Celebrate America and Blog Candy (Soon)

Good morning friends! I hope this Tuesday morning brings you a fun and sunshiny day!

Today is my last day as a member of the Sweet N Sassy Stamps design team. What a 6 months it's been. The design team is a wonderful group of women and I hope you all will continue to check out their fun projects and keep up with all the new SNS stamps that come out!

For my final design team card I decided to try one of SNSS digital stamps. I have never used a digital stamp before and other than having a couple of frustrating moments (before I switched from a jpeg to the png file) it went pretty darn smoothly! I encourage you to give it a try! My firecracker and sentiment are from the Celebrate America set. This set has five Americana sentiments and two fun images. And, honestly, you know me...I'm a sucker for anything Americana! This card will be going to one of my two secret sisters that I have this summer. Fun stuff! I know you can't really see it but the black and yellow on the firecracker are both colored with Spica Glitter Pen. It is such a fun, sparkly card!

I'd like to thank all the design team member from SNSS. You are all amazing women of God who show your love for Him through your craft, your life, and your love for others. I've been honored to serve with you! You are supposed to hop on over to Sarah's blog after mine but she won't be able to post today. I encourage you to head on over there anyway and click on her SNSS category and see all the amazing cards she's made over the 6 months.

Now...onto something kinda fun. I have a combination of a blog milestone and a fun little competition for ya. Over the next three days I'll be giving you hints as to where my husband and I are headed for my 40th birthday in October. If, on July 3rd, someone guesses the correct location then I'll send them a gift. Why July 3rd? 'Cuz it will be my 1,000 post here on this blog! I know...isn't that crazy!?! On the 3rd I'll be posting my blog candy. I'm not sure what it will all be yet but I do know it will be good and will probably include a couple of somethings that start with the letter "c".

Okay, ready for the hints? I'll give ya a couple since you will only get a couple of hints. First, this place is no where close to my current home. And, it probably isn't a place you'd think an adult would want to go for their 40th birthday. You may guess now but I won't take your official guess until the 3rd.

Alright, now go! Have a super Tuesday and I'll see ya tomorrow!

Policemen

Oh, my friends...how did we get to the place where Paul Harvey's words in this are correct?

Kind And Caring Thoughts

Good Monday morning everyone. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I've been dealing with a cold on top of allergies this weekend so I'm hoping a new weeks brings some relief to one or the other.

I took some time to make a card this week with the new Stampin' Up! hostess set called Kind And Caring Thoughts. It is a set with lovely images and wonderful sentiments. The only designer series paper that I have and that will be available in the new catalog and matches (somewhat) the new set is called To The Nines. This paper is what I would term a masculine paper so I definitely think this would work when a "guy" friend of ours isn't feeling well. I used the rock and roll technique on the image with Sage Shadow and Always Artichoke. The rest of the card is pretty easily followed. I did use the sketch challenge from Stampin' Addicts for last week.

I also wanted to share with you one of the first blooms of my bronze star rose plant for this year. I love this rose plant as the color is so beautiful and the bloom itself...just perfect! I have about 10 rose plants between my front and back yard. They tend to like the warm, dry weather here. The colors range from pink to red to red and white. I am quite the novice though and am trying to figure out how to help out a couple of the plants that have their branches lying on the rocks in the garden. I think I'm going to need to get a trellis or two.

Well, I hope you all have a super Monday! Tomorrow I'll have for your my last official design team card for Sweet N Sassy Stamps for you as we hop around to all of the new and old design team member's blog.

Card deets:
Stamps: Kind and Caring Thoughts
Ink: Sage Shadow, Always Artichoke
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, To The Nines
Accessories: Big Shot with embossing plate, punches

Limelight Papercrafts!: A Sweet Sale!

In true enabling style...go check out the SWEET sale that Mandy has in her store! Teeheehee!

Limelight Papercrafts!: A Sweet Sale!

limeLIGHT Sketch and Product Challenge

Happy Friday Morning! What a week it has been! Fun but tiring for sure!

Thank you for stopping back today to see the card I made for limeLIGHT's sketch and product challenge. You already know that the challenge is ribbon. I just couldn't quite decide what to do with the SKETCH. I decided to go simple and a little out of my norm. I chose to use October Afternoon Cherry Hill patterned paper and the Cherry Hill rub-ons that match. The ribbon is a lovely 5/8" yellow textured ribbon.

Following are the details of the challenge...

The Details:
**Use the sketch provided and dress it up with RIBBON!
**Key word for SCS upload is LLPC024
**Post a comment with a link to your card on Mandy's blog by Sunday, June 28 at midnight (or before winner is drawn Monday a.m.).
**PRIZE ~ Five yards of ribbon of the winner's choice! (Winner is chosen randomly from all participants.)

Now...go, make your card with the sketch and some ribbon and link it up so you can have a chance to win that ribbon! Be sure to go to the design team member's blogs for more inspiration! I have them all linked up for you in my side bar...enjoy!

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

VBS Thank You

Good morning everyone! I trust that your day was pleasant yesterday. My day was quite productive...I got a lot done which is nice.

You all know that VBS is this week at my church, right? Well, as the Director of Children's Ministries I recruit the people that help with VBS. My co-director and I always do a little something at the end of the week for our station leaders as they really devote a lot of time and energy into VBS. This year to help hold costs down I decided to make these cute bags, put some candy in them, and give them to the station leaders. Ann (my co-director) bought some super cute, little, magnetic glass alligators to give to them as well so I put those in the bag, too. I made all different colors, used the opposite pattern for the handle and then I think I plan on using the SU! single Thank You stamp and just putting that on the front. I left these at the church though so I had to get a picture yesterday. If you want to see the completed project just leave me a comment and I'll be sure to come back and add a photo.

Directions on how to make this bag are HERE. Those directions show you how to make a super cute lid with the scallop envelope from SU! as well.

My box of new Stampin' Up! catalogs arrive today! That was just a teaser for my SU! customers. I know a couple of them are really looking forward to seeing it!

I hope you will come back tomorrow to check out my limeLIGHT Papercrafts card. The challenge is ribbon...who doesn't love ribbon? This should be an easy one for everyone!

Well, I'm off to get ready for day #4 of VBS. Have a super day everyone!

Goin' Buggy Again!

Good morning everyone! It is Wednesday and what does that mean? We are on the downside of the week. Yay!

I got a chance to stamp last night so I thought I'd show ya. First, I wanted to use my Gone Buggy set from Sweet N Sassy stamps so I got that out. Then, I remembered I got my Taylored Expressions Key Ingredient Kit for June the other day so I pulled it out knowing that it had some super fun colors that I could use with the caterpillar. What do those two things together equal? This card! Isn't it cute? I love the bright colors and the sentiment(s) are so perfect! And, the layout is the Mojo Monday sketch for this week.

There you have it and now I'm off to another day of VBS. I'm hoping to be able to show you the station leader gifts I've made tomorrow and then my card for the limeLIGHT Papercrafts sketch and product challenge on Friday so be sure to check back!

Have a super day!

Pink Cat Studios News!

You really must check out this PCS fundraiser. Not only can you purchase really great digi images but you have a chance to win some really neato things! Go check it out! And, if you aren't sure how to use digital images go check out THIS blog post. It is a wonderful explanation!

Heather's Heavinly Stampations: Win a $20 Plus Prize from Me - Pink Cat Studio Stamps!!! Make - a - Wish Fundraiser!! Please Read Post Below this post, as Well for Details!!!

Teachers and Dads

Morning everyone! Since I didn't post yesterday I thought I'd post today, real quick, and show you what I made for end of year teacher's gifts that I made.

For Kyler's PE teacher, the school secretary, and the principal I just made bought some Hershey's Nuggets, wrapped them in paper and then made a holder out of my Scallop Circle that I ran through my big shot. Tie with a little ribbon and I was all set!

I also made a fun little chocolate book for his teacher. Before anyone asks, I got the directions HERE. You can also see what it says inside at that link so check it out! It is a fun project that any chocolate lover would love to receive!

And a special Happy Father's Day to any dads that are reading my blog. I don't think there are but make sure you treat your man right today!

I will be really hit and miss this week on blogging with VBS I just won't have as much time to create. I will for sure see you on Friday for the limeLIGHT sketch and product challenge! Have a super Sunday!

Liberty Sophia

Good morning everyone! Whose happy it is Friday? ME! I get to go pick up Kyler today...woot! Actually, I have quite a few things to do today so it will be a busy one. I like that though...keeps me out of trouble! LOL!

Yesterdays, Thursday challenge on Kerry's blog is to make a no layer card. Kerry's sample is a card made with Liberty Riley from Hannah Stamps. All I have to say is...I see your Liberty Riley and raise you a Libery Sophia, Kerry!! I got this image from Paper Pretties about a month ago and I just love her!Isn't the deep embossing on this card wonderful? Gina K's Stamp T.V. has a video on how to use your Nestibilities to do the embossing in your Cuttlebug this week. I have a Big Shot so I just adapted it a little. The sentiment is actually from PaperTrey. A few red pearls from limeLIGHT and sparkly black dots really pull this card together.

Alright everyone, I'm off to link my card up to Kerry's blog and let her know about my raising the stakes in the card makin' game and then I'll probably be off to get Kyler!




**This card got a "me likey" from Allison on Stampin' When I Can!**

Q.T. Hooty

Morning everyone! Remember how I was hoping to get so much stamping done yesterday? Yah...didn't happen. I'm having some problems settling into a good time for me to be creative. I used to stamp at night after everyone was settled at home for the night but that just hasn't been happening...I'm too tired. The rest of my day is busy too though so I guess I just need to find a time and do it, huh?

I did, however, make one card with my new Q.T. Hooty set that I got at limeLIGHT. Isn't she the cutest?! I have always wanted this stamp set and just splurged and purchased it the other day. I'm not totally happy with this card, however, due to the flower soft that doesn't really look like a flower. I did decide to post it though so that maybe someone who is familiar with the product will leave me a comment/send me an e-mail with some suggestions. (hint, hint...anyone?) Anyway, I used Retro Prints DCWV as it just seemed fitting with those wonderful retro glasses she has on. I just added some small details that make things fun like gel pen on the glasses and hat band, a Prima flower with pearl in the center and then I love the ribbon from LLPC, too. The green just kicks things up a notch...dontcha think? Oh, and this is the Mojo Monday sketch for this week. And finally, the size of my card is 3"x6". I really love making cards this size and don't know why I don't do it more often...weird!

I have started a class (it meets four times) at our local Care Net (crisis pregnancy center) and had that last night, tonight and next Wens/Thurs as well. I'm not sure exactly what purpose God has for me being there (but it is definitely God ordained that I'm there) but I'm open to learning more about the center and how they help woman of all ages, backgrounds, and situations. Please pray for me during this time so that I may more clearly see what God has in store for me after the training.

I get to go pick up Kyler tomorrow...woot! I have missed him terribly! I'm also going with a friend, tomorrow, to see The Proposal. Looks like a funny movie!

Okay, enough dribble from me. I hope you have a super fantastic day!

My Friend, Jen

Good morning friends! I hope your week is going well! My Bible study group finished up our 10 week study last night. It was a great study by Stormie Omartian based on her book The Power of a Praying Woman. I would highly recommend this book and study to everyone! We are taking a couple of weeks off and then heading into a study by Susanne Scheppmann called Birds In My Mustard Tree, How To Grow Your Faith. Should be another good one!

Today, I want to showcase a gift card holder that my friend Jen made. A couple of weeks back I held a Many Masculine Cards class and in it we made some gift card holders for the men in our lives. She took the ideas home and made a gift card holder from the instructions for her husband's niece. I just had to show you as I love the colors and stamps that she choose AND I love it when my stamp club members/workshop attendees use the ideas for their own purposes! Well, that and I love Jen's creativity and thought you guys would appreciate it too so be sure to visit her blog!

I'm hoping to have some good time to sit down and do some stamping today. I need to get stuff cranked out for next week as it is VBS time at our church and I won't be around much to craft so I need to get some stuff done up ahead of time. Wish me luck!

I hope your day is filled with wonderful things and that you get lots and lots accomplished! Make it a super day!

*It was asked if I could share the pattern for this card and unfortunately I cannot do that. If you'd like to see where I got the idea from you can visit HERE.*

50th Wedding Anniversary

Morning friends! I hope you all had a wonderful start to your week. Kyler got dropped off at camp yesterday and I'm sure he is having a great time. The camp has a super hero theme and what boy doesn't like super heroes? It should be a fun week for him!

On Sunday our dear friends Al and Nancy had their 50th wedding anniversary. What a feat it is to make it to 50 years now a days, huh? I truly look up to this wonderful couple. I know that they have their times, too, but they are what a Christian marriage looks like. I thank God for bringing them into our lives!

As I was making this card for them I wasn't thinking that it should really be gold as that is the "gift" for 50th anniversaries. Ends up I used Summer Sunrise (from PTI) anyway so it kinda looks goldish (right? just go with me on this one!). I can honestly say I have no idea where this paper is from but it had the "look" I was going for...homey and comforting. The bow turned out perfectly (thank you Kristina Werner for having a tutorial on tying bows) if I do say so myself.

Anyway, there you have it. I'm off to get things done today. Have a super day!

Card Deets:
Stamps: Whishing You, PTI
Ink: Summer Sunrise, Ocean Tides, and New Leaf
Cardstock: PTI Vanilla, Ocean Tides, Summer Sun, Patterned (??)
Accessories: Summer Sun Satin Ribbon, Kaisercraft Rhinestones, Nestibilities

Sweet N Sassy Stamps Round Up

Good Monday morning everyone! What a wonderful way to start the day...with the Sweet N Sassy Stamps Round Up!

Today I am featuring the set Gone Buggy. This set, which was previously only available as a digital set, has three cute bugs and five sentiments to compliment the images. It is also part of a new release party that SNSS has going on tonight. It will be at 8 p.m. EST right HERE. Due to the fact that it is at 5 p.m. my time I most likely won't be there. (I'll tell ya why in a sec.) Those parties are always full of fun and chatting so hopefully you'll get a chance to check it out!

Today, I take Kyler to camp. This camp starts at 3 p.m. today and goes until 3 p.m. on Friday. He will be attending with his friend from church that he always has a good time with. If you remember last years fiasco you'll understand when I say he is a little reserved about going but is willing to try. Hopefully the nurse will give him his medicine when he is supposed to have it and he won't get to many bug bites. Anyway, his friends mom and I plan on getting dinner and maybe a little shopping after dropping off the kids so that is the reason I won't be at the release party. I'm more than sure you'll have oodles of fun without me!

Alright...I'm off and about to start my day! I hope you have a wonderful Monday and I'll see ya later!

Card deets:
Stamps: Gone Buggy
Ink: Palette Noir
Cardstock: PTI White, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Hill from October Afternoon
Accessories: SU! Black Gingham Ribbon, Rhinestones

Flag Day

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag.

Since 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14, Americans have commemorated the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by celebrating June 14 as Flag Day. Prior to 1916, many localities and a few states had been celebrating the day for years. Congressional legislation designating that date as the national Flag Day was signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1949; the legislation also called upon the president to issue a flag day proclamation every year.

According to legend, in 1776, George Washington commissioned Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross to create a flag for the new nation. Scholars debate this legend, but agree that Mrs. Ross most likely knew Washington and sewed flags. To date, there have been twenty-seven official versions of the flag, but the arrangement of the stars varied according to the flag-makers' preferences until 1912 when President Taft standardized the then-new flag's forty-eight stars into six rows of eight. The forty-nine-star flag (1959-60), as well as the fifty-star flag, also have standardized star patterns. The current version of the flag dates to July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the fiftieth state on August 21, 1959.

If you've got a flag(and you know you should)...fly it proudly today!

Razzleberry True Friend

Happy Saturday Morning everyone! What are you planning for your weekend? Anything fun? I have a PEO brunch this morning and then dinner with friends tonight. I'm so looking forward to the day!

Anyway, I threw this card together quick yesterday afternoon. I saw a sketch similar to this...it didn't have the main panel but the three strips underneath were the only thing on the top in the original sketch which I think was on Stampin' Addicts (there is a link to SA in my sidebar if you are interested in finding out what it is). I had to use the new Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper and In Color cardstock again. I used a Fillagree Brad and the In Color markers to make doodle around the Sweet N Sassy sentiment from A True Friend set. You likey? I likey!

I probably won't post tomorrow so I hope you have a super rest of your weekend!

Lots of Bots

Morning everyone! I hope you've had a wonderful week! I can hardly believe that it is Friday already. Today is Jon's last day of his junior year of high school. I remember being so excited about being a senior so, even though he says he isn't excited, I'm excited for him!

How about a little sneak peek for ya? Yep, I got my Stampin' Up! pre-order (one of the best things about being a SU! demo!) the other day and had to make a card right away! Although it is definitely simple, this card features the stamp set called Lots of Bots, SU!'s new In Colors, and some of the new In Color Polka Dot Grosgrain. Eeek...I love it all! The cardstock I've used is Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry. The Designer Series Paper is the new Razzleberry Lemonade and then I used the ribbon in Crushed Curry. Did you notice my robot's colors match the papers colors perfectly? Yep, SU! has In Color markers this year...! I'm so excited about that! I'll not be giving up my Copics anytime soon but I'm thrilled to have these markers available for club use and for my customers to purchase.

How about today's Psalm inspiration?

My heart trusted in him and I am helped. Psalms 28:7
As I always, always, always am...
Isn't it absolutely wonderful to know that He is always there to help? All we need to do is call on him.

Alright, I'm done gushing now. How excited are you all (that aren't demos of course) to see the new catty? Okay, okay...I'll stop teasing!

One final PS...one of my wonderful stamping friends gave Kyler the game Blink when he was having his teeth worked on last year. I don't remember who it was so if it was you please let me know!

Pumpin' Up the limeLIGHT

Good morning everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday! I didn't have anything crafty for ya plus we hiked the ridge again, then went to Yakima soooo...there is my excuse. Good one? Oh, and Kyler hiked the ridge with us and did a fantastic job!

Anyway...know what today is? Yep, today is a limeLIGHT sketch and product challenge! Can you guess what we are challenging you to use this week? Yep, that's right...rhinestones! Who doesn't love to bling up their project?

For my bling I used Kaisercraft's Rhinestone Cupcake. Don't ya just love it?! I added some fun Prima Flowers (which in real life match better than they do in the picture)...Mandy has a fantastic collection that you can see HERE. The Rhinestones in the middle of the flower are also from Kaisercraft and they come in a ton of different colors. Mandy just got some new colors in, too. You can see those HERE. I used some fun DCWV paper that has glitter everywhere. This card would be a great birthday card for a younger girl.

Check out Mandy's blog HERE for all the information you need to win some Rhinestones! Need or would like some more inspiration? Check out all the DT's blogs...Ryann, Lisa, Lee, JenMarie, Amy, Mandy, and Nikki (7th 6 chick for June).

So...what are ya waiting for? Go! Make a card with this sketch...link it back to Mandy's blog and you'll be in the running to win some yummy rhinestones!

While you're at it...have a super Thursday!

Smitten Snake

Morning everyone! I hope you had a wonderful start to you week yesterday!

Just a quick card to show you today. While I attended Paper Makeup Stamps new release party Sunday afternoon I also made this card for Todd. This cute stamp, from Paper Makeup, is called Smitten Snake. Now, I really don't like snakes but this one, with his big smile, is truly cute! I apparently had some problems with layering so please excuse that. I was in a hurry to get it done so I could put it in Todd's truck before he got done with work. I used the Card Patterns sketch for this card. This weeks sketch is a great multipurpose sketch design specifically for bigger images so get those stamps out girls!

I just have a little announcement for those that live in my area. My church is having VBS June 22-26 from 9 a.m. to noon. We are encouraging online registration that you can do through our church website HERE. The kids always have a great time every year so why not bring them over? Let me know if you have any questions!

Alright, I'm off for the day. I hope you all have a pleasant and productive day!

Card deets:
Stamps: Smitten Snake
Ink: Palette Noir
Cardstock: PTI White, SU! Old Olive Patterns DP, Certainly Celery
Accessories: PTI white twill, Kaisercraft Snow Pearls, White Gel Pen, Old Olive Marker

Soft and pretty Tilda...

Morning everyone! I got up much later than I had anticipated...silly alarm didn't go off. Hate that! Anyway...I'm now and probably all day feeling behind. Anyway...I have a card for you...woot! On to it!

One brand of stamps that I absolutely love is Magnolia. Now...I don't use them a lot because I just don't color the images that well. I see so many cards that are just beautifully colored with sweet Tilda and adorable Edwin and I'm always disappointed with mine. This time I took the tutorial on how to color her face (from HERE), printed it out, and put it in my special page protector area...this way I can use it each time I color Tilda. This card is for the KL Stampin' and Scrappin June challenge on Papercraft Planet. Oh, did I mention I won last months challenge? Yep, I did but with a non Magnolia stamp...so glad she lets us do that if we don't have Magnolias that will work!

Anyway, this Tilda is called Flower Skipping Rope and is just completely adorable! The challenge is this sketch so why don't you join the KLSNS Papercraft Planet group and try the sketch? You could win a "surprise" stamp and a 6x6 pad of Basic Grey Lime Rickey!

And I'd like to share this weekend's Psalm of the day...
Lead me in a plain path. Psalm 27:11
Some days I'd just like life to be simple. (Isn't that the truth! And, just so you know...the little comments are not my words they are on the calendar too. )

Okay, so I have to get moving (literally because I need to go exercise). I hope you have a fantastic day! See you soon!


Card deets:
Stamps: Flower Skipping Rope Tildak, PTI Wishing You
Ink: Palette Noir
Cardstock: PTI White, Basic Grey Wisteria
Accessories: Kaisercraft Pearls, Stampin' Up! Organza

Oh My Goodness...

Good Saturday morning everyone! I told you yesterday that I was going to show you some pictures of my trip to Leavenworth but I had forgotten that I get to show you my June limeLIGHT project. This month Mandy challenged us to do something for summer. I had several thoughts going through my head (which could be why it came together so quickly) and decided to go with this water bottle hanger/card combo. I actually made it yesterday and gave it away yesterday. Perfect timing for this challenge I'd say!

Anyway, I got to use the SUPER cute Pink Cat Studio's set called Lily at the Beach. I haven't used it much but I so think this is an adorable set! Add it to the fun, bright colors of Basic Grey's Lime Rickey papers and you've got a winner gift set! For a little bling I added some Kaisercraft Rhinestones. Oh, and the layout is from a sketch challenge I saw this week but I'm not sure which one so if you know...will you comment and let everyone else in on it? Thanks!

So...do you have any special plans for your stamping this summer? I hope you get the chance to make some fun projects like this one!

Want some more inspiration for summer projects? How about visitng the DT blogs...JenMarie, Lisa, Ryann, Mandy, Lee, Amy, and the 7th 6 Chick Nikki. Now how is that for some major talent!?!

And, I bet some of you are here to find out who won the sketch challenge from limeLIGHT's anniversary party...right? Okay...ready? You sure? Alright....it's MISSY! Congratulations Missy! Just e-mail me your address so I can get it to Mandy!

Now, go...have a super Saturday!