For my girl

This card is going out to my girl, Sue Ann! 

Happy Birthday darling! I hope you are surrounded by lots of love and hugs today, and everyone celebrates YOU.

Hopefully she already received this in the mail, but if not, then she knows what to expect. *chuckle*

I used my PTI gingham stamp for the first time on the tiny panel under the yellow gingham ribbon,  the large yellow PP is almost 7 years old and I have no idea who makes it, the flowery PP scrap is Basic Grey, sentiment and pink ribbon by PTI, flowers by Prima. Card idea cased from Angel--so cute. The yellow ribbon is from my stash too, and I've been waiting for the perfect moment to use it. 

Sue Ann is like sunshine for so many who know her...she really is. I hope this card brightens her day!

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

(almost) Wordless Tuesday!

Stamps by Wilson Designs. Impression Plate, Cardstock, and felt by PTI.

Forgive my brevity, I am swamped with real life responsibilities right now and see no end in sight. *heavy sigh*

Thanks for stopping,

5 minute challenge

Every once in a while when I am feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities, I like to take "five minute time outs." 

Usually I just meditate in a quite spot (in my house that would be the upstairs bathroom lol!) and center my thoughts and focus on breathing deeply. When my timer goes off, I return to the madness! Yesterday I decided to spend those five minutes in my studio.

I didn't think I could really create anything in that time frame, but I wanted to "play." Strangely enough, as I was moving some scraps of PP,  this card popped into my head. The entire thing...just like that. I think I may have been inspired by this card of Melissa's in reference to the space for the sentiment. So I went with it and was pleasantly surprised!

When the timer went off I sat back and looked at this card and was pleased.

What more could a girl ask for?

*smile*

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamp by Unity, PP is BG, jewels are Prima, felt and CS from PTI, rolled flower die from MFT.

test...

Simple happiness

*sigh*. 

The snow depresses me. So I am posting a happy card to make up for it!

Don't you love this paper? It's an old piece of origami paper I bought in China a few years ago. The stamp is SU.

I stamped the sentiment twice in two different colors and cut out select words. I love the added affect this gives.

Come play along with us for this week's challenge at Simple Scrapping Crafts! 

Create a card using only ONE stamp. One.

I thought it would be hard but this beautiful paper inspired me!

Have a good Wednesday,

*mwah*

Treasure this time

I have to post and run today friends!

Need to be at work early this morning...yay. 

This card is a semi-CASE of the amazing and talented Viola Mahr. She's a superstar and I buy all my pearl pins from her etsy shop.

Thanks for stopping by today everyone!

much love,

Thankful

Are you having a beautiful Sunday? 

It started snowing again here yesterday so the 2-day warm spell did not last...*sigh*

I know I complain a lot about the weather here in upstate, western NY, but in reality I am grateful that I live someplace with four beautiful seasons. I just wish Winter wasn't 6+ months long!

I made this card with some sample patterned papers that my dear friend Bobbie sent me. I'm assuming they were SU because she is a demo, but I could be wrong. 

The sentiment and house with trees stamps are Unity from their September 2010 KOTM (and it happens to be on sale right now!). 

All CS is PTI as are ribbon, buttons, tag die, and twine. Lace is MM.

Thanks for stopping by today, hope the rest of your days is delightful!

*mwah*

Journeys abound

Hi friends!

I've been holding in some fun news. Wanna hear?

I'm now on the Card Design Team at Simply Scrapping Crafts! Yay me! *grin*

Some of the nicest people congregate over there...and talk about the talent...Oh my! I'm so excited and pleased to be a part of such a great group.

We issue new challenges every Wednesday. Sometimes a sketch, sometimes a stamping technique, sometimes a color challenge.

If you'd like to join our current challenge, here's the sketch:

Post your card here, after you join the site. Takes just a sec and the benefits are ten-fold!

Thanks for stopping by today! I've been so blessed with wonderful bloggy friends and readers. You guys make me smile.

*mwah*

Double sweetness

 Thank you to everyone for the numerous and heartfelt Birthday wishes yesterday!

It was a good day.

This card was made to try the double bow technique that Clare uses. She kindly made a video to show how she does it and I couldn't resist giving it a shot!
Some old Basic Grey paper, a notebook border punch, some fine linen twill, a few die cut felt butterflies and some pearl pins! Stamps by PTI.

Most of you heard or "saw" on the forums and FB that my hubster bought me an iPhone4 for my birth day. He also made me dinner too! And I received some simply beautiful tulips from my best friend Mary, and had key lime pie for my birthday "cake" and my kids made me some sweet cards. All in all I'd say it was a wonderful day!

Hope you have a great day today, thanks for stopping by!
*mwah*

Asian Good luck

Howdy all! 

I'm 34 today. 

Weird feeling. 

No one is 34...seems like such a strange age! *chuckle*

 I pulled this card out of my blogger draft posts because it just makes me happy! I love this Backgrounded stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms (no longer in business). After stamping it in red, I did it again in white and then embossed it with clear e.p. to make it a touch more subtle.

The 'sentiment' is a punch that says "Good Luck" in Mandarin (I think).

Tiny tidbit: The second card contest I ever entered and subsequently won was in 2007 on Julee's blog (before she started Verve). I used this same Asian "good luck" punch on THIS card. I figured it must have worked, right? 

I don't have any special plans to celebrate, but perhaps my hubster has something up his sleeve.  I haven't even decided what to make for my birthday dinner yet...I'd love a good slice of key lime pie or tiramisu...*drool*

Thanks for stopping by today friends, I hope your Tuesday is TERRIFIC!

*mwah*

Denami Design blog hop

   

Welcome to my stop on the Denami Design Floral Frenzy blog hop! 

You should have arrived here from Colleen's blog, but if you'd like to comment on all the participant's blogs, then start HERE at the beginning. Remember, 2 random commenters will win a mini shopping spree at Denami!

I white embossed the large flower spray three times on different CS to make the main image panel. I love how simple, yet striking this stamp can be. The sentiment, sending you sunshine, just seemed to be the perfect finishing touch for the happy colors.

It isn't apparent, but this is actually an A7 sized card...(5 x 7). Sometimes you need a larger base to make your statement!

Your next stop on the hop is Jaclyn! 

Leave as many comments along the hop as possible for a chance to win one of TWO $20 gift certificates! You have until March 14, 2011 at 11:59pm PST.

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

Simply Scrapping CAS challenge

Hey Friends!

I created this card for a CAS challenge with a sketch at Simply Scrapping Crafts. I'm in love with their weekly challenges and the forum and MBs are filled with the nicest people.

Stamps are from You're Dandy by PCD,  cardstock and ribbon from PTI.

Today we are doing a thorough deep-cleaning at our house, so I'm posting and running!

Have a stupendous Saturday!

*mwah*

Everyday Miracles

Tired of baby cards? *chuckle*

 How's this for a change?

I discovered this incredible digital artist last week. 

Chris Stern of CSDesigns. 

She makes these fabulous artsy images of which this is only one. The best thing about digital stamps is that they can be re-sized to fit your design or space. 

I opted to make this one, called 60s Splash Art, HUGE and turn it into PP. It was so much fun to color too. Coloring is the best way of relaxing.

CSDesigns is holding an Extravaganza challenge for the entire month of March, and I am entering this card for a chance to win some more of the digital stamps! Just for participating you get 4 free digital sentiments. One of which you can see above. 

Isn't that a great saying? Not the 'possibility', but the 'probability!' Even better!

Thanks for stopping by today, it's FRIDAY!

*mwah*

Little Bundles of Joy

Happy Thursday!

Did you get your new Little Bundle stamp set yet? It was released at midnight last night at Practicing Creativity Designs!

Aren't all the sentiments the sweetest things? I particularly like this one (but maybe I'm just partial to boys?). Although I didn't know my children from birth (they were adopted), they have definitely brought sunshine and joy into our house. And loud, rambunctious, craziness too! LOL

CrumbGrabber (6) and StickyFingers (11). March 3, 2011

Thanks for stopping by today, hugs all around.

*mwah*

Framed baby wall hook

You can never have too many hooks in my humble opinion. They are so useful. Throw your towel over it to dry, hang your jacket up, use it for an easy-reach burp cloth in the nursery, etc.

This sweet photo frame had a fabulous hook on it and I couldn't resit purchasing it from T.J.Max a few weeks ago. Little did I know it would come in handy for creating the perfect gift using the new stamp set, Little Bundle, by Practicing Creativity Designs.

After painting the wooden frame a soft pink, I stamped a lavender piece of CS with the long leafy stem from Fall Fest, and then over stamped in white, the buttons from Little Bundle. 

Inside the frame I placed a matted B&W cardstock photo sticker and added the sentiment and moon image to the outside.

I'm just so happy with this project...it almost makes me want to have a little girl...ALMOST! *chuckle*

Be sure to stop by and see what the other girls have done. I was blown away by the adorable baby gifts they came up with!

Courtney

Karen

Valerie

Thanks for stopping by today, have a wonderful Wednesday!

*mwah*

Tiny baby buttons

Hi all! *waving madly*

I've been in a sad funk lately and last night something just "lifted" and I immediately felt happier and more positive. Boy am I glad! Whew.

So here's the card that was peeked yesterday along with the other DT member's. I am in love with this baby set that Practicing Creativity is releasing! Isn't this sentiment the sweetest thing ever?!

I love those buttons too. There was something so soothing about stamping them together to make that strip of orange PP. And threading them was a cinch too once I pierced the four holes. SO cute.

Be sure to check out what Courtney, Karen and Valerie have in store for you today too! You won't want to miss the adorable samples coming you way with this new set, Little Bundle.

Thanks for stopping by today friends, 

I'm feeling so much better and hope to visit you all and leave some love soon!

*mwah*

Sneak peek of new PCD release!

All four of the design team members created a special project for the upcoming Practicing Creativity Designs release. You can see teeny, tiny snippets of each project above.

Any guesses? 

Leave your thoughts on Courtney's blog for a chance at winning the new release.

Regular sneak peeks will begin tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll return tomorrow to see my first sample using the new set.

*mwah*

PCD sketch challenge!

With the new release just around the corner, Practicing Creativity Designs is hosting a sketch challenge for the next week. The winner will receive three stamp sets from PCD!. YES, THREE!

Please excuse the terrible photo quality of the above card...I need to replace two bulbs in my "night time" photo lamps and I haven't had a chance to re-take the photo during the day. I used Nature's Wonder and For the Love of Grids on my card. Sympathy cards are hard, but I like to keep them simple.

So here's the sketch. What do you think? Simple but so much room for interpretation, right? I love sketches like this!  Link your creation using this sketch up to Courtney's blog for a chance to win. The challenge ends at the end of next week, so don't dawdle! *wink*

Starting Monday the sneak peeks of the PCD March release will begin. *squeal* You will NOT be disappointed, I promise.

Thanks for stopping by today, 

*mwah*

Soft and subtle

Can you believe it is March already? *grin* I hope spring is coming soon!

I've been so busy with DT projects and family life that I haven't had time to think straight. But I wanted to share some fun news with you, my loyal crafty friends.

After much urging by some of you, I decided to submit a project for publication and it WAS ACCEPTED! And it came out in the March issue of CARDS magazine yesterday! (Pg 54)

I never realized how fun it was to see something you've created in print. Very Cool.

Special thanks go to my blogging buddy Julie Campbell who has been encouraging me for years to submit. *wink*

The above card has been in my draft posts for ages just waiting to come out, and I have a few minutes to post so I thought I would share. All supplies are PTI. This card was not a favorite of mine (hence it was in draft mode!) but I submitted it for one of the color challenges that Nichole issued during the anniversary festivities.

Thanks for letting me share my good news with all of you, I'm a bit giddy at the moment...

big hugs,