Anniversary giveaway!

Can you believe it?

I started blogging on January 31, 2007. So that makes today my blog-a-versary!

Let's have a giveaway to celebrate, shall we?

Ways to win:

1. Become a follower and leave me a comment saying so (or leave me a comment saying you already are).

OR

2. Leave me a comment letting me know what your favorite vegetable (to eat) is.

OR

3. Leave me a comment telling me one of your favorite authors.

OR

4. Do any combination of the above, including all three for extra chances (but each one needs to be a separate comment).

I'm giving you options in case you don't actually want to follow my blog. No pressure here to do something you don't want to! *chuckle* But make sure I can get a hold of you through your comment...or be sure to check my blog to see if you won. This giveaway ends on February 6 at midnight EST.

Here's what you win:

A $25 gift Certificate to your choice of online stores from the below options. Plus I'll throw in the above card too! *wink*

Papertrey Ink

Practicing Creativity Designs

WPlus9

LawnFawn

Verve Stamps

Thanks for sticking around and reading my blog for 4 years! I appreciate each and every one of you. I've come a long way and learned one or two things about blogging in the process. I've also made some really wonderful blog friends and met so many interesting people.

Love you all,

*mwah*

Lookin' Good

YAY! It's Friday!

I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend. We don't have to be anywhere for a change and I can't wait to be a bum! *grin* How about you?

Like I mentioned yesterday, this card is for my nephew, Nicholas. His favorite color is purple so unlike most male cards I had a bit more color freedom here. He's not a  frilly kinda guy though, so I made sure to keep the  "bling" to a minimum. Nicholas is an ex-marine, Iraq veteran, and builds helicopters for a living. He's one of my favorite male people in the world! We lived together for a while as children, and I'm only ~4 years older than him, so it was like having a little brother. A good one.

I stamped the "Looks good on you" sentiment in purple and the "happy birthdays" all around it in grey, but in the photo they all look a bit purplish. Oh well.

Thanks for stopping by today, have a FABULOUS FRIDAY!

*mwah*

Stamps: Big Birthday Wishes, Birthday Basics, Polka Dot Basics (PTI)

Card Patterns #99

Howdy friends!

Thank you all for your sweet comments on my guest blogger spot and tutorial/challenge. I hope some of you will play along!

Today's card is for Card Patterns Sketch No.99. My bloggy friends Lindsay and Amy are both on the DT and I couldn't resist playing along with them this week! It's a fun sketch!

This card is for my great-nephew, Joey. He was born on his dad's birthday almost 10 years ago! (tomorrow's card will be my nephew Nicholas' BD card *wink*) It was hard not to add bling, bows and scallops...I kept reminding myself it was for a boy!

Thanks for stopping by today, 

Have a good one!

Stamps: Big Birthday Wishes, Polka Dot Basics II, By the Numbers PP (PTI)

Issuing a challenge!

Hi friends!

I have some exciting news to share. I'm the guest blogger today at Do More with Less! The lovely and talented Yvonne asked me to be her guest blogger this month and not only was I seriously honored, but excited as well!

I have prepared a little tutorial and issued a challenge for you all...stamping on patterned paper! Should you participate in my challenge and post your link at Do More With Less, then you might win a prize. *wink*

A fabulous prize at that!

Some lucky winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to one of the online stamp stores below (winner's choice).

Practicing Creativity Designs

WPlus9

Papertrey Ink

Denami Design

Lawn Fawn

SO what are you waiting for? Go check out my tutorial and challenge and get crackin'! *chuckle*

You'll see how I created this card and several others by stamping on or altering my patterned paper.

Thanks for stopping by today! I'd be delighted if you participated in my little challenge...

*mwah*

Stamps used: Heart BGs (WPlus9), Balloon strings (PTI), Sentiment (PCD)

PP: Basic Grey TwoScoops

CS, ribbon, twine: PTI

Always roses

Hooray for the weekend! 

Even though we have many feet of snow, I look forward to being home for a day or two.

I created this simple card last week but forgot to post it. Today seemed perfect. A simple, no plans kind of day for a simple, almost no-frills card! Okay, okay, a FEW frills, but still simple. *chuckle*

Sentiment stamp from JessicaLynn Originals, flower BG stamp from PTI.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, thanks for stopping by!

*mwah*

Butterfly hello

TGIF everyone!

Just a quick card today.  I wanted to use up some patterned paper scraps lying around so I threw this card together this morning super quickly.  Not a lot of intricate details, just some border dies, a MS punch, an impression plate, and scraps!  Oh and don't forget the rhinestones!

I love stamping on PP.  If you look closely at the pale blue piece, you can see I took Bitty Box Basics in Spring Rain and stamped some BB: Petal Power on it in Spring Rain and then added white gel pen dots to finish it off.

The scalloped scraps are from Basic Grey Obscure. The butterflies are punched from an unknown PP that I purchased in 2003. Sentiment from Communique Sentiments.

Hope you have a fantastic Friday!

*mwah*

Easter thanks

Hello blog friends, happy Thursday to you!

I don't know about you, but I am in full spring mode and cannot stop pulling out pinks, yellows and pale greens to work with. Maybe if I use them enough I can will the snow away! *snort*

I made this card in anticipation of a card and check I receive from my Godmother on every holiday (BD, X-mas, Easter, St. Valentine's Day). 

Yes, I am 33. 

Yes, my Godmother still sends me a check for $20.

Yes, I am blessed!

I hope I can be that type of Auntie when I'm her age too. *wink*

I like to have lots of Thank You cards on hand for those types of occasions. I am a firm believer in thank you notes and cards. The sender should receive SOME sort of acknowledgement, don't you think? I used some pretty PP from Basic Grey's Sultry collection, and only one stamp!

Thanks for stopping by, have a tremendous Thursday!

*mwah*

P.S. For those of you who asked and emailed about the doily I used yesterday (and today!)...it is a digital cutting file that I purchased from here. You can't beat $4!

Wordless Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

Mr. Roboto

Happy Mail!

I received my new Denami stamps and created this fun card for my nephew. I loved this little Friendly Robot and couldn't resist coloring it and fussy cutting it in a rainbow of colors. The sentiment came from a set called Thoughtful Greetings, also from Denami.

So it's back to work today. Blah. The kids and I studied up on MLK yesterday and then attempted a project, but my youngest kept asking why we were doing "school" when it wasn't a school day. LOL

 It's not hard for him to understand about being judged for your appearance, because he and his brother are the ONLY kids with black skin in their entire school, but the concept of inequality is completely foreign to him, thank goodness.

Thanks for stopping by today, have a good one!

*mwah*

Thinking spring

Yes, this post is dedicated to the thought of Spring! 

We are so weary of the snow and cold here. Plowing the driveway, shoveling the walkway, keeping the heat turned up, putting on multiple layers just to walk outside. UGH. I've had enough!

 I made this card using PTI's Tags for Spring, Vintage Picnic Sentiments, All Booked up, and BB: Text Style II. I also used my new MFT die, Dainty Lace Border.

Wouldn't it be lovely to be going on a picnic with the fresh spring air breezes, birds chirping, and warm sunshine on your face? Ahhhhh, a girl can dream, right? *sigh*

Until next time,

*mwah*

Like totally awesome, dude!

Great boy card, right? *chuckle* 

My boys love getting cards from me, and they know it is a special occasion if they do. I made this one for my oldest, 11, who tried out for the spring musical at his school, Annie Jr. He had to sing a song, perform a dance, and recite some lines from the the show. We don't know yet if he got a part, but I wanted him to know he was awesome anyway, even if he didn't. *wink*

Using some more PP from my stash makes me feel good, and it was one of my papercrafting resolutions this year. This is from Basic Grey's Obscure collection. I also used several stamps from a new set I purchased from WPlus9 Design Studio! It's called So 80s and I love, love, love it! 

I used four stamps on this card, although it doesn't look like it. The "awesome" was stamped on acetate, heat embossed with black e.p. and trimmed so I could hang it over the edge a bit.

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you have a fantastic Friday!

*mwah*

Stella Ruby leftovers

 Finally!

I had some time last night to edit photos and chose this one to post first. I was trying to use some older PP. You KNOW you have a ton of it lying around too! This is from a Basic Grey collection called Stella Ruby. 

Remember how trendy this was a few years ago? This PP was everywhere on every card on every blog for a while there. I'm sure if I sifted through some of my older posts from 2007/2008 I'd find quite a few! *smile*

Oh, that reminds me...

My blog will be turning 5 in a few weeks. January 31 to be exact. Can you believe it? I held off for so long in starting a blog, but finally caved in after Christmas in 2006. Now I don't know many papercrafters who DON'T have one!

 Love that we are all sharing and admiring each other's work in new ways. Don't you?

Anyway I am planning on some fun blog candy for the occasion, so keep your eyes peeled!

Thanks for stopping by today, hope you have a thrilling Thursday!

*mwah*

Miss U Kiddo!

Yep. 

Another one from the archives otherwise known as "draft posts"" in blogger!

Things have just been so hectic that I haven't had any spare time to edit my card photos. I'm hoping to get some done tonight though!

This is a fun one that I made many months back when PCD released these two sets, The Whole Cycle, and Chatterbox. I love coloring the tricycle and the "kiddo" sentiment just steals my heart every time!

PP is from the Cupcake Collection by Basic Grey.

Thanks for stopping by today, have a good one!

*mwah*

One from the archives...

*sigh*

I haven't had time to edit my photos so I'm pulling one from the archives (i.e. deep-deep, dark-dark, deep-dark pit!). 

Please tell me I'm not alone in having multiple "draft" posts in blogger, just sitting there waiting to be finished...PLEASE? I mean, I can go back to 2007, when I first started writing this blog and find draft posts that have never been published! Goodness knows what THOSE cards look like! *chuckle*

This is only from last year. Like August 2010 sometime I think.

Terrible lighting I see now...Ugh. 

That card was on a vintage cream base...NOT soft stone! LOL

YOF: Lily of the Valley is such a great stamp set...I should pull it out and play with it again.

Well thanks for stopping by anyway, hope you have a terrific Tuesday on this 1/11/11 date!!

*mwah*

More Heart Prints!

I love Mondays! 

Go back to work, send the kids to school, get out of the house...ahhh. Plus, I like driving my GOV in this weather as it has 4-wheel drive while my personal car does not. *grimace*

Used Heart Prints a lot this weekend in preparation for the upcoming St. Valentine's Day. This card was just a quickie that took me about 15 minutes late last night. The lighting wasn't good so I played around with the BG in photoshop...fun!

Know what my favorite part of this card is? The awesome grey button that I found in my stash! *sigh* It's the small things that make us happy, no?

Hope you have a wonderful Monday, and are feeling on top of the world!

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

Love U 4Ever

Top 'o the morning to ya!

This was just a fun card to make. Period. I don't usually add that much..."stuff" for such a simply stamped card (3 stamps total), but I just kept envisioning one more thing would be the final touch. LOL "one more thing" turned into three!

I had this idea in my head (perhaps it was something I saw on the web somewhere?) and I wanted to get it onto a card so badly. Don't know if I succeeded because somewhere along the way I forgot the original thought!

I ended up pleased though and that's what matters, right? Plus, I'm sure the recipient will like it too.

I hope you are having a great Sunday. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Heart Prints, Background Basics: Hearts both by PTI.

UR a Treasure

Happy Saturday!

I went out with a friend last night and had a great time laughing and talking and eating goodies. Girlfriends are so important, don't you think?  We stuffed ourselves on "Deer Droppings"...horrible name, INCREDIBLE flavor. Tiny balls of fresh mozzarella breaded with herbed panko and fried. You dip them in fresh marinara sauce and they are delicious!

This card is for her, but I won't mail it for a few days...to give her time to recuperate from our laugh fest!

Stamps and CS are PTI, PP is Basic Grey, ribbon is from my stash.

Any plans for the weekend? I'm cleaning and organizing my studio so I can have a crafty friend come over soon. Need to make space and toss those scraps into the kid's craft box!

Hope your day is wonderful,

*mwah*

70s inspired retro

A friend of mine has been fighting a nasty cold for a while now, and I thought I'd make this card to cheer her up!

Brown, orange, pink, and green can be so 70s inspiring, so this has a bit of retro feel to it, don't you think?

Everything is PTI except the butterfly (a random sticker from K & Company). Using white e.p. I heat embossed the large stem/leaf image multiple times on green and then layered it with orange. Seeing it now, I think it would have looked better layered with pink instead, but oh well.

Sorry for the brevity...I'm not feeling talkative!

Thanks for stopping by, TGIF

I miss u

Hi!

I wanted to pop in for a sec and show you this quick card I whipped up using the new Carved Love set from PCD. 

Nothing fancy, just simple, straightforward, and most of all...quick! I paired together purple, navy blue, and bright aqua which seems unusual I know. I was clearing off a bit of my work space and saw these colors of buttons together. They looked so good I tried it with CS too!

Woodgrain and birch bark...ahhh what a great combo!

Did you see both sets that were released at midnight last night over at Practicing Creativity? Another Year and Carved Love are so fun and totally perfect for your everyday stamping needs.

Thanks for stopping by today friends,

*mwah*

Carved Love

'Morning all!

Today's peek is at a FABULOUS set called Carved Love that PCD will be releasing at midnight tonight!

It is the most creative "love themed" stamp set that I've ever used. I am not joking when I say that I {heart} these stamps!

The birch bark background stamp is my absolute favorite. We had lots of birch trees on our property when I was a kid; river birch, paper birch, yellow birch...all of which grew in clusters. I loved them.


I made this card for my hubster, Greg (Captain Obvious strikes again! *chuckle*) for St. Valentine's Day. I stamped the birch pattern on stone grey CS and embossed with black e.p., then I decided to add red and black as accent colors to finish the card. The arrow parts are separate stamps, as are the words I used in the sentiment.


Another thing I love about this set, Carved Love, is that it comes with alphabet stamps so you can "carve" whatever you want! (hence the "GREG" I stamped in the heart image!)


Be sure to check out the samples that Courtney, Karen and Paulina are posting as well, and leave your comment on Court's blog for a chance to win! And don't forget both Carved Love and Another Year will be released at midnight tonight and retail for only $13!


Thanks for stopping by today,
*mwah*

PCD January Sneak Peek!

This month is Practicing Creativity's first BIRTHDAY! Can you believe it's been an entire year since Courtney began her stamp designing adventure?

In honor of their one year anniversary, PCD is releasing this super-fun set, called Another Year. It's one of the easiest sets I've ever worked with. And talk about quick, 5-minute cards! 

I made both these cards, one masculine, one feminine, in about 12 minutes. 

Seriously. Twelve minutes!

How great is that? Sometimes I don't have a lot of time to create and when I need a quick birthday card, I know I will be reaching for Another Year.

Check out what the DT did with this fun set too. 

Courtney

Karen

Paulina

And don't forget to comment on Courtney's blog for a chance to win!

Thanks for all the sweet comments on yesterday's card, I felt really special reading them. It's nice to know I was missed!

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

It's HINT time!

Happy New year to everyone!

I know I have been missing in action for a while, but the Holidays are always such a hectic time for our family because we do so much travelling that I cannot keep up, so it was one less thing to stress about if I just stopped blogging. Forgive me.

This card was made using Key To My Heart by PCD because tomorrow starts the sneak peeks for the two newest releases! Woo Hoo! I can't wait to share what I've created with you. 

Each of the DT has a word hint on our posts today. If you can find all the hints, go to Courtney's Blog and post them in the comments for a chance to win BOTH new sets!

Courtney, Karen, Me, Paulina is the order in which the words belong ...(as an extra hint!*wink*).

Card Details: I love making my own PP with stamps. It's so satisfying! Don't you love how just two simple stamps can make such fun argyle PP? I stamped and cut out the key and lock too, and hung them from a chain. I like dangling things on my cards lately. Pink CS is SU, Red and white are PTI.

Thanks for stopping by today everyone! I've missed you and it feels good to be back in blogland once again.

See you tomorrow with a Practicing Creativity sneak peek!

*mwah*