Whatnot Monday

Good Monday morning friends. Welcome to another Whatnot Monday! The new images that Paper Pretties has for you this week are SO cute!

I chose to work with the image called ConBEARsation Hearts. I know! Isn't he adorable! It was so easy to make this image into a fun Valentine's Day card. A couple of little touches you can't see are...the frosting on the cupcake is shiny and therefore must be a ganache frosting...don't you think? Just a little sparkle on the cupcake liner really makes it a special cupcake and the 'love you' in red really makes the sentiment stand out nice. I used the super versatile Card Patterns sketch for this week on my card, too.

I know you want to see what the other design team members have made so why don't you head on over to the Paper Pretties blog and check them out. You can also see the other new release...Betty, also incredibly cute.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Sunday Share: This Is The Stuff

Good Sunday morning friends! I have a fun little song for you to listen to this week. I love it because it talks about all "the stuff" that drives us all crazy and then reminds us that God uses it all in some way to draw us closer to him. Wonderful, isn't it?

Quick update on my week with Made To Crave. This was a good week. I saw a decreased amount of cravings. While I can't say that I'm craving every health food that is out there I can say that I'm not craving chocolate nearly as much as I used to which is a wonderful feeling. I keep reminding myself that "you crave what you eat" and since I was eating not healthy foods for a long time it is going to take a long time to stop craving it.

I lost 1.5 pounds this week. I'm now into the area of trying to figure out exactly how much I should loose as, though I'm still in my healthy weight range, I know if I go to much lower I will have a hard time maintaining it. So, we'll see how this week goes. How was your week? You don't have to leave specifics. Just let me know how your eating is going. If you are doing the MTC study where are you at? What did you learn this week?

Well, enjoy the song! I'll see you tomorrow with another Paper Pretties card but if you just can't wait 'til then they are having another birthday party hop today that you can join in on right HERE.

Do you Digi?

Good morning friends! If you've noticed I haven't been posting as much this week. Well, I've had quite the head cold and they aren't conducive to crafting I have found out. I seem to be turning the corner to better health today though (I might actually have my voice today!) so I thought I'd mention something to you that I did last night.

Do you use or would you like to learn how to use digital images? They seem to be the new, hip thing in crafting. I actually REALLY like digital images. They are less expensive, tend to be line drawn (great for coloring), and you can make your image any size you want. Awhile back I became a member of Crafter's Digital Art Center. They offer information, sharing, challenges & freebies from different Digi Artists. This weekend they are doing something called their Group Heart Hop. It is like a blog hop but it is all within their Ning structure. You go to different groups, become a member of those groups, leave a comment, receive a word and then when all done hopping around you go to the last, private, group leave your phrase in the requested spot, wait while approved and then you receive a free digi from each of the groups. It was fun to discover new places to purchase digis and to receive free ones at the end!

I have a CDAC badge in my left sidebar if you want to click over to them and become a member. If you have any questions about digi stamps you can leave them in a comment with a way to get back to you and I'll do my best to answer it!

Now, I thought I'd like to a couple of my favorite Digi Stamp Stores although I have a TON of favorites! And, frankly a lot of traditional rubber stamp companies are now offering digi too!

McMahon 5 Designs
Paper Pretties
Sweet N Sassy Stamps
Designed2Delight
Doodle Pantry

Remember...these companies are off the top of my head and there are a lot more (I might come back and add to this list) out there.

Enjoy your Saturday...see ya tomorrow!

McMahon 5 Designs Day!

Good morning friends! I hope you've had a good week so far. Are you ready for the weekend? I sure am!

As you know today is Thursday. Thursday means a fun, new McMahon 5 Designs release! This week I chose the FairyD image called Younger Lovers to make a card with. I started with a sketch and thought it might look nice with to have the couple as the main image so I proceeded to print the couple on copy paper many times to get them just in the right place. When I finally had it where I wanted it (yes, there is a story here) I started to color the image with my Copics. I was doing a beautiful job...so happy with the woman's hair and the different skin tones so I moved onto the dress. Yeah, for some reason my Copic marker threw up all over my image! The ink just started running out. It was crazy! So I had to go back to the printing out (many, many more times as this was a different day and I hadn't saved the size or placement of the image) the image just right and start coloring all over again. Talk about a test of patience for me! Sheesh! In the end, though, I really like the card. The picture isn't the best but I had some sunlight this afternoon so I decided to use it for my photo. I chose the sentiment "so amazing" as that is how I feel sometimes. So amazed that God gave me just the perfect guy for me.

I have a few challenges that I can submit this card for as well...Saturday Challenge is "couples", The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenges is anything goes, this is another for the Totally Paper Crafts Challenge of add a heart, and Pile It On's theme is Love Is In The Air. Honestly there are a ton more I could enter but I think this is good, don't you?

Well, enjoy the new releases! Make sure you check out what my design team sisters have for ya too!

Young Lovers

Card by: Carolyn

Card by: Amy

See My Card Above!

Card by: Lorie

Lovers Embrace

Card by: Ruby

Card by: Raven

Lovers Gaze

Shurayuki

Card by: Michelle

Fairy Flower Vertie

The Wishing Flower

Harlequin Quilt in Blue Satin

Card by: Shawne

Close Up by: Shawne

Card by: Kristine

Floral Banner

50th Anniversary Scrapbook Page by: Shelly

Card by: Christine

As an added BONUS this week,
Shawne is offering a Charm Digi Set
FOR FREE
and asking you to play along in her
Charm Theme on her Challenge Blog!

Hurry! Challenge ends Monday!
$25.00 in Images Up For Grabs!!!

Card by: Shawne

Close Up by: Shawne

For more details on the projects above, visit the Design Team blogs!

Amy
Carolyn

Christine

Kristine
Lorie

Michelle

Raven
Ruby
Shelly
Sue

Perfect Pair

Good morning friends! I hope you had a fabulous Monday. I had a full day but fun. I got to watch my friend Nicole's little guy for a little while. He is SO cute and such a good boy!

One of the blogs that I read through my Google Reader account is Pat's Blog. She always makes the cutest things! Well, the other day she had a super cute card made with the image you see on my card and I just had to CASE her. So, I sat down to do that last night. Everything went well printing the image on the white and then the two different patterned papers (do you like the boy pattern and the girl pattern?). Then I went about putting the card together. Yeah, I wasn't very successful...I don't think. I have come to rely on patterned paper pretty heavily so when I try and make a card without much of it I struggle a bit. Anyway, the sketch is from Gina K this week. If you aren't a member of Stamp T.V. you wont' be able to view this challenge but I will encourage you to become a member as Stamp T.V. is a great community!

This is another card for Todd. I have an idea or two for a couple of more cards so over the next couple of weeks you'll see a few more lovey dovey cards, I'm sure.

Well, that is about it for today. Tonight is my first Made to Crave Bible Study meeting and I can't wait to get to it! There have been a couple more people than I thought sign up for it so it will be a wonderful sized group.

Have a super day today everyone!

Paper Pretties Birthday Blog Hop

Welcome to a very early Monday post. Why so early? Well, because I get to participate in the Paper Pretties Birthday Blog Hop for Jessica Fleck! If you arrived here from Lisa's blog you are right on track. If not head back to the Paper Pretties blog to get started!

In the spirit of birthday's I decided to combine one of this week's newly released digi's called PuRRty Girl with some fun birthday papers to make my card. I used some MME papers, okay really the entire pack is my favorite for birthdays!

I did something with this card that I haven't done in a really long time and it is something you can't see. I scented my card. I got several card scents, goodness a year or more ago, and haven't used them in awhile so I used Misbehavin' Sista on this card. It is a nice sassy fragrance...love it! This card also will work for the Do It With Digi's Challenge which is Pink and Girly. That is definitely this card!

Anyway, I hope you are having a great time along the hop! Head on over to Nadine's blog for your next bit of eye candy! And....

Jessica!

Sunday Share: Made to Crave Check In

Good morning my bloggy friends! Welcome to the first in a series of posts about my journey with the Made to Crave Bible study. I have linked up the introductory video for MTC below. Go ahead and watch it if you'd like but I think I may have it on my blog some where else. Sorry if you've already seen it. What I'm going to do is just chronicle my week with you and you are more than welcome to leave comments about what I say, how you feel this week, or if you are doing the study how your week was. Here goes...

Well, this coming Tuesday is the first meeting of our MTC Bible study and I'm so excited! I have already read the book but I am looking forward to getting into the study guide to read more about what Lysa has for me in this journey. This week was a frustrating week...okay, wait...I need to tell you something. I am an everyday weigh-er. This means I get on the scale every single day (most of the times at least twice a day). The "experts" say that you should only weigh yourself once a day but this has always worked for me...'til this week. You see, I weigh in on Sunday and from Monday until Saturday I had lost NO weight for the week. I had not deviated from my healthy eating plan, I exercised six times this week, I was frustrated. I was, however, not going to be too upset due to a little check list that is in the MTC book. Basically it asks...did you stay on plan, both physically and spiritually? I had so I knew my body was just being stubborn. Well, this morning I got on the scale and I was down 2.5 pounds. Yep, I'm thrilled. I'm also apprehensive as I am at the goal weight that I have set for myself. When you read the book or go through the study you will find out why I would be apprehensive (or from previous experience you may know). Being in this place is the most dangerous place to be so I'm pleased I'll be starting the actual study this week!

So, I know that was a lot of kind of non-sense from me but that is how I felt this week. Excited to start the study, frustrated to not have seen the results consistently (but was I looking at the wrong results?). Next week I think this post will look different. I will have had almost of week of the study guide to think about and hopefully I can make a little more sense to you guys!

So, I hope you have a great week. If you are working through MTC (or even if you are not) as well please feel free to e-mail me (link is on the left) if you want to chat or have any questions!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Good Saturday morning! I'm a little later than normal posting this morning because...I slept in! My goodness that was nice. My body doesn't always let me do that so I enjoy it when I can!

Onto today's card. This was a super fun card that just fell into place as I was making it. I had my foundations, the sketch and challenge rules and I knew which image I was going to use Cocoa (part of the challenge rules) so it was just putting it all together. I am SO pleased with the results. It is a true Valentine's Day card with all the pink and red, hearts, and cuteness of Cocoa. I got my sketch from Get Sketchy. It is a great sketch with so much possibility! My challenge rules for this card were to use Cocoa (easy!) and use the colors pink and red. Not so difficult this time of year, huh? So this card also fits in the Crazy 4 Cocoa challenge this week. Yay! Also, this week the Totally Paper Crafts challenge is to add a heart and I think I've done that, too. Go me! Three challenges in one card...fun stuff for sure!

Today is another one of those at home Saturday's for me. I will be stamping, doing some laundry and little house cleaning. I know...you are envious and I'm happy to let you help if you come on over!

Today I leave you with a scripture that I read this morning. "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." I love that there is no other. God is it, the one we love, trust, and look to. Isn't that comforting?!

Well, I'm off to do a little blog hopping before I exercise so I'll catch ya all tomorrow!

Hot...

Got your morning coffee yet? You know I love coffee and especially this morning as I get up early to exercise before the days activities get started. I've added a new activity to my schedule once a month and it starts today. I'm going to be the adult in the baby room at the local MOPS meeting. I do love me some baby snuggling so hopefully the kids who help out (from Kyler's school actually...it is their community service for the year) will give 'em up a little.

Today's card is a funny one for sure. I got stamp set from Taylored Expressions and in it is the stove and the sentiment you see on this card. I thought it would be super fun to make up and surprise my DH with at some point in the future. The layout is from the Clean & Simple Sketch blog from last week, I think. This is definitely clean and simple, huh?

Well, I'm off. I hope you all have a super Friday! It is pizza and a movie night here and we are going to watch How To Train Your Dragon tonight. Should be fun! See ya tomorrow!

Book and journal winner!

I'm so happy to say that we have a winner for the Made to Crave book with handmade journal giveaway that you guys signed up to win HERE.

I had 16 comments on that post and told my wonderful husband to choose a number between 1-16. He chose #3 and #3's comment is...

Anonymous said... 3

Lorie... thank you for your dedication to the women at FPEburg. We are so blessed to have you!! I can't wait for the journey to begin!

Nicole

January 17, 2011 9:57:00 AM PST

CONGRATULATIONS Nicole! Being that you live right here in town you will have the book and journal in plenty of time to use it for our study that starts Jan 25th!

I also wanted to let you guys know (if you are interested) that on Sundays in addition to my Sunday share here on my blog I will talk a little about how the week has gone for me in my healthy eating journey. I welcome you to post how your week went and any struggles or successes that you had as well!

If you are looking for my McMahon 5 Designs post for today just scroll down a little!

Live, laugh, love life

Good morning everyone! I don't know if this is true for you all but this week is just flying by. Thursday already? Wow! As you know today is McMahon 5 Designs day. Today I am showcasing the Breast Cancer Awareness FREE digi that you can pick up in the store after you do your self exam for the month.

For obvious reasons I love this months image! When I paired it with the lovely papers and embellishments that Sue sent me as a little treat for being a new DT member and Card Patterns Sketch #98 I came up with this card. I just think it is lovely with those lilies (yes, even though there are roses on the paper). Here is to spring coming early!

Anyway...keep reading to see what other fun things are released this week and what the other DT girls did! Since this week's M5D post is a bit longer today I'm going to bid you farewell up here instead of below. Have a WONDERFUL day today everyone! See the post above for the Made to Crave book and homemade journal winner!

The Rose

Card by: Shelly

Hearts

Card by: Raven

Card by: Sue

Emmaline

Card by: Sue

Close Up by: Sue

Card by: Ruby

Winters Champion

Card by: Kristine

Card by: Sue

Meadows Sunset

Recovered Candy Box and Card by: Amy

Card By: Amy

Card by: Michelle

Card by: Carolyn

Card by: Sue

Valentine Buttons

Card by: Bonnie

Close up by: Bonnie

Close up by: Carolyn

Close Up by: Sue

Card by: Sue

Close Up by: Sue

Exclusive Line of Acrylic Stamps
By D'Amour Allure

Wishes of Love

Card by: Bonnie

Close Up by: Bonnie

Even though our focus is Breast Cancer Awareness,
our images can be used for many other cancers and diseases.
Listed below are the Awareness' for February.

One is very near and dear to our Hearts. Literally.
Our very own Christine, is a Heart Donor Recipient.
You can read about her story HERE.

If you aren't an organ donor, please consider becoming one.
It can save a life....like Christine's.

There are currently 110,179 people on the waiting list
for a new heart.

You should also know that even if you sign up on the
back of your drivers license, you should
also register with your state.
In an emergency situation when minutes matter,
it makes it much easier for health professionals
to know your wishes if you are registered with your state.
Please sign up with your state HERE.

After you have completed your self breast exam this month,
this beautiful digital stamp is yours FREE!


Live, Laugh, Love Life

Framed Art by: Michelle

Card by: Lorie

AMD/LOW Vision Awareness Month:
www.preventblindness.org

American Heart Month (Red or Red & Blue Ribbon):
www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4441

International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month (Pink & Blue Ribbon): www.groupbstrepinternational.org

National Children's Dental Month:
www.ada.org/prof/events/featured/ncdhm.asp

National Wise Health Consumer Month:
www.aipm.net/wise

Give Kids a Smile Feb 5th:
givekidsasmile.ada.org

National Wear Red Day Feb 5th (Red Ribbon):
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth

Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week Feb 7-14 (Red or Red & Blue Ribbon):

Burn Awareness Week Feb 7-13 (Red Ribbon):
www.burnawareness.org

Children' of Alcoholics Week Feb 14-20:
www.nacoa.org

National Donor Day Feb 14th (Green) : www.organdonor.gov/get_involved/nationaldonorday.htm


<a href="http://www.mcmahonfivedesign.com/store/store_results.asp?ShopByStyle=35&Section=Breast+Cancer+Charity/" target="”_blank”"><img border="”0”" src="http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p19/KristineBphotobucket/JANblinkyM5D.gif" /></a>
Steady PNG picture. Please link it to the shop.

Help us spread the word!Grab this months Blinkie or Badge!

For more details on the projects above, visit the Design Team blogs!

Amy
Bonnie

Carolyn

Christine

Kristine
Lorie

Michelle

Raven
Ruby
Shelly
Sue