Time For Tea Designs - Announcement and February Challenge!

Happy Monday friends! Ha, I don't normally say those first two words in the same sentence :D HOWEVER, today is a Happy Monday, as I am finally able to announce that I've joined the faaaaaaab-ulous Design Team over at Time For Tea Designs. I've been a fan of Jo's artwork and images for many years...I believe the first card I ever made with one of her images was back in 20151 - crazy! Anyway...I saw they were having a DT call back in December and I decided to apply. Thanks for having me ladies; I can't wait to help inspire you!

My first project features this cutie pie called First Love. Coincidentally, the theme of our February challenge is "Love". You can find all the details on the challenge and how to enter on the Time For Tea Community Page on FB.

I've printed the First Love Phoebe digi stamp on Neenah white cardstock (80#) and colored her with Copic markers. The main image is die cut with Stitched Rectangle dies from Kat Scrappiness. I used Distress Stain Spray plus Black Soot Distress Oxide ink pad with this stencil from Echo Park to create the second background layer. The heart dies are from Sizzix, the Love word die is FSJ. Hand-doodled border on the main image panel.

I hope you enjoyed my project today! The other new DT ladies have all created an announcement project as well, so check out the post and swing by to say hi. Don't forget to join our FB community, follow us on Instagram, and play along in our monthly challenges. Can't pass up the chance for free stamps - am I right?? Thanks for stopping by!

Cute N Crafty - Challenge #10: Fall/Halloween

Happy Monday lovelies! Are you enjoying the FALL? We've had some lovely fall weather the last few days, and I am loving it! I don't like when it turns to winter but the end of summer/early fall especially, where it's cooled off but still nice...my favorite.

I am here today to share a project created as a Guest Designer at the Cute N Crafty challenge. So fun, right? Tabitha asked me to join her and the rest of the wonderful ladies for a couple of challenges, so here I am! The challenges run for 2 weeks, this challenge's theme is Fall or Halloween. Check it out!

Here's my card, featuring Barrel O Pumpkins from Cute N Crafty Mommy's etsy store. Perfect for fall!

Colored up with Copics, of course! The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions. The leaf brad is The Paper Studio, papers are from a FSJ pad I got awhile back, Spellbinders die, and Robin's Nest dew drops in the corner. Foam tape, Mono Multi glue, and viola!

Thanks for stopping by today! Don't forget to check out the challenge; and have a stampy day!

Rubbernecker Stamps - Challenge #27: Anything But A Card

Hello and happy Tuesday to all my lovely readers! Today I have some AHHH-MAZING news to share! I am just thrilled to have joined the ranks of the ridiculously talented Rubbernecker Stamps Design Team. Squeeee! Today is the first day of our new challenge, and my first project to share as part of the team.

Rubbernecker Challenges are posted bi-weekly, and run from Tuesday through the second Sunday following. Challenges are open to EVERYONE, and always have a theme. I'm part of the challenge team, so I'll have themed inspiration for you every other Tuesday. The rules are posted on the challenge blog.

Challenge #27 - Anything But A Card. I will admit, after joining up and beginning to learn my way around things, I was SUPER DUPER intimidated by this first challenge. If you've been here before, you know that I'm basically a card maker. So coming up with cool 3D type items (or, really, "anything but a card") always seems to be a major challenge for me. That being said, I really am pleased with how my project turned out today. (PHEW, right?!). :)

This lovely bouquet was very tricky to photograph. Because of the layered blooms, the movement of the wire stems, and 3D nature of the whole she-bang, I took about 50 photos from different angles trying to show off all the fun little details. I hope I caught them all!

Come on over and play along with us! We can't wait to see your fabulous "Anything But A Card" creations. You have until Sunday February 18th to link up HERE on the Rubbernecker Challenge Blog.

Supplies Used:

Below are links to the supplies I’ve used for today’s project. Compensated affiliate links may used, which means if you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support!

-Daisy rubber stamp set
-Daisy coordinating metal die
-Best Friends Etc. clear stamp set
-Freehand Border Mini rubber stamp set
-Small Frame die set
-Watercolor Butterfly rubber stamp set
-Rubbernecker Water Color Paper
-Miscellaneous supplies: Colored inks and water-based markers, Memento Rich Cocoa ink, adhesive rhinestone clusters from Fun Stamper's Journey, ribbon, picks, beads, and leaves from my stash, 26 gauge gold wire, 22 gauge green wire, foam tape, hot glue gun, and Scor-tape.

Vacation!

Hello all!

My family and I are headed to Washington D.C., and I have been SOOOO busy, I ran out of time for blogging! So, you will be able to see all of my challenge cards on the respective challenge blogs - Penny's on Wednesday, Creative Knockouts on Thursday, and Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday on....Friday! I have had to sit out the next challenge at Aud Sentiments due to time constraints, but will be back with a new project for #155 in 3 weeks!

Please visit all the great challenges (links there on the left sidebar) and play along with us for fun and prizes! I'll see you back here in about 10 days with new posts! 

2CraftyGirls: August Challenge Board!

Good morning! Welcome to AUGUST. What?? I still don't know how that is possible! I hope everyone is having a great summer :)

I wanted to pop in today to let you know there is a new challenge up at the 2CraftyGirls challenge blog. The blog is under new ownership, and has been restarted. Yay! This is the first challenge since the change so we hope you will come on over, check things out, and play along! I'm including the challenge board here, you can use 1, 2, or even all 3 of these elements to create your project!

The challenges run monthly, with inspiration posts on the 1st and 15th. Team A is posting today, so be sure to stop by the blog and leave them some love! I'll be back, along with the rest of Team B on the 15th to give you some fresh ideas. I can't wait to see your projects for this great new challenge board!

Have a great weekend!

Missing In Action

Hello friends! Sorry it's been pretty quiet around the blog this last week or two. My older son was doing some "No Hands!!" trick swinging and fell off, breaking both of his wrists. One required a procedure (not surgery, but he had to be put under anesthesia for it) in order to set it. It's been a bit of a roller coaster around here, but my mom is here now helping out for a few weeks and I'm able to get a few things done! Posts will be trickling in and getting back to normal with challenge blogs, stamp releases, spotlight posts, and other "Just for Fun" challenges. Casts will be off right about the time school starts, so keep a good thought for him (and all of us) and send some happy vibes our way!

Hope everyone is having a good summer (don't break anything!)...stamp happy!

May the 4th Be With You

The best nerd holiday around! I love it! Over the weekend, at Thing1's request, we made Star Wars cookies. They were both in honor of this wonderful holiday....and "just 'cause". :) He did much of the work and helped with cleanup...he was SO proud (as was I). He even let his brother decorate some cookies when they were ready. 

We did go out and get frosting bags and tips (AFTERWARDS of course) to use on the details, as we did not realize how tough this work would be without the right tools! But hey, that's the perfect excuse to do this again in a few weeks. ;)

I just wanted to share my sweet, crafty boys this morning; I hope you all have a great day!

A Little Thursday Happy!

Happy Thursday! Spring Break started here for my kids at noon, so we had a busy afternoon at the park and having a fun early dinner at Culver's (boy's choice hehe). That pushed this post off a bit later than I had planned, but hey, it's still Thursday!

But before my CARD POST tomorrow, I wanted to do a quick fly by with a super fun Thursday announcement (well, it's fun for me!)...I was chosen as one of the new Design Team Members over at Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps! 

I'm so stoked about this. Before my injury and our move/home remodel ate up the last couple years of my LIFE, I was fortunate enough to be on a number of different Design Teams and Challenge Teams. I LOVED working with the talented artists and the other DT members to show off products and images and generally just have an amazing time stamping and sharing. When I saw the DT call I was hesitant, I had barely stamped in 2 years, but it was one of my goals this year to start working my way back into this wonderous hobby. So in the I applied, and was lucky enough to be picked! Thank you to Lacey and Nicola for this great opportunity! I love the W'nW images - they have super cute animals, kids and fairies...right up my alley! 

Wags 'n Whiskers hosts a bi-weekly challenge, and the new one goes live tomorrow morning! All of the new teamies have created something lovely for your inspiration, so check it out and play along if you'd like! You can win free stamps...

Until the morning - happy stamping to you all!

The Evolution of a Stamp Room - Part 1

Happy Thursday! I can't wait for some nice down time this weekend! Hope everyone is having a good week.

This is a post I've been wanting to write for a week! Ever since my stamping room at this house (finally) came to be, and got unpacked and (mostly) organized, it was beyond time to go "squeeeeeeee" and share it with all of you! All that was holding me back; I've been searching all the digital archives I have here to try to find a couple of TRUE "before" pictures of the overall space so you could really see how far it has come.

Well unfortunately, I can't find any pre-move in, or even just-past-move-in but pre-digging-through-boxes-trying-to-find-a-birthday-card-to-send-or-some-stickers-for-the-kids.  :(  I do have a few in the middle stages, and of course the end, so this has waited long enough, so it's time to just go with what I've got!

Here we have the disaster of half opened boxes, searching for treasures here and there:

What a nightmare!!

So then after some of the other house remodel projects were done, hubs framed out the entertainment/family room (which shares a wall with my new stamping area). Then we had the entire finished portion of the basement exterior spray foam insulated, as well as the rim joists of the WHOLE house. That means we had to move Every.Single.Thing. in the basement away from the wall at least 3 feet....

 

Then we painted the brick that was left unfinished, and hubs did wiring, more wiring, added outlets, lights, drywall, painted, shelving, counters, etc. etc. and we finally got somewhere.

As you can see, it's not quite done in these pictures. The kids' toys were moved into the family room once the carpet was put down, so that's gone. I also unpacked the last of the stamps and boxes. I'm not sure what happened to my final pictures, but if I clean up the papers I dragged out for ACTUAL CARD MAKING the other day, I can take some more where the room is at about 95% complete and organized (rather than the 80%) you see here.  But for tonight, I'm posting. I guess the stamp room evolution discussion will be a 2-part post ;)

Have a great night! Thanks for dropping by!

Well, Happy 2015!

I thought I would try a blog post. YES! I'm still around here and I'm looking forward to getting back into stamping. After so So SO many trials and tribulations over the last couple of years, I am healthy, I have a healthy family, slightly more self-reliant little boys, and...MOST importantly of all...A BRAND NEW SPANKIN' BEAUTIFUL STAMPING ROOM custom built for me, by hubs.  It was just finished a couple of weeks ago and I've been unpacking, organizing, reorganizing, and getting reacquainted with all of my beautiful, wonderful, *amazing* crafting supplies.

Photos coming soon. I know you want to see them! :D

Time to dust things off and have a glitter-baptism of the new space! Right?!

Vacation!!

Hello Friends!!

Well I am on vacation, visiting my parents, for the next week or so, so the blog will be pretty quiet.  One of my amazing sista's at 365 Cards will be filling in for me this Friday, so check that post out over on the blog.  I did have a card for yesterday's post, so check the blog fot that one too, it never made it up here with all the last minute running around I did.  I can stamp, but blogging has been a real challenge this summer!  What's with that??

Of course Wednesday's Paper Pretties challenge will also be available on the Paper Pretties blog.

With all the trip prep, I never even got caught up with the posts!  Jeez!  I swear I need another 5 hours a day.  :D  But when we're home and access to the photos again I will do that.  Can't let all those fun card creations go to WASTE!

Have a great weekend and next week/weekend and I'll be back the week of the 29th.  MWAHs to you all!!

A Fun Announcement!

Happy Tuesday stamping friends!  Can you believe that it's almost Chirstmastime already??  Who's ready??  (Not here, eek!).  I hope everyone has a great start to this busy week!

I have a very fun announcement this morning!  Well, fun for me!  New year, new design team?  Sure!  I am super excited to share the news that I am joining the Squigglefly Design Team (January - June 2011).  

For those of you that do not know anything about Squigglefly (other than being an online shop that sells digital images for papercrafting, which is of course the most important thing!), here is some great info for you:

• Did you know that Squigglefly is the only company that doesn't let your download links expire?  This is important because if your computer crashes and you lose your images, you can contact Squigglefly with your e mail address and they can send your download links to you so you can retrieve your images!
• Squigglefly also has an rewards program!!  When you sign up for Squigglefly Rewards, it keeps track of your purchases and for every $15.00 you spend you earn a free image!  You can redeem the free image whenever you want.  Sweeeeeeeet....

Be sure to stop by the Squigglefly website and check out all of those cool images by MANY different talented artists!!  They have something here for EVERY taste! 

And to celebrate, I wanted to share a card that I made using some of my new Squigglefly images!  This one is called "Windy Ride".  Could this little bear BE any cuter?!

Simple recipe for this card - I printed the image on PTI white, colored with Copics, cut out with Nestabilities.  The sentiment is from {Little Paper Shop}.  Art Institute glitter on the clouds - ALL clouds should be glittered, don't you think?
;-)


Thanks for stopping by!  I'm super excited to share some of Squigglefly's huge inventory of images with you over the next six months!  Squigglefly Mondays coming in January...stay tuned!


Lastly, be sure to stop back tomorrow for an all-new Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge.  See you then!

Store and Stamping News

Hi everyone! Just a quick post to let you know that the Susana's Custom Art and Card Design web store is closed until Friday at about noon (PST). Susana is doing some site maintenance and she's taking a much needed break as well! The shopping cart is turned off but the store is still active, so you can browse all you like and make your wish lists for later! Also, the Try It Out Tuesday for this week has been moved to Friday so I will see you back here then!

Tune in tomorrow for my debut as a Prettie Girl for Paper Pretties - it's the Wednesday challenge and if you play along you will have a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to the Paper Pretties store!!

Oh yes, and one other announcement coming up tomorrow too so I'll see you then!

I Feel Prettie!

Today's the official announcement day! I can finally share the news that I am a part of the Paper Pretties design team as one of the four new Prettie Girls, along with Jane Matsumoto, Kristy Ketterlin, and Wendy Bond! How exciting is that?! It's also release day, so kick things off right, there will be a Pajama Party over in the Paper Pretties forum tonight at 7 PM CST. Hope to see you there!

Thanks so much to Christie for asking me to join her. I look forward to sharing lots of prettie creations with you! Hope you have a great Sunday, thanks for stopping by!

Temporarily Out of Action

Hi everyone -

I know I've been quiet this week on the blog - I haven't even been stamping! I had a biking accident on Monday and got pretty beat up. I was lucky and I'm going to be fine but I did hurt my right hand and so I can't do much of anything stamping-wise until that heals up some more! So that's why I haven't been posting but I am itching to get back to it!! As soon as I am able I'll be back to creating and blogging; and hopefully in the next few days. So bear with me! Hope you all have a great weekend!

A Crazy Day

We have had a little bit of family & household upheaval and craziness yesterday and today so I don't have a card to share today. But I do have one I'm finishing up for tomorrow - stay tuned for a sample from the Shy Bears line at Susana's Custom Art and Card Design - they are SO sweet!! See you then. :)

In the Limelight!

With all the Club Anya festivities yesterday, I never posted my big news! I was asked to be one of the Guest Designers for Limelight Papercrafts for February! You can read Mandy's announcement here if you are so inclined. I've been a fan and customer of Limelight for awhile and so I was thrilled to have a chance to work with Mandy too! She's got great products and prices, and even better service so be sure to stop by and check out the shop!

{LPS Monday is in the next post down for this morning}

{Little Paper Shop}

Good morning everyone! Well it's a balmy -17 here in Wisconsin right now, how about where you are?? A little warmer I hope!

I have a HUGE announcement to make, one I've been waiting to share for a couple of weeks now -- so I'm unbelieveably excited that TODAY is the day! I was asked to join the Design Team for {Little Paper Shop} and I am now "official"!! I have been a fan of Julia's designs since she opened shop so I was honored to accept.

Today is also release day for the January sets over at LPS, so check out this blog post to see all the new goodies. I need my package to be here right NOW so I can get started!! *g*

Well in the meantime I thought I would share a card I made a couple of weeks ago. I won the Global set from Julia on the LPS blog back when it released and I used it on this card. I had SO much fun adding the snow and the Shimmerz -- all the little details. What a great set! Seriously, when she drew my name, I sold my old Stampin' Up! Snowglobe set that I had been hanging on to for YEARS because I knew I wouldn't need it anymore! This is a clear set - perfect placement every time; it's fabulous. Here's a close up of the main image detail:

I colored the image with Copic markers, then painted the sky with Sky Blue Shimmerz. Once that dried I used a Quickie Glue Pen to add chunky "snow" glitter on the house and ground. I took an edge distressor to all of the layers including the Swiss Dots panel. Put it all together with some Ski Slope DP & rope and called it done. The colors are Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip.

Thanks for stopping by today! Stay warm!

More Exciting News!

Well you might have noticed I finally got around to updating my sidebars and link lists! I've been meaning to do it for awhile but today I had a very good reason to make it a priority!

Last week I was asked to join the design team for Pink Papery Studios and of course I said yes! Have you SEEN the cute cute images and fun accessories that Amy carries? Not everything is up on the web store yet but there's plenty to get you started on your wish list! I am loving the images I have to play with here and will have some fun projects to share soon {now that Christmas cards are DONE DONE DONE!}. I have included a permanent link to the store on my left sidebar, as well as the blog links for all the other Design Team members. Stop by and say hi, they are all amazingly talented and I am SO lucky to be joining them!

The other announcement is for a FANTABULOUS new sketch challenge team! I've joined up with my good friend Jessica and several other "twinkling" divas to present...Madelynn's Twinkling Tuesdays! Do you remember the story from earlier in the week {click here to refresh your memory} of how Jess's 8 year old DD made up a sketch for her? Well the super sketcher, Miss Madelynn, got such a great response that she decided to make it a weekly challenge! Check back on TUESDAYS to see what Madelynn and her team have in store for you. Permanent blog links for the rest of the Design Team are on the left side of my blog.

That's it for me for tonight, but I'll be back tomorrow with the BLOG CANDY WINNER of the Jessica Lynn Original $20 gift certificate, you still have a little time to enter if you haven't yet. Until then...

In the LIMELIGHT Contest!

Ok, here are my photos for the Limelight Papercrafts WCMD "What's in your purse" game that Mandy ran. Unfortunately, since I am visiting my mom and dad in FL, I don't have a pic of "The Devil Wears Prada" DVD because....I'm not at home. But I have the others! In no particular order...

Candy - Tootsie Pops, my DS #1's absolute favorite thing in the world.

Breakfast - Just toast and Chai Latte (I had already drank some as you can see!) this morning because I knew we were having an early lunch before we hit the BEACH - 80+ degrees here today, no wonder my dad doesn't want to move back to Wisconsin.

Sleeping family member - I am so lucky I had this picture in my e-mail from when I sent it to my mom awhile back. This was taken in probably May of my DS #1, he's 3.5 in this photo. I stay up late and read or stamp while all my boyz are in bed, and check on them before I go to sleep. Around midnight one night I sneak in there and he looks like he came home from the frat party and passed out or something!! That CAN'T be comfortable!

Partially finished cards - I've been trying to figure out what to do with this image I colored and Shimmerz'd like 3 days ago and still haven't used it yet!! So I'd say that counts! I have been a stamping maniac on this vacation -- I LOVE IT!!

The mousepad on my mom's computer is not very exciting - but here it is! Cordless mouse with the laptop is cool at least! We need one of those at home.

Sadly, no Devil Wears Prada and DH isn't home to take the pic of mine for me, so that's it!