Sheetload of Cards - DT Submission Challenge!!!

Eeek, wish me luck! I chose April's sketch for inspiration on my projects for the DT call on Sheetload of Cards. If you haven't checked out this blog, it's wonderful. I love the sketch & all the great projects the DT puts together for the monthly Ezine. It's pretty cool and they have AWESOME giveaways. In fact this month's sponsor is The Greeting Farm (my new obsession) and you still have until April 30 to enter!!! Click on the picture above to head over to Sheetload of Cards for the sketch.

For the DT submission I had to make 3 cards and one beyond the card project, here they are:

This card used this week's Color Challenge at The Digi Shack as well as one of the cute funny images Toni has available. I used Paper Reflections Shangri-La DP and some scrap grey and yellow glitter papers. Embellished with a prima flower, button and bella dots. I used my MS lace border punch and as a final touch I added some white dots along the edge with a gel pen.

This card uses Underwatergoddess-abella from Stamping Bella. I colored her with Copics. The DP is from Scenic Route and it is double sided (LOVE double sided papers). The rhinestones were RAK'd to me by my fabulous friend Angela. The neutral cardstock is from my scrap pile!

My third and final card for the sketch uses one of Dustin Pike's freebies. His images (if you haven't checked them out yet) are so adorable. I made this for a friend who just had a baby boy. I colored the image using copics and used some more double sided DP this time from KI Memories. I'm telling you, I love double sided paper. I layered it on some shimmery gold paper and cut the image out with my rectangle nesties and then layered it using the scallop nestie. Embellished with Bella baubles.

My fourth project is for the beyond the card challenge. I love making these coupon books. They are so simple and I just love decorating them, choosing the image and papers, it's just fun & they make awesome gifts. In honor of this month's sponsor, I used my new Flutter Anya stamp (and you get a sneak peak of the sentiment from the Hope & Grace set available May 1). This fabulous DP is Basic Grey (omg, I am in LOVE with this DP, I have got to get more, more, more!) And the white CS is prisma, the yellow & green CS is bazzill. I paper pieced the skirt on the image and colored her with a mix of Copics and Bics.

So that concludes my interview for Sheetload of Cards! I would be so thrilled and excited and honored to be picked for their DT but I know they have a TON of fabulous entries so I just have to wait and see.....

Anya's, Friends, Stamping - What more could a girl ask for?

I made this card last night at the fun crop following the debut party for The Greeting Farm at Scrapbook Destinations. I used this week's Cupcake Craft Challenge sketch and my new Flutter Anya!!! OMG, so glad I have her now, she's my favorite. I also ended up with Princess Anya, Down by the Pond and because of Marie's amazing generousity we all got Geisha Anya as a gift. If you ever get the chance to hang out with Marie, you need to, she's just the sweetest most down to earth person completely humble about her amazing talent (I don't think all our oogling over her had any effect on her, LOL.) I had such a blast hanging out with great friends. Oh boy, did we have some great laughs and some awesome Copic tutorials from Angela. I even got to hang out with fellow TDS DT member Tenia. She made me the cutest card - why didn't I think of bringing her one!?! Next time...LOL. I am so glad I ended up staying, it was just what I needed coming off a long week of little stamping!

This card I made case'ing Mercy's card from Club Anya's I wanna be just like contest. She is an amazing artist, check it out, there is still time to enter!

Inky Impressions 2nd Round DT Entry

Ok, so I got the images awhile again from Nicole and have let them sit up on my desk while I decided exactly what I was going to do for round 2 of Inky Impressions DT call. Let me tell you I love these little girls and am very honored to be among the 27 talented ladies that moved onto the 2nd round. These little images were such a joy to color and bring to life. I hope you enjoy what I've made.

Nicole also included a sketch to follow when she sent out the images for us (great sketch by Rox!)

I used the sketch to make a card and an altered mini notebook for my daughter. She's 3 and has been practicing writing her name in my work notebooks and well, it was time for mommy to make her a special place to practice and doodle which she's been doing much more of lately. The pictures are not the best b/c it's pretty overcast today which is a huge bummer. I'm going to be buying a photo cube in the next couple weeks b/c I'm so frustrated with my indoor lighting!!!

Thank you, Nicole, for allowing me to work with these adorable images. I just love all the details and possibilities they allow. I can't wait for your dream to become a reality! It's going to be amazing and these images are going to be loved by so many stampers!!

TFG's Scrapbook Destination Debut!!!

In honor of The Greeting Farm's debut at my LSS tomorrow, I wanted to make a card with my favorite Fairy, Tink. I also couldn't pass up another Case of the Curious Card Challenge going on now!

So while last Saturday was a snow day for those of us in Colorado and a lot of our plans were cancelled or rescheduled, one thing I was excited to see rescheduled was the fabulous debut day for The Greeting Farm at Scrapbook Destination!!! I had other plans preventing me from making it last week and it was rescheduled to tomorrow (Sat) at 4:00pm. So if you're in Colorado, or somewhere near that vicinity, drop on by! =)

Scrapbook Destination

8214 S. Holly Street

Centennial CO 80122

(303) 779-0024

I am so excited to see these fabulous stamps on the shelves at my LSS and be able to share their fabulous cuteness with everyone that stops by. I dropped a handful of the cards at the store that I have made using some fairies & anyas/ians to put on display in anticpation of the big event tomorrow. The wonderfully talented Angela is going to be sharing a FREE make n take with everyone that stops by from 4p-6p and then the REAL fun begins as there is a crop going on till 11p with the fabulous owner and creater Marie!!

Anyway, I hope to see many of your local gals tomorrow! You're not gonna want to miss it!

Introducing Weekly Challenges at The Digi Shack!

hi everyone, I'm actually starting to feel better thank goodness! I made two cards last night and then woke up early only to find out that I completely forgot about the kickoff to our weekly challenges at The Digi Shack so I quickly put that together this morning so I'm really happy to be back to making cards again!

So on to the challenge.....A Color Challenge! I rarely do these I have to admit b/c I find I never have quite the right papers on hand. However, I think I came close enough and you can see that as long as you use similar colors you are free to participate! And I hope you do!

Please visit The Digi Shack and upload your challenge project under the comments section here. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! There is no other VR (vendor requirement) with this challenge, but if you took advantage of our Grand Opening sale and picked up some images feel free to use them!

And here is my sample:

This also follows the April sketch over at Sheetload of Cards so I'm entering it in that in hopes of winning a set from TGF!!! Stay tuned for another post coming soon featuring more cards & a beyond the card project from this month's Sketch from Sheetload of Cards. ;)

Awesome TGF Blog Candy!!!

I absolutely love Kadie's work. She is a Spring Gardner for TGF and makes adorable altered Anya's and Ian's into Twilight Characters which are oh so cute! She is having an awesome blog giveaway right now and you have to HURRY!! It ends tomorrow, I just found out about it today. All you have to do is become a follower of her blog and you'll be entered. If she reaches her goal of 100 (I just became follower 52) she will be giving away the brand new Never Ever set!!! So hurry, subscribe to her blog and get that chance to win!!!

Some exiting news & Blog Candy!

No projects to share from this weekend. I was fighting a sore throat all weekend plus I ran out of adhesive and I was preparing for company on Sunday that didn't come until maybe sometime today.

Anyway, I did a lot blurfing during my downtime and I found this amazing Whiff Of Joy giveaway. I just adore these images just haven't been able to squeeze my budget enough to get any. Thank goodness for fabulous friends that sent me images to play with! However, here is your chance to win the NEW Summer Kit!!!

What do you have to do to qualify for the blog candy? Well, here's the list:

• Grab the above banner and put it on your sidebar with a link to the Whiff of Joy webstore.
• Write a post on your blog letting people know about the candy.
• Go back to Katherine's Blog and leave a link to your post in the Mr. Linky Widget.The candy is open until May 1st, so what are you waiting for???

My exciting news is I also made another DT - Digital Tuesday Challenge!!! I love Ellie's images and am thrilled to be a part of her weekly challenge blog. As the title suggests, the only thing you are required to use on your project is a digital image, no vendor requirement. If you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to pop on over there.

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for the Inky Impressions DT - I have to pick up my adhesive and submit my project using the images she sent by the 27th. I think I am done trying out for DT's (unless the term starts late summer) but I did see another great digital image DT call, if you haven't seen Dustin Pike's adorable images, check 'em out HERE and look at his DT call. I would love to try out (love his dragons) but I'm going to pass this time around. Good luck everyone and Happy Monday!!!

I'm hoping I'm on the tail end of this sickness and keeping my fingers crossed that my girls don't catch it from me.

My first Ketto & my first ATC!

I couldn't wait to use my new Ketto's that were RAK'd to me by Shonna. So last night I sat down and made this nifty little diaper fold card. It's super easy to make - I mean SUPER easy. You can find the tutorial here. No adhesive needed either (which is good b/c I ran out of my ATG tape today wahhhh). For my double sided paper I actually adhered together 2 cooridinating single sided paper. I wish I could remember where I first saw that technique - it was during one of my many blurfing sessions this week....If it was from your blog, please leave me a comment so I can give you proper credit! It's an awesome way to use some of your single sided paper if you're ever like me and needing a double sided sheet for something.... I colored Anise Ketto with Copics and Bics and added bling whereever I could, ie stickles on her wings and the center of the flower! The third prima is actually a mistake...LOL...when I used my crop-a-dile to adhere the front flower I accidently created a hole in the back as well!!! Lesson learned...but I actually think the mistake turned into a beautiful addition - what is that saying, there is never a mistake in stamping only an opportunity?!? I added some hot chocolate packs and chocolate covered expresso beans and gave it to my manager as today was her last day. She'll be missed!

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My first ATC!!! Wow, I never knew what the big deal was with these little things but NOW I do! I loved making these. The smaller area actually lets you embellish and get creative. I made this for the Club Anya group at PCP. I'm a little late but they are going out PRIORITY first thing in the AM and I am HOPING they will make it there by Tuesday in time for the swap. I feel so bad that I took forever to do them, but I had no idea I would make The Digi Shack DT and since it was Easter weekend I didn't have a lot of time to stamp and the time I did have was devoted to the DT. I stayed up until 3:30a last night coloring these and ran out of E00 doing so!!! LOL I am running out of a lot of stuff darnit!!! I hate when that starts to happen - it's like when a lightbulb goes out, then they all start going out. I stopped by the art store though today and picked up another E00 since it would be at least 3 weeks for the refill to come in. Um, seriously, not going to go THAT long without coloring with my E00, I use it on all my skin tones! LOL Anyway, I hope the gals in my group like these. I really love how they turned out.

Best day ever!!!

I just had the best day ever. I'm sitting here thinking how do I deserve all the good things that have been happening lately and a little bit scared that the rug will be swiped out from under me, but for now I'm just enjoying the happy things.
It started with I had a really good day at work --- surprisingly, heard some positive things that are happening in the future making me feel a little bit more secure, not completely secure, but more secure!
Then I come home, get the mail and have just about the coolest RAK ever, totally unexpected (those are the best, right?), out of the blue from Shonna (chocolatedrop8) at cafemom - Wow, right! FOUR brand new Kettos, I'm so excited. She sent me Anise Ketto, missmatch ketto, yoko and ono ketto, and anges ketto!!! I still keep looking at them in awe at Shonna's wonderful generosity! Thank you again so much, girl! **hugs**

And then when I really think things can't get much better than that, I check Christy Croll's Blog to see who won her incredible custom stamp offer and its ME!!! I really owe it to all of YOU wonderful ladies who posted that I sent you there b/c each time got me an extra entry!!!! I am getting a totally custom stamp by her. Wow. I'm still in a little bit of shock!!! She is one of my favorite stamp artists (she designs the tiddly inks and huggabugs at Stamping Bella) and I feel like I just won something from a celeb!!! LOL

So, phew, all of that coupled with my recent DT position with The Digi Shack (which has been so much fun) and another one in the 2nd stages, I'm just a little overwhelmed and feel very blessed right now. I feel like I need to honor this blessing in some way and I'm still thinking about the best way to do that! It's been a long time since things have gone so well in my life, not just with the things I'm posting about but just generally as well. I just wanted to share it with you guys. I hope I don't sound like I'm bragging....that is really not my intent. I'm just very very very excited!!

The Digi Shack - Grand Opening is TODAY!!!

Today is the day we've all been waiting for! The grand opening of The Digi Shack! And to celebrate we have some fun stuff just for YOU!

• All day today downloads are 50% off -- yes, 50% off! Now you know digi images are pretty economical anyway so this is a great time to stock up! What are you waiting for, grab your code 24E60561 & go shopping here.
• FREE Cherry Blossom image-- You heard me FREE!!!
• If you want a chance to win FIVE more images from The Digi Shack then just grab your free Cherry Blossom image and following the sketch below upload your creation to the Grand Opening comments here. You have until midnight (mst) April 21 to upload. a winner will be announced on April 22 (totally random). I can't wait to see what you do with this sketch and image! Please use keyword TDSSC01 when uploading to your gallery so we can find it!Of course full details on The Digi Shack!

Be sure to check out the rest of the DT for more inspiration:

Kemi

Amanda

Emily

Jacilyn

Joni

Kristen

Silvia

Tenia

Teresa

Terri

Marilyn

TDS - Fairy Grandmother & DT Challenge

Isn't she hilarious?! When I saw this image at The Digi Shack I knew I had to have her. She just cracks me up. Seriously, I wish I had her last week for my BFF's birthday --- we both turned 30 this year. I saw this and thought of different sent's I could use. One was, "You used your last wish" or "Maybe next year..." LOL or something (I have a hard time coming up with my own sent on a card) so I started looking through some sentiments I received in swaps and saw this one that was just perfect! I love it. I'm a little worried about the wand being cut out like that. Not sure how well this will send through the mail. I might have to keep it for hand delivery only. :)

I was determined to make something for the Digital Tuesday Challenge this week and used Shabby Chic when designing the card.....Not sure if the colors are too bright for Shabby Chic but I distressed the heck out of the edges of the DP and layers for the image. I also sponged some pink ink on the white rectangle and sprayed with shimmer water (I use a little bit of perfect pearls mixed with water in a spritzer) then crunched it up while still damp. I love prima flowers and actually had some colors that matched to use this time. The DP is some that I've been hoarding since I won them at a crop last year. It has different birthday sents on it that are pretty much hidden but I still like it.

I am SO excited for tomorrow's Grand Opening at The Digi Shack. I have the sketch and image in my hot little hands and I know you are all going to love it! I'll have it posted first thing tomorrow morning for you and I hope you'll all play along!

The Digi Shack - Grand Opening Deets!

This post will remain at the top until April 15. Please scroll down for newer posts.

I am so excited for the grand opening of The Digi Shack. Not only am I over the moon to be part of this super talented DT but even more these are great, fun, versitile digital stamps that you will just love using. Be sure to check out the DT blogs for the next few days leading up to the grand opening -- We are all sharing projects we've been making using these great new images.

Now for the deets:

• For one day only, April 15th (because it happens to be tax day and it’s the grand opening) all images will be 50% off. This will end at midnight mountain time. No limitations on this - entire store will be 50% off.
• We will be hosting our first Sketch Challenge on the 15th as well. You will have to use a specific Digi Shack image, but don't fret, Toni is generously allowing us to post this digi image FREE on our blogs for you to grab and use on your sketch. You're not going to want to miss it and it gives you a chance to use a digi image without any cost and I think you'll be as hooked as I am once you do! (Image and sketch to be posted on the 15th)
• Winner of the sketch challenge (picked by random) will win FIVE images of their choice from The Digi Shack! This includes all newly released and currently available image.
  

Please check back often for updates as I have at least 2 more cards to share before the grand opening on Wednesday! Scroll down for a peek at TDS - Spotty The Giraffe.

Presenting My First Digi Shack Card!

Isn't this little giraffe the cutest?!? Omg, that expression just cracks me up. In fact that is one of the reasons why I really love The Digi Shack images - You can find the perfect image to make a card that will just make you chuckle. It's great because a lot of times I want to make a funny/punny card and I just don't seem to have many. This is great b/c when you're in a pinch you can buy them, download them and print them in no time. The first couple times I worked with digi images I wasn't happy b/c my ink smeared with my Copics but I figured out the trick! I heat setted this images with my heat gun and presto - NO SMEARING!!! Whoo hoo. I colored him with my copics and the flowers with a glitter pen. I printed the image a little large so I was running out of room for the sentiment (rubbernecker) but I like how it looks like he's hiding with that look on his face! LOL

I actually used the color challenge Pink, Yellow & Green from The Pink Elephant challenge this week and Taylored Expressions Cupake Sketch.

Be sure to check back later, I have some exciting news about The Digi Shack's Grand opening on Wednesday!!!

Some exciting news!!!

Wow, I'm super excited. Today has been full of great surprises. First, I got an email from Toni at The Digi Shack saying she'd love to have me as part of her first ever DT. OMG, really?!? I was on the phone in a meeting when I opened the email and had a hard time concentrating for the rest of the meeting, LOL. I will be updating my blog tonight with links to the rest of the fabulous DT but don't waste anytime checking them out HERE. Be sure to leave some love for everyone, I really am in the company of some fabulously talented ladies!

Second, I had lots of happy mail today! I love happy mail. I got my Stamptacular Sunday Challenge prize today and I CAN'T wait to use that fabulous paper and new CB folder. I have a feeling I will be incorporating it with my new DT designs this weekend! Perfect timing, right?!

Third, I got my images from Inky Impressions for the 2nd round of the DT call. Boy oh Boy are you going to LOVE these little images. Super cute little girls. I will have some sneak peaks soon be sure to check back often.

I just feel like sharing my happiness with some blog candy!!! More details on that to come too!

Digital Tuesday Challenge - DT Call!

I love challenge blogs. They provide some great inspiration and just all around fun. There is a new one that Ellie (owner of Digital Stamp Oasis) created called Digital Tuesday Challenges and like the title the main requirement is to use a digital image on your project. I'm new to Digital images but I do love the instant gratification! LOL I'm a now now now girl and digital stamps sure deliver on that! So, Ellie is looking for a DT to host the challenges each week and I think that would be super fun! Go check it out HERE if you think you'd be interested!

Another combo!

Ok, last challenge for the night - I knew I wanted to do the whiff of joy challenge this week. I love working with these adorable images and I'm trying to embark into the distressing world. For this card, I kept the distressing pretty simple, I just used my TH paper distresser around the edges of the image and purple DP layer. This week's sketch at Friday Sketchers was perfect for this image. I love this DP - I just had to pick up some new papers as I was tired of using all my usuals! LOL Bad thing is now I want more new papers! Soooo hard not to pick up new papers - isn't that always the case?! Anyway, it's late and I'm happy I got as much stamping in as I did this weekend. It was a good one! Now for the workweek to begin *sigh* Oh yes, and another crappy nighttime photo!!! I'm going to need some pointers from you ladies out there that take awesome pics of your cards *hint, hint*

Cupcake Craft Challenge - CCC33

When I saw this week's sketch at CCC I kenw I wanted to use my newest huggabug stamp. And then when I found this cupcake DP, OMG, it all just came together like a charm. Again, this is a pic taken at night inside my house and the coloring is way off. The ribbon is actually blue and it looks green. Ugh! I popped up my little huggabug - isn't she a cutie!? I just love these little critters and that reminds me don't forget to stop by Christy Croll's blog. You still have another week or so to enter her awesome blog candy - a custom image drawn just for you by Christy. As you can see by her huggabugs and tiddly inks she has an awesomely cute style! Please mention me when you leave your comment because Christy will put my name in for every time someone mentions me (this goes for everyone so make sure you tell your friends to do the same for you!)

New Challenge Blog - New Beginnings!

A new challenge blog just opened today and I have been waiting for a LONG time for this exciting day!!! I'm excited b/c it is on Sundays and I don't have any other challenges on Sundays (it's my challenge catch up day, LOL) but more excited b/c a couple of my dear blogging friends are part of the awesome DT!!! So, the first challenge is a theme challenge and it is aptly named New Beginnings so your project could be of anything as long as it fit with that theme. I had a couple ideas that sprang to mind when I heard the theme, one was New Home, another was New Baby of course and then as I sat down and pulled out my stuff I thought I was going to do a card to commemorate my daughter starting preschool in a few months (I have this adorable teacher anya image) but then as I started stamping, all of a sudden I wasn't doing that I was making a WEDDING CARD!! LOL, seriously, I just wanted to try this cool masking idea I had seen a few days ago and then it sort of just morphed into the card above. Funny thing is I know NO ONE that is getting married!!! But I guess I'll have one in hand when that day comes. I absolutely love how it turned out even though when I was doing the masking and stuff I wasn't too thrilled. I embossed the castle in gold and then used copics to color the mini sposabella, finishing her dress with lotsa bling using gems and stickles! Hope you likey! And be sure to hop on over to the new Stamptacular Sunday Challenge blog b/c there is LOTS of fun going on today and you still have time to enter!!!

2 in 1 Challenge!

I don't usually combine challenges but I'm so behind right now that for this one I did. It's actually a three in one b/c two challenges are easter themed. So I combined the sketch from this week's Taylor Expressions Cupcake Challenge with The Pink Elephant / SCS Creatively Cute Bloggers Easter Theme challenge. I used some new DP I picked up at my LSS last week and it's awesome b/c it's double sided so perfectly coordinated! Of course this is an Anya image that I got from my good friend Angela, it's from a new set called Wild Things and they are super duper cute! I also decorated the inside but didn't take a pic of it.