

2008-11-17T19:14:00.006-05:00

Good evening, friends! I am finally getting a chance to post something today. Last night was not a good sleep night for my little one or me, so today was spent recovering. Tonight he was ready for bed by 6pm . . . he was wandering around the living room putting his cheek down on every surface: the couch, the chair, his boppy pillow, the cat. So, we decided to take him to bed! Hopefully he will sleep well tonight, because *I* can use the sleep! :-)

Before I show you a project, I want to share something non-stamping related. I have never been a big tea drinker. Until now. I am in love. His name is Stash Chai Green Tea. I met him at the Grocery Store on Friday, and I am not ashamed to admit that I have seen him EVERY day since then. I have enjoyed every second . . . the anticipation while he was heating up, the overwhelming desire I felt when I smelled his exotic scent, and the taste of every single luscious sip on my tongue, from first to last.

Isn't he gorgeous? And let me tell you, what a hunk! He is sooo sweet and spicy, and super delicious with a little added skim milk and Splenda (or for the sinful version: 2% milk and sugar.) Shhh... don't tell my husband. Although I did just tell him that he could fill my entire Christmas stocking with these teabags, and I'd be thrilled, so I think he might be suspicious.

I think I posted this project a while ago, and then promptly removed it when I remembered that I had sent it to my secret sister. Well, if she happens to read my blog (which I highly doubt), this is the month to reveal ourselves, so she'll figure out it is me when she sees this project:

This is not the exact version I sent to her, but very similar. It is a fun two pocket bag that I made just large enough to fit a card in each pocket. A great hostess gift! Do you want one? If you are in Central Ohio, have me do a workshop for you and your friends! :-) If you are not local, hostess a catalog workshop or place a $150 order with me, and I will make you one and send it to you!! :-) Nothing like a little bribery, huh?

I have to go finish my Green Chai Tea Affair, and watch Dancing With the Stars. Good night!

Not Really a Hip HOP Hangover...

2008-11-14T07:10:00.004-05:00

I am feeling a bit "hungover," but not from Hip HOP! I was up all night with a sick baby. He wouldn't sleep because he couldn't breathe. So far today isn't much better . . .

I was in a Red/Kiwi/Kraft mood last night... Here are two Unity cards for you to enjoy. No time for details, because of the baby. More tomorrow!!

Limelight Sketch Challenge and Hip HOP!!!

2008-11-13T06:37:00.005-05:00

Good morning! Hip HOP!!! Make sure you go PARTY at the SCS Unity forum today any time after 11am EST!!!

I hope you are all having a fabulous week! It is time for a sketch challenge from Limelight!!! Here is the sketch:

Amazingly, I did not use ANY stamps on this cards. I had this beautiful Christmas Magic Paper and Punch Out Tablet and since I am not a scrapbooker, I had to try using the awesome punch-outs on a card! I like it! My favorite thing from Limelight is the Kaisercraft Pearls--I used the tiny ones on this card, in blush color. Mandy has them on sale this week--50 blush pearls for only $1.35--what a deal!!!

Want to play? You could win a Unity single stamp and package of Kaisercraft rhinestones of your choice! The sketch challenge this week gives you lots of room to use any and every product from Limelight that you just couldn't live without! If you don't have anything from Limelight, feel free to use what you do have! Feel free to interpret the challenge in any way you want. Want to scrap a page of your favorite family moments? Go for it! Want to be-dazzle a card with all your favorite embellishments? We can't wait to see it! Just jump in and get crafting!

Sketch and Product Challenge with a focus on your favorite Limelight products!
Uploads to SCS should have the keyword: LLPC008
Participants should post a comment and a link to their card on Mandy's blog, all entries must be submitted by Sunday, November 16th, at midnight.

Make sure you check out the Six Chicks' sketch cards:

Becky
Brandi
JenMarie
Katie
Lisa
Ryann

Thanks for visiting!

Another Wacky Wednesday

2008-11-12T05:43:00.003-05:00

I cannot believe how fast the last week went! Or that November is almost half over already. Time is going by WAY too fast.

Today's Wednesday Unity Challenge was to make a kid's card with primary colors. I usually steer VERY far from primary colors, for some reason. They don't appeal to me at all (together), but I like them individually. Like RED--one of my favorite colors, paired with brown, or as clothing with blue jeans! Even so, I actually like how this card turned out.

I used a small circle punch to make the waves at the bottom of the card. One layer of waves is behind the whale, and the other is in front. I don't think you can see it, but there is crystal effects on the whale's spout droplets!

Make sure you check out the other Unity girls' cards! The links are on the right.

Have a great day!

Baby's Birthday Party and "Hangover"

2008-11-10T20:27:00.004-05:00

For those of you who are waiting to see birthday pictures, here you go! Here he is proudly dragging around his balloons.

Here is is during the chocolate birthday cake:

Here is is AFTER the chocolate cake:

He really didn't eat that much of it, just made a mess with it! It was all I could ask for! :-)

Wow. Who knew a one year birthday party could take so much out of a person? Both baby and I were exhausted today (could have something to do with the fact that he and I were both awake in the middle of the night for HOURS! caffeine from the chocolate cake?) Anyway, here is what we did this afternoon after Daddy came home:

FUN STUFF!!

No stamping today, because I was just TOO tired. Come back tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Baby!

2008-11-09T07:19:00.004-05:00

My little guy is ONE today! I cannot believe an entire year has gone by already! I do know it has been the best year of my life!

We are having a small get together this afternoon for him, with a few family and friends. My parents are here visiting!!! I'll be back tomorrow with messy cake pictures, I promise!

Here is my first try at the paper strip ornament for Limelight, that I promised to show you.

I like the snowflake ornament better, don't you? Have a wonderful day and--

Giddy Over My Christmas in the Limelight Project!

2008-11-06T06:22:00.007-05:00

Good morning! Mandy, the talented and super nice owner of Limelight Papercrafts, issued an assignment for Limelight's Six Chicks (design team) this month. As November's 7th Six Chick (yes, mathematically impossible :-), but what it means is Guest Designer) I am thrilled to participate! The assignment was to create a Christmas ornament and matching packaging or a matching card. I chose to do the ornament with packaging. I am GIDDY over how this project turned out!!!

I've seen lots of these paper strip ornaments lately, but in my head I decided that something needed to be INSIDE of mine. I didn't love my first try at this. It turned out okay, but I knew I could do better. I'll show you the reject tomorrow. Today, my lovely snowflake ornament is in the LIMELIGHT:

I cut Bazzill Bling Glitz and Bling Diamond into 6" by 1/2" strips. I attached them at both ends with brads. I threaded beads and pearls onto silver cord and attached it between the two brads, pulling it to the height I wanted the ornament to be. I spread the strips of paper out and around to form the ornament. Then I attached to the cord some of these amazing Christmas Magic glittered silk snowflakes from Little Yellow Bicycle. Finally, I stamped some additional snowflakes with the Christmas Magic Stamp set and dangled them from the bottom of the ornament. The snowflakes have Kaisercraft silver rhinestones in the center. I LOVE those things!!

Here is the matching packaging... this is why I am so giddy. I LOVE how this box turned out! I was originally going to do a square box, but I was fiddling around with the window sheet, and decided to try a cylinder. The difficulty was in making a top and bottom. I figured it out, though!! If you can't tell how I did it, but are interested, leave me a comment, and I will see about getting a tutorial together!!

Here is the whole set together:

The ornament is hanging from the brad on the inside of the lid. So when you take the lid off, you bring the ornament with it!! You can take it off of the lid to hang somewhere. I am thinking this would be very pretty hanging from the bottom of a light fixture or from one of those free-standing ornamanent stands, all by itself.

WOW! That was such a fun project to make. I hope you like it as much as I do!!! Now, to whom will I give this lovely creation???

Make sure you check out Mandy's ornament and the Six Chicks' ornaments too:

Becky
Brandi
JenMarie
Katie
Lisa
Ryann

Have a great day, and--

Wacky Wednesday

2008-11-05T00:30:00.000-05:00

Why is today Wacky? I don't know!!! I just remember this really funny book that I LOVED as a child, called Wacky Wednesday, and I think I MUST get it for my son. (after just now searching for this book on Amazon, I have discovered that it was written by Dr. Seuss! Who knew?)

Lisa picked the challenge for our Unity Wednesday Challenge this week. She gave us this gorgeous picture as inspiration.

I don't really know why I ended up going with this red/black/gold Asian feel, when I don't see that at all when I look at these plates. That is what was stuck in my head as I was creating, though. I ended up doing lots of embossing for this card, and I was reminded why I don't emboss very often!!

The red background paper is Paper Company Starburst Translucent. I embossed the Retro Circle Boogy from Unity's Good Times kit in gold. I also spread super bronze Pearl ex Powder onto that paper, which left all those blotches you see. The butterfly is also embossed on Riding Hood Red, cut out, and only the body is glued down. The wings are folded up, for depth.

I hope you have a fabulous day!

Another Quick Post

2008-11-03T21:50:00.003-05:00

I will make a longer post soon, but I wanted to share a quick card for you. I made this for a gal at church who was baptized on Sunday! You can't see some of the finer details in the picture, unfortunately. I highlighted a few of the words with pink marker, and the edge of the main image is lined with dazzling diamonds glitter. I love these colors together!!!

Make sure you come back on Thursday to see my first official project as November's Limelight Papercrafts Guest Designer! I'm so excited about it! It turned out SOOOO amazing! (am I allowed to love my own work this much? :-) I hope so!)

Have a great week, and--

Happy November!! New Kit Available!!!

2008-11-01T11:17:00.002-04:00

Hello, friends!!! Happy November!

Stampin' Up! has a fabulous new kit available!!!! Introducing the Country Living Holiday Collection Stamping kit!!!

Invite the warmth and coziness of the holidays into your home with Stampin’ Up!’s® Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin’ Kit. This kit has everything you need to create beautiful handcrafted ornaments. (Item #114447, $49.95)--available only while supplies last. This fantastic kit is fully of yummy supplies to help you create simple and beautiful ornaments to decorate with or give as gifts!

CLICK HERE to order this HOLIDAY COLLECTION (#114447)
or any other Stampin' Up! Items 24/7 on my website!!!

The Country Living Holiday Collection (Item #114447, $49.95) includes the following products:

Holiday Collection stamp set (six stamps-)
Four 12" x 12" sheets of die-cut chipboard
Eight 12" x 12" sheets of die-cut Designer Series paper (2 ea. of 4 double-sided designs)
Four 12" x 12" sheets of Designer Series paper (2 ea. of 2 double-sided designs)
Two 12" x 12" sheets of Whisper White card stock
25 yds. Silver Metallic cord
10 yds. 3/8" Whisper White taffeta ribbon
Pretties Kit brads (20)
Stampin' Dimensionals
Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (1/2 oz.)
Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive
Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Spot
Old Olive Craft Stampin' Spot
Uninked Stampin' Spot
Whisper White Craft Ink refill

Create dazzling ornaments and memories that will last a lifetime! Go to my website or contact me to order today!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-31T14:59:00.004-04:00

I have no stamping for you, because I've been working on my projects for my November guest design team spot for Limelight Papercrafts. You'll see them soon! However, I had to share two cute Halloween pictures with you all. The first one is my adorable little bat baby:

Our town does trick or treating the night before Halloween, for some reason. So we dressed the little bat baby up and went to see my nephews in costume, then came back and handed out candy for a bit. Our across the street neighbor's granddaughter and her boyfriend had the coolest costumes. Check it out!!!

Pacman and Ms. Pacman! How totally 80s and fantastic!!!! They had video game music playing on the porch too.

I'll try to get some stamping done this weekend to share with you, but no promises, since I also have to get ready for a visit from my parents, rearrange the living room, go to a cubscout festival with my nephews, spend a good portion of Sunday at church and sleep a little too! :-)

Hip HOP!! and a Limelight Sketch

2008-10-30T05:37:00.000-04:00

Good morning! Happy Hip HOP!!! Come on over to the SCS Unity forum and celebrate today! Lots of prizes will be given out, just like EVERY Thursday! Plus, it is just lots of fun. Put on your Party Pants and check in with us any time after 11am EST!!

Today's post brings you two cards courtesy of a fantastic Limelight sketch. The first one is made with Little Yellow Bicycle's Christmas Magic Paper and Unity's Cheer Holly stamp, both sold by Limelight Papercrafts. The Christmas Magic is an 8 x 8 tablet of beautiful, rich looking papers, that includes lots of fun punch outs, including this "joy" circle I used.

For the second card, I used SU! designer paper, as well as Winter Post stamp set. I also used a felt flurry snowflake. From Limelight, I used a beautiful blue Kaisercraft gemstone, and a Unity sentiment from Jolly Little Winter. I also used something really fun from Limelight that you probably can't see in the picture--fun flock! The trim on the girl's sweater and hat are actually fluffy!!! You can touch them!

Finally, I thought I'd leave you with a funny picture of the baby. In the last several days, he has suddenly started stopping in the middle of whatever he is doing and setting his head on the floor. He thinks it is really funny! (which it is!!)

Hip HOP! and--

Hope

2008-10-29T06:29:00.000-04:00

Good morning, my stamping friends!

This week Unity Girls' challenge was something to do with HOPE... let me see if I can remember-

H-use a sentiment stamp that says something about hope
O-put ribbon ON your card
P-use pink on your card
E-use an embellishment that starts with "M" for Mammogram

I *think* that was the challenge... So, I used my "hope" stamp from Floral Fantastical, I used the fabulous Pink Pirouette super wide SU! ribbon, lots of other Pink Pirouette, and a metal embellishment over the sentiment, from an old Hodgepodge Hardware set. I LOVE how this card turned out!!

Make sure you visit all the other Unity Girls--their links are in my right sidebar!!

We are trying only one nap for the baby this week. Last week he refused to take his afternoon nap, so he was super tired and cranky and ended up going to bed for the night at around 6pm!!! So yesterday, I tried putting him down at 11, instead of 9 for his nap, and he did end up sleeping for about 2 hours. Hopefully he will get used to this new schedule pretty quickly, and maybe the nap will even get longer??? Please???? :-)

Here he is waiting for Daddy. When Jay gets home from work, I just say "Daddy's home!" a few times, and the baby drops what he is doing and races to the gate, climbs up there and squeals with delight as Jay opens the side door and comes in!! It is super cute! I know it makes Jay's day, too.

Quick Post

2008-10-28T13:39:00.002-04:00

Quick card today. I used the SCS color combo challenge: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango and Pixie Pink. Not in love with it. BUT, I love tomorrow's card, so make sure you come back to see it!!

Lost MOJO and Limelight Loot!

2008-10-24T10:17:00.002-04:00

Good morning, friends!! I'm so happy it is Friday! How about you? A quick share: Here are two Unity cards I don't think I've show you yet. The first one is a stair step or accordian fold card... it was an SCS challenge last week, I think.

The second is a funny size, but I wanted the scallop stamp to fit just perfectly. I think it is a sweet little card, although I'm not sure who to give it to!! :-)

I seem to have lost my MOJO, as it was very taxing just to get that pink card done!!! HELP!!!

Finally, want to win some FUN STUFF??? Go HERE to LIMELIGHT Papercrafts and leave a comment and you can win some fun goodies! Oh yeah, and make sure you say that Jess sent you, so I can have some extra entries to win! (Yeah, I know, I'm begging :-) !!!) Oh yeah, did I tell you? I'm going to be the 7th Six Chick! (guest designer) for November for Limelight! Keep your eyes peeled from some yummy Limelight projects on my blog during November. I'm so excited!!

Getting Ready for Hip HOP!!

2008-10-22T06:15:00.000-04:00

Good morning! Today's Unity Girls' challenge was to use something clear, ribbon, and your newest Unity stamps. Here is my card! I really like how it turned out! If you want to participate, check out the Unity forum at SCS! At LEAST come on over on Thursday and Hip HOP with us!! :-)

I haven't figured out what else to do with my chunky glitter, other than to run glue along the edges of my cardstock and coat it with glitter. What are you using yours for? I'd love some new ideas...

Have a wonderful day!

Spider Card and Bed Head

2008-10-21T14:26:00.004-04:00

Happy Tuesday! I have a Halloween card to share with you today. I have made more Halloween things this year than ever before, and I don't even know who to give them to!! Amber Hight gave us a great sketch on the Unity forum to use, and I followed it pretty literally. Here's the sketch:

And here is my card:

Here is my baby, reaching for the camera. He LOVES anything you are holding that does something, and he wants it! The phone, the camera, the remote control, you name it! He had some serious bed head yesterday, too, although I'm not sure if you can tell very well in this picture.

I am so glad colder weather is here! It is only supposed to get up to 55 degrees today, but it is nice and sunny. PERFECT!! Have a great day, and

Leaves, Flowers and Music

2008-10-18T19:49:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we took the baby (when will I have to stop calling him that? He'll be ONE in about 3 weeks!) to a nature trail to go hiking. He had a blast romping around in a giant leaf pile. Isn't he adorable?

On Thursday, one of the Hip HOP challenges was to make a card with flowers. I cannot believe I never inked up this awesome Unity chicken before! I used markers (Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Rose Red) to ink him up, and then "huffed" before I stamped. Added the Felt Flowers and half back pearls from SU!, and a little knotted ribbon. I really like how this card turned out!!

Finally, another card to share: A simple quote card with just Certainly Celery and black. A little piercing at the corners, and although I don't think you can see them, there are some tiny pearls stuck to the starbursts around the quote.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Thursday, Peeps!

2008-10-16T06:34:00.001-04:00

Good morning, peeps! My little marshmallow friends! How are you today? I hope you are ready to Hip HOP!!! Go to the SCS Unity forum and par-tay with us!!! Party starts at 11am EST, and lasts into the night, so check in any time you can!

A few days ago, I did Julee's Mojo contest sketch. She always has such great sketches, and I need to remember to try them more often!

Yesterday, I stamped two cards for the SCS sketch challenge. I used lots more patterned paper than I usually do. One with SU! stamps and one with Unity stamps.

I am off to try some baby announcements for an old friend that is due with a sweet little girl very soon. I'll share what I come up with. Have a great day!!

Owls and Oogly

2008-10-15T06:02:00.005-04:00

Good morning! Happy Wednesday! Today the Unity Challenge for Unity Freaks or Unity Customers, or whatever it is called, was to make a masculine card. Make sure you check out all the other Unity gals' cards (links are on the sidebar.) Here's mine:

I don't know if I like the little owl face I made in the corner. I liked the idea better in my head! Does that happen to you sometimes?? We also had a "hubby challenge" going on, where our husbands/boyfriends/significant others would stamp a card. Although a little uncomfortable stamping, my lovely dh did stamp a card. Here it is:

Not bad for his first time stamping, eh? I am proud of him for giving it a try, even if just to humor me! :-) Finally, I picked up a little Target dollar spot book for the baby today, called One Oogly Eye. It is an adorable counting book with silly monsters in it! He liked it so much he got this big cheesy grin on his face!

I hope you all have a great day! See you tomorrow for Hip HOP Thursday!!

Lots and Lots of Pumpkins!!

2008-10-14T15:17:00.006-04:00

Happy Monday!!!

I finally tried the little mini pizza box pattern from Jen del Muro that was posted for the SCS technique challenge last week. I changed the measurements so the box was 2 1/2 inches square, so 4 mini PB cups would fit perfectly! I made three of them. I think I will make more!

Here is a closer look at one of the boxes, although this is about as simple as it gets!

Saturday we took the baby to the pumpkin patch! He had lots of fun!!! I did too, as I took the opportunity to do a little photo shoot! Here are some of the "fruits" of my labors.... :-)

That's all for me today, folks! Have a wonderful week!

Hip HOP!!!

2008-10-09T06:23:00.005-04:00

For those of you who don't know Hip HOP!, you should check out Unity's Hip HOP! Thursday celebration in the Unity forum at Splitcoast. It is EVERY THURSDAY!! Start HERE, at the Unity Blog for a blog hop, and join the party! Angela and Chris and the gang give away $300+ in stamping goodness EVERY week!!! Warning, though, it is addictive!!!

I couldn't get enough of the SCS color challenge this week: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, and Kiwi Kiss. YUM-O!!! Here is another card I did with this combo.

I inked the flowers in Kiwi, then removed the ink from the flowers with a tiny piece of sponge (I'm sure you could use a paper towel instead) and then sponged Tangerine onto the flowers. I dabbed some Chocolate in the centers of the flowers with a marker. Voila!! It sounds more complicated than it is.

Maybe I'll see you at the Unity forum!!! Until then, Hip HOP! and--

Wacky Wednesday Card

2008-10-08T06:14:00.000-04:00

Good morning to you!

I am sharing my Wednesday Unity Challenge with you today. It was my week to pick the challenge! It was hard to decide, but I finally came up with this: make a non-A2 sized card... tall, skinny, square, round, whatever, just not A2 (regular 1/2 sheet CS folded in half.) I started by trying to make a really big card, but it was just too big for me, and I wasn't inspired. I ended up with this card, which is actually a trapezoid.

The folded edge is shorter than the edge you open, so the top and bottle angle out to the side. Why did I make it a weird shape? Well... I was trying to fix a mistake, and I already had all the bling on, etc., so rather than trash a whole card, I decided that given the sentiment, perhaps a lopsided card could be considered beautiful too? :-)

The butterfly is only attached at the body, so the wings fold out from the card. The stamps are from Unity's Something Within, and Friendship, Love, Miracles, plus the Distressed Dots background, which I LOVE, love love!!!

Make sure you go check out all of the other girls' cards today--over on the right you'll find the links! And join us chatting and winning on Thursday at Hip-HOP!! Thanks for visiting me today! Take care, and--

Fall Colors and Daily Dose of Baby

2008-10-07T09:37:00.003-04:00

Good morning, folks! I did the Splitcoast color combo challenge today. I squeezed it in while the baby was napping, but he is up now, so I will have to make this quick so I can go rescue him! The color combo was Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango and Kiwi Kiss, which I really ended up loving, and will definitely use again! I think it is a wonderful fall combo. I did two cards: one all SU! stuff, and one with Unity. I want to try to do this more often, so you can see that you really can copy cards you like even if you don't have the same stamp set that was used. The SU! catalog is a great place to get inspiration like that, as well as Splitcoast. Just find a card you like, and make it, subbing whatever stamps you have!

I used "Simply Said" for this SU! card. It is a sweet little set.

On another note, we took the baby to the part for the first time on Sunday. We have a fabulous little park that has a super soft rubbery "floor" beneath it. The baby seemed to like his first time in the swing. He also played in the sandbox, went down the slide with Daddy, and hung out in the grass for a while.

Have a great day, and

Quick Post

2008-10-06T13:38:00.002-04:00

Hello, and happy Monday!

Here is a card that I made over the weekend for a sketch challenge. It is using SU! Bella Rose papers and Unity's Floral Fantastical stamps.

I need to clean up my stamping space so I can stamp for fun this week! It does NOT happen when my space is trashed, like it is right now. Do you ever have that same problem?

More Shoes

2008-10-04T20:43:00.003-04:00

But not Prada this time. :-)

Mandy's last pic that she wanted was of our shoes. Well, here there are:

Yes, they are Crocs. I know, they are ugly. In my defense, they are VERY comfy. No, they are not white, but the camera would just NOT pick up that Soft Sky color (like that is any better than white...) And no, I have no idea what that little something is on my left toe... but it is probably a piece of the baby's dinner or something. Sorry I didn't make a card to go with this pic, but I seriously was NOT inspired to make a card by these ugly things. :-)

Okay, that is probably it for me today. Thanks for reading my many crazy posts today!

Halloween Candy!

2008-10-04T20:34:00.002-04:00

Mandy's next challenge was to show a pic of our Halloween candy. Well, the only thing I've gotten so far is some of those candy corn pumpkins, to use in little Halloween treat boxes and bags. But here they are, along with my candy card!!

Sorry I've been "gone" so long, but the baby is now down for the night, so I can get busy with WCMD stuff!! :-)

SHOES!!!!

2008-10-04T17:02:00.004-04:00

Hi again!!

Mandy's next Limelight challenge was to post a picture of the DVD "the Devil Wears Prada." Well, I don't own it, but I have seen it and I loved it. I don't know if this will count, but we do our movies through Netflix, so our video store is Netflix. Here is the movie from Netflix, and as an added bonus, my "Prada" card/gift card holder that I stamped!

I used Unity's Shopaholic stamp kit, which I won during a Hip Hop Thursday "party" on the Unity forum at Splicoaststampers a few weeks ago! How fun!

Unfinished Business

2008-10-04T13:40:00.004-04:00

Mandy's third challenge was to show an unfinished card. This is probably the strangest unfinished card or card in progress I have... what I mean by this is, it doesn't look like much. Normally, any unfinished cards you see on my table would be a stamped image that I haven't colored or mounted yet. Not today! Here is what I found near my workspace.

Do you remember my Witchy Woman post from a few days ago? (If not, go check it out!) Well, I was so excited to see how fantastic the chunky glitter from Stampin' Up! looked when used with the Tombow Multi glue around the edges of a piece of cardstock, that I went ahead and did another one BEFORE I stamped any images... so I now have to go back and stamp something in the middle of this glitter-edged card part!!

Mousepad?

2008-10-04T13:33:00.006-04:00

Second nap for the baby, so I got to stamp some more! Mandy's second challenge at Limelight Papercrafts was to post a picture of our mousepad. So, here's mine, along with the card that was inspired by it.

Now, you may be wondering how a 101 Dalmatians mousepad inspired this cool Rock-Out card... don't laugh! When I saw the mousepad, my thoughts for some strange reason focused in on the bone in his mouth which made me think of the skull with crossbones from this awesome Love is Toxic set by Unity. I don't have any dog stamps, so bones it is!! I think it is such a fun and funky card!!! Here is a better picture of the card by itself!

I'll be back soon with another post!

Celebrating World Card Making Day!!!

2008-10-04T09:59:00.003-04:00

Good morning, friends!

It is about time somebody gave me my own personal holiday!!! :-) World Card Making Day!!! Wahoo! It is a stamper's dream! There are so many fantastic places to play along with today, I had trouble choosing! I have been stalking Mandy at Limelight Papercrafts for some time now, and decided today would be the day to admit it. :-) Hi Mandy! I love your blog and I love your store, and I'm so excited to play today!

Mandy's playing a fun game today... kind of like "what's in your purse?" (she has AWESOME prizes, by the way! Our first challenge was to snap a picture of our breakfast. Well, last night I actually had decided to make a box of yummy Krusteaz Fat Free Orange Cranberry muffins for breakfast today, so I got right on it! Since the baby was napping by the time I started, and since it IS World Card Making Day, I decided to multitask, and stamp while the muffins were in the oven. So, I had exactly 15 minutes to stamp! I used my muffins as inspiration, so here you go!

Don't expect all my pictures to be this pretty today, since the baby will not be napping ALL day! :-) My yummy breakfast, which I just finished eating (by the way--these muffins do NOT taste fat free, and if you haven't tried them, you should!) and my yummy card, which uses Unity's "Lovin' from the Oven" stamp kit.

And, for my aunt and any others who need it, here is your daily dose of baby! He is pretty short for his age, and he's an early walker, so it cracks people up to see this little shorty speeding around the room, especially when I've made him wear a cute fall outfit that is too baggy for him, with the cuffs rolled up!

Check back later today, as I'm going to have multiple posts. I'm going to try to get a card made along with every photo challenge... we'll see how that goes!

Happy October!

2008-10-03T10:02:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe it is October already!! How about you?

Stampin' Up! has some exciting things for you this month!!! Some are continued promotions, and some are new. Check it out:

First, until October 11th, if you've been on the fence about becoming a demonstrator, and cost is one of your concerns, you can choose one of 3 different starter kits for only $99!! Click on the flyer below for more details. Of course, the classic starter kit is still an option. Join my team!! You can even sign up online, from my website. Click on "Join Now" in the top right corner to begin. My signup code is kindredarts. I'd love to have you on my team!
Second, do you love Halloween? If so, SU! has a great decor option for you... SPOOKY SPIDER!
Click on the flyer for details. He is only available during the month of October. If you'd like to order online, go to my website and click on the "shop now" button in the top right corner. Make sure you get the product number from this flyer first!
Third, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stampin' Up! The company is 20 years old this month! It hardly seems possible, and they just keep getting better and better every year! In honor of their birthday, SU! is offering a 20% discount on a select group of fabulous birthday stamp sets! Check out the flyer below for details. Again, if you'd like to order online, just go to my website and click "shop now"!!
Feel free to leave me a comment or drop me a line if you have any questions about these specials.

Have a great day!

Wednesday Pre-Hip-Hop!!!!!

2008-10-01T06:30:00.001-04:00

Good morning, friends! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are here to see Wednesday's Unity Challenge! Maggie gave us an adorable sketch to work with. See her link on my right sidebar. Actually, see ALL the girls' links, and go check out their awesome cards!

I combined the sketch with Splitcoast's weekly color challenge. Rust, Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze... strange to me at first, but I really like how they work together. I know that there aren't blue trees, but I couldn't help myself--I had to use these cute stamps from Unity's September kit of the month!!

I wish this was a better picture, but the camera was acting funny today. Enjoy! Have a wonderful day!

Witchy Woman

2008-09-29T21:19:00.004-04:00

Happy Monday, folks! I hope you had a good day! I have two quick pics for you, and then I'm off to get some zzzz's.

First one is of the baby with his cute, toothy grin.

Second one is my awesome Halloween card. I LOVE Trick or Treat Peeps from Unity, and I LOVE SU! chunky glitter. How fun to add a border of glitter like this!

Sorry I don't have much to say today. Perhaps I'll be in more of a "bloggy" mood tomorrow! :-)
Until then,