A Pig On Fire

challenge duo

2011-08-14T13:44:00.004-06:00

Hey ya'll...

So I've stamped a little this summer - more than I thought I had when I looked back through the pictures I've taken.

This little number was inspired by Iwona's sketch.

I needed some color inspiration too so I used the colourQ for the week.

And here's my card:

Thanks for dropping by! :)

2010-12-24T14:20:00.006-07:00

I've discovered my prime time for creating - 12 AM to 2 AM. Yep, I stayed up LATE last night and got my stampin' groove on. It was fun to participate in a few challenges. I CASEd a couple of layouts from the new Paper Crafts Card Creations - Favorite Occasions mag, but I think I really made them my own. :)

Okay, so this first card is actually for the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge this week. Very interesting sketch - I kept it very clean and simple and like how it turned out. The stamp is from the Unity December Kit of the Month. (Oh how I love new stamps!)

This card was inspired by Latisha Yoast on page 21 of the magazine I mentioned earlier. I like to think I made it my own! :) I was attempting the Pacific Point and Razzleberry and Kraft color combo, tried just the Razzleberry and white combo, and then added in the black. It was quite the process for such a simple card. So my stamping style - making things more complicated than they need to be! LOL! Kind of fun to see the old Buds & Blossoms set, isn't it? I *ADORED* this set when it came out and just had to keep it around for the memories. It was fun to put it to use!

More Unity KOTM love! :) This was for the Play Date Cafe color challenge. They said wine, bright blue, and beige and I interpreted it as Razzleberry, Pacific Point, and Kraft! :) This was inspired by that same layout as the cards above.

Last but not least, this card is for the Colour Create Challenge. It's hard just using two colors, especially when one is white! This uses the grid from the Unity Dec. KOTM. LOVE it! Die cut a butterfly from the SU! die from vellum (I had to get another kind of paper in there!) and then colored it with the Razzleberry ink pad. I did have to wait for it to dry over night. This is CASEd from Ellie Augustin's card on pg 83 of the PC mag.

I had so much fun creating last night. Totally hit my creative groove with these colors and the Unity Kit. I only wish I could stay up that late and not be tired the next day! (As I write this, I actually feel like I need to take a nap!)

I will be spending the next few days at my mom's house. I wish I could figure out a way to transport some stamping stuff over there, so I can still feel like I'm getting my fix! LOL

My family is coming with me to my church tonight for the Christmas Eve service. I am really excited - I think that will be the best Christmas present of all! :) I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

~Kendra

Christmas Cards Galore!

2010-12-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, I had so much fun tonight. (But I am so going to regret it in the morning! LOL!)

I was blog surfing while The Closer was on (anyone watch it?! Great show! Kyra Segdwick is my hero!) I found quite a few challenges that I wanted to participate in, and I actually had energy and creativity to do it, rather than just SAY I wanted to do it! Go figure! (I think someone spiked my drink at school and gave me some caffeine!

Anyways, here goes -

Holly Sparkle

This was for the Cupcake Inspiration challenge. Had to try my hand at winning some Lawn Fawn stamps! :) You can't tell in the picture, but I went over the hand colored areas on the holly with a Sakura glitter pen. Just enough "sparkle" to be sweet! REALLY diggin' this layout, which came from the Crop Stop December sketches. (Told you I was blog surfing and found some challenges!)

Holiday Trees

I stamped the tree with the words on it to try on my first card, but that didn't work. Then, I tried stamping it and flipping it over so you couldn't see the words. That didn't work either. So, then I had these two trees and I couldn't let them go to waste! So a fiddled, stamped and cut out ANOTHER tree. I used a layout by Debbie Olson, but I don't do it nearly enough justice. I like this one too.

Tree Trio

Lastly, this card combined the Clean and Simple layout for the week with the Curtain Call Color Challenge, Act 59. Again, very simple, but a card I really, really like.

Thank you so much for looking! :) Hope the holiday spirit is making you joyful in and out!

Get Sketch #64

2010-11-13T19:26:00.005-07:00

I was blog hopping the other day and came across Stephanie Muzzulin's blog promoting the Get Sketchy blog challenge. I've never heard of it, but I'm a big fan of sketches! Just makes everything go tons faster (and I need all the help I can get in that category! LOL)

So, I hopped on over... and I have fallen in love with this sketch!

This is the first card I made, and my favorite of the two. Love the color combo. Got the paper from someone a few years ago, so I have no idea what kind it is. This is just fun and simple!

I've played with the placement of the sentiment a bit. Those dang sentiments always get in my stinkin' way! These colors were fun too. Kind of unusual, but they flow nicely. The snowman was water-colored with white craft ink, something that I saw Anna Wright do. Not quite as high class as her's, but it's a cool technique.

I may have to do a couple of more Christmas cards with this sketch. I definitely have more stamps that would work easily with it! :)

Thanks for dropping by!

birdie (and owl) friends are the best

2010-11-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here I am again, later than I expected. Seriously, can't I just stop my life and stamp all day? Oh, except for those things called tv and the couch often keep me from doing this, even when I do have an opportunity to. And there is blog surfing and finding inspiration to actually stamp. You know, those little things.

I've made several stamping purchases lately and this card uses two of them. Hooray for me!
First was the Unity November kit of the month. I seriously love the idea of new stamps coming to me each month! I would love to make a goal to say that I would stamp with them _____ X per month, but we all know that wouldn't actually happen. (At least I'm honest...) We'll have to see how things go...

So isn't this stamp just the cutest? Of course my aunt immediately noticed the little owls, which made it all that much cuter! (How did owls get so popular anyways... all I think of when I hear owls is the old, ugly (sorry, my honest opinion) ceramic owls that people had in the 80's. However, I must admit, they are growing on me a bit.

The second purchase was the Dotted Grid background from Green Grass Stamps. It's not quite big enough for the whole card, and I smudged it a bit when I tried to stamp it again. So then, I went with the whole overlapped, double stamped look. It actually makes the card look quite cute in real life. (Sorry this picture is so blurry... maybe it will look better when I publish this puppy.) Go figure, intentional non-perfection makes things cuter...

I'm loving these colors together - Wild Wasabi and Riding Hood Red, with some aqua thrown in. I used some of my "Green Stack" DCWV paper that I've had for way too long. (On the upside, this wasn't the first time I've used it... but probably only the 3rd or 4th.)
I stole the layout idea from the most recent SU! youtube video and I'm really digging it. Definitely one I'm going to have to use again...

Halloween cards and some cleverness!

2010-10-25T20:11:00.005-06:00

I have two Halloween cards for you today! (I have another special picture for you, but I'll save it until tomorrow. It's so adorable! :) )

Nothing earth-shatteringly creative here, but I thought it was cute! I love that little spider from the old SU! stamp set, "Trick or Treat". I wish I loved Halloween more, so that I would get more use out of this oldie, but goodie!

Now on this one, I thought myself momentarily brilliant! I used the Cuttlebug "Boo to You" embossing folder in Basic Black, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, and Rich Razzleberry. Then I used the 1 1/4" circle punch to punch out each of the images in different colors. This card was added to one of my "You've been Boo'ed" gifts at school. (Notice the "boo" at the bottom" - uber clever, aren't I?)

Again, nothing spectacular, but it was something - and something ALWAYS counts for something! (Ha, ha, notice my cleverness yet again!? I should sell this stuff!)

Well, I'll be back again soon - I have one more Halloween picture to show you! :)

Love, the Brilliant Clever

New design, new attempt!

2010-10-23T11:25:00.002-06:00

Hey ya'll!
So, I'm not a very good blogger. It amazes me how I can let life get so complicated and not take time for the things that I enjoy. It's definitely a fine balance between work and life.

So, my goal is to stamp more and to use this blog as a place to talk about things - all kinds of things! My other passion is reading and I've read some great books recently. While I'm not the world's best reviewer, I do think it would be fun to share some of my thoughts about the books I read. We'll see how things go... I always say I'm going to turn things around, but then it doesn't happen. (But, I figure if I can spend as much time on facebook as I do, I can at least do something that I can show for, right?)

On a side note, check out my new blog header! Isn't it just the cutest thing? I purchased it over at Green Grass Stamps. I've always been a big fan - I have lots of their stamps, but need to use them more. Of course though, I had to buy more! So, I hope in my attempt to turn over a new leaf, I can get up there and use them!

I have made some Halloween cards. Just need to upload them to my computer and get them blogged. I don't have too long to do that do I? Halloween is just around the corner - and then Thanksgiving - and then Christmas. This really is my favorite time of the year. I love spending time with my family - and it just seems like happiness feels the air.

I pulled out my Christmas papers and stamps. I realized that I have quite a bit of Christmas stuff! So, again, in my attempt to do more - I'm hoping to make some Christmas cards to sell at school. Whether anyone buys any is another question, but it's worth a shot. I'm looking for some great Christmas inspiration and would love a new Christmas set. If you have any suggestions, leave me a note, would ya?

I'll be back with my Halloween cards!

Embellish Challenge

2010-08-20T11:15:00.001-06:00

Created for the Embellish challenge - don't know how cutesy this is, but I love how it turned out! :) Oh, and why is it that you always fall in love with a color when your ink pad is running dry and you have only a few sheets of cardstock left? Anyone out there have any Groovy Guava they'd like to get rid of? :)

Thanks for looking!
~Kendra

Casing a stamping hero

2010-07-07T11:01:00.004-06:00

I absolutely adore Joslyn Nielson's stamping/layout style. I don't know that my cards are ever as good as hers, but I certainly like to try. She has a way with buttons and ribbon that I just can't seem to emulate... :) Here is a card layout that I case'd from her..

and mine...

Like I said, she's got a way with buttons and ribbon.... but I like how this turned out.

Thanks for dropping by!

2010-06-29T18:18:00.000-06:00

I created this for the Embellish color challenge this week, with an emphasis on a baby card. I also used one of Karen Giron's sketches. At my grandmother's funeral last week, our family was able to meet the new littlest member of our clan. I thought I would make my cousin and his wife a baby card and send a Walmart card for diapers. :)

I just love this stamp set - it reminds me of a blanket I had as a kid. Trying to get some use out of those embossing folders I just had to have - I would say I have a teensy weensy addiction to those things! LOL!

Thanks for dropping by!

leafy celebration case

2010-06-16T22:08:00.004-06:00

I finally stamped! It seems that I don't make enough time for this hobby of mine that might be able to keep more sane. LOL

My goal this summer is to make a card a day - if I'm home. So, this is my start!

I cased a card from mocjen, whose work I have always admired from afar. I loved her clean and simple take and thought I'd give it a try. I do believe that this SU! set, Paradise, is one of my favorites ever. It just sends my little heart to Hawaii or some tropic island. If only in my dreams...

Her card:

My card:

Thanks for dropping by!

I Need to Stop Looking Away...

2010-05-02T21:46:00.002-06:00

It is amazing how God can bring you to your knees...

Our new series at church is titled "Outcasts". I was sitting there - thinking that I am a pretty good person. I really am tolerant, I am open, and I accept people as they are. I try very hard to not judge people. It was an interesting message.

And then, the pastor asked, "Do any of you watch Dick Clark on New Year's Eve?" And I immediately thought - yes, and it's totally heart-wrenching to see him now. And that's exactly the point. Here is Dick Clark who is happy to be on the show - to do what he has always done. He isn't ashamed that he is no longer in his prime, his face ravaged by the affects of a stroke. He puts himself in front of the camera, and I think, he does it through God's guidance as a dare for Christians to not look away.

I am guilty of looking away. I mostly do it when I'm watching tv. When someone is about to make a complete fool of themselves, I turn the channel really quick so I don't have to watch. It just makes me cringe... and I'll be honest, I said to my mom that I thought Dick Clark should call it quits.

And, as I sit here typing this, I have to call attention to something else. I need to be honest.

At my school, I have been in the hall with the extended resource kids for two years. They travel down the hall quite often. I do say hello to most of them, but there is one little girl who laughs, who crys, and does these things LOUDLY. I will admit that I get a little annoyed. And it's not at her, it's that the workers with her don't help her be more quiet.

But, if I'm honest with myself - I need to realize that my "tolerance level" for this particular situation is low.

And how did I get to this point? Because of Carlos's post - his story brought me to tears.

I am amazed by God's power to reach me in new, profound ways. I can't trust my head, but must rely on him to teach lessons to be a better person. I am so thankful. Tomorrow, I'm going to go hang out with this little girl during my prep time.

~Kendra

2010-04-08T22:28:00.002-06:00

I've decided to shake things up here on the ol' bloggo. Obviously I'm not such a great card-making poster. (I have to say that the last time I was in my craft room was over a month ago. I didn't even go in there over spring break. I'm not feeling the creative love.)

So, I'm going to attempt to post some thoughts and observations. I've always wanted to be a writer, so I'm going to try it here. I can't say that I will say anything that good, or that anyone will actually read it, but hopefully some one will. Oh, and maybe I'll share a home-made card or two, if I actually get inspired to make one.

I've recently been inspired by Carlos Whittaker at www.ragamuffin.com. Carlos is a worship pastor, musician, and family man. I found him through a facebook repost of his youtube video, Single Ladies Devestation. I've have been completely knocked upside the head, discombobulated, and blessed by this man's website and thoughts. Christians being real and honest?! What an amazing concept! The poor man will probably think that I'm a stalker, but I am sure that I will be talking about him more...

I must mention at this point, that I do NOT claim to be the perfect Christian. In fact, I am so far from it, that it makes me laugh. However, I think that I am beginning to realize that the journey is not one that I can travel alone. I need to talk about things, I need the inspiration throughout the week. (I am the first to admit that I am totally inspired at church on Sunday, but find myself running out of inspiration/faith/etc. by the end of the week.

I am hoping that I can stick to my new goal, that I will find some good things to share, and I really really hope that I we can have some conversations about some things. :)

~Kendra

Jen del Muro's blog candy entries!

2010-02-28T19:32:00.006-07:00

Jen del Muro - queen of all good sketches - is having a contest! :) She is offering a motherload of blog candy from a variety of stamp companies! Holy tomoli, would I love to win!

Now, Jen's sketches flex me like nothing else! I am not pleased with all of my cards, but there are a couple in there that I really like!

This was one of the cards that I didn't like as much. It looked so much cuter in my head! I used some October Afternoon paper that is just delightful! The sentiment is from Green Grass Stamps. I think it's perfect for this image.

This was the second card I made for Jen's challenges. This was my second try and it's the sketch that is still stuck in my head! I may have to give this another go! :)

This was my first card. Why is it that the first two cards I made turned out the best?! I've actually already given this one away!

This card took me forever to make this afternoon. Definately not my favorite. I made it for a little chica from my class last year who comes and eats lunch with me every day. She is such a cute girl. Her birthday is on Tuesday. I'm working on decorating a little container for her that I'm going to put candy in. Hopefully she likes it!

Well, I am crossing my fingers that I win some yummy blog candy! It would totally happy-making! :)

Butterfly trio

2010-01-05T08:00:00.001-07:00

I was searching through my SCS favorites and came along this super sweet, simple card. Becky Carafa is one of my stamping favorites - she does such clean, simple designs.

Here is my attempt to recreate her card:

I am loving these bright, happy colors together. The white base makes the bermuda bay pop. Again, it's super simple, but I think it works really well.

Thanks for dropping by!

Better Late than Never!

2010-01-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I am several days late, but better late than never, right?

I made this for the sketch challenge for Paper Pal Arts.

I was pretty pleased with how it turned out. I used some decorative paper from SU's Ginger Blossom decorative paper pack from last year, along with Certainly Celery. I don't believe that the "hill" design is all that original, but I can't remember where I've seen it before.

I hope you all like it too!

My new favorite things...

2009-12-29T12:37:00.005-07:00

Well, this has kept me busy:

Her name is Gabriella and she would like to be played with, held while sleeping, and kept company while eating. I really need a baby carrier if I would ever like to stamp again. :) (And I am writing this now one-handed because the other hand has to hold a chewy!)

But, I did manage to create some stuff. Hopefully I can keep posting them through the new year. Even better than that, I can have some classes to make them! That's even better!

So Jessica Witty is my new found stamping hero. Isn't it funny how our stamping styles change and those we look to change with it? Now, I am not going to say that my cards are nearly as beautiful as Jessica's, but her cards are my new favorites to ooohh and ahh over. And the girl is funny to boot!

Jess makes these 10-minute scrap pile cards that are just gorgeamacious... and, while I tried to make the following card in 10 minutes, I failed. And I didn't use any scraps. So, it really doesn't fit the challenge at all. However, I was inspired by dear Jessica's blog colors: basic gray and bermuda bay. And, my dear friend Jessica (okay, so she isn't actually my friend, but I am going to pretend!? Plus, I live in an entirely different state than her, so it's not technically stalking...) also has a thing for yellow. So I threw a little bit of that in there too!

I am quite pleased with myself, if I do say so myself! :)

I am off to do more stamping, even though I should be working on school stuff. How quickly time flies when you are on vacation and not doing anything you should be! :)

Anyone have any ideas on how to solve this:

My legs are starting to fall asleep! :)

Cupcake Inspiration Challenge

2009-12-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hello again my friends!

So I started the challenge on Sunday, but didn't get it to come together until last night. I'm liking the cupcake inspiration challenges from Hope Stamps Eternal. Yeah... can't hurt that I was in last week's top 5. :) I'm such a competitor... it's totally the Aries in me.

This guy was our inspiration for the week. Totally cute, but it took me a while to figure out how to put it together. I knew I wanted the colors baja, white, with some black. So this was my first one after about 20 different snowmen didn't work out.

Simple, sweet. But no snowman. And by golly I was bound and determined to use a danged snowman!

Pretty stinkin' happy with the way this card turned out. Not normally colors one would use for a Christmas card, (the base is going gray) but they work. Love those little felt flurries. They are my friends for Christmas cards. Why I didn't use them when they come out is beyond me... I am always inspired by things WAY after the catalog gets rid of them. It's awesome! :)

On a side note - I am thinking about doing another home-sales business (or whatever it's called...). It's called Wildtree and it's food based. Everyone likes food right? And, yes, I may have issues cooking, but I can do the basics of spaghetti and tacos. The Wildtree seasonings for these both are great.

With getting started on another company, I decided to begin my New Year's Resolution early and starting getting classes together for SU. Wish me the bestest of luck.... we all know how resolutions go.... but.... not this time. This time I'm doing it!

Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs!

Holiday Happiness

2009-11-24T22:07:00.004-07:00

I stamped again! Now, you must be wondering what is wrong with me... well - it is because I got rid of my roommate (and I realize "get rid of" sounds quite mean, but it is the truth!) So - I now have the run of three bedrooms. One is a storage and upstairs the "master" is my stamp room and the other fairly large room is my bedroom. I have never had a place quite this big before so it's fun to be able just to do whatever - which includes stamping my little heart out. :)

I am very pleased with the card I have made this evening. Today I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch.

For holiday inspiration, I recently raided my aunt's stamp collection. I found this oldie, but goodie - Merry Christmoose. Ever so adorable!

(I'm not sure why the picture isn't showing up that well... I truly did sharpen it up a bit! Cameras... geez!)

Great color combo, yeah? Fun, cheerful, happy! All is well in my stamping world tonight!

Cupcake Inspiration Challenge

2009-11-23T20:35:00.006-07:00

Yes... I do exist. And I do still stamp. I just have not blogged. :)

I participated in Rachel Hope's Cupcake Inspiration challenge last night. Love the colors! And it really worked for Christmas cards! (I am totally on a Christmas kick! I can't seem to make any type of cards, although I kind of need too.)

and....

They will look so good on my Christmas tree. Yes, I decorate my Christmas tree with cards that I make. And then I send them all away and my tree is bare. LOL!

Well I am off to make something... Although I need to get with it quick so I can get to bed. More sleep = less cranky teacher. :)

Plus, I still want to read.

Good night!

Mojo 113 - Christmas Cheer

2009-11-22T19:51:00.003-07:00

Hello! I thought that I would post my latest creation using the Mojo sketch 113. It took me a while to get this one done - but it all finally came together with the sentiment.... don't you think that it looks like a little present with the ribbon placed on top? :) It's a pretty simple card and not really my favorite of the night, but it will do.

Have a great night!

My Time to Inspire

2009-08-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

Good morning ladies! I'm sorry I missed you last Saturday for the My Time challenge, but I'm back with 2 cards today! Yep, 2!

The inspiration challenges for me always really lead me to the colors. I like how the others can see the patterns and other elements in a picture, but for me the colors really stand out! :) I'm a color girl, through and through!

Today's challenge is no different - as soon as I collected my papers to get a feel for the colors I knew we had a winner!

This first set is one I just picked up at my local stamping store 40% off! Gotta love a deal! It is Fancy Pants Designs - Little Star. A perfect little set for baby cards, although this card could really go for anything. I used Melon Mambo, Cool Caribbean, Gable Green, and Pink Pirouette. The colors look so fabulous together!

I kept the layout pretty simple - I finished the card off with some shiny Target ribbon and too cute Pink Pirouette flower buttons!

My parent's anniversary is this weekend, which lead me to this card. I used an old Hero Arts card of the week layout, using SU! products. While it looks similar in layout and theme, I really think I made it my own. :)

I hope you get a chance to play along with us - be sure to check out our new contest "My Time to Shine" where your cards will be selected to be highlighted on Lauren's blog! :)

Check out the other girls who are playing right over here --------->

Have a great, stamping-filled weekend! Enjoy the last couple weeks of summer vacation!

Hugs,

Sweet Sunday Sketch - Get Well Wishes

2009-08-04T09:58:00.004-06:00

After watching my favorite tv shows last night - The Closer (and somehow I've gotten stuck on "Raising the Bar" - not a favorite show, but pretty good) - I got upstairs and stamped!

Of course, I had to play in Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch! ( I think it's my favorite sketch challenge!)

I just loved this one - so classic! :) I pulled out this card size - 6" x 3 3/4". I like this size because it's different, but not too long or big. It's just right!

I used two new in-colors and paired them up with Ballet Blue and Old Olive. It's a good color combo... I used the classic Fun & Fast Notes. The card base looks kind of plain, but I didn't want to fuss it up with a background stamp. I find that sometimes that just makes the card look really busy! So, sweet and simple it is! :)

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Sweet Sunday Sketch (on Monday!)

2009-07-27T21:30:00.006-06:00

Two posts in one day?!? I know, scary huh?

Well, I was on a Clean and Simple look so I was able to bust out a couple more cards. This time, I went with Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch.

I always love her sketches... but I must admit, I was slightly afraid of this one! But, then I got to thinking about the Heart to Heart punch... I suppose because it's on sale (of course, after I just bought it... because that's the way things always go for me! LOL).

I made this first one super quick. I found some American Crafts decorative paper and poof! :)

Love this one - again, I could see it as a sweet little note tucked away for a sweet loved one to find!

Now, I had to try to do something else.... using ONLY SU! stuff because Karen is a demo... I know that has nothing to do with her sketches... but, I want to at least try. I'm weird like that.

Umm and ya.... not liking this one so much.

I wanted to keep with the Melon Mambo and Bravo Burgandy combo because I liked the combo of them from the card I made for Dawn McVey's color challenge last week. I added the chocolate jumbo brad to the middle (those things totally polish off this flower from the One of the Kind set!) I wanted to use the melon ribbon as one of the strips and then I played and played and played with the flowers from the flower punch that matches this set...

I am not happy with the product, but eh... can't win them all can ya?

Anyways, thanks for dropping by!

Cuteasaurous!

2009-07-27T17:58:00.003-06:00

I think this little guy is just the cutest thing.... I thought this would be a great little card to stuff in a lunch box of a little tyke on the first day of school. Or even in the suitcase of a lovebug going away! Too bad I don't have either... BOO! :( Ha ha! Maybe some day!

Just like my card.... my post is clean and simple! Have a great rest of the day!

New DoodleFactory Stamps

2009-07-26T14:52:00.003-06:00

Look at these oh so adorable new stamps from Doodlefactory! Just too stinkin' cute! I can't decide which is my favorite - I love them both! Be sure to drop by the site for the chance to win some stamps!

My Timeless Template Challenge 04

2009-07-25T14:49:00.005-06:00

Okay - so I had my project finished on Thursday night, but my camera battery died. Yesterday, I was out of the house until 9 pm. And then this morning, I slept.

So, here is my My Time project, better late than never, right?

Aren't the colors for the template challenge gorgeous?! LOVE them!

I decided to use the Filed with Flair template. (I didn't even remember I bought it!) It was crazy how my ideas changed throughout the course of making this... I had different papers, I tried to stamp on it... and then BAM! it hit me!

At first I was going to use this as a card box. But, I wanted something more...

Then I thought... what could I put in my file box? What is something I would give? Aha! Books!

A pretty simple project, with just decorative paper on the outside of it, but a really sweet way to give a gift of books! I thought the receiver could then use this as a holder for their current bedside reading. I know that it won't hold all type of books, but it fits the tradebook paperbacks perfectly!

I used the ribbon as a little book tie for the gift. I also covered a metal book mark that I had hiding in my stash as well. I think it makes a really cute gift!

The teacher in me (especially one who loves reading) is always giving books as gifts! So, this is a perfect little holder that you can change up for any occasion! Plus it has a double use of being a book holder later! :)

I hope that you will play along with our challenge today! Be sure to check out what the other members of the team have done... their links are over there ------->

Be sure to link to your projects! I'd love to see what you create!

Challenge Cards!

2009-07-22T20:39:00.004-06:00

Hello Mojo! Long time no see, my dear friend.

Do you ever feel that way? And it's taken me this long to get it back.... I think my problem is when I don't stamp as often as I should. I really need to stamp every couple of days (if not daily!) in order to keep up my skills. When I don't, I go through a period when I stamp okay... (I'm totally not one to throw a card in the trash even if it's not very good.), but I don't love what I make. Not every card I make is some delicious creation... as an artist I go through ups and downs and just plain uckiness! So, when I do knock a couple of cards out of the ball park (self-proclaimed!), I feel darn good about myself! LOL!

I created this first card for this week's color challenge at SCS: Really Rust, Pretty in Pink, and Not Quite Navy. When I put these colors together I about died.... NOT my usual color combination!

But I love how my card turned out!

I wanted to use the Pink to highlight the Rust. I rifled through my stamps and found this Fancy Pants Simply Stated acrylic set. (I just *HAD* to have it, but I think I've used it like twice.... scary how that happens with stamps... ) I knew that I wanted to paper piece the Pink and Navy in again to tie the colors all together. I used the new Modern Label punch for the sentiment, which is from the "Think Big" set. I used cream for the sentiment... hopefully that's still within the rules of the challenge!

For the second challenge, I used the sketch from JacksonBelle Embellishments. Lindsey is an Idaho girl, so I love to give a shout out to one of my fellow Idahoans! :)

I had a fabulous time watercoloring this! It's one of the prettiest images SU! has designed in my opinion. I used my oval Sizzix die and the Textile embossing folder for some texture. I think it turned out really pretty.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Rasberry Suite Color Challenge

2009-07-21T18:11:00.004-06:00

Is it bad to be ridiculously pleased with the way a card came out? Well I am extremely pleased with the way this pretty baby came out! :)

I created this for Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge. I finally got my hiney upstairs to create (I just needed the entire day to get motivated... ha!) As soon as I sat down, the mojo started flowin! Normally it takes me forever to create a card, but this came together quite quickly!

I pulled out Pink Passion first, to pair with the Bravo Burgandy. There was something just not quite right... so I looked around (literally) and found discovered the Melon Mambo sitting by my desk! AHA! Perfecto with the Burgandy and Celery. For me, the combo cried for a flower set. I quickly pulled out Petal Prints because I could incorporate both colors into the flowers with the two-step flower - which is exactly what I wanted to do! I have the Define Your Life sentiment set, but definately don't use it enough - so thinking of that set, I came up with the image layout. I love how the colors really pop - it's so not anything I would have put together, which is why I LOVE color challenges. You never know what you are gonna get! :)

This card is pretty simple, but I just love the way it turned out!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

My Time to Create Inspiration Challenge 03

2009-07-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! It's time for another challenge! :)

I only wished that I had the right PTI colors! Have to save up some money or sell something! :)

So, I really like how this turned out! I borrowed the sketch from this card at SCS. I left the sentiment of "Get Well Wishes" off the front because I couldn't decide where to put it - so it's on the inside of the card! This card is two-fold. I'm planning a card class for an old teaching friend. I want the cards clean and simple and easy to reproduce! :)

The team would love for you to play along! Be sure to add your creations to SCS or the Mister Linky on Lauren's blog. Check out what the other girls have made. Click right over there ---->

Thanks for dropping by!

Sketch For You To Try and an attempt to recreate another.

2009-07-14T13:05:00.007-06:00

I stayed up last night creating!

This card was actually the second one that I made, because I was inspired by the decorative paper and I had already been using Orchid Opulence! It is for Jen del Muro's Sketch for You to Try. I love Jen's sketches and haven't played in a while, so I thought I would.

I really like the way it came out. I don't think it hurts that I used SU's Butterfly die. Gosh I love that thing! :) This isn't normally something I would make, but that's exactly what I like about sketch challenges - and Jen's especially. For some reason I gather some divine mojo when I use her sketches! Ha ha!

I always love receiving updates for cards of the week and challenges in my email inbox. It always gets me excited and wanting to stamp! Some of my favorites come from Hero Arts. I love their stamps, but don't have many of them. However, I adore the sketches they come up with. I have saved many of them, but haven't forced myself to try to replicate them. Well, I finally did!

Isn't this so cute? Well, I didn't quite achieve the cuteness level of this card, but I tried really hard! (And trying is what counts, right? :) )

I had seen a card on SCS with Razzleberry and Orchid Opulence that looked really pretty. As I went along, I added the teal piece. I like the clean look of this, lots of texture...

Well... after a morning of dealing with some things that I've been avoiding, I decided I need to have a fun afternoon. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but hopefully it includes some stamping!

Thank you so much for dropping by! I really appreciate it!

featured stamper: U R purrrfect!

2009-07-13T10:31:00.003-06:00

Again, I can't believe summer has gone so quickly and I have so little to show for it! I mean, hardly any cards... I have read a couple of books.... watched some movies...but otherwise, I've really nothing to show for myself!

So, I decided that I would try the featured stamper challenge last night. (Actually, I was trying to make myself tired so I would go to bed at a decent hour. Nope... didn't happen.)

I found this card of schrimcat's. I really liked the layout of the owl.

I watercolored the cat with Curry and Dusty Durango. He looks just like an el tigre! :) I wasn't sure what else to do for the sentiment - I wanted to use the "purrfect" but didn't know how to get it in there. So, this is how it turned out. Not my favoritest card ever, but it'll do!

Thanks for dropping by!

UPDATED: My Time to Color Challenge 4

2009-07-10T10:11:00.004-06:00

I really do have the best of intentions to post.... I really really do. But then again, I have the best of intentions to get up in my stampin' room and actually stamp, rather than just looking at cards or blog surfing. However, I'm going to get a move on with stamping and creating because my summer is going too quickly! Time flies when you are having fun (doing nothing!).

I do have a sneaky peeky for you. It's a peek of the My Time to Design teams creations for the color challenge tomorrow! It is a fabulous color combo and so much fun to play with! Be sure to stop back by tomorrow to see the challenge!

Kind of a lame photo of my card, but the colors are just as bright as in the sneek peak! :) I really liked the simple layout and thought the colors really highlighted those delicious cupcakes! I colored the images with blender pens and stamped the sentiment in white craft ink (although you can't see it very well!)

Pretty simple, but I love the way it turned out! Thanks for dropping by again!

Merry Little Birdie Friends

2009-07-03T14:36:00.003-06:00

Yea!!! My new stampin' toys came today. I had to place an order before the new catty came out, but I purchased some stuff that would carry over. And of course, I had to have the new "in-colors," although Mango Mambo is backordered! I was so sad!

But, I came up with a way that I could use the missing colors without a stamp pad!

I had this card by stampinjos saved in my favorites at SCS. I thought it would work well with the new hostess set, The More the Merrier.

I did just a little paper piecing for the hearts and two of the birdie wings! The bow kicked me in the rear and took me forever to get "just right!" All in all, I'm liking the way this card turned out! Clean, simple, but fun!

Thanks for dropping by!

My Time to Color Challenge 03

2009-06-26T23:06:00.005-06:00

I'm back with another challenge - this time a color challenge using the "Weiman Wranglers" set from Pink Cat Studios. (Be sure to scroll down just a bit to see my link to these cute digi images!)

Here's Cowboy Ethan again! I really like using simple layouts. Here, I used paper piercing to highlight the sentiment and add details. I printed the images out on watercolor paper and used reinkers to watercolor. I've decided that even if I'm not a super-talented-uber-wonderful watercolorer, that this coloring technique is my favorite. Yeah, copics are nice but not that great if you don't know how to use them well, and watercoloring works for me because I can just keep coloring until it looks good to me. And that's my schpeel on that!

I hope that you will play along with us. Be sure to check out the other gals on the team. Their blogs are linked right over there --------------------->

Hopefully I'll get inspired for more creating tomorrow. I'd love to play in some challenges. Send me a link to some of your favorites, okay?! :)

Thanks for dropping by!

Introducing Weiman Wranglers!

2009-06-22T10:07:00.005-06:00

Howdy!

I'm here to share with you a wonderful way to help honor the life of Ethan Weiman, Alicia Weiman's little boy, who passed away recently. You can read his story here:

Alicia's Blog http://www.happystamp.blogspot.com/

Ethan Weiman Caring Bridge Site http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ethanweiman

Lauren and Melissa of Pink Cat Studios have created these wonderful digi images to help celebrate Ethan's life and gather money for the Illinois chapter of Make a Wish.

You will receive all of these great images for only $6! (If you are like me and hadn't used digi images before these, you will find them super easy to use! All I did was feed my watercolor paper through my printer and color away! SO EASY!) Visit this site to get more info and purchase these great images: http://www.pinkcatstudio.com/Stamps/WeimanWranglers/WeimanWranglers.htm

Here is my card that I created!

I sincerely hope that you will purchase these images to honor Ethan! Be sure to check out what the other MyTime designers have done!

Thanks,

MTTC03

2009-06-20T09:13:00.007-06:00

Wow! I've fallen off the face of the planet, haven't I? :)

I am back with a My Time to Create Challenge - using one of Lauren's MyTimeless Templates. Can I just say, these templates are amazingly easy to work with! I love easy!

The Card Couture template is just too much fun - I have some other ideas floating around in my head for it as well. Mainly a memory box - for a trip or even to remember someone special. Oh, and one that just popped into my head - a poem box! Oh! Now, I just might have to go make that!

I really like how this one turned out. My mom has been organizing all of my cards and sold a pack of them at her office the other day. I figured I could make a couple more of these boxes for her to fill up and then sell them as well! :)

Be sure to check out the other team members blogs for some great inspiration!

Dana Jennifer Kendra Kristin Lauren MacKenzie Maria Odette Pam Tamara Tracey

I'm working on getting my mojo back, so I do believe that I might actually post again soon! I know, a shocker! :)

Take care! Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there!

My Time to Color (MTTC2)

2009-05-23T10:49:00.002-06:00

Isn't this such a cool color combo? I pulled out the Buds & Blossoms set to use this week. I had to wait forever and ever to finish this card, as I had to buy new plates for my cuttlebug. But, I was finally able to do it and I really like how it turned out!

Be sure to check out the creations of the other gals on the design team. (SEE the list of links over there ----------->

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Diva Color Challenge

2009-05-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

It's a Diva Color Challenge! Get out your inks and papers and play along!

Isn't this pillow just gorgeous?!?! I totally wish I had one of the decorative flower sets in the current catty so that I could do it in these colors. I may have to get out my old Rose set and do it!

I must thank stampinjos at SCS for her layout inspiration for this card. I kept my card a bit simpler than hers. I am in need of some felt flowers or something fun to embellish with! :) Oh darn, I think I might have to buy some.

So this is pretty basic. I used the linen bg on the card base. I know you probably can't tell, but I did the rock-n-roll technique on the bird. I wanted to keep it pretty simple and I couldn't really think of anything else to put on the bottom of the card that wouldn't totally distract from the focal image.
All in all, I'm pretty happy with it. :)

Be sure to check out the rest of the Divas! I would absolutely love it if you played along with us. Link back to the diva page: http://divacoffeebreakdesigns.blogspot.com/
If you also leave me a comment, along with a link to your card, I'll do a drawing for some pieces of designer paper. Be sure to leave some way for me to contact you!
I can't wait to see your creations!

My note box

2009-05-16T08:44:00.003-06:00

The challenge this week was perfect! My cousin's 11th birthday was Thursday.

We bought tickets to go see Taylor Swift, but I knew she would want to more to open! :) Thinking about the challenge for this week and the requirement for purple and the fact that I wanted to make girliepoo something else, I started thinking.

Rather than making cards, I decided to make it a note box! :) Yeah, you know, old school where boys and girls and girlfriends used to handwrite notes rather than text message. I am bringing it back baby! (Okay, that's if girlie actually uses them!)

I haven't uploaded the insides yet, but I will. I am off to "Parade America" with the family. It's the town parade to remember those who have served our country! It's a tradtion with us - and I LOVE traditions! :)

Diva Wednesday Sketch Challenge

2009-05-13T07:35:00.005-06:00

I flipped the sketch to fit my needs with this card! I am not thrilled with the way that it turned out, but.... oh well!

I hope that you will join along with us this week! Be sure to check out the creations of the other Diva's as well!

Better late than never!

2009-05-08T23:17:00.004-06:00

Although I didn't get my design to Lauren when I was supposed to, I thought I would still post for her challenge! :)

This is this week's Inspiration Challenge! I focused alot more on the chocolate color here. The combo of funky with classic is kind of unusual, but I think I like it! I also used Lauren's wonderful sketch (mytimess24).

My goal is to send this to my aunt in Kansas! I am making a new goal to send out the cards that I make! Funny goal, right?! But totally true!

Thanks for dropping by! Be sure to play along with Lauren's challenge when you get the chance. Oh, and check out the other gals on the team ------------>

Not so Big Shot Diva Wednesday!

2009-05-06T07:42:00.003-06:00

So, in my move, I lost my Cuttlebug plates. Yes, I realize the horror of not owning a Big Shot. But, I couldn't justify the purchase! :) Yesterday, I tried to go to Michael's to buy new plates, but they didn't have any! And the JoAnn's here consolidated and I didn't want to drive all the way back into town.

Needless to say, I didn't use any dies today. I did use my scallop punch, so I hope that still counts!

This is NOT my favorite card by any means!!! I would have done the flowers differently if I could have. It needs something, but I didn't know what so I just left it as it was.

I hope that you play along with us - USING your Big Shot! :) (And if anyone knows where my missing plates are, please let me know!)

Be sure to check out the other Divas! Their links are over there on the side -------->

My public declaration

2009-05-03T22:25:00.002-06:00

To the hottie who sat in the row ahead of me in church this morning. I embarrassed myself by sticking my hand out to say hello during "Say hello to a neighbor time," when you were just trying to nicely introduce yourself to the lady next to me. (Geesh, I'm surprised I didn't knock her over so I could get to you first!) In my embarrassment, however, I forgot your name. Please come back next Sunday so I can say hello again.

P.S. I was extremely turned on by watching you today. I came to a new realization.... God wants me to be with a man who can publically declare his love for Him. Together we can praise His glorious love for us!

P.S.S. To my readers: I realize that this is a bit of an anti-thesis. I wasn't lusting after someone at church. I was just really surprised to see a hot guy praising the Lord. You don't often see really hot guys at church, let alone publically displaying his convictions. It gives me hope that there is someone out there for me - and that God has his ways and plans. I just need to wait for them to develop! :)

My Time to Create Sketch Challenge 32

2009-05-02T00:09:00.005-06:00

Good Saturday morning! I hope you all have a great weekend! Be sure to get some stamping in!

Another great sketch by Lauren!

I am really pleased with how this turned out. I loved the sketch. I wanted to keep the white piece bigger with the image. I knew that it would need some extra touch, so I trimmed it with a line of holes. I colored the flower with my copics.... not very well mind you, but hey, it is what it is! I did flip the background layers a bit.

All in all, a super simple, yet sweet card! My favorite kind! :)

I hope that you play along! Check out the other design team members creations.

Dana G
Dawn Easton
Jennifer
Kendra
Kristen
Lisa
MacKenzie
Maria
Odette
Pam
Tamara Harder
Tracey Cuccia

It's Diva Time! (Say it as if you are saying "Hammer Time")

2009-04-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Hello again! :)

I am all moved into my new place. My new roommate about died when I asked if we could use the master bedroom as the craft room/office. She didn't realize how much stamping "stuff" I had. Okay... so I might be a tad addicted. For some it might be coffee, for others its stamps. Hee hee!

I apologize for missing last week's diva challenge. In the midst of packing and moving, I forgot to post my creation. So, I will also add last week's card here tonight as well.

I totally love this week's challenge. I saw the scallops and really wanted to use my scallop square punch. To add some "oomph" to the card, I decided to use the Sweet Slumber designer paper.

I just love these papers together. I typically don't put lots of pattern together, but I've been trying that out more lately. I love the addition of the white eyelets for the flowers. I know this isn't a very good photo of my card, but I really like how they look!

Now, last's weeks card I really, truly adore! :) (And here I missed posting it! Silly, silly me!)

I wasn't sure about all of the neutral colors, but it all worked out! And aren't the brads fabulous?!? LOVE it! :)

That's all for now. Check back tomorrow to see MyTime's (Lauren Meader) new design team! :)

MyTime's Saturday Sketch: butterfly button best wishes

2009-04-18T05:12:00.009-06:00

Hey ya'll!

I am up and at 'em at 5 o'clock in the morning! I woke up at 3:30 and couldn't go back to sleep. That is one of my biggest pet peeves and I DESPISE laying in bed trying to go back to sleep! So, when this happens, more often than not, I just get up. But, the downfall to this is that I get sleepy later!

Being sleepy is not good because this morning, my class is presenting their knowledge about the government and constitution. I am so proud of the work they've put in! I'm hoping they do well. So, if you read this between 8 and noon today, think of my kiddos and wish them luck! :)

Onwards to Lauren's sketch for this week. I have been a very BAD participant lately. The worse part about it is that I've made the cards for the sketches (sometimes a bit late, sometimes early) and then I never post them! Now that's just silly!

Please check out Lauren's post today! She is doing a call to add more members to her sketch team! And she's shaking the sketches up a bit. If you have any suggestions on what you'd like to see, be sure to leave her a comment!

I am posting two cards and their sketches here. You can use these sketches to create your own creations, and then send Lauren your link! No reason not too! :)

I love the simplicity of this sketch! And I'm really lovin' the creation I came up with for it! :)

Sweet Thang

It's fairly straight-forward. I like to go simple on cards - I stick to the sketch that I see, without gussying it up too much. I thought this old SU! Sale-a-Bration set would be perfect for the sketch. And the Kim Hughes sentiment is perfect, isn't it? :) This card, topped with my favorite designer paper, Pink Flamingo, just makes me smile!

I hope I did this sketch justice enough! I really, really need some felt flowers, or some pretties or something!!!! All of the embellies Lauren adds to her sketches totally bring the card together and I tell you - I don't have enough embellishments! Darn, I think I may have to buy some more! :)

Butterfly Button Best Wishes

Again, I stayed pretty simple. But, I really like how it turned out!

Well, I'm off to finish getting ready! Have a great Saturday!

2009-04-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

Another Diva Wednesday! Can I just say that I am so happy to be part of this group! It keeps me stampin'! I hope that I will have more time to stamp soon - school has kicked my rear this year!

Anyways - on to stamping - what you're here for!

I was inspired by a blouse of my mom's for this card. I wanted to make the image a flower, but it just didn't work out.

I do, however, really like how it did turn out! I just adore the butterfly die!

The Boho Backgrounds make a great backdrop for the butterfly as well. I worked really hard to get all of the layers in and lined up so they would look good together. It took forever, but I finally achieved the look I was going for!

The Chit-Chat sentiments are mucho fabulous! I tend to not do sentiments.... so, these are perfect for me! They are so classic and crisp - AND - I can line them up straight! LOL! (It never fails that I get to the very end of a card and stamp a sentiment crooked. Ticks me off every time! )

Well, thank you for dropping by!

Be sure to check out all of the Diva's creations:

Senior Divas
Chris Austin
Dannie Graves
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristin Moore
Lisa Freeman

Junior Divas

Christine Pleiman
Denise Stoner
Elisa Giffin
Ellie Augustin
Erin Rockafellow
Ilse Vargas
Kelly Swienton
Kendra Wisenbaker
Krista Visser-Driessen
Pamela Browne
Shari Taylor
Stephanie Zeto
Tammy Fite

Top Note, 5th Avenue Floral Gratitude (aka the longest title for a card ever!)

2009-04-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

Hello again! :)

On this lovely Wednesday, the Divas were challenged to use their Big Shot/Stampin' Up! dies.

I wanted to use the top note die in a different way this week. I haven't used it as much as I have wanted to; I wanted to use it in a new, fun way. I'm sure that it's been done before, but it's new to me! :)

I kept this pretty simple to highlight the die cut. I grabbed the designer paper, and paired it with the 5th avenue flower. The Define Your Life sentiment finished it off. You can't tell very clearly that the flower has glitter on it.

I really like how this turned out. Simple, clean, sweet! My favorite kind of card!

Please be sure to visit the other Diva's blogs:
Senior Divas
Chris Austin
Dannie Graves
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristin Moore
Lisa Freeman

Junior Divas
Christine Pleiman
Denise Stoner
Elisa Giffin
Ellie Augustin
Erin Rockafellow
Ilse Vargas
Kelly Swienton
Krista Visser-Driessen
Pamela Browne
Shari Taylor
Stephanie Zeto
Tammy Fite

As always, we would love for you to play along!

New DoodleFactory stamps!

2009-04-07T21:08:00.004-06:00

Oh my gosh! Did you see the sneak peek of the new DoodleFactory stamps? Too stinkin' cute! :)
Be sure to check them out and be sure to link back to their blog to get a chance to win the collection!

Wednesday Diva Challenge!

2009-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a fabulous sketch to make a girl feel like a diva stamper! Here is this week's sketch:

Isn't it just fabulous? I could see myself using this one over and over again. And as I sit here posting this, I have another idea that popped into my head. (I'm pre-posting this, so if I get time before Wednesday, I'll see my other idea into fruition! :) )

I started with the Sweet Slumber designer paper for this. I was trying to mix the patterns for the horiziontal strips, but didn't find any that didn't seem like too much to me. I was going to try to keep it masculine, which I ended up kind of doing. I could see this being given as an anniversary card. As for the images, I needed something tall. I couldn't really picture anything else, so I grabbed my Priceless set and stamped the hearts in Ruby Red. I added some piercing to continue to draw interest to the main panel. After I put it all together, the card seemed to need something on the left side. I finally thought of the piercing, which is awesome, if I do say so myself! LOL!
I really love how this card turned out. I wasn't feeling that great about my stamping abilities this last week - all of my cards were turning out kind of lame! But I think I have to keep in mind that everyone has some "off" cards. And, the "rockstar stampers" don't show everything they make. I do. It helps me - just to realize that you can't be perfect and that I definately am not. And that there is always room to grow as an artist! :)

I hope that you will play along! Be sure to take a look at all of the wonderful Diva creations!
Senior Divas

Chris Austin
Dannie Graves
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristin Moore
Lisa Freeman

Junior Divas

Christine Pleiman
Denise Stoner
Elisa Giffin
Ellie Augustin
Erin Rockafellow
Ilse Vargas
Kelly Swienton
Kendra Wisenbaker
Krista Visser-Driessen
Pamela Browne
Shari Taylor
Stephanie Zeto
Tammy Fite

Saturday Sketch... on Monday. Yes, I realize that this is not good!

2009-03-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Umm, it kind of helps if one posts the cards they make for challenges doesn't it? Oops. :)

So Lauren's Saturday Sketch was to revisit an older sketch. I chose this one because I didn't have a chance to play with it the first time. I created two cards, although I must say, I'm not in love with either one of them! ARGH! I hate it when that happens!

When I first saw this sketch, I saw scallops! So, I had to use my scallop punch and create a flower! I love this paper, but it is a bit busy - it really holds its own on a card, so it's hard to know what to pair it with. The flowers need something - like some glitter or something. Darn... that just means I need to buy some! LOL!

The second card I like a bit better. I had to add the carriage image because the card just looked naked with out it. I really like the colors on this and it was a fun card to make. I love babies... and anything to do with babies! LOL!
I have a card made already for Lauren's next sketch, so I'll program that in so it gets posted on time! Thanks for looking and dropping by anyways!

Diva Challenge #120

2009-03-25T12:38:00.003-07:00

Blogger is giving me fits right now. And I'm about to throw a fit because of it!

Sorry I haven't posted my Diva Challenge card earlier! I've been running around checking things off of my to-do list! BOO-YAH! I love when I can do that!

I love this week's colors for the color challenge. So soft and sweet; perfectly girly!

This is actually my second attempt with these colors. The photo here really doesn't do the card justice! The first card I made was fine, but I felt like it was trying too hard. So, I decided to go with a simpler layout - I got this one from this month's Stampin' Success magazine. I didn't know if I would like it at first, but in the end it really came together.

Thanks for dropping by! Be sure to check out the other Diva's creations:

Senior Divas

Chris Austin
Dannie Graves
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristin Moore
Lisa Freeman

Junior Divas

Christine Pleiman
Denise Stoner
Elisa Giffin
Ellie Augustin
Erin Rockafellow
Ilse Vargas
Kelly Swienton
Kendra Wisenbaker
Krista Visser-Driessen
Pamela Browne
Shari Taylor
Stephanie Zeto
Tammy Fite

Stamp ya later! :)

2009-03-23T10:31:00.003-07:00

I was tagged by Kristen! Now, you need to know, I am a lame-o photograph taker. My family doesn't believe in pictures - my mom had them taken of me when I was little, but we are not a candid photo family. So, what I have is pretty minimal. Hopefully what I show you here doesn't scare the daylights out of you! LOL

Okay, this one isn't too bad! This was of the WWII memorial in D.C. It was gorgeous! This was taken with my lame-o Kodak though - I needed a new camera badly!
Random bit of information - I would love to live in Washington D.C. I haven't a clue really as to why, but I would love, LoVe, LOVE to live there. I realize I could probably do this on my own, but I don't want to go live by myself in D.C. Maybe I can find a man who will move with me there. :)

Now these tagging games have rules and here they are:

•Open your photo folder on your computer

•Open the 6th folder of photos

•Select the 6th picture

•Post the picture on your blog with a description

•Invite six friends to join the challenge

•Link your six friends to your blog post

My six friends that I am tagging:
Miss Lauren Meader (hopefully she has time!)
The Delicious Dawn McVey
DuckWaddleQuack
The Fabulous Nancy Riley
The Fabulicious Paperlicious
The Unbelieveable, Wonderful Kim Hughes (this one is like a yeah right... but maybe, just maybe she'll feel sorry for little ol' me! :) )

Hopefully I get to actually stamp today - my momma and I had a great girl's weekend this weekend. I have errands that I should be running, but I'm avoiding! LOL.
Tonight I'm going on a ride-along with a cop friend from church! I am so excited! :)
~Kendra

Back with some Saturday Sketches!

2009-03-20T21:09:00.005-07:00

Oh me, oh my! I hadn't realized that I hadn't participated in Lauren's sketch challenge in such a long time! Oops! Sorry about that Lauren!

Anyways - I created two cards for this week.

I don't know what it is... I keep things simple, but then I feel like they are too simple. This card needs something, but I can't figure out what it is! Oh well - it is what it is!

For this second card, I used last Saturday's sketch and created a card for Ethan and Alicia. I pulled out this great tree stamp from the Cat Dancing Studios Line from CHF. I do believe they are retired now, but I love the funky, fun look of these stamps! So, so cute!

I paired the image with some happy colors. It took me a while to get it all together, but I finished it off with the hope sentiment in the designer label punch and frame. This is my wish for Alicia and Ethan - that they continue to hope for a miracle. Hope can do amazing things!

Well, thanks for dropping by!

Sale - a - brate good times! (Or coming good times!)

2009-03-18T06:16:00.003-07:00

While it seems that I only get to post on Wednesday's anymore, be sure that I am wishing I could post more. This next week is spring break (YIPPIE!) and I plan to stamp my little heart out! :) It's been crazy the last couple of weeks and I am done with the craziness! Yeah, you hear that life, I'm done! LOL! (Unfortunately, my life is just plain crazy.... so I doubt that the crazy will go away any time soon!)

On to the card! This week's challenge was to use something from Sale-a-Bration. I chose to play with the Delicate Dots designer paper and the lovely ribbon! I love the color combo on the paper! When I put it all together, it created such a soft, lovely look.

I'm not sure how much I'm loving my layout - it started out with good intentions, but then kind of ended up weird. Eh, it is what it is! :)

I hope you enjoy looking at all the Divas cards - you can find the links here: http://divacoffeebreakdesigns.blogspot.com/ . Thanks for dropping by!

Big Shot Diva!

2009-03-11T07:03:00.003-07:00

Hey all! It's time for another Diva Challenge! This week we were to use the Big Shot/die cuts!

I wanted to keep it simple this week, because I was short on time. Can I just say though, that simple does not always require less time? I kept changing things, moving things around, adding stuff.... this one was a doozy! LOL!

The card base is a Stampin' Up note card. A perfect size! The stark white is what got me though - I needed to add some white elements into my card. I was also trying to create a masculine card. Sometimes my "ideas" get in my way though... it only makes things harder!

All in all though, I think I like it. I like it... don't love it. You need those kinds of cards every once and a while!

I hope you enjoy all of the Diva's cards! Be sure to leave a comment and play along with us!

Thanks for dropping by,
Kendra

Diva Sketch Challenge

2009-03-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hello all! It's been awhile since I stamped! I have had quite the week.... last week was a toughie - and this week is working out to be that way too! AAAAAHHHH!

So, it was nice to stop tonight and stamp! So happy and relaxing!

This week's diva challenge was a sketch challenge. If you look below, you will see that my card doesn't exactly line up with the sketch. There is a reason for this... LOL!

So, I started with the bow. I know, a weird place to start. However, that was what really stuck out to me on the sketch. I grabbed my pretty new white organza ribbon. Then, I decided that this 5th Avenue Lily would look good with the ribbon. I realized that the image panel was really large, but I dealt with it by making a bigger card! LOL! I added the sentiment onto the panel because the bottom of it looked so empty. After that, I couldn't really add a sentiment where I was supposed to! Lastly, the Taste of Textiles white striped panel really makes the card pop. I wish you could see the coloring of the flower a bit better. The leaves are highlighted with Bordering Blue, which really makes the petals stand out.

I hope everyone likes my card - I always feel that sketch challenges are a starting point. So, if you play, remember that you can change it up to make it work for you!

Please drop by the other diva's blogs and see their wonderful creations!

Senior Divas
Chris Austin
Dannie Graves
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristin Moore
Lisa Freeman

Junior Divas
Christine Pleiman
Denise Stoner
Elisa Giffin
Ellie Augustin
Erin Rockafellow
Ilse Vargas
Kelly Swienton
Kendra Wisenbaker
Krista Visser-Driessen
Pamela Browne
Shari Taylor
Stephanie Zeto
Tammy Fite

Thanks for dropping by! See you later!

Trendy Trees Diva Style

2009-02-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first ever Diva Challenge! I just loved the color combo for this week! I know that I will have to continue to play with it!

Aren't these colors just gorgeous? I love these curtains! Too much fun!

The first card I created used Garden Greetings. It didn't really pull all of the colors together. So, then I decided to use Trendy Trees. The colors really seemed masculine to me, so I decided to go masculine and simple.

I played with my layers a bit, but then thought the trees seemed to be floating on the white paper. So, I thought I would put some grass in. I didn't want to sponge, so I decided to create grass by cutting little blades.

I also thought about the turquoise brads that I had. I pulled the image together with some white ribbon (hopefully that's not too feminine!). Lastly, I added the great birthday greeting from Garden Greetings.

I hope you enjoy this card and are inspired to play along! See you next Wednesday!

I'm a DIVA!!! And I did some production today!

2009-02-21T21:29:00.007-07:00

I'm a Diva! I will be working with a talented group of gals to inspire your creativity! By using only current Stampin' Up! products, we will encourage your use of what you have! I am so excited for the Divas to show their ideas! :)

On a separate note, I have to share the rest of my creations for Lauren's sketch challenge this week! :) I continued on my creative journey with the Best Ever Simply Scrappin' kit. The surprising thing is that I still have so much of the kit left! I truly enjoyed the challenge of creating all of these cards with limited supplies.

You can find the sketch for this card here.

And the sketch for this card - here.

The sketch for this card here.

Yes, there's more. Go here for this card:

Last one. Go here for the sketch for this card.

I know, you all probably think I got a little crazy, but I really thought it was cool to be able to create such unique, individualized cards from the same kit of supplies! Lauren's sketches are so adaptable that it made it really easy to do some production today! :) I realize that they aren't all jaw-dropping gorgeous, but I do think they are pretty well made! I was also able to range from masculine, to feminine, from birthday to congratulations. All in all, a very productive stamping day - even if there was limited stamping!

Keep on the look out! Wednesdays will be the day I post my creations for the Diva challenges! I can't wait to get started on my first challenge! It is an awesome one!
See you soon!

Lauren's Saturday Sketch & catching up!

2009-02-21T11:56:00.007-07:00

Lauren has been a busy woman! Last week, she was unable to post her sketch, and I didn't know if we were supposed to go ahead and play without her. So, I waited. Plus, when I saw this week's sketch, it kind of through me for a loop. I am pretty literal when I look at sketches - if there is a flower, I think I have to use a flower. It's just who I am. So, the big flower reminds me of the huge Prima flowers, which I have none of, nor do I even really like.

So I looked at what the other gals had and waited for inspiration. I decided to take a shower first as well. And then.... it came to me!

The cupcake!

At first I thought about my new SU! cupcake die.... then that quickly moved to the Best Ever Simply Scrappin' kit. I am not a scrapper (at least yet... I need a family so I can have subjects for my pages!) and I purchased the kit because I loved the color combo with the images and wanted to make cards out of it! Well, I finally have done it! :)

Here is my card for sketch 24! Sorry for the not so great photo. I normally photograph at night, so I actually had sun in the background that gave some light. The combo with my lamp just doesn't do this card justice.

I rearranged elements from the kit until I had something I liked. I added the star in the upper left hand corner because it looked bare without it. I needed the big star to balance the two stars in the opposite corner.

I wouldn't have put this layout together on my own at all! And that's why I love it!

This week's sketch challenge was to go back through Lauren's previous sketches and remake a card. This was the first one I chose. You can see Lauren's gorgeous creations here.Well, I was on a kick with the kit, so I continued to use it!

Again, I rearranged elements until I was happy. The best part though, was how I managed to combine the white elements. I used the sentiment from the kit, but then realized that it looked kind of stark. So, I added the white eyelets to the circles (I've seen that some where in stamping land, but never done it before!). The card still needed something, so I added the striped baja ribbon. I am super pleased with how this one came out too!

I have decided to continue with my kit creations. I wanted to post this, though, so I ya'll could see that I really still do exist!

Check out the other creations by Lauren's Sketch Girls:

Alicia Weimen

Dawn Easton
Kim Gasper
Kirsten Dubosque
Kristy Vernon
MacKenzie Bruckler
Maria Levine
Tamara Harder

and of course, the fabulous Lauren herself!

I will post again today, as I have news!!!!! :) Thanks for dropping by!

Butterfly Thank You

2009-02-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

I just love it when I have a design that comes out just the way I want it to! I was inspired for the color combo from a card on SCS, except it was with Tangerine Tango instead of Cameo Coral. Well - I saw coral and I just love how it turned out!
I also used my new SU butterfly die cut again, with the Taste of Textiles designer paper. I added some neutral designer buttons, used the Boho Backgrounds set for the background and voila, perfection! :)
The butterflies and the buttons look fab in real life, with the striped paper just gleaming in the light!

Thank you for dropping by!

A card, some soapbox talk, and the daily grind!

2009-02-16T08:25:00.003-07:00

Hello all! Sorry I haven't blogged this last week. I'm still trying to find an efficient system of blurfing. I usually check email when I get home, which leads into blurfing. And then, by the time I get through all of the stamping blogs, I'm too tired to stamp! LOL. It's a terrible, vicious cycle!

I do have a new card to share with you today!

I love the new butterfly die cut from SU!, although I haven't seen very much done with it yet. I thought I would remedy that!

I wanted to use the new Textile dp for the butterfly. I was going to pair it with the same set of papers, but they are all pretty much neutrals. So, I took a tip from Mary Fish, and combined decorative papers! I used a bit of Urban Garden for the top and bottom. As I was working on the sentiment, I didn't really have anything that fit. So, I pulled out the Define Your Life sentiment set - a perfect fit except for a big white spot on the left! I put in the little heart from Short & Sweet. Then, I needed to pull in the Riding Hood Red. So, I added the two buttons! I really like the way this turned out!

This card is SU only, if you don't count the hemp thread in the buttons. I'm too lazy to make my own tiny strips of "thread" from paper. That is dedication to only using SU supplies that I just am not willing to make!

On a side note - I went to church yesterday! And, the ceiling didn't fall down! :) Why am I blogging about this you might ask? Well, to simply say - that God hears our cries - our cries of weariness, anger, and just plain whininess! And he answers our cries by meeting us at our level, to pick us up and raise us up to him. Listen to God this week - you never know when he might be speaking to you! (Like when he was telling me to get myself to church! And then showing me how his plans for me are perfect - I just need to listen!)

Okay - off of that! :)

I need to go get my oil changed today, grade some papers, etc, etc. Hopefully I have time to stamp sometime in there too!

Thanks for dropping by!

2009-02-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

So you know when you just get an idea stuck in your head? And you can't get it out, nor can you give it up when it doesn't work out the way you want it to?

This card is it!I was inspired by this card:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1225410

I just received my new SU! goodies yesterday and I actually read all of the sentiments from the new hostess set. And this idea popped into my head. So it had to be done! :)

I knew these little cuppie cakes were small, but they are dang small! I didn't have another punch to layer under this little one, so I found this 3 1/4 x 5 in. card. I got the color combo from the new Flamingo paper. I wanted to use some of it, but the designs just didn't work with this little image. So, I used the colors instead.

I like the way it turned out. And, I think I'm going to give it to the school secretary for Valentine's day! I just *love* her - she brightens my day and always has a smile on her face.

Thanks for dropping by!

Celebrate - skewed Saturday Sketch.

2009-02-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hello all! :)

Sorry long time no post! And no Saturday sketch either... geez, I'm a bad stamper.

I have some secret creations hiding in the wings. Entering them for a design team blogger club position. I'm seriously excited!

I got my new catty stuff!!!! I had fun playing and opening my papers tonight! I even used some.... no hoarding here! :)

Here is my creation for Lauren's Saturday Sketch. I realize that it's a bit off, but it does contain the same elements. That's the whole point of sketch challenges - make them your own! Use them for inspiration. While I always like to challenge myself to stick pretty much to the sketch, I figured that I might as well post this one and see what ya'll thought of it!

I really want Lauren to post here creation for this sketch, cuz it rocked my little stamping world. (And not necessarily in a good way! LOL)

So, come on super star! Show us what you got! :)

Thanks for dropping by!

I'll be back - I have to work on Valentine's/bookmarks for my kiddos.

Yippieeeee and Yeeeehaw!

2009-02-02T21:09:00.004-07:00

I have hit an all-new level of goofy/dorkiness with this blog entry:

Hey Kimmie! (Okay, so I totally realize that I don't know you from Adam, but I have always called Kim's Kimmie. So, I have to address you as Kimmie! You can ban me from your site, but please realize that I will call you Kimmie anyways! LOL!)I'm so glad you're back! I love your little house and I'm so glad you gave the details on how you made it! :)Can't wait to see what the new release looks like... I'd love to win it! :)Have a great weekend!

And guess what?!?! I won the new Kim Hughes set! I am so stinkin' excited, I can barely sit still! (Okay, so I can hardly ever sit still, but that's beside the point!)

So looky... isn't it just the sweetest thing you ever did see?!? I have nothing like it, and I am so excited. I'm a nerd and I think I like the cactus image the best. :)

If you are in love with this set too, pick it up at CHF!!!

Happy Trails, Ya'll!

My favorite time of year!

2009-02-01T14:30:00.003-07:00

It's time for Sale-a-Bration!!!!

* For every $50 you spend (before tax & shipping) you get the chose a FREE stamp set, ribbon bundle, or designer paper. You can find these items in the Sale-a-Bration catalog over there -->
* If you order $150, you get 3 Sale-a-bration stamp sets & the regular hostess benefits (Free level one hostess set & $15 in FREE Product.)
* There's no limit - for every $50 spent, you get a freebie!
* To place an order online, visit my Stampin' Up! site here

FREE catalog:
If you place an online order, you will receive a Stampin' Up! catalog for free!

Sign up to be a demonstrator:
During Sale-a-Bration, Stampin' Up! is offering a 15% off the regular $199 price of the Starter Kit-- that's $335 worth of productions for only $169!!! Plus, you will get to choose any retail stamp set (a value up to $47.95) from the current catalog when signing up during the promotion. Plus, I will add a special gift from me if you join my team!

This incredible free fun today until March 31st!!! 2 months of free! Wahoo!!!!

Saturday Sketch Time!

2009-01-31T11:13:00.006-07:00

Happy Saturday! I am here again with Lauren's Saturday Sketch! Here is this week's sketch.

Again, Miss Lauren is killing me with the circles. I once had some circle sentiments, but... I think I traded them off. So now I have nothing. I decided to use my lovely hodgepodge hardware. Then I decided on the buttons. I liked the leave image and haven't just used it on it's own, so that's how I came to use that. I need to use up some decorative paper so I can make a purchase of some new stuff in a couple of days! :) (And I think I'll just *have* to purchase that circle cutter so I can make circles so much easier! LOL!) Oh, you will see that I put my sentiment circle a little lower on my card. Please know that sketches are a starting point - do what feels good to "finish" your card. This felt good, so I did it!

I am so pleased with how this came out! It was just what I needed to get me going! Hope you enjoy!

Check out the other sketch team members cards:

Alicia Weimen
Dawn Easton
Kim Gasper
Kirsten Dubosque
Kristy Vernon
MacKenzie Bruckler
Maria Levine
Tamara Harder

I'm off to work on the lovely thesis! Wish me luck! Procrastination is a terrible thing... perhaps the pressure will help the BS to flow! LOL, that's terrible, but the truth. Just think if you were writing a thesis! :)

random teaching post

2009-01-27T21:49:00.002-07:00

One student bought me Trix for breakfast today. Another insinuated that I have gained weight. Teaching has it's ups and downs.

Last of the Birthday cards

2009-01-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I think I'm finished with my birthday cards for my birthday class. I ix-nayed the chocolate, banana, sage card. I just wasn't that fond of the layout!

So, I decided to go with a bright happy colored card. I needed another "masculine" card. I initially started with this simple layout by NikiE. I went with a simple layout, where I just had the tango piece on the top. My mom thought it looked too blah without anything, so I came back upstairs and added the stars.
I like it... don't love it... but, like it! :)

I have to say, I love the "Outlined with Fun" set. It is my favorite!
Thanks for dropping by!

Baked with Sweet Love

2009-01-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by this card to make this creation:

I tried to go for the double tile look, but I made my card too small and it looked too crowded on there! :) So, I went with this. I really like the way it turned out. And, I love my Kim Hughes Baked with Love set.

Thanks for dropping by!

Shabby Boho Backgrounds

2009-01-25T11:22:00.004-07:00

Well, I am stamping when I should be doing other things. But oh well! :)

I participated in the featured stamper challenger over at SCS today. The FS was Vicky Gould. she has a classic style and this card really stuck out to me! Loved the colors.

I changed it up a little, using Baja Breeze instead of a blue. I really wanted to use my Boho sets. I loved the way they were represented in the new catty. So my goal is to use them lots more this next catty period! :)

I had a heck of a time using that scallop piece. I didn't know where to put it. In the end, I like where it ended up.

Thanks for dropping by!

Lauren's Sketch #21

2009-01-24T09:53:00.003-07:00

So, this was actually the very first card I made for Lauren's sketches, because I am a dork. I still feel the same way about it as I did when I made it - I love it!!! The colors are a little wonky on here, but it looks awesome in real life!

I think this is the set I am going to miss the most from the catty! I love this flower!

Don't forget to drop by to see what the other gals have done!

Alicia Weimen
Kim Gasper
Kirsten Dubosque
Kristy Vernon
MacKenzie Bruckler
Maria Levine
Tamara Harder

Dawn Easton

And of course, the famous, wonderful Lauren herself!

Thanks for dropping by!

Sketch Birthday

2009-01-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

I definately needed some stamping therapy today!!! :) I can't wait until this weekend - but I have so much to do! Hopefully I'll get some stamping in too!

I used the sketch challenge from SCS this week. I think I like how this turned out. I really like the panel coming down from the top. It's the sentiment that is just.... odd. The card needs it... but it just looks odd to me. I don't know...

Anyways - still working on birthday cards! I came up with this color combo because I wanted to keep this a bit masculine. Granted, the image doesn't scream manly, but it I think it would work. I should probably create another one for a kid birthday. I'll have to go see what I can whip up!

Thanks again for dropping by!

Happy Birthday .... man, woman, or child!

2009-01-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am on a mission to make birthday cards for a class at my school. I have a lady who wants to make birthday cards to send to her family throughout the year. I want to spread out the "type" of cards that I make - masculine, feminine, child. I think so far, I've created a couple that would fit into a couple of these categories - remember my cupcake card from last Sunday's Featured Stamper challenge? That one would work as a feminine or child card.

And this one, would be great for anyone! I used these colors because I thought they would look good on a masculine card. I used mocjen's card as an inspiration! I really liked the scallops, but because I was looking for a masculine card, I left them off.
I knew I also needed a background for the base (I have forgotten to do that lately and my cards have looked so plain!). I bought this background at a stamp garage sale, but hadn't used it yet! It is perfect with this Alphabet Soup birthday sentiment!

All in all, I am really happy with the way this turned out - simple and sweet! :)
(And fun to make while watching all the inauguration stuff... can you imagine 10 balls?!?! Craziness!
Congratulations Mr. President! I am honored that you are the commander of my country! (sorry, I had to get that in there - I am on a high watching all of this!) )

Thanks for dropping by!

Long May She Wave!!!

2009-01-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Hopefully this will post about the time of the inauguration!

I am so proud of our country today! I am grateful to be an American citizen - free to express myself and share my passions!

Enjoy this wonderous day!

Monsters and Doxies!

2009-01-18T18:52:00.004-07:00

I'm still in avoidance mode. I am sure it's going to come back and bite me, but... avoidance is bliss while you are actually avoiding! :)
The first card I made was for the featured stamper challenge at SCS. Trying to CASE someone as fabulous as Lori is just terrifying! LOL!

I also was very inspired by a Kim Hughes scrapbook page. How could you not love Kim's designs?

This was my second attempt with the copics. I definately still need some practice.

My second creation is for a sweet girl in my math class named Abby. My doxie dog's name is also Abby. One day, I accidently called human Abby, AbbyGo, my nickname for my doxie. Abby also has a doxie.

When I saw these cute alphabet stamps, I *HAD* to have them! :)

I'm not sure about the card layout, but it'll do!

Well, thanks for dropping by!

Copics, Sketches, and new Catty - OH MY!

2009-01-17T13:30:00.005-07:00

Hello, hello! :)

I have so many things that I *should* be doing, but I am most pleased to be stamping. I have to get some of this creative energy out of me first, before I can actually accomplish anything else of utmost importance.

So, here is my card for Lauren's Sketch 20. These circles are killing me, but I think it's the perfect excuse to purchase the new circle cutter in the SU! catty! :)

On this card, I used my new copic markers! I was a bad girl and purchased quite a few of them. I paired them with the Kim Hughes Little Gal set. I just lov this ice cream cone!

My hands shook the *ENTIRE* time I was making this card. I don't know why I was so nervous, but it was seriously driving me crazy! I accidently ended up with a little caramel dot on my circle with the ice cream cone, so I decided to add a few more. Then, I used the polka dot cuttlebug folder on the caramel cardstock to tie it all together.

I thought about the circles, and decided on two grommets from Making Memories. Umm... yeah. I know now why I don't use them very often. I still think they look really cool, but they are a pain! I put some white cardstock on the inside of the card front, and then stamped "sweet" in the big grommet. I am definately not in love with this card, but I really like the way the coloring on the cone came out.

A few statements about the new SU! catty:

I am in love with 5th Avenue Flower set. Finally, my flower! :)

My aunt says they put a "K" on all of their 3-d items because they wanted me to buy all of the sets to create them.

I must have lots of the accessories and die cuts!

Anyone know where I can sell a kidney?!?!? JUST KIDDING! lol!

Off to stamp a bit more.
I'll try to post more... my aunt says I'm a bad blogger because I don't update often enough. Even though I wish I didn't have to work, I have to do something to make money to spend on the new SU! catty!

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you'll get a chance to play along with us on Lauren's sketch!

Check out what the other ladies have done this week!

Saturday Sketch!

2009-01-10T21:27:00.003-07:00

I sincerely apologize for not having my card up earlier! Procrastination on your thesis project is *NEVER* a good idea, although I do have to say I got it done. (I present tomorrow - I will be SO releaved when it's over! Then on to papers! But papers, that I can do! Wait... I probably shouldn't be so confident... it might come back to bite me!)

So, on to the card!

What I am loving about Lauren's sketches is the combination of circles and rectangular "parts" for lack of better words. I'm not sure why, but my little artistic brain doesn't do this mixing on it's own. I am just a very rectangular girl. (Perhaps we can say, I like to think inside the box. Lauren's sketches get me out of my box!)

I need a Valentine's card for a demo meeting, so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone, if I liked how this turned out. (Wait, I don't want to kill two birds... that's mean! Ummm... I'd like to replace that with - check two things off my to-do list. I like that better!)

Anyways - that was a weird side note. LOL!

Coloring the little skunk was harder than you would think. I couldn't get a good color in with the blender pens, so I opted to watercolor him. That worked much better! I was also limited to using only current SU! supplies, so that was a bit of a challenge. It seems that SU! wants to retire all of my decorative paper that they make me buy! (Oh, and just so you know... there is tons, *TONS* more awesome paper on the way. To die for stuff... I'm gonna need a second job just to afford it all. Wait, I already need a second job for all the stuff I already have! It's a vicious cycle, I tell ya.) I really wanted to use the textured Basic Grey paper and needed to get the Rose Red and Celery into the layers to connect all the colors on my image. And then... I didn't have any options/colors left for the card! I tried it on Naturals white, but it looked funny. Pulled out Kraft, and *poof* the card came together. Who woulda thunk that one? I think the base in Kraft totally makes the card.

If you can't see it, the sentiment from this image is stamped onto the celery. I was trying to go for a more masculine card, but all in all I really like the way this turned out.

Hopefully I will get some more time to stamp soon.

(Well, I did kind of take a nap this evening after coming home from class, so now I'm a bit awake. I should probably make use of this time and go do more stamping..... Nah, off to surf blogs! Really... I spend more time blurfing than I do stamping!)

Thanks for dropping by!

Gotta have - New Stamps: Starving Artistamps

2009-01-03T17:08:00.005-07:00

Starving Artistamps has a new release of Doodle Factory Images! They are just too stinkin' adorable! :) Make sure you visit them at: http://starvingartistamps.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-releases-and-some-blog-candy.html . When I added all of the images, it got all wonky - but, I had to share what these cute images looked like! :)

My Time's Sketch Team!

2009-01-03T10:43:00.006-07:00

I'm back! And I am now part of Lauren Meader's Sketch Team! :) How fun is that?!?

I have to show you last week's sketch as well, since I didn't get a chance to upload it.

Here was the sketch. I created this card when my aunt came over to stamp. I also was able to use my favorite decorative paper, Urban Garden. SU! definately needs to make a stamp set from the flower on this paper. I am patiently waiting to see if the new catty has something for my desires! :)

This is so not what I would normally do - which is exactly why I love Lauren's sketches. They help me think out of the box and create designs that I normally wouldn't. The paper was really the major component of this - and who knew that Basic Grey would make such a pretty background?

Here is this week's sketch. I have an admission - I didn't do this one last night. I did the sketch for a couple of weeks down the road. So - I had to create this one pretty quick! :)

I flipped the card orientation because I didn't think all of my squares would fit. I pulled out some decorative paper that SU! came out with several years ago. I never used it much - and I wouldn't typically use this side, but it was perfect for these images and sketch!

All in all, I like the way this turned out - simple and sweet, but with the circle element that I normally wouldn't use. I think I may make another card with this sketch - just to try it out again!

I hope you get a chance to play along. Visit the rest of the "team" to get inspired!

That's it for now! Wish me some inspiration for working on my thesis project - have I mentioned that I'll be happy when it's done?!?

What I Got from my Masters Program.

2009-01-02T22:30:00.005-07:00

Hello! :) Happy New Year!

So... I have finished one project - the project for my thesis class that sums up "What I Got out of the Program." So... that's what I've entitled my piece. I should probably briefly explain that my masters program was "Integrating the Arts into Curriculum." Beyond making us as students get artsy-fartsy, they asked us to integrate the arts into our classroom. And, you know what? It truly changed/developed the way I teach today. Granted, I'll be ever so excited when I can actually just integrate art and not have to do it for a class, but I am truly happy and satisfied with the program. Yes, I am glad it's over with, but I don't regret it for a second... or a millisecond. :)

Here's my project! (Or at least one of them!)

It goes from left to right. As I started teaching, I did very much the basics. I had a few "good mixes" thrown into my lessons, but they were small and not that colorful. As I dove into the Integrating Arts program, I began to try new "mixes." I would thrown in poetry, drama, or story-telling. Not every lesson turned out that great, as represented in a few of my colors on my 2nd canvas. I began not worrying so much that everything wasn't perfectly straight, or done exactly the same way. Now, when I give my students free reign, allow them to really truly be artists, let them work outside of the "basics" box, they truly surprise me. Along with that comes the utter happiness (as felt everytime I see the splatter paint on my third canvas!) when they do something that just knocks my socks off. I can see that the arts bring everything together in my classroom; the arts help bring me joy in this profession that isn't always so much fun. Embracing this style will help me reach so many kids! And for that, I am truly grateful!

Thanks for dropping by! Come back tomorrow for a special surprise! I am so excited!

~Kendra

Kristina's Color Inspiration #36

2008-12-31T16:22:00.005-07:00

How does one keep up with the posting of challenges? I mean seriously, when I do some card making, I do some card making! I rarely sit down and just make one card and now I have all of these challenges to do. I know, I know, I could combine them for an uber-super challenge. Perhaps I should, LOL!

Anyways, I had to take a break from my project to play in Kristina's Color Inspiration #36. I love, love, love these colors together: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Whisper White.

Now, I know my card isn't stunning, but I do believe it fits under the sweet and simple category! I wanted to use my Pick a Petal set because I hadn't used it in forever (and I *just* had to have it too!) I just started stamping the Pretty in Pink Petals, and wanted to highlight them with the Rose Red. I wanted to cut the image so that it would look a little off-center. It didn't turn out quite the way that I wanted it to, but if I kept cutting then I wouldn't have had a flower left! LOL! I also would have placed the sentiment just a tad lower, but it is what it is.

I think I'll be giving this one as a valentine to one of my cousins - probably Darby since she loves the color pink! (Dawn don't show this to her!)

Anyways, thanks for dropping by! I should go back to work on the project!
Enjoy your New Year's Eve. I'll probably post tomorrow, so I can catch you up on my creations!

Priceless Flower Trio

2008-12-30T16:29:00.004-07:00

Hello!

So, I've been working on my thesis project for my masters. I've got the format for the lessons/manual down, so now I just have to type everything up. And yes, I need to write a couple of long papers. I am so not far enough! ACK!

In between writing/thinking, I've been surfing SCS. I've saved so many cards to my favorites, it's unbelievable! LOL! I think I might take a small break and make a card. :) It'll get the inspiration flowing, right?

I wanted to share this card with you that I made the other night when my aunt was over. I saw a card that someone had made with this sketch from oz-somestamps. I really liked the simple look of it and kept thinking about it until I came up with this card:

I just adore my scallop punch and really wanted to use it to create some flowers. I used the big circle SU punch for the middle, and then pulled out my Priceless set. The background is pretty simple, but I really wanted to keep it that way. I always think that everything needs something on it, but I think that the simplicity here is what makes the flowers stand out. The florishes on the Celery act like leaves, and the butterfly is sweetly propped up on the middle flower, which is on a dimensional.
Again, pretty simple, but sweet, I think. :)

Thanks for dropping by and wish me some inspiration on my masters project! LOL

Full Circle

2008-12-28T14:41:00.006-07:00

Life has come full circle now... last night, my aunt came to play with *my* stamps! :) Duckie Dawn introduced me to stamps when I was like in 5th or 6th grade! I remember we embossed over the stove! We can blame her for the paper-crafting, rubber-stamping, card-making monster I've become!
Thanks for coming and stamping with me last night, Dawn! I had fun!
Now, on to what she made!
I thought these snowflakes would be cute in brown and blue. We used the handy-dandy, ever-so-wonderful Kristina Werner layout! Classic! :)
We pulled out this Baja Breeze ribbon that was hiding in my ribbon drawer.
Simple and sweet!

Dawn made this one for a man friend! :)
We used Jen del Muro's sketch for you to try. Dawn loves the cuttlebug embossing folders, so she used one of those. Pretty simple layout, but my favorite part is my favorite accessory - kite string. I love how it spread like the giraffe's little tail. Too cute!

I made a few cards myself, but I will save them to share with you over the next couple of days!
Thanks for dropping by!

Green Tea Thinking of You

2008-12-24T14:17:00.004-07:00

Merry Christmas Eve! :)
I had to give Julee's sketch for this week a try as well. God bless good sketches to get some cards made!

This is pretty self-explanatory - I layered the "leaves" image on the main image, then layered the flowers. I like the depth that I created by stamping directly on the paper, then cutting out the two images, and put the last flower on dimensionals.

All in all, this is a sweet and simple creation. Love the colors and being able to use the Green Tea designer paper.

Thanks for dropping by!

Jen del Muro's sketch challenge

2008-12-23T16:28:00.004-07:00

Two days in a row! I know, I'm just as shocked as you are! :)

Well, here are two more cards I made using Jen del Muro's sketch challenge from a couple of weeks ago. That girl has some amazing, sweet simple layouts! LOVE them!

I can't remember where I saw this lighter blue with the dark grey, but I saw it yesterday and I had to use it on a card. I was wondering what I could color grey, and decided on this whale from Pun Fun.

I thought the swirled cuttlebug folder would look like ocean waves.

Using Jen's sketch, I added the black band at the bottom and put on the white rub-on sentiment.

I couldn't add the second strip on this one, but I still really like how it turned out. I love the Prestwick paper - it makes perfect masculine cards. Of course, I adore the "Outlined for Fun" sentiment. The three brads are kind of close together, but I like how it turned out.

Anyways... I am on a stamping "roll" - well so I think! I still have a few more sketches to try out. I have a new thing of making two cards from each sketch - I'm not sure why, but I like to see how different they turn out!

Thanks for dropping by!

Sketch Time with Lauren

2008-12-22T22:41:00.008-07:00

Hey all!

So... while I have stamped since the last time I posted, I obviously haven't posted. I have been sick the last week, which has been so much fun! NOT! I am still coughing... it's quite annoying - you know the kind where you don't have anything really to cough up, so it's dry and loud.

I did finish Christmas shopping today. Woo-hoo!

And... I stamped! I was intrigued by Lauren's sketch for this past weekend. It's not something I would normally use, but I had fun with it. I created two cards because I wasn't happy with my first one.

So this one was my first card. I really liked the colors on this one. I was happy to use my Pink Pirouette - can you believe I hadn't used it before? I know, I know... but, I'm sure you all have had that same thing happen to you before! I used a longer rectangle here, which I think is why it was difficult to pull off. But, all in all, I like how it turned out. My favorite part was using the scallop edge for the "curtain" over the blossom.

So, the Polar Bear Wishes was my second card. My aunt was going through her old stamp sets and I told her this set had to come play at my house. It was really fun to have something "old" to play with. It reminds me of how classic the SU! style is.

I really wanted to use my Little Felt Flurries. I love how the little polar bear is looking up at them. :) All in all, I am especially pleased with the way this one came out! I love it when that happens!

I think I am going to go see what else I can create.... or I might go to bed. I can't decide, lol!

Thanks for dropping by!

A snowflake Christmas

2008-11-28T15:38:00.003-07:00

Hello all!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. (I just enjoyed a delicious turkey sandwich!) My mom is downstairs "prettying" the house for Christmas. It is a tradition that the day after Thanksgiving, we put up the Christmas tree. Some people shop - she decorates! LOL. It is an all day event.... I try to avoid. :) I'm just not that into decorating. I love looking at it when it's done, but she can put it all together!

I got up this morning with the best of intentions to stamp all day. Well, I made one card, and now I'm off to do a couple more. I have a class coming up on Monday, so I need to get my stuff together!

I made this first card for Kristina's color challenge of the week: Riding Hood Red, So Sahara, Very Vanilla, and Whisper White. I like how it turned out, but I don't know if it is one that I want to make at a class. I guess I'll have to see what else I make.

The base of my card is Sahara. I was just going to use the vanilla and white layers, but it needed that bit of pop with the red on the bottoms. I used the felt snowflakes to pop the sentiment. A pretty simple card, but I like it.

Thanks for dropping by!

I'm back!

2008-11-09T18:55:00.004-07:00

Hola!

I know you are about to fall off of your chairs... I do still exist after a whirlwind of a month (and a half!) We just had parent-teacher conferences this last week, which went well. I finally feel like I am getting my feet underneath me. So much so, that I finally stamped again! Woo-hoo!! :)

I started off on SCS... I was inspired by the Verve Sketch Challenges to get my mojo back.

I really liked the colors on this... I used my Hero Arts tree stamps, which were colored on the stamp like this. I loved using the pacific blue and the tangerine! Fun, fun! I don't know if I like the layout of this one, but I know that I will be making more cards using these colors!

I love the way this next one turned out... I got this little snowglobe from a friend. But, I didn't know how I would use it. Well, this was the perfect layout for it! And again, I was able to use the new In-Colors for this one! By golly, I love these colors! :)

I will save my last card for tomorrow, although I have to admit, these two were the best. Hopefully I will feel like stamping later this week after work.

I had a lot of fun, and was glad to be able to get to do something I love again!

Thanks for dropping by!

Urban Garden Mandala

2008-09-11T22:07:00.003-06:00

I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life. But it's a good tired - I'm a busy girl, but I am *so* happy! I am loving my school, my kids, and just life in general. It's the kids that make me truly happy; they make me laugh, smile, and just plain happy! :)

Work has kept me quite busy and made me quite tired. So tired that I have been procrastinating on my masters project. I know what you are going to say - that I've always seem to be procrastinating on my projects. This is true. But, this time, I've been really bad.

But, I did finish one project tonight.

It's a mandala. A mandala is a circular, symbolic representation of self. It's center is supposed to reflect your center.

Many mandalas are colored. When I thought about coloring images that I had to design, I cringed. I don't "do" drawing. I can for my kids, but I don't do it to make myself happy. Not my idea of a good time.

So I thought about paper - I love all things paper and this Urban Garden SU! paper is my absolute favorite. I love the middle flowers as well. The creation of the outer blossoms came from just messing around - they were inspired by the paper roses that I have seen created. All in all, I really like how it turned out.

I should explain the meaning behind it too. The middle flowers are a symbol of my growth as a person. I am continuing to blossom in so many ways in my life. I am made up of many layers, and continue to add to those layers all the time. The hand created blossoms represent the meaningful, significant people around me that continue to help me grow.

My mandala is pretty simple, which is how I strive to live my life. Finally, the distressing continues to show my growth as I'm still "a little rough around the edges." :)

Thanks for dropping by!

Creative Challenge: Say it with Scallops!

2008-09-02T22:07:00.006-06:00

Hello, hello! The long weekend did not stimulate the stamping juices. The long weekend stimulated sleeping juices! :) LOL I love getting my sleep on!

Celia, my upline, challenged me to make some cards with the Ronald McDonald set, "Say it with Scallops." While I haven't been super original yet, I do like my creations - the second card the best!

This one is pretty basic. I liked the addition of the priceless swirl though in Versamark on the Kraft. Didn't do very well on the random stamping, but oh well. :)

This second card was created after seeing several cards using this Limelight sketch. I opened up my Urban Garden dp that I *just* had to have! LOVE the colors on this - so modern and chic! Again, not majorly difficult, but I really like the way this turned out.

Well, thanks for dropping by. Hopefully I will have some more time/energy/creative juices to stamp tomorrow night as well. :)

Where I've been!

2008-08-27T20:15:00.010-06:00

Hello all!

Well... it's been a whirl-wind of activity this last two weeks. I was able to get into my classroom on Saturday August 16. My parents helped me move my mounds of teaching stuff both Saturday and Sunday.

And then my mom decorated! :) It's her thing. And boy howdy, did it make a difference!

Blogger isn't fabulous for getting pictures in, but here is my classroom! Ain't it cute? I love how we decorated the top of the cupboards - coordinates with our American History curriculum in 5th grade. My momma did good. And isn't the quote cool? Beginning of the Preamble, made from vinyl lettering! :)

Working on finding my groove. Each day is getting better and better. This is totally where I was meant to be. :) Just needed to have faith. Now, is everything perfect? No. But, that's okay. It's still soooo good!

I received a nice SU! order today. Thought about creating something.. but then it was nice to relax and not have to think! :) And to be able to watch tv before 7:00 pm! I'm looking forward to the long weekend to relax and create!

Thanks for dropping by!

Love - the best is yet to be

2008-08-15T10:03:00.004-06:00

Well, I finally finished my paper! (I still need to read through it one more time to make sure everything is clean and clear, but it's done!!!)

I tried to sit down and stamp last night but had ants in my pants. It's been a while since I stamped, so I don't think I knew where to start. That's always frustrating! Plus, I really just want new SU! stuff, so it's hard to create when you are wishing for something else, ya know?

I signed up to be a demo again. Whether that was a good choice or not has yet to be decided... I got the $99 starter kit - scrapbooking. The ladies at my new school seem to be really into scrapbooking, so I thought that I might get some customers that way. I am hoping to do card classes there... and possibly at my old school, so I would have income coming in for new stamps. (Maybe?!?)

Okay, enough babbling... except to say, that I can start moving into my classroom tomorrow!!! :) WOO-HOO! So, it will be a busy weekend - our first official day is Wednesday, but I have my master's class next weekend, so I need to have my hiney in gear for the first day of school on the 25th. ACK! Crazy times!

But, I had to make a card. I know SO many people getting married in like a month... I have a bridal shower to attend on Sunday and needed a card.

I love the color combos in the new catty. This one is from the U R Sweet Simply Scrappin' kit: Rose Red, Taken with Teal, Old Olive, and Basic Grey. I used the Love Matters set - I just love this set and it's perfect for fun, hip lovey dovey cards. It's totally me. Jill, my friend who is getting married, is totally fun and hip too - and will love these colors. She's not a girly girl either, so I left off the ribbon. This is simple and sweet and I like how it turned out.

Now... if only I could find a gift. The theme is activities for a couple. Hmmm.... I know of one. :) I was actually thinking of a gift card. Then I could make a gift card holder.... Smart, eh? We'll see how things pan out!

Anyways, I'm off to place an order for the new in-colors. I'm trying not to go overboard, but the new decorative paper and accessories are fabulous. I have a few ideas for stamp sets, although when I looked at my "current" sets, I don't hardly have any sentiments! So, I might have to throw a few on my order.

Wish me luck getting all of my stuff into a classroom that doesn't feel big enough to hold it! :)

Writing papers... Not so much fun.

2008-08-13T22:07:00.002-06:00

7-9 page paper kicking my bum! 6 pages down... running out of stuff to say. Argh!

On a positive note... the school might be available for us to start occupying this weekend! YAHOO!!! I have way too much stuff to get together and finished before school starts.... ACK! (Oh my, you know it's bad when you have a Yahoo and an Ack in the same line!)
Watching my boyfriend swim! :) He rocks! (BTW... had some interesting visitors from google.com because of that last headline. Maybe Michael will drop by and be so impressed with my cards that he drops swimming to move to Idaho to be with me..... a girl can dream, right?)

Anyone want to finish writing my paper for me? No? Darn! Hopefully I'll get an opportunity to stamp some day... I want to... long to.... dang papers.
Ummm.... yeah, no one remind me that posting comments on SCS is not helping me get my papers done.
See ya'll soon.

My new boyfriend!

2008-08-11T21:19:00.003-06:00

I *heart* Michael Phelps!!! Seriously, he is the all-American dreamboat that I've been waiting for. Michael, you can come knock on my door when you get home from China!
:)

Boo!

2008-08-09T16:48:00.003-06:00

Hey there! I'm back... for today. I was out this week being sick... I was on medication, and after 3 days of it, I still wasn't better! So, I had to go back to the doctors to get some stronger antibiotics. I am feeling ALOT better, but I am still just a mess. I think I pulled a muscle in my leg, I have a canker sore.... I just have some issues! Hopefully I get better before school starts!!

So.. I still have a paper that I need to write. But, I had an idea in my head for this card, so I had to do that first. Then, I have to hunker down and write a paper! Yuck!

I bought the new cuttlebug embossing folders from Jacksonbelle Embellishments. Did you know that Lindsey is an Idaho girl too? She is... and imagine how silly I felt when I paid a dollar extra for shipping to get my purchase to my house quicker when we only live two cities away! She's a sweetie and refunded my money! :)

I don't have any Coredinations cardstock and had hoped that the SU! textured cardstock would have a white core. (I had purchased the neutrals textured cardstock last summer and just found it!! Oops!) By the way, SU! cardstock is completely colored through, which is awesome! I don't know why I thought the textured stock would be different... Anyways - no white core, so I dtp'd the black cardstock with white craft ink. Makes the spiderweb pop, but it's very subtle at the same time. Made it kind of a gray color. I thought I would use basic grey at first, but going gray worked better. I am not normally a Halloween girl, but I thought the cuttlebug folders were just adorable and not so.... I don't know... Halloweeny?!? LOL

In thinking up this card, I realized that I had no Halloween stamps, so I stopped to pick up this spider at our local Craft Warehouse. They didn't have much stuff in, but this spider fit the bill perfectly. I couldn't find a sentiment that was very big, so I just skipped that. As I was putting this card together, I got out the doodle alphabet SU! had last spring ('07). It just adds such a cute whimsy to this card!

I had a ribbon originals set on my desk, with this pumpkin ribbon at the top. It spoke to me and told me to put it on this card! (No, I haven't lost my mind on my antibiotics... It was a paper crafting inspiration moment!) I thought that I would cut the ribbon ends to create a banner like feel.

Wow! I don't know if you really wanted to know every single detail to putting this card together, but you got it! LOL!

I picked up another Halloween set - Trick or Treat (I think?) - a retired SU! set at our demo groups annual stamping garage sale. I will have to make up some more samples with it and the other Halloween cuttlebug folder I purchased. Halloween cards - who knew?

One last thing... I now have a new SU! catty in my hot little hands. Oh my lands, I am in love. I want it all! :) I'm making a list... haven't added it up yet to see what the damage is, but I'm sure it's hefty - and that's just In-Color stuff and a couple of small stamp sets!

Wish me luck on my paper... I'm sure I'm going to have to take another "creative break" soon! :)

That'll keep me on track, right?!

Thanks for dropping by!

~Kendra

Hello, hello!

2008-08-04T17:20:00.002-06:00

Hello all!
I do still exist... just not in stamping form! LOL
After a weekend full of drama in my masters program, I am still recuperating, apparently! Still haven't started on the nice 7-9 page paper I'm supposed to have finished in two weeks. (Deadlines grow close when you let a week go by... go figure.)
I have been doing some things though. I've been working on a literature unit for the novel, Shiloh. Oh my word.... it's such a sweet book. I like the theme of honesty and the contemplation of telling the truth or doing the right thing. So, in the midst of finding information on it, I've been reading the novel and trying to put my own spin into the unit with drama activities.
I've also been doing lots of research on drama/picture book/story elements for some great first week reading activities. Of course, my research rarely ends with actually accomplishing something....

I also picked up my copy of the newest book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn. I'm already reading Jacob's story. I'm trying to savor it... such an oh so good book!

This week we are having school registration and checking in curriculum materials. I'm calling to all of you ladies out there to do some praying for me. The details are not something I should share on here, but I am seriously in need of some prayer. I don't know if it's *MY* head getting in the way... wait, yes I do. It is. Right now I really need to trust that the Lord has my needs, desires, and all in all best interest in mind with me at this new school. That trust is so hard to give sometimes! All that to say.... pray for me! :)

I'm off to my upline/demos house for a new catty peek! I wanted to attack her yesterday after she got home from convention, but I gave her a day to rest. Okay, okay... the truth is she didn't get home until 8:30! LOL

Thanks for dropping by!

Thanks and the next nominees are....

2008-07-28T10:34:00.002-06:00

Ida from Faith Artistry nominated me for this blog award! Yippie! :)

In order to recieve this award, I have some stuff to do.
1) I can post the logo on my blog, linking the person I got it from.
2) I nominate 7 other blogs and link them from my blog!
3) I let my nominees know about the award by leaving them a message on their blog! (That makes sense! LOL)

So, here goes:
1) Angela - mudflapmomma: An Ink and a Smile. Angela teaches kindergarden and doesn't get to stamp very much during the school year. (I feel like we are a bit of kindred spirits, lol!) She's been on fire and I just love her fun, classic cards!)
2) Silke - sparklegirl: My Life. Silke is just an amazing artist. She creates clean, crisp, classic cards. Her eye for detail is fabulous - she always has *just* the right touch. I want to stamp like her when I grow up! :)
3) Kelly - atomicbutterfly: Flutter by atomicbutterfly . Who doesn't love Kelly? Again, an amazing stamper. I am chomping at the bit to see what she does with the new Stampin' Up! stuff and makes me just have to have! :)
4) Julie - reneejul1: Paper Pleasing Ideas . Julie is another amazing stamper... she can do it all! Techniques, cutesy, elegant.... you name it, she does it. And it's all so pleasing to the eye! Julie is an inspiration! Join her color challenges!
5) Lauren - mytime: My Time, My Creations, My Stampendence. Lauren does everything! And everything she does is fabulous! Lauren, though I have never met, has talked to me like I was her best friend in the world! She is just so sweet and so nice! And so talented! :)
6) Angie - duckwaddlequack: Quacking Creations . Angie is another one of those stampers who is just amazing - sweet, sincere, and fabulously creative.
7) Shannan - steubner: Pink Tulle with Feathers and Sequins. Beware... if you click on this link to Shannan's blog, you will spend money. This girl's creativity makes you want it all so you can stamp *just* like her! :)

Thanks for your inspiration girls!

Pink & Plum Priceless

2008-07-23T22:20:00.003-06:00

Hello all! Well... I got over my pity party. Sorry about that. Sometimes that happens....

I have a new harumpf though.... I ordered the new Anna Wight Whipper Snapper flowers (and the baby designs too!) and they still haven't arrived yet! Doesn't the post office realize that when one is waiting on new stamps, one's creative mind can think of nothing accept all the wonderful beauties one could make with said new stamps?!?!? It's killing me!!! Hopefully they will be here tomorrow, before I go creatively insane, lol!

Anyways....Reneejul1 @ Paper Pleasing Ideas hosts a color challenge every week. I just love Julie's stuff and her color challenge's are always so dang pretty! Her card for this week is just gorgeous! She used: Eggplant Envy, Perfect Plum, and Pretty in Pink. While I didn't do the Brayered Sky technique, I do really like the card that I created. (And I might have to try that technique later!)

Again, this card fits into my newly created "Sweet and Simple" design style. It's a style that I'm really going to try to embrace. I still am going to work on the "More is More" principle as well, but there is something to be said about creating cards that are simple, sweet, and sophisticated. Kind of like Kristina Werner's cards. (Umm, she's going to think I'm like a crazy stalker girl soon.... how does one avoid that problem?)

So, onwards with card info...

I was inspired by a Hero Arts layout of a Card of the Week. It had more *stuff* to it, like stitching and circles under the images, but mostly the same design layout is the same. I started with the colors, and thought about how I could change the images up... I thought about this Priceless flower. I added the circle to add some interest to the eggplant panel. The pink gingham just finished everything off - just adds that touch of sweet!

I'm in the midst of the SCS dirty girl challenges this week. They have been so much fun! I love challenges as it gives me a structure to work within. (I've always been a structure girl... my mom had me on a schedule as a small child; I always knew my limits.) Challenges give me something to work towards... unless I have a reason to sit down to make a card, I have a difficult time knowing where I'm going. So challenges give me a goal. Is that weird? It might be.

Okay, enough rambling... thanks for dropping by! Cross your fingers that I get my new adorable stamps in the mail tomorrow! :)