Quick Announcement!!

Hi, everyone!  You may wonder what I have been up to- unfortunately it has NOT been stamping.  But that is changing VERY soon.  I have had a lot of changes in my life lately, some good, some really not good.  But in the end, it's all ok.  I just moved into a fantastic new apartment in which I have a whole stamp room.  I am very excited and as soon as I get it looking presentable I will show you pictures.  :)

You may be wondering what my announcement is.  Well some of you already know this, but I have been chosen to be on the Etsy Inspired Challenge Design Team.  I am very excited to be on this team and to get stamping again.  One thing I learned while moving is that I have a TON of stamping supplies.  (my apartment is on the 2nd floor so this is NOT an exaggeration!) So it will be great to dig in and play with my paper, ink, ribbon and buttons.  (oh my!) 

Also, I will be joining the Friday Fun Girls again in January.  I've been on quite a long break but like true friends, they are still there for me. 

I hope you will stop by later this week- I will have some stamping goodness to show you!

Happy Halloween!

I'm back!  At least for today.  As you know, my life has been pretty crazy the last few months- and not necessarily in a good way.  Things are starting to get back to normal - they aren't there quite YET but they are a lot better.  In fact, I finally stamped something and it felt good.  

I worked on this project a little at a time over the past week.  Last weekend I was getting ready to throw this box away when I decided I needed to use it for something.  It's a good, sturdy box and the perfect size for storing cards.  The next step of course,was to make it pretty!  :)  

I would love to tell you I had a pattern and measurements for the box, but it was really more of a measure as you go kind of project.  The paper I used is from the Quite Contrary Collection from My Mind's Eye and all the stamped images are from Unity's August KOM- All You Need.   I might have gone a little overboard decorating it, but I still like how it turned out- see for yourself:

Here is the box BEFORE I altered it

This is the front view (yes, I put googly eyes on the owl) :

Here is the side view with the cute owl paper (love it):

I've already FILLED it up with cards so I guess I will have to make another one! (I need to buy more chips first, though!)

It is tall and wide enough to hold my large square cards without bending them.   I think this will make a fun addition to my extremely-neglected stamping area.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!  I hope I will start posting more often so stay tuned.  In the mean time, Happy Halloween.  I am going to go enjoy this glorious day- the weather is perfect today! Even my Mums are enjoying the sunshine.  (I have managed to keep a plant alive.....can you believe it?) 

Sassy Weekend of Fun and Stamping!

Happy Monday!  (ok...as Happy as it CAN be) I hope your weekend was wonderful - I had a wonderful weekend of relaxation, shopping, friendship and stamping.  My friend Kimme came down from Maryland for an Girls-weekend (without kids) with my BFF Jimmi and I.  We went to the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Virginia Beach and Vendor Fair.  It was the most relaxing time I have had in quite awhile.  We enjoyed shopping, eating out and just hanging out and stamping.  If you haven't noticed, I haven't been stamping very much lately.  Since it was VSN weekend on Splitcoast, we decided to check out the challenges.  I did not enter any of my cards however because I was way too busy chatting to finish in 45 minutes.  (It's all good)
My first card was inspired by the VSN Challenge- Summer Foods We Love.  I used the Paper Makeup set, Freckled Lemondae (Digi Version).  I just LOVE this set.  It is the perfect Summertime set and so much fun to use.

The next card is using the Paper Makeup set, Color It and my new SEI designer paper and brads.  I just love this set, it is a lot of fun to color.  Plus I got to use some of my new goodies.

The net card.....well it is a silly card I made since I was having so much fun.  I was flipping through my brand new 6x6 pad of Cosmo Cricket  paper named Matilda and I had an idea.  I paired my paper with the chipboard cut outs I bought this weekend as well.  I have to say, when I flipped through the pad of paper...I decided that the "ghosts" in this line could also pass for something else.....and I just couldn't resist making this card just for fun.  I have a twisted sense of humor....and I am not going to apologize

 .

Friday Fun with Limited Supplies.

This week's Friday Fun challenge is brought to us by Kimme.  This week it's a limited supply challenge and she sent us an envelope full of all these goodies:

Isn't that fabulous??  The image is Molly from In Style Stamps.  Isn't she cute and sassy?  I didn't get to play yet this week, but I will be playing over the weekend so come back later.  Be sure to check out all the other Friday Fun girls' blogs- I know that if I can sneak a minute at work, I will be checking them out for sure!  I can't wait to see what everyone did with Molly! 

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi 

Kim

 

New Release Review!

Today I get to show you one of my favorite stamps from the August release from Paper Makeup Stamps.  It's the word art stamp, The Most Beautiful Thing....and I paired it with the butterfly and flowers from the new release Color It stamp set.  Don't you just love this stamp?  I went with my "go to" color scheme: black and white with a pop of pink and used this week's Card Patterns Sketch (#76) as my layout.  I see so many possibilities with the sentiment it is crazy.  It is so versatile I can't wait to have time to use it again!  

Be sure to stop by the Paper Makeup Blog today to see more inspiration using this month's new releases.  I know my fellow Makeup Artists will blow you away with their creations! 

Thanks for stopping by today- have a FABULOUS Tuesday!  (or as fabulous as a Tuesday can be.....)

Paper Makeup August Release Hop

It's finally here!  Today is Paper Makeup's August Release blog hop!  You should be arriving here from Ginger's Blog.  If not, please start at the Paper Makeup blog- each blog on the hop has a letter to reveal a code for a 15% discount of anything in the new release!  Plus, you will find a lot of inspiration from my fellow Makeup Artists- they are so creative and talented! 
For my card today I used the brand new fairy- Tangii.  Yep- she's name after PMS's very own Tangii Crane.  I personally love her sunglasses and coffee cup.  I live on coffee and I have about 3 or 4 pairs of sunglasses in my purse and several more in my car.  Maybe Jeff (my boyfriend) is right about me having enough pairs......or maybe he's NOT.  ;) 

Join us for a party in the PMS forum tonight at 9pm EST, 8pm CST, 7pm MT, 6pm PT.  There will be lots of chatting and fun going on.  We would love to "see" you there!  

Thanks for stopping by.  the next stop on the hop is Anita.  Your letter for your discount code is.............

E

Have fun hopping!!

Paper Makeup August Sneak Peek!

Today I have a sneak peek project from Paper Makeup's August release.  This cutie is Seth Fairy and he is available on August 7th along with all the other GREAT new stamps.  The layout is this week's Mojo Monday sketch # 150.  I think may be addicted to sketch challenges.  I totally LOVE them. 

Stamps: Paper Makeup Seth Fairy

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate, White,  Cosmo Cricket Joy Ride

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Corner Rounder, Ribbon, Button and Twine, MS Border Punch

Be sure to stop by the Paper Makeup Blog to see who else is sneaking you a peek today and all week long!  Thanks for stopping by- have a great day!

These Stamps are Just My Style!

I have a short and sweet post for you today.  I finally got a minute or so to breathe and stamp so I HAD to break out this fabulous set from Paper Makeup Stamps called Retail Therapy.  I LOVE the girly stamps PMS released in July- they truly are MY style!  In fact, I have been known to subscribe to some retail therapy (anytime I can afford it...LOL).  The layout used on my card is this week's Sketch (75) on the Card Patterns Blog. 

Stamps: Paper Makeup Retail Therapy

Paper: SU Basic Gray, Martha Stewart Gray, Pink Paislee Bayberry Cottage

Ink: Memento Black, PTI White 

Accessories: Lace Trim, Black Rhinestones, Button, Nestabilities, MS Border Punch

This week is going to be a busy week for the Paper Makeup Artists- Sneak Peeks of the August Releases start this week.  Be sure to stop by my blog on Tuesday for a sneaky project I am working on for you. You can see ALL the sneak peeks by visiting the Paper Makeup Blog daily. 

Thanks for stopping by today- I hope the rest of your day is FABULOUS!!

It's a Baby Shower and YOU are Invited!

I am such a dope!  Today is the Baby Shower Blog Hop for my fellow PMS Make Up Artist, Lisa McKinney!  She is going to bring her second son into the world any day (or even minute) now.  I've had the week from H E (double hockey sticks) at work and I completely forgot to post.  Lisa, please, please forgive me and know that I am so happy for you and your family and I wish you the greatest joy! 

Please check out the Paper Makeup blog for the rest of blog hop's participants and PLEASE stop by Lisa's BLOG and wish her well! 

Congratulations, Lisa!! 

Homework From the Boss!

This week, my new boss gave me a homework assignment.  My first week on the job I made my new co-worker a wedding card.  So this week my boss said to me, "Can you make me a birthday card for a guy that likes Labs and fishing?"  Of course I can!  (If you let me get out of here at a decent hour sometime this week....he he- that 2nd part was only in my head, of course.)  So last night I sat down at my stamping table and got to work and this is what I came up with:

Stamps: Stampin' Up For Father; It's Your Birthday

Paper: Kraft, chocolate Chip; PTI White; Basic Grey Max & Whiskers

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa

Accessories: Nestabilities, 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Twine, Button, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Prismacolor Pencils

I don't really have a set that incorporates fishing AND labs so the dog will just have to do.  I think it will work, though, don't you?  I am really glad my boss made me stamp.  I am positive that without the incentive I would have just watched tv and crashed early.  (while trying to stay up and watch the new tv show Covert Affairs- my new FAVORITE, but it comes on too late)  Stamping was fun and relaxing and took my mind off of things for an hour or so- so my boss actually gave me a break.  :)
Thanks for stopping by- I truly appreciate it.  Enjoy your day and I will see you later this week! 

Late Day Post- Dandy Wishes!

Good afternoon!  I hope you are enjoying what's left of your weekend.  I have been shuttling Dixie to the vet and groomer, grocery shopping and house cleaning.  Oh yeah- and I have also been organizing my new rubber from Paper Makeup Stamps!  I decided to make a quick card with one of my new favorite sets - the July Release Dandy Wishes.  This card was so easy and simple to make so now I will have plenty of time to get back to sorting laundry and ironing.  (yippee....not.)   But I let the stamps do all the work so it was easy- and that's what I love about this set.  I stamped, used my white gel pen, and paper-pierced using my Nestabilitie Labels Six as a template.  Voila- easy Sunday afternoon card! 

Thanks for stopping by today- I hope it's sooner than later before I post again.  But the sneak peeks for next month's releases will be starting soon so be sure to come back!  Have a great day!

Helloooo!!! I'm Stll Alive...and Stamping!

Needless to say things have been pretty crazy in my world lately.  My new job is keeping me on my toes....and up late and up early.  I haven't had much time to sleep or clean let alone stamp but I did manage to get a card completed this week. 
Here is Angie the Angelfish from Paper Makeup stamps.  Isn't she cute?  I made this card using the Card Patterns Sketch from last Saturday # 73.  It also, (almost) fits this week's Friday Fun Challenge- to make an invitation to a BBQ, picnic, etc. or a Summer Theme Party card.  My Angie card isn't exactly a party invitation, but I did use fun, bright, summery colors.  So that's how I am rolling today.  I hope you don't mind! 

Be sure to check out the other Friday Fun Girls Blogs for more inspiration.  Feel Free to play along with us too- we would love it if you did!

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi 

Kim

 

Also- you may want to know that Amy at Caffinated Cropper is putting her card kits on sale (while supplies last).  She still has some With a Cherry On Top, Birds of a Feather, and Pocket Full of Sunshine kits left.  $25 with FREE SHIPPING!  That is a SUPER deal.  Two of the kits even include stamps from Paper Makeup- they are awesome! 

Stop by and check them out HERE!! 

Thanks for stopping by today and sticking with me while I focus on my career.  Hopefully I will figure out how to balance everything and get back to stamping like normal.  Wish me luck! 

Paper Makeup Maya Fairy

Have you seen the newly-released Maya Fairy from Paper Makeup Stamps?  She is so cute and fun!  I made this card using the Pink Paislee 365 degrees line and a sketch from the Friday Sketchers blog.  I used the Have Fun sentiment because Maya just looks like she is having so much fun. 

Be sure to check out the Papermakeup Stamps blog for other samples with the new releases.  PMS is offering a special Everything a Girl Needs Bundle- a whole 8.5 x 11" sheet of red rubber and all things girly and fun for just $30! Also- the PMS site had been experiencing some glitches lately- the site has undergone some repair and the errors should be corrected.  Great news for some weekend shopping!  :) 

Paper Makeup Release Day Blog Hop!!

Welcome the Paper Makeup July Release Blog Hop! You should be arriving here from Randee's blog.  If not, start at the Paper Makeup Stamps Blog.  Each blog on the hop has a letter that spells out a code that will give you 15% off the entire release! 

My card using the sentiments from the Beautifully Fabulous Set.  All of my stamping friends NEED this set- it is so cool!  The layout is this week's Card Positioning Sketch (#174).  I left it pretty CAS to let the stamps do all the "talking."  

Stamps: PMS Beautifully Fabulous

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate, My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Collection

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa 

Accessories: Chocolate Ribbon; Labels 4 Nestabilities, Pink Button, Twine

Your letter for the discount code is

L 

The Next Stop on the Hop is SHAELA!  Have fun Hopping and we will see you tonight in the PMS Forum for a party! 

Paper Makeup Sneak Peek!

I hope you had a GREAT weekend.  Believe it or not, I have today off too!  I like my new job already- and I don't start until tomorrow.  :) 

 Today's card is a little sneak peek of an upcoming release at Paper Makeup stamps.  You can see the FULL release on July 7th when the PMS Design Team Hops the day away, but for today you get to see Lisa's Luggage with the Bon Voyage sentiment.  I masked the luggage and stamped the suitcase 3 times because if Lisa is anything like me- she needs at least 3 suitcases.  lol.  The patterned paper is from Webster's Pages Seaside Retreat and the Ribbon, Button, Aqua and white card stock are all from Papertrey Ink. The sketch is from the Card Patterns Blog- it's # 64.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Stop by the Paper Makeup Blog to see what other peeks are up. I'll see you on Wednesday when we Hop with the new Releases.

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day!!  I hope your weekend is GREAT!  Today I have just a quick card using the Pocket Full of Sunshine Kit from Caffinated Cropper and the Mojo Monday 145 Sketch.  When I saw this sketch, I knew it was perfect for this kit!  Amy still has the kits available along with the past kits Birds of a Feather and With a Cherry On Top. 

Everything on my card except the card base and the button is from the kit.  I used my Nestabilities to cut the orange felt.  I had to run it through a few times- but it worked!  Pretty cute, huh?  

Thanks for stopping by today- enjoy your Holiday Weekend and have an extra hamburger and hot dog for me, ok?  :)

Caffinated Cropper PFS Blog Hop with Friday Fun and Makeup for the Weekend!

TGIF!!  It's been a long but wonderful week in my world.  But because of all the craziness, I am combining THREE posts into one.  Honestly, it just fell together like that and I decided to roll with it.  

If you are hopping along with Caffinated Cropper you should be arriving here from Jessica's blog.  If you aren't hopping but would like to (and why wouldn't you, right?) Be sure to start at Amy's blog and follow along for some Sunshiney goodness.

I also combined two challenges for this post.  First and foremost, it's time for the Friday Fun Challenge.  I am the hostess this month and this week's challenge is: Since it is my last week at Eagle Transport before I start my new job - make a Congratulations, Farewell OR Miss You card with a BIRD on it.  It doesn't have to be an eagle, any bird will do.  The other challenge I played is Paper Makeup Stamps Makeup for the Weekend challenge- to make a card with a window. (M4TW33).  Check out the Paper Makeup Stamps blog for more info on the challenge and links to more samples. 

The image and sentiment are from the PMS set Tweet Things.  This adorable set is available in rubber AND as a digital set.  How cool is that?  Everything else (except the card base, punch and Nestabilities) is from this month's Caffinated Cropper kit, Pocket Full of Sunshine. 

Well, what do you think?  Be sure to check out the other Friday Fun Girls' blogs to see their samples.  We would also love for you to play along.  Just use key word FFC89 when uploading so we can see your creations.

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi 

Kim

Your next stop on the Caffinated Cropper Blog Hop is Christi Snow (who is also a FFC girl....lol)  Go check out her stuff! 

I Have A Secret.......And I'm Ready to Share!

It's been a busy roller coaster ride in my world the last couple of weeks.  Some of you may already know that I have accepted an offer at another trucking company and will be leaving my current position at Eagle Transport.  I will be starting my new adventure next week and I am excited to see what the future holds.  But that isn't EVERYTHING going on in my world.  Oh, no- I have something almost (if not more) exciting to announce.....

I am HONORED beyond belief to be chosen for the Paper Makeup Stamps Design Team.  Not that I think I am special or more talented than anyone else, but I carefully choose which companies I submit applications for.  I don't have a lot of "spare" time (who does?) so if I am going to work with a company, I have to LOVE their stamps. When Katie contacted me and said I was accepted to the PMS Design Team, I was ecstatic.  Her company is continuously coming out with images that fit all the trends and also ones that are classic. Today PMS is announcing their new Design Team today and it is an honor to work with all of these talented stampers!

Katie Cotton

Christi Thorsen

Tangii Crain

Lisa Kind

Tina Hale

Andrea Vernagus

Anita Hovey

Bonnie Sharp

Christi Snow

Dannie Bindel

Dawn Barrett

Ginger Schwerin

Lisa McKinney

Maria Gurnsey

Michelle Van Patten

Randee Elsing

Shaela Odd

Stephanie Zito

I know- Rock stars, right?  This is a talented team and I can tell you that we have a lot up our sleeve for July.  Be sure to be on the look out for July's Release sneak peeks and the release blog hop.  Trust me- you will love it!

That's all I have for today- have a great day!

You Are MY Sunshine!

This is post # 2 for today.  Please scroll down for the Friday Fun Post- I promise, it's worth it!  :) 

Welcome to the  Caffinated Cropper Blog Hop!  I am so excited that you are here and reading this post because it means I had internet service long enough to get this posted!  I know the customer service department at my cable company thinks I am crazy when I tell them I CANNOT go without internet for a whole week, but I know that YOU understand!  :)
Today's card uses the Caffinated Cropper Kit, Pocket Full of Sunshine.  This kit is my favorite (so far), I must confess.  The bright, Summer-like colors just make me happy.  The layout for this card is for the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge (#144).  The sun is from the Whimsy Haven Digi set and the sentiment is from EAD Stickerz - both included in the kit.  In fact, EVERYTHING on this card except the white card stock is from the kit!

 I am going to give this card to Jeff, my boyfriend- possibly for his birthday. I know it's not very masculine, but he truly IS MY Sunshine (along with all of YOU!)  I included some coupons from the kit that he can redeem for things like hugs and kisses.....and you get the picture.  ;)  I know he will like it because I made it.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team that's hopping today: 

Amy 

 Ashley

Amber

ME(you are here)

Go here NEXT: Jessica 

Stephanie

 Thanks for stopping by today- I will be back later for the Friday Fun Challenge (if my internet holds out)!!  Wish me luck!  :)

Friday Fun- Jimmi's Wedding Card

Happy Friday!  Thank you for bearing with me through my internet problems.  I am praying that the company can get the technician out today to fix my connection.  Today's Friday Fun Challenge is brought to us by our June hostess, JIMMI.  Since her daughter is on vacation, her and her husband have been living like newlyweds so she wants us to make a card that we would have given to her on her wedding day.  My card for Jimmi is not a traditional wedding card because Jimmi is anything but traditional (and that's why we LOVE her!).  I used two of her favorite colors, purple and green to make this live life, love card.  The image is from Whimsy Haven Digital Stamps.  The sketch is this  week's Card Patterns challenge (69). 

Stamps: Whimsy Have Digital Image

Paper: Stampin' Up Old Olive, GP White; Basic Grey Green at Heart

Accessories: Ribbon (from my stash); PTI Buttons and thread; Nestabilities; Prismacolor Pencils

 

Be sure to check out the other Friday Fun Girls' Blogs (Christi is renovating her new home so she is not posting this week- but stop by and give her some love anyway!) 

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi 

Kim

Thanks for stopping by- have a TERRIFIC weekend and some Friday FUN!!

Dads and Grads....and Finally Internet!

I have two cards to show you today- to celebrate some wonderful people in my life.  I'm sorry it's so late- my internet went down this morning and was out ALL day!  I sure do love the speed of my cable internet, but I can honestly say that I never had service interruption with DSL.  Oh well.

The first card is the Graduation cards I made for my sweet "niece" Rachel 

 and Jeff's daughter, Mallorie. 

I am so happy for and proud of both of them.  They are both beautiful, intelligent young women who both love pink. I made the cards pink because they are special like that.  :)  The sentiment is printed since I didn't have any stamps.  Inside is stamped Congratulations.  All paper, ribbon and buttons are from Papertrey Ink. 

Next is the Father's Day card I made for both My wonderful father and Jeff's Dad- he's pretty darn great too!  I used paper and stamps from Mark's Finest Papers.  The button and thread are from my stash.

Thanks for stopping by today- I know it's super late but I appreciate everyone.  I hope you weekend was wonderful and I wish you the BEST week ever to come! I gotta get up early tomorrow- it's back to the gym for this girl.