Friday Fun # 76- This is NO April Fools Joke.....

Happy Friday!!  April is finally here and it is my favorite month of the year.  The leaves are filling in on the trees, flowers are starting to bloom and the days are getting longer.  Spring is here and that makes me happy.  Our Friday Fun Hostess for April is Christi.  Her challenge this week is NOT an April Fool's joke. 

April 2- Our Back to Basics day

No stamping and... for an extra challenge add an Easter twist (whatever you choose) to this card.

 No, you eyes are not deceiving you- it says NO STAMPING.   At first I thought this would be easy...but when I thought about adding the Easter twist....I realized I had my work cut out for me.  Or in today's case....punched out.  :)  I broke out my new Martha Stewart Punches and some Nestabilities to make my card.  For the sentiment, I had to get a little more creative and think outside of the box.  I faux-stitched the Happy and wrote Easter with a white gel pen. 

All card stock, patterned paper, and ribbon is available at Mark's Finest Papers.

Paper: Strawberry Freeze, Spring Leaf, Pensacola Sand, Basic Grey Green at Heart

Accessories: MS Butterfly Double Punch and Fence Border Punch;  White button, Strawberry Freeze Gingham Ribbon, White Gel Pen and Blossom 2 Nestabilities. 

If you think you are up to the challenge, we would love for you to play with us.  Just keyword FFC76 when uploading to SCS and/or link back to one of the Friday Fun Girls' blogs.  Be sure to check the other Friday Fun Projects for more ideas:

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi

Thanks for stopping by today- Have a great weekend! 

Caffinated Cropper is Having a CUSTOMER Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Caffinated Cropper Customer Blog Hop featuring The Beeez Kneeez card kit!  I am so excited to see what everyone has created with this fabulous kit.  It's going to be a GREAT hop because this kit is so much fun to play with!  If you just happened by my blog by (a happy) accident, please be sure to start the hop at Amy's Blog so you don't miss anything.

I have had the longest week (and yes, I know it's only Wednesday) and when I finally had a chance to sit down and make something, I was totally exhausted.  Fortunately, you don't have to work (or think) too hard to create something with this kit.  Everything is coordinated and it really doesn't matter what items you put together- they WILL look FABULOUS.  Trust me.  Amy did all the hard work for us.  Isn't she awesome?

 I used the Beeez Kneez Rub Ons from EAD alone with the bee cut outs instead of stamping on my card.  It was quick and easy.  Before I layered my solid and patterned paper onto the Kraft notecard from Jillibean Soup, I added Ribbon and the Small Rhinestone bracket from the kitt.  I used some punches I had on hand and Voila!  My card is finished, I am blogging and going to bed.  Now hopefully you understand why I LOVE this kit so much.  Love it!  Did I mention that I LOVE this kit?  lol  I really do.  :)

It's not too late to get your own Beeez Kneeez kit.  (available on her blog) Amy still has a few left but they are almost sold out.  
I hope you are enjoying the hop so far- your next stop is Vel! 

Be sure to go back to Amy's blog after completing the hop and leave a comment for a chance to win a Beeez Kneeez Mini Kit! 
Have a GREAT day!  

Makeover Weekend

I spent a good part of this weekend working hard around the house.  My dining room/stamping area had become quite the mess and I found it difficult to create.  I am happy to say that with a few minor purchases (a Closet Maid cube, shelf and drawer set from Lowe's), a lot of purging....(why do I need those 3-d swaps from THREE years ago???) and some re-organization of the items I have- my dining room is a place I can enjoy once again.   Here are some AFTER pictures.  I was too overwhelmed to think about taking them BEFORE I started.  (sorry) 
Here's the main area where my desk is....I moved all my SU card stock into the filing drawers of the desk.  

My larger SU punches are on a cafe curtain rod my Dad hung up for me while he was visiting last Summer.  They were hidden by a book shelf I had on a table.  Not any more.  The larger rod is where I am going to hang my loose ribbon using a Ribbon Ring.  

 Here is the other end of the room where I have my cutter and Scor-Pal. The bottom drawer on the table holds my Nestabilities and Cuttlebug Folders. (sorry for the bad lighting in the picture) 

Look!  You can actually EAT in my dining room again.  Previously, the table had been pushed out of the way against the window and the chairs jammed in the corner.  Not a very appetizing way to eat...

Here is another view of the big table.  The large cabinet holds my photo albums and old year books along with some other personal items.  See that book case?  It used to be on the table hiding my punches.  Now it actually holds books AND my Unity stamps.  (in the long basket on top)  I ran out of the green cases so I am now using the white cases from Univenture.  Those are stored in the bins in the cubes by my desk.  Hopefully I won't outgrow that TOO fast....but I thought that also about the green cases.  LOL. 

You might have also noticed that my blog has a new look.  Yep- the blog needed a makeover too so I changed my template in Blogger and then I ordered a few items from Michelle Laycock including a new banner.  She has some cute pre-designed items to choose from- and it was VERY affordable.  What do you think? 

After all that work, I decided I need a break.....and a reward.  Jimmi and I went shopping this afternoon and I bought myself a few little goodies.

It's not too much, BUT I did get one of the new Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies and a CUTE Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch with a matching Border Punch. I think I deserve, don't you?  :) 
Thanks for stopping by today.  Hopefully now that all the chores are out of the way, I can stamp and will have some stampy goodness for you later this week.  Stay tuned!

Testing the new siggy

bla bla

BEE Happy!

(This is the 2nd post for today.  Scroll down for the Friday Fun Challenge) 
 
Welcome to the Caffinated Cropper March Kit Blog Hop!!  If you just happened by today, make sure you go to AMY'S blog to get the full details of the blog Hop and how you can purchase your very own Beeez Kneeez kit before she runs out of them!  (yikes!!)  Also, if you have already purchased your kit, Amy his hosting a Customer Blog Hop on March 31st.....we want to see YOUR projects! 

My card for today uses this week's Sketch Challenge (#273) on Splitcoast.  All supplies used on my card are available in the Beeez Kneeez kit with the exception of the ink, white card stock and tools.  That's right, the paper, stamps, ribbon, Stickles and hat pin are ALL included in this fabulous kit. 

 

I only used just a touch of the Stickles to give it a little shimmer.  The wings are stamped twice and popped up for added dimension.  I tried to take my picture outside but the wind was not cooperating and blew my "studio" down several times.  I finally gave up and came back inside, but not before I spotted this little guy.  He was hanging out on my front porch- probably upset because I don't have any flowers out yet.  LOL.  Oh well.  It's a sure sign of Spring and I am READY for that!!

Be sure to check out the blogs of my fellow Design Team members.....I know they will WOW you with their creations.  They are super-talented!

Amber

Ashley

Christi

Thanks for stopping by!!  Enjoy your HOP!  :)

Friday Fun # 75- Spring is HERE!

TGIF!!  I am looking forward to this weekend- I really can't wait for two days off.  I don't have any special plans except to organize my stamping area and stamp.  Oh yeah- and sleep in past 4 am.....(yay!)  This week's Friday Fun Challenge is brought to us by Kimme.  It's the last week of the month so this is her last challenge for a while.  She could have made us celebrate National Cleaning Week (March 29-April 3) but thankfully, she refrained and we are celebrating Spring instead. (Phew!)  For this week's challenge we are to use pastel shades of green, yellow, and blue.  I took a little bit further and added pink and purple.  Honestly, I just got carried away with my new papers and stamps, so I really didn't pay attention to the exact colors.  BUT it's just a challenge for FUN so I'm rolling with it. 

My card is also a sneak peek of the April Release from Mark's Finest Papers.  I am the guest designer for April, so you will be seeing more of this stamp set and 3 others starting next week.  ;)  All papers and embellishments for this card are available at Mark's Finest Papers.  

M

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Spring Breeze (being released in April)

Paper: Mark's Finest Papers Pensacola Sand, Special Mint, Grandma's Lightest Pink and Basic Grey Kioshi (and YES you can buy that at MFP too!)

We would love for you to play along with us- just use keyword FFC72 when uploading to Splitcoast and/or link back to one of the Friday Fun Girls' blogs.  Be sure to check them all out :

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a GREAT weekend and some Friday FUN! 

Some of my Favorite Things!!

It's Wednesday which means after today, we are over halfway through the work week.  Phew!  For today I have a card using some of my newest and favorite things including the CPS Sketch Challenge for this week.  The stamps are from Unity's March Kit of the Month Rockin' It Unity Style.  All paper (except neutral panel for my image) and embellishments are from the Beeez Kneeez kit from Amy at Caffinated Cropper.  Have I mentioned that I love this card kit?  It has so many great items that coordinate wonderfully to make a variety of projects.  The possibilities are endless. 

I used the following items from the kit to make my card:
Jillibean Soup Kraft Card
Pink Paislee Glitter Limeade Chipboard Alpha
Designer papers

Be sure to get your kit soon- there is only a limited amount of kits left. Thanks for stopping by today- be sure to come back Friday for Friday Fun!

Get Ready!

I am sad that my design team term with Artful Inkables has come to an end, but I am so grateful for the opportunity that Kristin gave me to be part of her team.  Designing for AI was fun and helped me grow creatively. 
Today I have a card using Fanciful Flowers from Artful Inkables.  This is an adorable mini-set that has so much potential. 

Stamps: Artful Inkables Fanciful Flowers

Paper: PTI Hibiscus Burst and Aqua Mist; SU Naturals Ivory and Webster's Pages Petite Papers Collection (Postcards from Paris)

Ink: Memento Rich cocoa

Accessories: Lace Trim, Nestabilities, Ranger Glossy Accents and Prismacolor Pencils

Be sure to check out the Artful Inkables Blog Hop tomorrow featuring the NEW Design team.  Just visit the AI Blog first and follow the hop for a peek at the New Releases and a chance to win some AI stamps. I am sure it will be a super fun hop. 

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

It's Friday Fun with Chocolate!

Happy Friday!  I am so ready for today- it's been a long (but good) week.  Phew!  Today's Friday Fun Challenge is brought to us by Kimme.  It's National Chocolate Week.  Did you know that?  I didn't- it's not like I NEED an excuse to enjoy it.  lol.  This is our challenge: 
This is American Chocolate Week March 15-21 and today is National Chocolate Caramel Day.  You can use chocolate colors or images or anything else that makes you think of this wonderful confection.
Today's card uses the Diva Chef from Rubber Romance. I just LOVE this image.  She's so sassy.....plus she's holding a cake.  I love cake.

Be sure to check out all the Friday Fun Girls' cards.  They are sure to have some stampy sweetness for you.

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi

Stamps: Rubber Romance Diva Chef and Sentiment

Paper: SU Chocolate Chip; PTI Hibiscus Burst and White; Sassafrass Lass

Ink: memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa

Accessories: Nestabilities, Prismacolor pencils, Threaded Water Punch, Ribbon and button

We would love for you to play along.  Just use keyword FFC74 when uploading to your favorite online gallery.  Thanks for stopping by- have a great weekend!  

What's Buzzin'?

Today's card is for this week's CPS Sketch challenge (#158). I used the Beeez Kneeez kit from Caffinated Cropper.  Have you heard about this kit yet?  It is full of all kinds of fun goodies from note cards, stamps and embellishments.  The BEST thing about this kit is that everything coordinates.  Amy put a lot of work and research into finding just the right items. The components can be combined in many ways for a variety of projects and endless possibilities without any guess work. 

1

For this card I used the following items from the kit:
Jillibean Soup Notecard in Craft
Jenni Bowlin Green Crosshatch Paper
Bazzill Smoothies Card Stock in Kiwi Crush
EAD Vinyl Rub Ons
Niki Silivis Willobee Stamp Set
Yellow Pom Pom Trim
Green Grosgrain Ribbon
1 Handmade Dictionary Flower

All of these items and MORE are in this kit.  I love it! 


That's all I have for today- be sure to check back later this week.  I have LOTS of stuff to share with you!