Good words...

I found this on the blog Like A Warm Cup of Coffee and thought we could all learn from it and appreciate its words...

“Just in case you find any mistakes on this blog, please remember they were put there for a purpose. I try to offer something for everyone. Some people are always looking for mistakes and I didn’t want to disappoint you!” -Unknown Magazine, Come Before Winter (switched magazine for blog)

I read the following in my devotional today and wanted to pass it along…

“How come we’re so surprised when we see it {incompetence} in others and so devastated when it has occurred in ourselves?…Come on, ease off. If our perfect Lord is gracious enough to take our worst, our ugliest, our most boring, our least successful, our leaning tower of failures and forgive them, burying them in the depths of the sea, then it’s high time we give each other a break….After all, imperfection is one of the few things we still have in common. It links us close together in the same family! So then, whenever one of us blows it and we can’t hide, how about a little support from those who haven’t been caught yet? Oops, correction. How about a lot of support?” Chuck Swindoll, Come Before Winter

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

He quoted a proverb: “‘Can a blind man guide a blind man?’ Wouldn’t they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn’t lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher.

“It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.” Luke 6:37-42 (The Message)

My Best Friend

Morning everyone. For future reference I am no longer a part of the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge group.

I made this for my husband and he truly enjoyed it. I'll be back tomorrow with a much more uplifting post.

Dandelions

Morning everyone! Yay! It is Saturday and we are going to our friend's birthday party. She is two on Tuesday but I can't wait to see her this afternoon. I have totally forgotten to make a little bag/card to put with/in her gift. So, I'll be working on that this morning! I'm thinking Build a Bear so check back next week to see what I come up with, k?

This cutie card is made with the brand new Cosmo Cricket Earth Love Mini Deck and Chipboard Stickers. Guess where I got them from limeLIGHT Papercrafts. Oh, yeah...they they have newest stuff in stock including Cosmo Cricket and Jillibean Soup. Anyway, are they not just the cutest papers and shapes you've seen? Quite honestly...I didn't think I'd like this mini deck but I do. The colors are fantastic! I didn't put a sentiment on this because I thought it could be for so many different occasions. You must go check out all the fun stuff at limeLIGHT!

I have decided something. I am not a fancy schmancy crafter. Simple and fun is my thing and I think it works for me. I hope you all agree and like it 'cuz this is where I'm at. With that said...I offered up blog candy yesterday. There was only a one day comment period as I wanted to give it to someone who visits my blog regularly. Wanna know who the winner is? Okay...it's SPARKLE!!! Congrats Sparkle. I don't think I have your address (although I'll put it in my blogging address book now) so if you could e-mail it to me I'd appreciate it.

Thank you to all of my readers...you really do make my day! I hope you'll stop back tomorrow to see Challenge #2 from the Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge blog. I am hosting this weeks challenge and I think you'll all like it and want to join in so...stop back tomorrow, k?!

***You must see the wonderful blog candy that my girl Kerry has going on at her blog! See it HERE!***

Have a super day!

Life is a bowlful of cherries!

Happy Friday! I can hardly believe this week is over already but I think I've been saying that all week, huh? How about you guys...did it go fast for you too?

When I sat down to stamp the other day I really wanted to use one of my Paper Makeup Stamps so I pulled out Christi fairy and made a bookmark with her. This bookmark is 2 1/2 x 5 1/2. I put little magnets at the bottom so that it would close on its own...a very nice feature for sure. For the patterned paper/solid card stock I used items from an older Taylored Expressions Key Ingredient Kit. I colored with my Copic markers and added a little glitter on a couple of the cherries. It is cute and functional!

So...do you like this bookmark enough to want it for your own? Yes? Well, good 'cuz I'm going to give it away to one of my readers. This is a one day blog candy give away so you have to just leave me a little comment by this evening at 8 p.m. pacific time to be in the running for it. I'll choose a number via random.familymember at that time and post the winner on Saturday morning. Cool?

I'm not very chatty today so I guess that is all I have for you but do leave a comment if you'd like a chance to win the bookmark AND have a wonderful day!

Photo Card

Happy Thursday! We are on the downside of this week and like I said yesterday...this week is flying by! It's Thursday so that means I go to Care Net today...yay! Could you all pray for me that if a client comes in that I have confidence that Jesus will help me through my talk with her? I get SO nervous! Anyway...

Wanna hear my news? Yeah? Okay...the wonderful Kerry from 3 Clovers Designs has asked me to be a part of her challenge team....**screaming loudly!*** When she e-mailed me last week I went in the bathroom where my husband was and literally jumped up and down squealing with delight! With that information you can expect that at least twice a month (on opposite Thursdays from limeLIGHT but sometimes I'll have two posts) you will see a card or project that I've made with the challenge that Kerry puts out for us all to try.

This week's challenge is to use a photograph on your card/project. I was stumped as to how/what to do but I knew I wanted to make a card with the photo of the Bronze Star rose that I took this summer. First I printed out the photo so I could find some patterned paper that would work with it. I ended up with some Basic Grey paper. Then, I decided on the size I wanted the photo to be along with what shape. Obviously I went with the Curved Rectangles Nestabilities in different sizes. The rest of the card (and it is a card...it opens at the bottom) came together very quickly. I really like the class the pearls give the card! The hugs & kisses sentiment (from PTI) is placed there for my grandparents. I can't wait to send it to them!

So, I have the rest of the challenge girls in my side bar to the right. I really would suggest that you visit all of their blogs so that you can see the wonderful artwork that they have for you.

So...I hope you'll go and try out Kerry's challenge this week...it is a winner! Have a super Thursday everyone!

Owl Fun

Morning stampers! (Is my good morning greeting annoying? I say it almost everyday.) Can ya believe it is Wednesday already? I know? Where does the time go, huh? I know some of you guys have your kids back at school already but mine kids don't go back until Sept 10th. I always have mixed feelings about it...I love having my kids home but I crave the routine of the school year so I'm usually ready for them to go back to school. That and this year Jon is a senior so it will be fun to see him go through all those last year of high school activities!

Onto the card. Almost this entire card is made with products from the Taylored Expressions Key Ingredient Kit for August. I LOVE the fun kit and colors of this month. This time Taylor included some fun rub-on's and that is what I used for the tree, flowers, and owl...cute, huh? The button is a Lemon Tart button from PTI and I put some Lipstick Red Rhinestones in the center for a little bling (and honestly...to cover up a mistake but I bet you guys never make mistakes, huh?). I, of course, used a sketch challenge for this card. This one is Jen's Sketch For You To Try for the week. I can't believe I didn't use any ribbon on this! That is so not normal for me! LOL!

So, have you guys watched the new show called Shaq VS? In the show Shaq challenges other athletes to their own game. Last night we watched Shaq play football against Ben Roethlisberger and volley ball against Misty May Trainer and Kerri Walsh. It is actually a pretty good show. There is definitely lots of smack talk but overall...a fun show to watch. If you like sports you should check it out sometime!

Well, that is about it for me for today. I hope that you all have a super day!

Jeremiah 29:11

Good morning! Welcome to this wonderful Tuesday! "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered." Psalm 111:4. Those memories are worth keeping!

I noticed that this week's Paper Makeup Stamps challenge is a sketch challenge and who am I to turn down that kind of challenge? So, I decided to grab their Believe Scripture Set and use the Jeremiah 29:11 stamp. Jeremiah 29: 11-13 is my favorite set of verses. They are full of hope and promise! I made this for a friend's mom. She is going through cancer treatments right now and I just want to encourage her. I'm hoping she will like it!

Sherrill Graff, SU! demo extraordinaire is asking for our help with the Ronald McDonald House charity that SU! partners with. Check out the following links for more information on this worthy cause.

http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4995

http://rmhc.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer/30-ways-in-30-days/spread-the-word-by-sharing-your-story/

http://latenightstamper-stampandscrap.blogspot.com/

A quick little to my dad! Love ya dad!

I really want all my readers to know that I appreciate you all stopping by here. You truly make my day! I know you are there whether you comment or not (although comments are appreciated). Go ahead, if you haven't already sign my guest book go ahead and say hi...k?!

Alright...those links should keep you busy for a little while! Have a super Tuesday everyone!

Cold & Cuddly

Morning stampers...it feels a little chilly in here, doesn't it? Well, it isn't really chilly here but I just had to use the super cute Cold & Cuddly set that is new in the SU! Holiday Mini.

So? Another super cute image, huh? I think the set matches perfectly with the Holiday Lounge designer series paper pack from the Idea Book & Catalog. Both are kinda retro. The colors on this card are Ruby Red, Taken with Teal, and Sahara Sand. I did use a sketch challenge on this card. Have you seen the blog called The Sweetest Thing? Well, Karen is so talented and has great sketch challenges. You can see this one HERE. Karen also makes some lovely watermarks that are very reasonably priced!

Anyway, this is my first holiday card of the year and I'm glad I'm finally getting started because last year we only got cards out to close family members and those that sent to us. This was a fun and easy card so I think I'll be encouraged to make more.

You all know Monday's are busy for me so I should probably run but one little tease...only three more days 'til my announcement! Yay! I'm SO excited!

More Food

Good morning stampers! Thank you all for your concern for Todd. He is doing quite well. His hand is, of course, sore but he's a guy and does stuff anyway.

I thought I'd go ahead and make another card with a food item to remind you about our Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge for this week. Since my dad's birthday is coming up I thought I would use that as my opportunity to make a card with this cute image from Fast & Fun Notes. All the patterned paper is from the To The Nines designer series paper pack, oh, and the "you, you, you" is from the set Three Little Words. I used some of the new Shimmer Paint that SU! has in the Holiday Mini on the buttercream portion of the frosting. It lends some fun shimmer to the card for sure! I'm pleased with the way this came out...low key, masculine, and okay...cute!

We at SSC are excited to announce that we will now be a weekly challenge blog. The response from our challenge players has been overwhelming positive so we have decided to kick it up a notch for ya. Nothing has changed for our first challenge so be sure to get your entry in by Saturday August 29th at 11:59 p.m. pacific time for a chance to win the wonderful Happy Birthday set from Our Daily Bread Designs. Starting next week (with my 1st challenge) we will be posting the challenge on Sunday, announcing the winner from the last challenge as well as announcing our shooting starts for the last week on Tuesdays, and then on Thursday we will have your Guest Designers artwork for the week. Challenges will always end at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday night. Any questions...just leave a comment (with a way to get a hold of you) or send me an e-mail.

I've got something exciting to share with you on Thursday this week! Eek! I can't wait! Until then you'll just have to hold your breath...nah...don't do that I don't want anyone to faint on me!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

Look What I Won!

Good morning friends. I am dragging a bit this morning so sorry for the late posting. I got a call at 10:45 p.m. last night and I don't know about you but that usually means something is wrong. I was right. In the course of his job Todd cut his hand and was on the way to the ER to see if he needed to have it stitched up. Panic and fear enveloped my heart even though it was just a cut...if you know me you know why. Anyway, he ended up with four stitches so it wasn't too bad and came home a little early last night. He is still sleeping as of now but I just want to love on him a little so I hope he gets up soon.

Anyway, that isn't why you came here...you came to see something artsy, huh? Well, have I got that for you today! Awhile back my friend Kris was giving away some blog candy and I won! Woot! What I won is this amazing butterfly card. Only it isn't really a card...the butterfly is made with chipboard and it attaches together with a jump ring. The sparkle and shine this thing has...oh, my...it is beautiful! Kris is an amazing artist for sure! She is also one of the four Stampin' Sisters in Christ who started our new challenge blog. Very fun, right!?

I actually just received another blog candy that I won from the same blog hop that if I get permission from the creator I'll show you tomorrow.

As I said before I'm running a bit behind today so I must run. Have a great Friday all!

limeLIGHT Day!

Morning friends! What a fun day today as today is limeLIGHT sketch and product challenge day, I truly love my card, and tonight is the Care Net BBQ. I can't wait to meet everyone! Anyway, this week's challenge is stickers. At first I thought...Mandy, are you crazy? But then I remembered the letters and chipboard stickers I had and off I went to create!

Okay...so, you wanna know what I used to make the card? Well, I had to pull out the lovely Lemonade Basic Grey patterned paper along with the Chip Sticker Shapes and buttons. I thought for sure I was going to have problems with the sketch but I guess I thought on it long enough that I had a plan in mind...lol! Go HERE to see the sketch. The "details" are as follows:

The Details:
**Use the sketch and dress it up with STICKERS!! Flat or chipboard, all are game!
**Key word for SCS upload is LLPC028
**Post a comment with a link to your card right here by Sunday, August 23, at midnight (or before winner is drawn Monday a.m.).
**PRIZE ~ One lucky winner will receive a package of Cosmo Cricket Earth Love Icon Rub-ons (pictured above)! (Winner is chosen randomly from all participants.)

What a great prize, right?!? I so wish I could have some of that Cosmo Cricket paper but guess whose broke? Guess I need to sell some more retired stamps sets, huh?

I have an exciting announcement for you guys but I'm not sure when I can share it so for now...you wait!

Okay, now...be certain that you visit all of the design team members (and guest member) blogs...Tiffany, Ryann, Lisa, Amy, Lee, and Ann. Have a super Thursday everyone!

Build A Bear

Morning everyone! I can hardly believe it is Wednesday already! I have to honest for a moment and tell you guys that I have really been in the dumps about my stamping for the last few weeks but after the last couple of days of stamping...I'm happy again! It just feels good to stamp again...whew!

Soooo...how cute is this Build A Bear card? Ack! This bear, along with the clothes and other fun accessories will be available Sept 1st in the SU! Holiday Mini. I have to say that BAB is loved at our house and by some of my youngest son's friends so how could I not have these? The cardstock is Ballet Blue and the fun designer series paper? New paper to match with the Build A Bear stamps and dies. FUN!!

If you would like me to send you one of the Holiday Mini's so you can see all the wonderful new products please let me know and I'll get one out to you as soon as I can.

Tomorrow is limeLIGHT product and sketch challenge. The product challenge is stickers and I have to say...I love my card! So...please stop back and see it tomorrow! Oh, and you better go and check out the limeLIGHT blog today...Mandy has a wonderful giveaway going on!

Layered Flowers Sympathy Card

Morning all! Whew was yesterday a whirlwind. I didn't sit down for the night until about 8:45 p.m. Shortly thereafter I heard the bed calling me.

I was looking at my Big Shot dies last night and came across the Layered Flowers die and decided I needed to use it. I found that this weeks Sketch For You To Try would be perfect for this main image. So...out came the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper and a couple of other accessories and wahlah...the card you see. I especially like the combination of the Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon and the White Organdy ribbon so elegant and colorful. I decided to make this card a sympathy card for a woman in town whose husband just died. If you'd like any information on this card or the products I used go ahead and e-mail me (link in the left column) or check out my demo website HERE.

I found a new blog yesterday that I thought I'd mention to you. Not only is she a talented stamper but she also has some blog candy available. Go check out Heather HERE!

Alright, ladies...I need to get moving so I'll say...have a wonderful day!

Jack Patch

Good morning friends! Welcome to a brand new week where we get to start all over again OR continue on in the way we were in the past. A wonderful thing to ge tot choose whichever way we decide, huh?

Anyway, I saw on SCS that DZ Doodles is having a design team call so I thought...why not? Their images are super cute so why not try. I downloaded this cute Jack Patch image, printed it out, and then got to work on a card. I used some older Basic Grey patterned paper and a fun Nestability along with the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge for this week. I love fall so this card suits me fine. Here is where the "but" comes in. But, I'm not going to enter it for design team consideration. Not too long ago I entered for a design team I really wanted to be on and honestly thought I did a good job but didn't make it. That has made me a bit gun shy in trying out for design teams so I have just decided that I will enjoy my limeLIGHT Papercrafts Design Team, posting for you all, and making cards for our Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenges.

Anyway, I have another busy week ahead of me but I'm hoping to get some time to craft each day. I know I'm excited to have a limeLIGHT sketch and product challenge for you on Thursday!

In the meantime...Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Stampin' Sisters In Christ Challenge #1

Good morning to you and welcome to our first Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge! (Be sure to check out the blog for more inspiration!) As you know our challenges will be posted by a member of our design team. Our 1st challenge is being hosted by Lisa Hjulberg. Also, as you know, our challenges are going to be based on a scripture verse. This week's verse and challenge is...

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35 (NIV) Your challenge is to make a card that has some sort of food or drink theme. You do not have to make it a religious card, although please feel free to do so.

My card, as you can tell, has a cupcake for my food theme. I got this Sixxix die cut quite some time ago but have never used it so I thought now would be the perfect time. I decorated it up with some Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper and a birthday sentiment for a fun and bright birthday card.

Now, remember I said that there would be some blog candy involved? Well...this week, one random winner will receive the beautiful Happy Birthday set from Our Daily Bread Designs. You can see it HERE. While you are there be sure to check out all of the amazing sets that ODBD has. I have several of their sets and not only are they beautiful but they are also super high quality!

We will randomly draw a winner for the prize AND we will choose 3 cards/projects to feature as a Shining Star and receive a special blinkie to place on your blog or on-line gallery signature. The Shining Stars and prize winner will be announced on Wednesday, September 2nd. Please link your card/project back to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog HERE by August 29th at 11:59 p.m. (pst) to be eligible to be put in the random drawing for the Happy Birthday set.

You want to see some more inspiration? Go check out the other design team member's blogs...Kathy, Kris, and Lisa. Now...go! Stamp something with a food/drink theme! Can't wait to see what you make!

Ever Wonder...

Have you ever wondered why I love being a Stampin' Up! Demo? Let me tell ya!

**Many great, new things are happening at SU! Our new Build A Bear Workshop partnership is the hottest thing around. Who doesn't love and want to use those bears?

**New Holiday Mini which includes the AWESOME Digital Studio which will allow you to digitally scrapbook with as much...or as little...help as you'd like!

**Wouldn't you love to purchase your SU! at a discount?

**How about knowing what the specials, retiring items are ahead of time not to speak of getting to pre-order the newest "stuff?"

Well, from now until August 30th you can become a Stamping' Up! demo for only $85. Want to know what you'll receive in your kit? Here you go...

Item Code	Page #*	Description	Retail Value**
115360	118	For All You Do stamp set	$28.95
115658	155	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115656	155	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115659	155	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115654	155	Dusty Durango Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115655	155	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115657	155	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
100730	155	Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.50
115315	155	In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.95

You can substitute for like at items at matching or lower price points, so you can really customize your starter kit just for YOU! I'd love to have you join my team! Click over to my Stampin' Up! website now and click "Start Your Own Business" and then Join Now! My recruiter password is mynewbusiness. While you are checking out my demo site go ahead and take a look at my Calendar of Events to see if there is anything interesting to you.

Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions at all! Just click the e-mail me button in the left hand column toward the top of my blog.

Happy Saturday and I'll see you tomorrow for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge card!

For All You Do

Happy Friday everyone! For some reason I'm very happy to be to the end of the week this week. Maybe because I'm really tired and need to stop running a little. Today will be a little better plus I've promised myself stamping time so I should be all set, right?

Today I want to share with you the card I made for my dad and his wife for their anniversary. Unfortunately this card will be late as their anniversary is today and I just mailed it yesterday. I feel really bad as my dad's wife is very good about getting things out to us on time and frankly...they are just about the only people that send cards for birthdays/anniversaries to us anymore. So, shame on me but I hope that they like the card anyway!

This card is made with the set For All You Do. I just got the set in my last order and I'm so excited to have it. I've seen SO much wonderful stuff done with it. I chose to use the Cottage Wall designer series paper along with Rich Razzleberry for my main colors. The little sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I'm really enjoying that set as every time I think I don't have a particular sentiment I just pull it out and there it is! Anyway, I also just got the Eyelet Border punch so I had to use that as well! I stamped, cut out, and popped up the center flower and then stamped, cut out, and adhered the two medium flowers for some dimension. I do have to say that I really like this card!

Sometimes my dad's wife reads my blog so if you are reading today. Happy Anniversary you guys! I hope your day is wonderful!

In the past I've posted on Saturday not Sunday but effective this week that will not be the case. Due to the new Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenges I'll be posting on Sunday instead of Saturday.

So...I'll see ya Sunday for the very first Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge! (I'm SO excited!)

Do Me A Favor...

Morning! I can't believe it is almost the end of the week already. Whew...this week has flown by!

Today I get to show you a fun little product that limeLIGHT has in the store right now. These cute little birds are made from the Basic Grey Lemonade Do Me a Favor Kit. Now, if you know me at all (and some of you should) you would know that my mind doesn't work very well with fold this first, then do this, type of directions. I've had to have Todd show me how things are supposed to go together in the past due to the fact that I just couldn't wrap my brain around it. However, in this case...I didn't need Todd! (Which was good as he wasn't home.) Woot! Woot! The directions and folding on these cuties are so easy that it makes putting them together a pleasure rather than frustrating. Love it!

This cute kit makes you 8 of the bird favors and costs $6.89. Just throw in some Hershey's Kisses (although the box is bigger than that and could probably hold a couple of Hershey's Nuggets instead...or..maybe some Jelly Bellies?) So, for .82 cents per box plus a little more for the candy you could have fun little first day of school gifts for all of your children's teachers and maybe even include in the principal and school secretary. Good idea, huh? These little cuties also come in the June Bug pattern and are chicken shaped...how cute! And don't think that all you get in the kit is the favor boxes...oh, no...they give you tags, flowers, hearts...that type of thing to personalize them even more! Best part about that is you could easily use those extra pieces in your card making/scrapbooking!

Since we are talking all things limeLIGHT, lets talk about the weekly specials they have...

**All cardstock and patterned paper is buy 3 get one free. Just notate in the comments section which one you'd like for free.
**All Stickles glitter glue is buy 3 get one free. Again, notate in the comments section which one you'd like for free.
**Cupcake Numbers, Jumbo Snowman, and Funny Bunny Stampendous clear sets only $10!

Run...okay, type quickly to get over to limeLIGHT and purchase all your goodies!

The last little thing today is a tutorial videa on how to make a Season of Friendship Manly Card. My friend Gwen's husband is her supporting demonstrator. They have started to make videos featuring her husband making manly cards and using manly products/accessories. So, fun! Check it out HERE.

Now, go...have a super day!

Pumpkin Patch

Good morning stampers! It's another cloudy and rainy day today. I love the rain here as it doesn't thunder and lightening like it does in the mid-west. Those storms sure could be scary!

But, we are not talking about thunder storms today we are going to talk about pumpkins and all things new! Fun!

I signed up for a swap (for the first time in a very long time) on my demonstrator group using new Holiday Mini stamps. The set I got to use is Pumpkin Patch. I love this set! It is much like the old Carved and Candlelit set but smaller and so fun! In the Pumpkin Patch set you get lots of different stamps to make the perfect pumpkin! It also has two different sentiment that I love as they aren't the spooky Halloween type of sentiments. Anyway, to make this card I used Soft Suede, More Mustard, and Always Artichoke cardstock along with the new Autumn Traditions designer series paper in the Idea Book and Catalog. The sentiment is stamped on what looks like the new Modern Label punch but I really used one of the dies from the Magnetic Movers & Shapers that go inside the Movers & Shapers Bigz XL Die. The Modern Label punch would actually fit just perfect layered on my die cut shape. I just sponged the blue sky and cut out two pumpkins for my main image. (I did 16 cards though so I cut out 32 pumpkins total!) Then the dotted background on the More Mustard is made with Texturz Plate and my Big Shot. The ribbon is Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon so it matches perfectly with the card. Finally, the layout of the card is from Stamping 411 this week. Whew! That was a lot to explain. Thanks for hanging in there with me! Hopefully everyone in the swap will like the card!

Today I'm back at Kyler's school. I'm working on a couple of projects while I'm there this week and next week that are the type I love to do so it is exciting for me to be going in. Weird, I know!

If you live in town I just updated my Stampin' Up! class calendar on my demonstrator website. You can check that out HERE. Let me know if you have any questions!

Before you go why don't you click HERE and see the amazing blog candy that Steph has available? It is so worth a trip to her blog to try and win it! Have a super day everyone!

**The Stamping 411 Operators chose my card for their showcase today! Yay! Go see HERE.**

Trendy Trees and Sisters

Good morning friends! It is a cloudy morning here in Central Washington...something that I don't mind once in awhile!

I have a couple of fun things to share with you guys today. First, I have to share the card that Kyler made for Grandma Nancy. I must confess that this card is a complete CASE but it looked easy enough for Kyler to do and he liked it so I figured...why not? I chose the kraft cardstock but he chose the colors to use for the trees...Really Rust, So Saffron, and Always Artichoke. Again, I tied the ribbon but he placed it on the card. I even showed him how to use the Stamp A Ma Jig...which he thought was a neat tool. You see in the picture to the left that he is just like his mom...gettin' right down there to see where to place the stamp. He does love to stamp and I really should let him do it more often! Didn't he do just a wonderful job?

The other thing I have to share with you guys is a new venture that I've joined. There is a new blog out there called Stampin' Sisters In Christ Challenges. If you go to the blog you'll see an explanation of where this fun blog started. Now, what is this all about? Well, each 1st, 3rd, and 5th (if there is one...like this month) Sunday of the month one of the design team members will issue a challenge for your crafting pleasure based on a scripture of their choice. You will have approximately two weeks to upload your take on the challenge to have a chance to win some blog candy! Yep, that's right...we'll have blog candy! As a matter of fact we have our first blog candy donation already which is the set Happy Birthday from Our Daily Bread Designs. Isn't that just an amazing start to our challenges? If you or someone you know would like to donate blog candy feel free to e-mail me!

One of the neat things about this venture is that the four of us design team members really feel God leading us in this fun walk. We hope to spread the love of Jesus, become closer as sisters, and have a wonderful time stamping! The design team members are me, Kristine, Kathy, and Lisa.

So? When will the first challenge be? This Sunday August 16th! The design team has been issued it's challenge and we are cookin' up some great samples for ya!

So...did you get all that? Please let me know if you have any questions at all and I hope you'll become a follower of the SSC blog and join us in our challenges!