Two By Two With the Eyelet Outlet

Hello! I have some GREAT news to share with you today! I have been asked to be a part of the fabulous Eyelet Outlet Design Team!  I am so excited!  I have a card to share with you today using some of the adorable Baby Animal brads!

Seriously. Could these BE any more adorable? I absolutely LOVE the sweet little critters and the colors are just fabulous! I decided to create a baby card that let these super cute brads be the center of the show!

I created the card base from cardstock and then layered on a panel of the zig zag paper. I mounted the polka dotted panel and then trimmed a white cardtock panel and put the brads through that. The white panel with the brads is added with foam adhesive. Just add the ribbon and stamp the cute 2x2 sentiment and you are done! Nice and easy and really cute baby card! I just love it!



I love how easy the Eyelet Outlet brads are to use and there are, of course, SO many great designs to choose from! I hope you have a super fantastic day!

Jingle Out!

What's Black and White and Very Pretty?

A card made with the beautiful Skipping Stones Design Dandelion Dreams stamps! Yes, my friends, it's time for a new sketch challenge over at Skipping Stones and this is a GREAT one, you guys! It's SO easy to use so you should totally play along 'cause you could totally win free stamps and that would be, like, totally awesome, dudes. Just sayin'.

I created this card using the sketch, which I, of course, flipped on it's side because I can never seem to do things the easy way. I'm sort of crazy like that. No. For reals, though. I'm kinda nuts.



I used the beautiful background paper from Crate Paper's Portrait collection (I love that collection. Lots. And lots. Just sayin'.) Along with some very pretty ribbon from May Arts! YAY! As for that GORGEOUS frame...YUP! Totally used the new Grand Calibur for that one!! Can I even TELL you how much I'm loving that machine? Seriously. It's pretty awesome and stuff. For reals.



I added just a few little rhinestones off of one corner to give it a little extra something. I like 'em.



Sooo...now that you have taken a look at my card, I know you totally want to see more! Head on over to the Skipping Stones blog to check out what the entire team did! They pretty much rock, so it will totally be worth your time. I promise.

As for me...I'm going to try to forget about the hot tea that exploded on my hand a couple of minutes ago and enjoy my Dulce de Leche Cheerios. After that, well, I'm sure I will attempt to do something productive, I just KNOW IT! I hope you have a Totally Terrific Tuesday! Tee-hee!

Jingle Out.

Hello! A Giant Clothespin of CUTENESS!

Well, my vacation is officially over, so back to the routine it is. I did, however, make a discovery...the coffee sleeves at Dunkin Donuts have a different pattern on them. I feel as though there is a whole new world of coffee sleeve crafting opening up before my very eyes! HA!!! It's the little things that keep me going. Really. It is. Just sayin'.

Today I want to share a super cute project I created with Stampendous! stamps and a bit of May Arts burlap string.



I began with a Bare Elements clothespin from Creative Imaginations and I stamped the Distressed Type Cling stamp onto some Stamp'n Up! paper I had in my scrap bin. I layered the paper onto the clothespin adhering it completely. I then stamped the typewriter from the Vintage Typewriter set onto bristol and cut it out. I adhered that with foam tape and then wrapped the Burlap String around the pin (through the spring) and tied it off to finish the pin! I did mine with the clippy part facing downward so it can be hung on the wall to hold stuff, but if you want it to stand up to hold things like recipes or photos you can do it the other way around.



I love how easy this was and yet, how adorable it turned out! These are a great way to present gift cards and such, too! Very fun project! I hope you have a super fantastic Monday!!! I'm excited to get back into my usual blogging schedule and such!

Jingle Out.

Forgotten In Time

Today I want to share one of my art pieces that I created using Amazing Mold Putty and the Amazing Cast Resin. This piece is called Forgotten in Time. It is a cast of my own hand, and, as you can see, the fingers are blurred a bit demonstrating the motion that is time. Time induces change. Time induces adventure. Time induces discover. But, in all of that, some things are left behind. Forgotten. Despite our human efforts to remember, some things simply do not last in the memories of mankind. They are...Forgotten in Time.














You can see the full tutorial on how I created this piece on the Amazing Mold Putty Blog. Thanks for checking it out!

Does this Card Make My Butt Look Big?

Skipping Stones Design is sponsoring over at CAS-ual Fridays!!! What does that mean for you? That means you can create a card based on the challenge for a chance to win free stamps!!! YAY! What does that mean for ME? It means that I got to create a super fun card and share it with all of you because I LOVE this challenge! I mean, really...puns and amusing sentiments...can it GET more fun than that?! Love it! Here is my card!



I used Sassy Cats 2 to create this clean and simple card. I just think that cat is freaking hilarious, what can I say. HA!!! The paper is from Cosmo Cricket. So...what are you still doing on your computer? Go make a stinking hilarious card for this challenge!!!! There are FREE STAMPS on the line, here, people! That's some serious stuff! Have fun!!!

A Pretty Little Alphabet Frame with May Arts and Stampendous!

It is Stampendous! week over on the May Arts blog and that means that we are combining these two fabulous companies to create some really amazing projects AND showing YOU exactly how to create them, too! And, of course, it also means PRIZES from both companies, so you simply MUST check it out!



I created this super pretty little frame for a babies room by embossing a thrifted frame and filling it with the stamped image and embellishing with some really gorgeous ribbon options! You can check out the entire tutorial over on the May Arts blog along with a ton of fabulous other projects and chances to win some GREAT free stuff!

I hope you are having a great week! I certainly am!!! See you again, soon!

Jingle Out!

My Mini Photo Studio and My Workspace Full of Retro Cafe Art Goodness! (WOYWW)

Good Morning!  This will be a quick on today due to the whole vacation thing, but a few of you asked to see the light box and light photo studio set up, so I decided to share that today along with my desk shot.  I don't have anything super fancy set up, just two IKEA Lack tables side by side with the light box and lights.  Oh.  And Domos.  One in a panda suit.  They protect the photo station.  Just say'n.




Beneath the table I keep my stash of bristol and canva-paper along with the bags of the cards I create, my heat gun, and my flower frogs.  I like the set up and it seems to be working well so far!

Here is my desk at the moment:




Not quite as messy as usual, but I DID just get a BUNCH of fun new stuff from Retro Cafe Art and I can't WAIT to play with it!!!

So...that's my desk for now!  I hope you have enjoyed the peek!  Have a Happy Wednesday and don't forget to check out the rest of the participants over on Julia's blog!

If You Obey All the Rules You Miss All of the Fun!

It's time for another fabulous Skipping Stones Sketch!  I had some fun with this one and turned it on it's side to create a totally new design.  I pulled out my wicked crazy fun Martini Chic stamp set and some Cosmo Cricket papers to create this fun card!

I love it!!!!  That quote it just too fabulous and comes from an absolutely fabulous source, too, making it, well, even more FABULOUS!!!

YAY for super fun girlfriend type cards!!!!  This one is just perfect for a girls night out invitation, which is why I'm also entering into the CARDS challenge!  

Don't forget to head on over to Skipping Stones Design to play along with the sketch for YOUR OWN chance to win FREE STAMPS!!!  (You don't even have to use SSD stamps if you don't have any!)

These Are The Days I Want To Remember

Yes, my friends, today begins a full WEEK off of work for the Hubbums and I!  We are looking forward to hanging out with friends, hanging out with each other, hanging out with our puppies and sleeping in!  LOL!  I actually got to sleep until eight o'clock this morning!  TOTALLY FABULOUS!!!  Just say'n.  And, I also have a fun, free-feeling 100 Proof Press card to share with you today, as well!




This one seemed like a good fit for the start of a vacation week!  I had submitted it awhile back, but it wasn't chosen so I can share it now!  The cloud is cut from patterned paper (DCWV) and the sentiment is a strip from an October Afternoon sticker sheet.  I simply cut it where I wanted the break!  I used the Girls riding bikes image from 100 Proof Press!  I love the fun in this image!




I hope you have a WONDERFUL, happy day!  Enjoy every minute of it!!!!

Skipping Stones Design Feature Friday!

This is my second post of the day!  Please check out my Pretty Spring Three Birds card below!

Well, it just so happens to my turn for Feature Friday over at Skipping Stones Design and I decided to feature the brand new Sassy Cats 2 set because, well, because it's freaking adorable AND hilarious, that's why!  HA!

Now, I'm the first to admin that I am NOT a cat person, but that does not mean that I can't have some fun with these cat stamps!  The sentiments are just too cute, too!

I stamped the cat and then used my Tombow markers to add just a touch of color.  You can really do a lot with color to give these cats different looks!  

This is my second post for today, so be sure to check out my Friends With Flair Friday post, too!!!  YAY!!!

Three Birds - Friends With Flair

Yes, it is, once again, Friday.  I'll be honest...this one has been a long one.  I think I'm ready for spring.  I mean, I can't really complain about this winter, as it has been SO mild for us, but I am still ready for warm sunshine and long hours of daylight!  Those things just make me happy!  Just say'n.  SO....I decided to make a bright, sunny, spring like card for today to make YOU happy!




I used some super pretty papers from Echo Park and the pretty bird trio comes from Samantha Walker's Cuckoo Clocks set.  I love how they look one atop the other like that!  Just too fun!




So, there you have it!  A little dose of spring!  YAY!!!  It's actually a bit spring-like here today.  A very gentle rain and cool, but warmer than usual February temps.    AND...next week I'm on VACATION!!!!   YAY!!!!  We aren't going anywhere in particular, as we like to spend them at home doing fun things close to us and I am SO looking forward to it!!!  Family time rocks!  Just say'n.

An Elephant with a Tooth Ache Wishes You Well

So...my birthday shows up and I, all of the sudden, begin to fall apart.  I have fluid in my ear, my knee is killing me, and my back was giving me this weird pain that shot into a nerve in my hand.  I'm sure most of it is purely psychological (or related to my workout), but this is INSANE!  LOL!  So...in that vein, I decided that this adorable 100 Proof Press image was quite suitable for today.  (P.S.  I'm actually fine....I just need to whine now and then!  HA!)






ACK!!!!  Is he not the cutest thing EVER?!  I seriously think is just adorable and I feel so bad for this poor little elephant!  You can find him, along with some other fun elephant images here on the 100 Proof Press website!  I paper pieced him with some Amy Tangerine papers from American Crafts.  I love the colors!!!  The beautiful ribbon is May Arts and the pretty scalloped rhinestones are Teresa Collins.






Heeeee!!!!!  He is just TOO CUTE!  I want to hug 'im.  Just say'n.

On another note...I recently (as in five minutes ago) discovered Dulce de Leche Cheerios.  I got a sample in the mail and OH.MY.CARAMEL.AMAZINGNESS.BATMAN.  For reals you guys.  These are the yummiest Cheerios EVER!  And I'm a pretty big Cheerios fan, so that's saying something.  Seriously, you guys.  These are SO GOOD!!!  I would say it's like eating candy for breakfast, but, well, I actually do that quite often and this has FAR less guilt associated with it.

HA!  I SOOOO don't feel guilty when I eat candy for breakfast, but I've heard other people do, so I tossed that in there for good measure.

Annnnnnyyyyyyway......

Jingle Out.

See you on the 'morrow!

What's On YOUR Workspace Wednesday and a Winner!

It is Wednesday and that means that it is time to share our workspaces!!!  I have to admit, my desk looks pretty ordinary this week...




You know...a few things here..a few things there.. basically LOTS OF THINGS EVERYWHERE!  HA!  HOWEVER....the most exciting part of my workspace this week is the addition of a couple of VERY fabulous items due to my awesome family and my birthday!




Yup!  That's a Grand Calibur!  And my parents gave it to me for my birthday.  And I'm in love with it!  Well, okay...I haven't actually used it yet as I just got it on Sunday evening and that darned job that pays the bills keeps getting in the say...BUT...I KNOW I am going to love it!!!  You can cut, you can emboss, you can stencil, you can slice, you can dice, and you can julienne!  I bet, if I tried, this sucker could even make smoothies.  Just say'n.  HA!  Okay...so really just the first three, but that's PRETTY amazing!!!!  I bought a couple of die sets already and I will be playing with it this weekend and getting it all set up.  Along with this...




What is that, you ask?  Well, those just so happen to be the photo studio lights that go with my new at-home studio!  It's a fabulous collapsible light box, complete with backdrops, tripod, lights, and fabulous storage!!!  I have to move a table around in my room to get it set up and play with it a bit to learn how to properly use it, but I am SO excited!!!  I've wanted one of these for a long time!  I'm giddy!!!! The Hubbums looked through several options before deciding on this one and he chose SO WELL!  I love it!!!!




As for this pretty little card, well, I created it with the Scrapbook Circle Remember This kit and the amazing printable that is included with the kit purchase!  I LOVE this printable!!!  Polaroid frames.  Need I say more? LOL!  This one was featured on the Scrapbook Circle blog yesterday along with a layout made by one of the other DT members using the printable in awesome ways!  This kit is seriously amazing!

So...that's all for today.

Oh....WAIT just a minute!  I need to announce a winner from my Birthday Giveaway!  The winner is...

ERIN!!!

Congratulations, Erin!  Please email me with your full name and address so I can send you your stamps and your gift card. I'm going to politely ignore the fact that it appears you are a Giants fan, k?  K.  Thanks.  HA!

So...now THAT is all for today!  To check out more awesome workspaces head on over to The Stamping Ground!

Jingle Out.

Sassy Cats Release Blog Hop with Skipping Stones Design

Welcome to Sketch Challenge 115 and the release of Sassy Cats 2! If you just came from Stephanie's blog, you are in the right place.  If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design.  The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.
Be sure to hop along and leave comments on all the fabulous designers’ blogs.  This month we are welcoming Cyndi Bundy and Barb Turpin  to our team as Guest Designers! Kazan Clark will be providing all the fabulous sketch inspiration this month including the sketch we're using in today's hop!

Here is my card for this week's sketch! It was a fun one!








I used both the Sassy Cats 2 new release set AND the amazing Garden Kiss set, too! I love them both! So fun!






That beautiful ribbon is May Arts! I love it!

AND...not only do we have the sketch challenge for you to play along this week AND the amazing blog hop for you to check out, BUT...there is also a FABULOUS SALE!!! If you buy ANY three Skipping Stones Design sets you will receive the YET TO BE RELEASED Heartsong 2 ABSOLUTELY FREE! It won't even be available for purchase until April! Be the first to get your hands on this GORGEOUS set! Here is a card I created with it:







Head over to JoAnn's blog for some more Skipping Stones Design inspiration!

Wendy J.
Karen
Kazan
Shannan
Cyndi
Taylor
Kandi
Barb
Wendy P.
Stephanie
Jingle
JoAnn
Katie

A Handsome Valentine or Just a Meathead with Balloons?

Thank you ALL for the amazing comments you left on my birthday giveaway post! I know it would be quite simple to leave a quick comment to enter to win and move on, but MAN, you guys really know how to make a girl feel special! Thank you all SO MUCH! I will keep that one open through Tuesday (Valentine's Day) at midnight.

And speaking of Valentine's Day...how about a date with this guy?



So...what do you think? A handsome Valentine or just a meathead with balloons? LOL! I think I'm leaning toward the latter, but he is at least amusing! HA! I created him using the SUPER fun masonite Circus Muscle Man with Heart from Retro Cafe Art Gallery. His balloons are from the 1" Circles Valentines Day Collage Sheet by Debrina Pratt. I covered them with a glaze and sprinkled glitter on them before attaching to the wire strings. The papers are from the You + Me kit from Scrapbook Circle.



This is a fun little piece that I really enjoyed putting together. Sort of a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the Hallmark holiday and all it's silliness. I hope you have enjoyed him!



Oh...and please forgive my photos over the next few days! I just got a brand new light box yesterday for my birthday and need to get it properly set up, but I took a few shots yesterday just to see how it all worked and I am SO still learning! LOL! But they are going to ROCK once I get it all figured out! Oh...and watch for some die cutting and embossing madness soon, too, because I also got a Grand Calibur for my birthday! Between The Hubbums and my awesome parents and sister, I pretty much had a craft-tastic day!!!!

Jingle Out.

It's My Birthday!!!

And that means that YOU get the presents!!!  I know it isn't necessarily YOUR birthday, but since my birthday is a happy day, I think we should just make it a HAPPY EVERYTHING day!!!





I will be giving away two items to ONE winner!  Simply leave a comment on THIS POST for your chance to win the Skipping Stones Design Grunge Stamp Set (this is a SUPER popular set, people!!!) AND a $10 iTunes Gift Card!!!  I know how important good music is while you craft, so I want to set you up with some great stamps and great music!!!

So that means you could win this...

AND this...

(Well, yours will look a little different, but it will be worth $10, so THAT'S fun!!! YAY!)

So...go ahead and leave your comment to win!!! Happy EVERYTHING!!!!!

Stampendous! Sea What's New Blog Hop

This Saturday the Stampendous team has something extra special planned for you...we have combined our regular monthly challenge with a blog hop showcasing some of the great new products released at CHA last month!  Pull up a chair, grab a warm beverage and yummy snack, and get ready to be wowed!  Be sure to scroll through my whole post; links to other hoppers, prize pack photos, and details on how to win are included below!




This is the card I created for the hop today. I LOVE this GORGEOUS set of stamps! It is the Nest Egg Perfectly Clear set and a MUST HAVE!!! I also used the GORGEOUS Chiffon Colored Fragments for my card. Seriously...could that soft yellow BE any prettier??? I think not, my friends. I think not.




If you have not checked out this month's great texture challenge, you can read all the details on the Stampendous blog.  Now, check out the whole list of fabulousness for today:

Stampendous Impressions

Wendy Price

Cyndi Bundy

Janelle Stollfus

Wendy Jordan

Jennie Lin Black

Taylor Usry

Jennifer Ingle

Suzanne Czosek

Krissy Fossmeyer

Stephanie Lee

Kristine Reynolds

Pam Hornschu

Melinda Gleissner

Jennifer Dove

As you hop from blog to blog, being wowed by all the amazing new goodies we are showing off, be sure to leave some love (and your contact email) for the designers, as well as on the Stampendous blog. The more you comment, the better your chances are to win one of these five fantastic prize packs.  Each one includes a brand new stamp set and bottle of color fragments from Stampendous:

Winners will be randomly selected from all comments left on blogs, so the more you comment the better your chances are to win one!!  You have until Sunday, February 12 th at 8:00 PM EST to leave a comment on each blog; winners will be announced on Monday, February 13th. Due to shipping restrictions, all winners must have a US/APO/FPO mailing address. 



And don't forget....We want YOU to play along with us in our monthly challenge!  Just add your direct link to your card (make sure you've loaded it up with tons of TEXTURE) to the linky tool below my signature (or on the Stampendous blog) no later than March 1, 2012 at 11:00 PM EST.  You do not have to use Stampendous products to play along, but we sure love it when you do!  And as an extra incentive for playing, one lucky person (drawn at random from all the entries) will receive the gorgeous Corset Ladies Perfectly Clear Stamp Set.