School Days and a Little Bit of Anya!

Happy Saturday everyone!

I hope your weekend is going well so far. Mine has been pretty good. I was supposed to take a stamping class at my local stamping store, but unfortunately the instructor has the flu so it got canceled. I feel so bad for her, not only is she sick, but now she is stuck inside on a day when the sun is shining and the temps are finally in the 50s. The only good thing is that I have been able to get a lot of stamping done at home and hang out with Jason and Izzy at the same time!

Jason, Izzy and I went out to dinner last night and had a really nice time. Izzy got to "read" her photo album (i.e. look at all the pictures of herself) so she was so happy. She actually ate pretty well to. Sometimes she gets so distracted watching all the people that she won't hardly eat anything! She had a pretty good time though and talked to herself all through dinner. She has turned into a huge chatterbox lately. I can't get her to be quiet! All it is now is talk. talk. talk, talk! It is really cute! She comes up with some of the funniest sentences!

Well, today's cards kind of center around my friend Jessica. The other day I was reading her blog and she mentioned a Paper Pretties challenge by one of the Pretty Girls whose name is also Jana but with only one "n". Jessica said the challenge reminded her of me since it involved layers. Needless to say I was intrigued and felt that I needed to give it a try. It was a doozy but I think I got it right? Crossing my fingers here! I used Jackie Pedro's sketch she created for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge for the layout.

Alright so the challenge was a limited supply challenge a called for: 1 dry embossed piece (embossing folders and texture plates count!), 2 pieces of patterned paper, 3 colors of solid card stock (this includes any neutrals you use), 4 embellishments and 5 layers. So here goes. I started this card off by stamping Sending You Love by Paper Pretties on white card stock and colored her in using my copics. I masked off the hearts and then drew in a piece of notebook paper so it wouldn't be Valentine's Day specific. Then following the sketch, I layered on some DP, blue card stock and some green ribbon. I used my nesties to cut out the circles and the tag and then used a whole bunch of school buttons to finish the look. I think I got all the elements right. 1 blue piece of card stock embossed with my swiss dots folder, 2 pieces of DP (apples and polka dots), 3 colors of card stock (white, red, blue), 4 embellishments (1 piece of ribbon and 4 buttons) and 5 layers not including the card base! Hope this counts it was sure challenging to come up with!

Now don't forget that tomorrow is the kick off for the fabulous Club Anya blog! We are having a fun and festive blog hop that will lead to the reveal of the new Anya Stamp! The blog hop starts at 12:00 p.m. CST and ends at 4:30 at the Club Anya blog. Here is the official schedule of events: (ALL times CST!!!)

12:00PM-Jessica Diedrich AND Club Anya Blog
12:30PM-Dawn Knight
1:00 PM Jen Greco
1:30 PM Taylor Usry
2:00 PM Rachel Henehan
2:30 PM Janna Hull
3:00 PM Joni Wilson
3:30 PM Jami Bova
4:00 PM Sandra McLean
4:30 PM Club Anya Blog for the big reveal and release when you can buy the New Anya and Rock the Farm Anya/Ian.

So in honor of the new Anya and the Club Anya opening day release party, I have a little bit of Anya Eye Candy to get you in the mood! I just received this Anya in the mail this week and could hardly wait to get her inked up! I used Monika Davis' card sketch for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge extravaganza for the layout.

I have never made a circle card before, but it was so much fun!! I started this card off by stamping Mermaid Anya by The Greeting Farm on white card stock and colored her in using my copics. I then cut her out and popped her off my background. The background and card base itself were created with my nesties and blue card stock in a pale shade and a darker shade and some pieces of DP from provocraft. I finished the card off by adding a white ribbon to the top and several pearl stickers to her hair. What do you think? Anxious to see more Anyas? I know I am!

Oh and one last announcement!! Tomorrow is reveal day for the two new Storage Units, Ink and More Stamps for February!! They are so awesome! Since tomorrow is the big reveal that means that today is the last day for sneak peeks and boy are they fantastic so be sure to check them out!

Laura http://www.lu-lascorner.blogspot.com/
Colleen http://www.glitterink.blogspot.com/
Leigh http://www.sunflowerstudio.typepad.com/

Well that is it for me today! Can't wait to see you back here tomorrow for the Club Anya hop and the release of the new SUInk sets! Have a great day!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Happy Friday everyone!!


It is here! Boy am I glad it is almost the weekend. The week has flown by but it is still nice to have the relaxed atmosphere of the weekend here.


Jason had tennis last night so, Izzy and I invited her little friend, Melaina, over for a play date. We also invited Lucy over, but unfortunately her mommy was sick. Despite being one short we had the best time! I actually cooked dinner and we sat and ate and the two girls played together. It was so funny at dinner because they kept trying to pass food to each other, but Izzy was up in her high chair and Melaina was in the portable high chair that was down in the chair so they didn't quite reach each other! LOL! Then Izzy practice sharing. Poor Melaina, Izzy must have dumped every toy she owns at Melaina's feet and said, "Share." I actually had to clear a path so she could walk! LOL! It was so good for them though. I am really glad we are making the effort to get together every week.


Well, lots more news to share today! Today is day three of the Sneak Peeks for Storage Units, Ink and More. So far I have been completely blown away by the creations that everyone has made!! Wow, wow, wow!! And today's sneak peeks did the same so be sure to check them out. Don't forget that the new stamps will be on sale Sunday, Feb. 1st!



Today...

Kristen http://www.scrap-creations1.blogspot.com/
Amber http://www.somanycolorssolittletime.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow...

Laura http://www.lu-lascorner.blogspot.com/
Colleen http://www.glitterink.blogspot.com/
Leigh http://www.sunflowerstudio.typepad.com/


Since it has been such a crazy busy week and I spent most of yesterday cleaning the house and getting ready dinner last night, I only have one project to show you. The idea for this project is kind of convoluted. It all started two weeks ago with a challenge over at All That Scraps to create a double pocket bag. I just thought it was the coolest thing ever and really wanted to give it a try. Fast forward to earlier this week. I had the directions up on the computer and was going to make one on Monday when I woke up, but the computer was completely off, i.e. the directions were gone. But I did not give up, I persevered and found it again. Then later that afternoon I was looking at Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge for this week and just knew it would be the perfect sketch for what I had in mind. And here it is!




I thought this would be the perfect little gift bag to hold seed packets or a gift certificate to a gardening center. (I am always thinking about gifts for a gardener since Jason loves to garden) I started this project off by creating my double pocket bag out of olive green card stock. Directions can be found here. And can I just tell you that it was so easy to make and that the instructions were really easy to follow. After I had my bag assembled, I used my new big bite crop-a-dile to place my copper eyelets and threaded through some ribbon to create a handle. To decorate the front of the bag, I stamped Ginger by Instyle Stamps on white card stock and colored her in using my copics. I cut her out, along with a brown piece of card stock using my nesties and then popped her off the background. To create the background itself, I followed the sketch by layering on green card stock along with DP from Basic Grey, one piece of which I edge punched with my Martha Stewart scallop punch. I finished the bag off by adding a green and a blue button that I tied twine through. So what do you think? I really like how it turned out. Now I just have to find a female gardener to give it to! LOL!


That is it for me today! Don't forget the Pink Cat challenge going on now over at PCP and the blog hop for the new Club Anya on Sunday. The schedule will be posted tomorrow! Have a great rest of the day and thanks so much for stopping by!

I've Been Tagged!

Happy Thursday everyone!

I am popping in tonight to tell you I have been tagged today! Not just once, not just twice, but three times!! Once by my friend Bonnie, another time by my friend Jessica and finally by my friend Debbie! And they all have the same rules! What are the odds of that!

The rules are:


1. Navigate to where you keep your pictures; select the 6th folder, and the 6th picture in that folder


2. Post the picture on your blog with an explanation about the picture.

3. Tag 6 others to do the same, and let them know they have been tagged!



Okay, here goes! This is the 6th picture in my 6th folder!

This is a fun picture! This is my father in law and his two brothers at our annual family reunion. This picture was taken in 2006 when we all drove out to Ohio. The brothers always grill for us and this year they decided to make brats! Ken was king of the grill and my father in law and his oldest brother Jim were making sure he was cooking them up right. I just love our family reunion as it is the one time a year that all five brothers get together. It is a time of lots of love and laughter.

So, now I need to pass it on to 6 deserving women. Here they are in no particular order!

Heather

Cathy

Maria

Cassie

Danni

Kimmie

Have fun ladies!

Lots of News to Share!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Boy is this week just flying by. Of course if Jason is home it seems like the day goes by even more quickly. I think he will be going to work today as it looks like the snow has melted on all the roads. Of course it is going to take it a long time to melt on the ground but that is okay. Oh and that reminds me. My neighbor had the most awesome idea for the kids this week. She suggested that we mix up some colored water, put it in spray bottles and let them have at the snow. I guess they can write and draw pictures and do all sorts of things. Doesn't that sound like fun? I think we are going to give it a try either today or tomorrow.

Like I said above, Jason was home yesterday from work because the company he works for actually shut down their entire campus! I couldn't believe it. I have never heard of anything like that before. Well of course Izzy was in hog heaven having her daddy around all day to read to her. She even made him muffins! I think I need to teach her that the wife doesn't do the cooking, that it is the husband who should be doing it all! LOL!

Okay on to all the latest and greatest news to share!! Boy is this week a busy week, but an awesome busy week. The first event I want to let you know about is the opening of the new Club Anya website sponsored by The Greeting Farm. If you love Anya as much as I do then you will definitely want to be there! Of course I have my wonderful friend, and Club Anya VP, Jessica to thank for this addiction! Here are all the deets for opening day! You don't want to miss it!

Greetings Fellow Anya and Ian lovers!

After much anticipation, we are FINALLY ready to launch Club Anya! Our Club VP, Jessica, is SO excited to get things going, see your samples, and have fun challenges, contests, and events! It's the place to BE the place for all things Anya!

To kick off the launch (NO Superbowl pun intended :) on Sunday, February 1st, 2009, we have some really fun things planned for you! It all starts at NOON CST on the Club Anya blog http://www.clubanya.blogspot.com/ with a special "Guess that Anya" blog hop that will ultimately end with our New Release of Rock the Farm and an ALL NEW MYSTERY ANYA!!!! Can you stand it???

As if that isn't exciting enough, we will be giving away some ADORABLE Anya Pocket Mirrors to the first 20 people who complete ALL the "Guess that Anyas" on the Blog Hop correctly, as well as completing our Anya "Scavenger Hunt". In addition, we will be giving away a few of the BRAND NEW ANYAs as well! How awesome is that?

Please email Jessica with any questions as well as any fun samples you'd like to have displayed on the Club Anya Blog throughout the coming months. We are so excited about the new Club and are always wanting to hear your ideas, so keep 'em coming!

Stay tuned to Jessica's personal blog (http://www.thewhimsicalbutterfly.blogspot.com/) on Saturday for the Official Blog Hop schedule of events...and the VERY FIRST SNEAK PEEK of the BRAND NEW ANYA! So, what are you waiting for? Tell DH to have a great time watching the game and you can come hang with us! It all starts on Sunday at Noon! See you there!

Can you wait!!! I know I can't! So to get the party started a little early I decided to create an Anya card with one of my brand new Anyas. I used this week's Sketch Challenge on Splitcoast for the layout.

What do ya think? I love this little teacher! She is so, so cute! And of course anything to do with teaching and school is near and dear to my heart so it was a double bonus! I started this card off by stamping Teacher Anya by The Greeting Farm on white card stock and colored her in with my copics. I cut her out and mounted her on pink and green card stock I cut out with my nesties. Following the sketch, I layered on pink and green card stock along with some DP I picked up at Michaels for .14 a piece! I added three buttons to the top, printed off the sentiment on the computer and finished the card off with a little paper button I had in my stash! Isn't she cute!!! I can't wait to give her to one of my teacher friends!

2nd headline for today! It is also the second day of sneak peeks for Storage Units, Ink and More! Wow, the creations the other DT ladies came up with yesterday were fantastic and just wait and see what they have for you today!! Truly amazing!! So be sure to stop by and see the must have sets for February!

Today...

Tori http://www.wildsprinkles.blogspot.com/
Carolina http://www.creativepad.typepad.com/
Alex http://www.fairyblossoms.typepad.com/

30th...

Kristen http://www.scrap-creations1.blogspot.com/
Amber http://www.somanycolorossolittletime.blogspot.com/

31st...

Laura http://www.lu-lascorner.blogspot.com/
Colleen http://www.glitterink.blogspot.com/
Leigh http://www.sunflowerstudio.typepad.com/

I am going to leave you with one little piece of eye candy to remind you about the Pink Cat Challenge going on over at PCP in the Pink Cat forum. You have until February 10th to get your entries in. We have an awesome prize up for grabs so don't delay!

Super sweet, right! I wanted to create a small treat to give my husband for Valentine's Day and when I saw this little tin bucket at Target for a buck, I just knew it would work! I started this quick and simple project off by wrapping my bucket with some black card stock I edge punched with my Martha Stewart punch and a piece of Valentine's DP from K and Company. I then cut out a black and white heart using my Cricut machine and attached them to the front. I stamped Billy as a cherub from Lily and Billy Sweethearts by Pink Cat Studio on white card stock and colored him in with my copics and glitter pen. I popped him off the hearts, placed little tiny pearl hearts around him and added lots and lots of candy to my bucket. The best part is it spells LOVE. Layers, One image, Valentine's Day bucket, Embellishments. See so easy!

Well, that is it for me today! Have a great rest of the day and thanks as always for stopping by!

Wedding Bells For SUInk and More!

Happy Wednesday everyone!!

Well it is a winter wonderland here! We are completely covered with snow and it is bitter cold. No going outside for us. Good thing my Michaels' coupon doesn't expire until Sunday. I have to get there to use it! LOL!

Alright onto the good stuff!! Today is the first day of Storage Units, Ink and More's Sneak Peeks for their awesome new sets for February. I have to tell you when I opened up my package from Denise this month, I squealed!!! I was so in love with the new stamps and I know you will be too!

Today I wanted to sneak peek the brand new set Goin' To the Chapel. Is that song stuck in your head now?! This is the most awesome set for weddings, anniversaries and just to say, "I love you." So here it is!

I couldn't help myself. As soon as I saw the stamps, I immediately thought of a wedding cake. I know, not too creative, but I really wanted my card to look like a cake so I created an accordion card. Then I wanted the groom to look like he is running up the cake to get to the bride. I always think those cakes where they decorate them with the little people are cute so I knew I had the perfect idea for my card! I started off my card by using a piece of brown Core'dinations card stock cut to 5 1/2 by 11 in. I scored my folds at 1 1/4, 2 1/2, 5, and 7 1/2. I then cut in a half inch on each side on the second tier and 1 in on each side on the top tier. To finish the cake base, I used my corner rounder to round off all the corners. For the "frosting", I cut white paper to fit each tier, embossed it with my textile embossing folder and ran my Egg Shell copic over the surface to make the texture pop. I then added brown, organdy ribbon bows to each layer to complete the cake look. Next I stamped the bride, the groom and the sentiment from Goin' To The Chapel by Storage Units, Ink and More on white card stock and colored them in with my copics. I added touches of glitter for some sparkle. I then cut out the bride and groom and popped them off the cake. Using my nesties, I cut out the sentiment and a piece of brown card stock, and popped them off as well. I think this would make the perfect card for a new bride and groom!

Now we have an exciting week of sneak peeks for you all leading up to the sets' new release on Sunday, February 1st! So definitely check out the rest of the design teams' awesome creations!

Today:

Mary Jo http://www.technostamper.blogspot.com/
Suzanne http://www.scrapbitz.blogspot.com/

29th..

Tori http://www.wildsprinkles.blogspot.com/
Carolina http://www.creativepad.typepad.com/
Alex http://www.fairyblossoms.typepad.com/

30th...

Kristen http://www.scrap-creations1.blogspot.com/
Amber http://www.somanycolorossolittletime.blogspot.com/

31st...

Laura http://www.lu-lascorner.blogspot.com/
Colleen http://www.glitterink.blogspot.com/
Leigh http://www.sunflowerstudio%20.typepad.%20com/

I can hardly wait myself!!!!

Now you didn't think I was going to let you escape without an Izzy story did you? I promise it is a quick one. So like I said yesterday, I think Izzy is a little under the weather. She just didn't play like she usually does and was super cuddly. Well in the morning we decided to take a bath to warm up. She immediately wanted to snuggle as soon as we drained the tub. So I got her dressed and told her to go get her blanket. (It is a small little pink blanket she got as a baby, i.e. just big enough to cover her) We were laying down in the chair, snuggling when I hear this whining coming from the floor. Of course it is Tuxy wanting to join us. Well, there isn't any room, I mean it is a chair, I am laying across it and I have Izzy in my lap, what does he want me to do? So what does Izzy do, she lifts up the blanket and says, "Tuxy, blanket. Tuxy, blanket." Of course he jumps up and has nowhere to go, which makes her laugh. But poor mommy is the one that has to scoot over even further so that she can squeeze the dog in too! Yeesh. I swear they must conspire with each other in the morning on how the are going to torment me that day! LOL!

That is it for me! Off to make my rounds! Don't forget the Pink Cat Challenge over at PCP running until the 10th! Thanks as always for stopping by and leaving your wonderful comments! Smiles!

Pink Cat Studio Design Team Challenge!

Happy Tuesday again! This is my second post for today so be sure to scroll down for more eye candy.

I am hosting my first Pink Cat Studio Design Team Challenge over at the Pink Cat Group on Paper Craft Planet. Here are the instructions:

LOVE My Pink Cat Stamps – DT Challenge

Challenge Description:
Since Valentine's Day is coming up fast, I have a LOVE themed Challenge for you! But this isn't any old love themed challenge, this is a special one! My challenge for you is to create a card or project with at least four elements (you can have more if you would like), but four of your elements have to spell LOVE. For example, you can use Layers, Ovals, Violet, and Embellishments; see spells love. Or you could use Lily, Owls, Very pretty sequins and Emerald brads. Spells love. The possibilities are endless and yes, V can stand for very! Just remember that four of your elements must spell LOVE. Have Fun, can't wait to see what you come up with!
Date the challenge ends:

Tuesday February 10th, 5 pm EST

Requirements:

A Pink Cat Studio stamp must be used as the main stamp on the card or project. It is okay to use stamps from other companies as well. Your entry can be a card or any type of 3D project.To be eligible for the prize you must upload your card before the deadline to your PaperCraftPlanet gallery and include the tag PCSDTC1. You may enter only 1 project for this challenge.If you have questions about this challenge, please post them in the challenge discussion thread in the Pink Cat Studio group on Paper Craft Planet. Here is a link to the group: http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/pinkcatstudiolilyandbillylovers

Prize:

On February 11th, a winner will be chosen by a random draw from all of the challenge participants. The winner will receive a grab bag of Pink Cat Studio stamps. The winner will be announced in the PCP challenge discussion thread and on the Pink Cat Studio blog. Some cards from the challenge will be displayed on the PCS blog and all entries will go into the PCP gallery.

Here is my card for a little inspiration.

I spelled LOVE on my card with Layers/Lily, Orange, Violet, Embellishments. I started this card off by stamping Lily and Billy on the bicycle from the new Lily and Billy Sweethearts by Pink Cat Studio on white card stock and colored Lily in with my markers. I then cut her out and attached two pieces of black ribbon. To create the balloon I made a template with a folded over piece of scrap paper, traced it onto purple and orange DP, cut my orange DP into three strips and adhered it to the purple DP. I added some black marker for outlining and attached the two ribbons to the balloon. I popped her off the sky background I created with my mulitliner pen and copics. Next, I layered on orange and violet card stock along with some Basic Grey card stock and popped off the sentiment I stamped and cut out using my labels nesties. I finished my card by adding three purple brads to the top corner.

I hope you like my creation and are inspired to play along. I can't wait to see what you create!

Add a Little Twinkle and A Completly Different Card!

Happy Tuesday everyone!!

Boy is it cold here today!! It snowed through the night and supposedly we are supposed to get hit by a winter storm today. Lots of ice and snow. Luckily Izzy and I ran all of our errands yesterday so we are free to stay at home and relax!! It will be nice to get to play and stamp.

I think Izzy might be coming down with a little something. Yesterday evening she was super clingy and kept wanting to snuggle. She is a very loving child but this was a little out of the norm. She felt a little warm when she was resting on me so I am going to keep an eye on her today. I know that a whole bunch of yucky stuff has been going around lately, and so far we have avoided it. I hope we continue!

Well, we just received a call last night from Jason's parents wanting to know if we can come into town for his grandmother's 90th birthday!! I cannot believe she is going to be 90. She still looks so young and is very active for her age; it doesn't quite seem possible. I think they are going to have a small get together with a little dinner to celebrate. I am really looking forward to it!

Alright, onto the cards! Today is Tuesday and you know what that means, it is Madelynn's Twinkling Tuesday!! Boy did she have a doozy for us this week! I have to say, and I told Madelynn's mommy yesterday, that I was a little scared when I saw the sketch. I had absolutely no idea what to do with it. But once I started my card and picked out my papers, I was shocked at how good it turned out. In fact it is one of my favorite cards of all time! LOL!

See what I mean, a little scary huh? Just goes to prove that you should try things because you never know what you will get! I started this card by printing off the digi stamp Pretty Head Lily by The Greeting Farm on white card stock and coloring her in using my copics. I then mounted her on red and black card stock after snipping off the corners with my slot punch. Next I printed off the sentiments on my computer using Microsoft word and placed them in black and red circles I cut out with my nesties. Following the sketch, I layered on red and black card stock along with Valentine's DP. I added lots of rhinestone diamond stickers and a few black rhinestones to finish the card off! I just love the expression on her face and the circles behind her were perfect for the sentiments I had in mind!

Don't forget that we would love for you to play along too! All you need to do is type in the keyword MTTSC7 when uploading to PCP or SCS. Be sure to checkout the rest of the DT's work this week! It is awesome! Oh and we have two new members so give them a little extra love!

Bonnie Sharp
Cassie Larson
Christi Thorsen
Danni Bindel
Debbie Lee
Jacquie Peifer
Jami Bova
Jennifer Greco
Jessica Diedrich
Kim Ross
Kimmie Doktor
Rebecca Ednie
Sandra McLean
Taylor Usry

For a little bit of extra eye candy for you today, I have a card I made for the Try a New Technique Challenge over at SCS. This week's challenge was to use pleating on your card. For some reason I immediately thought of those gorgeous folded Dahlia flowers, because they look like they are made out of intricate pleats. This then led to the thought of trying to make a card that was a little out of the box for me and so I decided to use Stephanie Hargis' Sketch Challenge for Taylored's Expressions Cupcake Challenge for the layout.

See, completely different from what I usually make. When I asked Jason what he thought he said he liked it and that it was so different for me that it was hard to judge. Mission accomplished! I started off this card by stamping the heart lollipop from Sweet Things by SUInk and More on white card stock and coloring it in with my copics. I cut off the stem and layered a black heart behind it. I mounted it in the center of a folded dahlia I created with some doubled sided SU! DP. Instructions for folding can be found here. Following the sketch, I layered on black card stock, red card stock and two different kinds of DP. I added a black ribbon with a bow to the center, stamped my sentiment in black ink three times and added some pearls down the side. Since this is really out of the box for me, I would love to know what you think.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I will be posting my first Pink Cat DT challenge here and at Paper Craft Planet shortly so I would love it if you would come out and play with me! Lots of smiles and have a great rest of the day!

Gotta Love Those Sketches!

Happy Monday everyone!

Well it is a winter wonderland here! It is in the teens and everything is covered in a couple inches of snow. Supposedly we are going to be hit by another winter storm tonight so Izzy and I are going to try to get all of our errands run today. I hate to get her out in this, but I think it is going to be even worse tomorrow!

Speaking of Izzy she of course had an awesome time with Daddy this weekend. She cooked for him and read on his lap a ton. She had a spring in her step all weekend. It is so cute! I know she is going to be sad that he is gone today, but it is nice to know that they have such a special bond with one another! Of course Daddy does almost anything she asks him to, which leaves mommy to be the mean one. Yesterday morning we went in to wake Daddy up like we do every weekend and Izzy was rolling all over the bed on top of us. She kept laying on Jason's back and snuggling up next to him. Finally Jason was awake enough to get up, so Izzy instructed him on what to do. When the two of them had gotten up, I asked Izzy if she was hungry. She said yes and then turned to her Daddy and said, "Waffles". That is her absolute favorite breakfast meal and Daddy is the only one who makes it. And of course he did!! He wouldn't want his daughter to go without her favorite breakfast! LOL!

Yesterday I was also able to get a lot of stamping done. I have a pretty busy week coming up. This week starts some Sneak Peeks for Storage Units, Ink and More, I going to be issuing a challenge for Pink Cat Studio and on the Sunday, Club Anya is going to be opening! It is going to be one awesome week!

Well, two of the projects I completed yesterday were for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge Extravaganza!! Taylor is celebrating a year of cupcake challenges with 9 different sketches provided by herself and the DT. Of course I am in sketch heaven!! You know how much I love my sketches, so to receive 9 in one day!!! I almost fainted! I was so excited!

My first card used Jami Sibley's sketch challenge. When I saw the sketch I immediately though of an inverted gate card. (Probably not the right name, but that is what I am calling it! LOL!) I also incorporated this week's Cute Card Thursday Challenge into my card which was to create a scene.

See how perfect the card is for a gate card!! I just loved the concept. I am not so sure about the card itself. It isn't that I don't like it, it is just that I am not 100% happy with it. So if anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them! So I started this card off by stamping Winter Sadie and Pepper by Stampin' Spot Studio for All That Scraps on white card stock and colored them in using my copics. Then, using my copic multiliner pen, I drew in the grass, snowman, tree and birdbath. I colored all of them in with my copics. Following the sketch, I layered on teal and pink card stock along with some DP from DCWV. I used my nesties to cut out the circles behind Sadie and finished the card off by stamping the sentiment on some white card stock, placing it in some pewter hardware and attaching it to the card with a fuchsia ribbon. I really wanted to create a card that had a winter theme, but also gave the feel of one of those rare nice winter days where the sun is shining and it is a pleasure to be outside! Basically the opposite of what today is going to be like! LOL!

Well, my second card has a completely different kind of feel. It is another valentine for my husband. Poor Jason is going to be inundated with Valentine cards this year. Drastic change from last year, where I ran to Walgreen's Valentine's night, grabbed a bag of conversation hearts and presented it to him 5 minutes after I got home! LOL! Anywhoo, for this card, I decided to use Donna Baker's Cupcake Sketch for this card.

See, pretty romantic huh!! Of course that is what I look like in real life, so Jason will definitely know it is me!! I am just getting so tired of all of these stamp companies using my body as a model for their stamps! LOL!! Yeah right, I wish!! Maybe that would be my body with a ton of airbrushing! ROFL!!! Alright, back to business! I started this card off by stamping Hanna and two heart sets from Sweet Celebrations by Hanna Stamps on white card stock and colored them in using my copics. I mounted Hanna on some red card stock and black card stock, cut out the hearts and popped them off opposing corners. Following the sketch, I layered on red card stock, black card stock and 5 different kinds of DP from K and Company. To finish the card off, I attached two black satin ribbons and tied some bows! I just love this card and all the romantic colors!

That is it for me today! Don't be surprised if more of Taylor's sketches pop up this week! I just love them! And don't forget to come back tomorrow for my Pink Cat Challenge and of course Twinkling Tuesday!! Have a great rest of the day!! And thanks as always for stopping by!

Some Great Sketch News!

Happy Saturday everyone!!

Sorry I am so late in posting today. I was so tired that I slept in this morning and then, I have been on the phone with my friend Heather for the past two and a half hours, so I am blaming it all on her! LOL! Just kidding, I was probably doing more talking than her!

Yesterday Izzy and I were able to get out for a little while but unfortunately the temperature dropped steadily all day and last night so that when I finally woke up this morning it was only 13 degrees!! I couldn't believe it. I thought we were finally starting to warm up again!

Well my best friend Tracy came over last night and we went to Babes 'R Us for some shower gifts and general baby needs. Izzy of course was in hog heaven because Tracy was there. She carried around the gift bag all over the store and kept calling it a purse. Tracy, who is completely wrapped around Izzy's finger, kept trying to convince me that Izzy needed a gift bag of her own. Uh No!!! I just can't believe Tracy sometimes! I think Izzy could ask for the moon and Tracy would try to give it to her! LOL! I just hope that Izzy doesn't realize the power that she holds!!

So onto my great sketch news!! Before Christmas I received an e-mail from Tamara over at Sketches by Tamara asking me to be a guest designer for this Saturday. Of course I said yes! I love Tamara's sketches as they are always so fun and different. It has been so hard sitting on this news, believe me, but now I finally get to reveal it! I decided to use Sketch # 13 for my card as I just loved the ribbon placement!

See what I mean! Aren't the ribbons so awesome!! I just love it. Well, if you don't know already I love dogs! They are so cute, although Jason/DH I don't want another one right now! LOL! So when I saw this stamp at H and M stamps I just had to have it! I started this card by stamping Doggy Years by H and M Stamps on white card stock and colored him in with my copics. Following the sketch I layered on green and rust paper along with DP and popped my image off the background. I cut out a "buckle" and using some rust polka dot ribbon made a collar at the bottom or my image. For the sentiment section, I stamped the sentiment on three different strips of paper and mounted it on rust card stock and green DP. I then tied a ribbon around the sentiment and attached a small dog bone button to the bow. To finish the card, I added three rust brads to the corner! I just love the little doggie on this card and I can just imagine him thinking to himself that he has waited forever to dig into a nice juicy bone!

Well, thank you for sharing in my wonderful news and thanks as always for stopping by!

Babies and Kitties!

Happy Friday everyone!!

I can't believe the weekend is almost here! I am so excited. It is always nice to have Jason at home and this weekend we don't have anything special planned. That means lots of relaxing together and stamp time for me too!! Yeah!!! Stamp time is always well received!

Well, yesterday Izzy and I had a really fun day. It was so beautiful outside that we got to play for a couple of hours in the backyard. We brought out her little people and baby doll stroller and played in the sun on the upper deck. Then we went down into the yard and walked around the pool about a million times. She kept asking me to get the ball, which I guess she is remembering she last saw in the pool. Mind you, the pool has now been covered for 3 months and the water is probably freezing, but she still wants me to go get it for her. I am so loved by her! LOL! Then we kind of hung out last night. We read books, played with blocks, stamped a little and played on the computer (Jason had tennis). It was just so pleasant. We might have a repeat of yesterday because it looks like another beautiful day here again!

So onto the cards! Both my cards for today are for challenges issued on Monday, but hey I still got them done so that should count for something right? LOL!

My first card is actually an incorporation of two challenges. At A Spoon Full of Sugar this week, the challenge was to create a baby card for a new mom, soon to be mom or toddler. Well this couldn't come at a better time for me, because a friend of mine is expecting her second child next month. She is having a girl and is just so excited. So I have been thinking for awhile that I needed to make her something. I used this week's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge at Technostamper for the layout because I just loved the idea of the giant heart.

Isn't it sooo sweet? I just love brown and pink together and especially for a baby. You wouldn't know it though because Izzy's room is yellow and green. I was so super paranoid that they would be wrong about the gender (Even though I had like 3 sonograms and each time it was blatantly obvious it was a girl), that I didn't buy pink because I thought I would jinx myself. Good thing nobody else thought that way or otherwise the poor child would have not had anything to wear home from the hospital! LOL! Anyways back to the card. I started this card off by stamping the momma and baby giraffe from Generations of Stitches by H and M stamps and colored them in using my copics. I cut them out and popped them off white and brown hearts I cut out using my cricut machine. Following the sketch, I layered on brown and pink card stock along with DP from American Craft. I then stamped the sentiment from the Generations stamp set and then stamped some buttons with pixie pink in the background. I popped the sentiment that I mounted on pink and brown card stock and cut out with my nesties off the background and faux stitched around everything. I plan on giving this to her after she has her baby. See I will finally be ahead on something!

My second card for today also combines two challenges. I have been intending to make a card for the fourth Pink Cat Studio Challenge on PCP and have just not had time. So last night I finally sat down and did it!! It was such a fun challenge to do, I might have to make a second submission! I used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch for the layout.

I just can't get enough of this Kiki Kitty! She is just so cute!! Anywhoo the challenge requires that your project have Pink on it, a Critter of some sort and Sparkle or scallops; the initials of Pink Cat Stamps. Isn't that creative?! So I started my card by stamping Kiki with her hat and scarf from Kiki Kitty by Pink Cat Studio on white card stock and colored her in using my copics. I then cut her out with my labels nesties along with a piece of purple card stock and turned her to the side. Following the sketch, I layered on pink and purple card stock along with some DP from Basic Grey. I used my nesties to cut out the circle and scalloped circle. I ran a piece of purple card stock through my spots and dots embossing folder and placed it in the background. I then punched out some green flowers and placed them in the corner with some purple brads. To finish the card off, I stamped the sentiment on some white card stock, mounted it on purple and added a pink ribbon flower and a sparkly purple flower. I just love all the fun colors and the sassy little kitty!

Well, that is it for me today! Off to play outside with Izzy. Thanks as always for stopping by and I hope you have a great rest of the day!

Shopping and My Sweetheart, All The Things I Love!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Boy this week is just flying by. I think it is because Jason had Monday off work and now I think that it is really Wednesday. I am not complaining though. It just means that he will be home with us a day sooner!

Well, Izzy has gotten onto the band wagon of New Year's Resolutions and trying to lose weight. Not for herself mind you, she isn't even two yet, I am talking about for me!!! Here lately she has been telling me when to eat and is even making me exercise! When she sits down to eat her breakfast or her lunch, she always looks at me and says, "Mommy eat! Mommy eat!". Which of course she is right. I need to sit and eat with her so that I am eating at more regular times. Then for the last three days she has been grabbing my hand and walking me around the house. We do loop after loop after loop. She is a slave driver I tell you! I don't need a personal trainer when I have my Izzy!! LOL!

Today, we don't have too busy of a day planned, of course lots of play time and hopefully lots of stamp time for me while Izzy is napping. Other than that, it should be pretty calm. Sometimes it is nice not to have a lot of outside things to do, especially when it is so cold outside!

So onto the cards! I have two to share today, one of which is a stamp that I have had for about a month but have not previously inked up!! I am really trying to be better about this. I have so many cute stamps that I want, then I get them and am backlogged. So my goal is to ink up all the wonderful rubber I have sitting around.

My first card is about something that I absolutely love to do, shopping. I think it all stems from my aunt who for our birthday's when we were little girls would take my sister and I out for a whole day of shopping. It was so much fun, we would go from store to store, trying on clothes, laughing, playing, having lots of fun and only stopping for lunch. We would only actually buy one or two things, but the experience was the best part. I think that is why I enjoy it so much now. It brings back all those happy memories. And I still don't have to buy something to have a good time. At least that is what I tell myself. LOL! So here is my shopping card. I used Jen Del Muro's Sketch For You To Try for the Layout.

Aren't the colors absolutely yummy!!! If I were hard pressed, I would have to say these are my favorite papers from Basic Grey of all time! I think it is the color combination, as this teal blue and brown are my favorite! Anywhoo, I started this card by stamping Suzie Q by Instyle Stamps on white card stock and colored her in using my copics. Using my brown stampin' write marker and a white gel pen, I added patterns to her shopping bags to match my papers. I then cut her out using my labels die from nestabilities and mounted her on a brown piece of card stock. Following the sketch, I layered on brown card stock along with my Basic Grey DP. I punched out a label for my sentiment using a sizzix die and stamped the sentiment from MFT's Say Charge. I finished off the card by adding a white grossgrain ribbon to the corner and lots of pearl stickers. I am just so in love with the colors. Maybe Jason will let me redecorate our bedroom in them!

The second card I have for you today is another Valentine's day card for Jason. I made him a more girl friendly card earlier in the month, but this time I wanted to make him one that was more masculine and sweet. I know that I used a girl on the card, but I think the colors are more male friendly! I used this week's Sketch Challenge on SCS for the layout.

See it is a masculine Valentine, right? Alright, alright, maybe not, but it was supposed to be and it turned out cute, so I am happy! I did have to adjust the sketch slightly and make my shape larger so I could add my image, but it worked out perfectly!! I started this card off by stamping the little girl from Will You Be My Valentine by Storage Units,Inks and More on white card stock and colored her in using my copics and cut her out using my labels nesties die. I sponged creamy caramel around the edges to age the picture. Then following the sketch, I layered on brown and green Core'dinations card stock along with some DP from DCWV. I added a chocolate brown ribbon down the side and tied a little bow. Next, I stamped the sentiment, aged it with my creamy caramel and mounted it onto my card with some pewter hardware and brads. To finish the card, I popped of my main image and added some decorative pewter brads to each side. I am so pleased with this card and I really hope Jason likes it!

Well, I am outta here! Off again to make my blog rounds. Everyone has really been rocking their creations lately and my notebook is so full of ideas it is bursting at the seams!! Thank you all so much as always for stopping by!

Sending Love and a Touch of the Orient!

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

Today should be a lot calmer for Izzy and I, i.e. lots of play time for the two of us! I have some cards to make, but I get to be relatively lazy. I am just so glad we don't have to go out in the cold. I wish there was someway I could be out in the sun and air, but not experience any of the temperatures!! That would be heaven!!

I have to say, here lately I have been receiving a lot of e-mails from people asking me, ME!! questions about stamping. I can hardly believe it! I still feel like such a newbie to the stamping world. However, I love to help and to teach so it really has been a pleasure to receive these! The bonus for me is that I get to meet all these wonderful women who are amazingly talented themselves! So keep the questions coming ladies, if I don't know the answer, I will make something up that sounds good! LOL! Just Kidding!

Well Izzy has become quite the little mommy lately!! On Friday night we had her little friends over for dinner and play time and I had to get the portable high chair out for Melaina to eat. Well it is sitting on the floor by the dining room table still and here is why. The next day and everyday since, Izzy has been feeding her baby in it! She asks either Jason or I to place the baby in there and close the table top. Then she asks for a bowl and a spoon and a cup for her baby! The whole time she is saying, "Baby Eat. Baby Eat." It is so cute. The only problem is that she doesn't quite understand pretend eating yet. Jason made muffins for us and she kept asking for a muffin for the baby! I told her that Izzy can eat a muffin but the baby can not. I think she finally got it or she just asked for a muffin for herself so she could get it to feed to the baby. All I know is that the muffin was gone later, although Tuxy was hanging around quite a bit so I am a little suspicious! LOL!

Onto the cards!! Since today is Wednesday you know what that means it is Watchadoin' Wednesday over at Storage Units, Inks and More! Even Jason knew!! Yeah!!

Today's challenge was issued by Mary Jo and is inspired by this adorable kids bedroom. (I will be adding the picture later once it is loaded to the SUInk Blog. As many of you know, I am computer illiterate and can't figure out how to get the picture loaded onto my blog). Anywhoo, I was inspired by all the fun colors to create this card!

I just love pink, green and blue together! It just screams fun and playful! I created this card by stamping the envelope and conversation hearts from Will You Be My Valentine by SUInk and More on white card stock and colored them in using my markers and copics. To give it more of a playful look in the background, I sponged on some green galore. I then mounted it on pink and teal card stock alternated with DP from DCWV and SEI. I added a pink organdy ribbon behind my stamped image that I popped off with dimensionals. To finish the card, I popped of the sentiment I printed off on my computer and added three tiny teal brads in the corner. This is actually a 4 1/2 in. square card, my first ever and I just loved how quick and easy it was too make. It would make the perfect little Valentine for kids! Now it is time to check out all of the rest of the DT sista's creations! I am sure they will have some amazing creations to share!

Alex Maldonado
Amber Kroening
Carolina Buchting
Chat Wszelaki
Colleen Wold
Corrina Farrar
Kristen Catalano
Laura Leonard
Leigh O'Brien
Mary Jo Price-Williams
Suzanne Dean
Tori Wild

For my second card today, I used this week's Sketch Saturday Challenge for the layout. If you haven't checked out this challenge, you really must! They always have the most creative layouts and use lots of shapes to do it with! And of course they have my most favorite thing of all, LAYERS!!!!!!

See what I mean!! I would have never come up with this layout, but isn't it yummy!! I decided to use my brand new digital image called Geisha Anya by The Greeting Farm. I am usually not into Asian art, but I just couldn't help myself when I saw her!! She is just too cute! Anywhoo, I started off by printing Anya off on my computer and coloring her in with my copics. I then cut her out using my nesties along with a piece of black card stock and a piece of red card stock. Following the sketch, I layered on black and green card stock, some of which I embossed with my Floral Fantasy folder. I went ahead and colored some of the raised flowers in with my red copic makers to give them some depth. I continued to layer on some DP from American Craft that I punched with my Martha Stewart Edge punch. I added some green rhinestones to the side and to her hair and finished the card off by cutting out a green and red flower using my Cricut machine and attached it with a black brad. I just love the zen like colors! Such a fun image!

Well, that is it for me today! Off to blogland to catch up on all the wonderful creations out there! Thanks as always for stopping by! It really means a lot!

Layers, Layers Everywhere!

Happy Tuesday everyone!!

It is supposed to be another cold one here. I have to say, I am kind of getting tired of this. I know it really hasn't been just awful this winter, but after over a week of nasty temps I am over it. I could never live in a northern state. Although when Jason and I went to Montana on your honeymoon I seriously considered becoming a rancher so that we could stay forever! LOL! The only thing that stopped me was that there was still snow on the ground in some areas and it was June!!!! So I guess all dreams have to come to an end sometime! LOL!

Anywhoo, Izzy and I have quite a day planned. I need to run to the post office and get all my swap images in the mail, I also have several challenges I want to play, so I need to get started on those and some great new releases are coming up for my design teams so I am trying to get a jump start on those also!!

Alright, so my daughter is absolutely hilarious! Last night I ran next door for a quick visit with my neighbor, Beth, (okay it lasted an hour) and when I got home Izzy had all of her kitchen equipment dragged into the kitchen and was helping Daddy cook. It was so sweet. Well of course she wanted to be picked up and cuddled since I had been gone, so we did that for a few minutes then I set her on the dining room table while I cleaned off all my stamping supplies. Izzy grabbed my empty coffee cup and was stirring the spoon in it and saying, "Coffee, Mommy Coffee!" I think she loves to say that word. Well I just let her play and when I looked over she was pretending to drink it and then she started singing into it!!! I think she liked that it kind of made an echoy, hollow sound. It was cracking me up! I have no idea how she figured it out but it entertained her for 20 minutes! I am not quite sure why we buy her toys when she can entertain herself with everyday objects around the house! LOL!

So now onto the cards!! Guess what today is!!!!! It is Twinkle Tuesday and boy does Madelynn have a great sketch today! I have a little story to tell before I post my card. As you know I taught a class this weekend and Thursday night I worked on my kits for 3 and a half hours trying to get them all finished. (I had already spend 2 hours working on them over the weekend, crasy I know) It was during this time that I actually counted the layers on each card and one of them had fourteen layers!!!! OMG!! I discovered I am addicted to layering cards. Well I shared this epiphany with the rest of my Twinkle Team Sisters and they were very sympathetic but instead of discouraging me from my distructive behavior they were more enablers than anything else! LOL! So imagine my surprise when I saw this sketch!! I actually e-mail Jessica back right away and said there are layers!!! She promised that she did not tell Madelynn to do it! LOL! So here it is!

I was so inspired by the RAK Jacquie gave me that I just had to print my little fairy off and color her up! Although I don't think my creation is anywhere near as beautiful as hers!! I started this card off by printing off my digital fairy on mushroom from CC Designs Gingersnap Hey Cupid by All That Scraps and coloring it with my copics. Following the sketch I then layered on pink, red and brown card stock along with my DP from Basic Grey's Bittersweet. I added pink, red and brown brads to all the layers' corners, popped off my main image and tied a big brown organdy ribbon around the middle. To complete the card, I added a metal swirl and cut out some white card stock, brown card stock and red card stock with my nesties, drew the "X's" and "O's" around the edge, the heart in the middle and colored it in with my copics. I just thought this was such a fun and unusual sketch!! I still can't believe that Madelynn is only eight!!! She is such a genius with these sketches!

Don't forget you can participate too and we would love to see what you create. All you need to do is when uploading to SCS or PCP is type in the keyword MTTSC6 so that we can find it. Now be sure to check out the rest of the Twinkle Teams fantastic creations!

Bonnie Sharp
Cassie Larson
Christi Thorsen
Danni Bindel
Debbie Lee
Jami Bova
Jennifer Greco
Jessica Diedrich
Kimmie Doktor
Rebecca Ednie
Sandra McLean
Taylor Usry

My second card for today is a quick card I made for this week's sketch challenge over at Paper Craft Planet. My goal in the new year is to use more of the stamps I have not inked up yet. Well this sweet little Sugar Nellie image has been dying to get some ink on her so I decided to use her!!

Don't you love Sugar Nellie? They have the most amazing stamps and the images are just so sweet. I love coloring them! Okay, so I started this card by stamping Flowers by Sugar Nellie on white card stock and colored her in with my copics. Following the sketch, I mounted her on pink and brown card stock along with Basic Grey paper I believe from the Blush collection. I had to rotate the sketch on it's side to make the image fit. I then cut out a brown flower with my Cricut machine and placed two buttons on top to make the center of the flower. I am so pleased with this card because not only did I use an uninked stamp but I used some of my buttons!

Well, I am off to check out all the blogs I follow and love! Have a great rest of the day!! And as always, thanks for stopping by!

Today is Taylor Made!!!

Hi everyone! Happy Monday again!!

I just got back from ArtMart where I picked up a new copic marker that I was in desperate need of, and a few other things. Jason is off work today so he has been running around with us! It has been so much fun!! It is super chilly here though so we couldn't be out for too long, but the sun being out sure made it feel warmer.

Before I share my cards I wanted to share a quick Izzy story since I didn't give you one yesterday. On Friday night, her and her two little friends, Lucy and Melaina got together for a little play date. They had the best time. Izzy was obsessed with Lucy's hair and kept pointing to it and touching it. Lucy had these two little pigtails that were sticking out from either side of her head it was so cute!!! Then they played house with Izzy's new kitchen set and completely cleaned my house. Alright, completely cleaned and dusted it to about 3 feet off the floor but hey I can probably handle the other five feet right?!! LOL! Seriously though I was so glad they got together because Izzy really needs to interact with kids her own age. I am hoping we can do it again this week.

Well like I said today has been a pretty busy day for me. I have worked on several cards and have cards ready through tomorrow. It feels good to be caught up and ready to go. The cards I am going to share with you today are both cards I made using Taylored Expressions Cupcake challenges. I just love Taylor's layouts and how different and unique they are. I know that I don't always submit them on time, but I always store them for future reference.

My first card I used Taylor's Challenge from last week. Once I saw the three circles on it, I just knew that my Sweet Things set from Storage Units Inks and More would be perfect!!

See what I mean, they fit so nicely into the three circles. The only thing is that I wish I had some silver ribbon. I think that would have really set it off, oh well, you make do with what you have. I started off this project by stamping the three chocolate boxes from Sweet Things by Storage Units, Inks and More on white card stock and colored them in with my copics and silver gel pen. I then mounted them on red card stock that I cut out with my nesties. Following the sketch, I layered on teal and red card stock along with some DP from SEI. Next, to mimic the silver in the paper, I used some white organdy ribbon and metal swirls to make it look like the chocolate boxes were hanging. I placed some rhinestones down the middle, stamped the sentiment on some white card stock and popped it off the back along with some red and teal card stock. It was such an easy to make and assemble card and I just love the color combo.

My second card for today is a card I created using Taylored Expression's Cupcake Challenge from this week. I have been dying to use my brand new Sarah Kay image (the first one I have ever used) and just knew when I saw this layout that it would be perfect!!

Couldn't you just die!! This little girl is so sweet and it is in my favorite color, green! I started this card off by stamping Fanny's Cuddle by Sarah Kay for Stampavie on white card stock and colored her in with my copics. Following the sketch, I mounted her on some green card stock and yellow card stock followed by DP. I added some jumbo burnished bronze eyelets down the side in place of the buttons. Because the image was so large I could not place a sentiment on the card, but I really don't think it needs one. I am just so pleased with the way this card came out! Not only was it quick to make, but the image worked so well with the beautiful DP I have been hoarding! I might not give this one away!

Now to share a beautiful piece of RAK I received!! Saturday after my class, I ran out to the mailbox as I always do and was amazed to see this wonderful card from a new friend of mine Jacquie!! I was so excited that I called her yesterday to thank her and she is just as sweet and amazing on the phone as she is on her blog!! Thank you so much Jacquie!!

Well, that is it for me today! I am off to finish up a few more cards before the Iz Biz gets up from her nap. Have a wonderful evening and I will see you tomorrow for Twinkling Tuesday!!

Blog Candy Winner!!!

Happy Monday everyone!!

I am here with a quick post to let you know the winner of the adorable Will You Be My Valentine set by Storage Units Inks and More!

According to Random.org the winner is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:23
Timestamp: 2009-01-19 12:40:32 UTC

Janet S. who wrote:

"I love your cute candy treat box! These stamps are so cute. My favorite kind of valentine as a kid was the same as yours! Any valentine with candy in it!!! LOL My fave candy then and now is peanut M & M's and Hershey Miniatures Special Dark. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups aren't bad either. Thanks for the chance to win these wonderful stamps."

Congratulations Janet!!! Please e-mail me your address so that I can get this prize out to you!!

Thanks everyone for participating! I will be back later with some cards!!

My First Ever Class!

Happy Sunday everyone!!

Sorry I was MIA yesterday. I really did plan to post after I got home last night, but the second I sat down, I fell asleep. I guess it has been so long since I last taught anything, I just forgot how tired it makes you.

So yesterday was an incredibly busy day for me. I woke up really early to pack up all the supplies I needed for my class, got ready, loaded up the car and headed to the stamp store. I then taught my first ever stamping class to 7 women and it lasted 3 1/2 hours Whoops!!! Then I rushed over to our Archivers and met with the insanely talented Lynn Mercurio! All in all it was an awesome day!

Well, yesterday's class was so much fun and educational, I might have actually learned more than my students. I had the best time and the women that took my class were so patient and kind, that it just made it seem like a big party. I hope they ask me back sometime to teach again. I have to say though, my wonderful friend Tracy came and helped me and it was just like the old days at Meramec Elementary! We used to teach together there and it was so much fun to have her. I honestly don't know what I would have done without her!

After my class, like I said early, I met with Lynn! And let me tell you she is just as sweet and talented as she is on-line. I learned so much and laughed so much, my stomach hurt. I think this is one of the best things about stamping. All the wonderful and encouraging people you meet!!

Since I had my first class, I wanted to share today what we made!! I had the girls make three different Pink Cat cards and to be honest, I wasn't quite sure what they wanted to learn from me. It all worked out fine though, because we practiced a lot with my cuttlebug, embossing folders and nesties along with coloring and shading with copics. I now think I have converters to the nesties and copics cause!!! LOL!!! yeah!!

Here is the first card we created. It is actually a card I created for the Pink Cat sneak peeks but used different papers and colors.

I love the idea that you can use the exact same layout on something but use different colors and the card looks different in every way. You can find the complete instructions for this card here. This card probably took the longest for everyone to create, but their creations were stunning. I was so happy to see that everyone didn't create my exact card but added their own touches and designs too it!

The second card we created is another card I have posted previously but with different colors and papers.

I have to say, I wasn't as excited about the way this card turned out. But the women in the class really made it their own! I brought a variety of different background papers to use and I wish I had my camera to take pictures. The instructions for this card can be found here!

The final card we created was a new design I came up with for the class. My goal was to create three cards using three different types of stamps that Pink Cat offers, i.e. people, animals and things. Here it is!

I was really pleased with the way this card turned out and probably had the most layers out of all the card!! I started this card by stamping the cupcake from Sweet Treats by Pink Cat Studio on white card stock and colored it in using my copics. I added touches of glitter pen and white gel pen for sparkle and highlights. I then cut it out using my nesties along with green card stock and maroon card stock. For the maroon card stock, I ran it though my cuttlebug embossing folder, swiss dots, to give it some texture. I then alternated layering on green card stock, maroon card stock and some Valentine's DP from BoBunny. I then stamped the sentiment, "You're Sweet!" from the same set and layered it on some DP and green card stock. I finished the card off by adding four red brads to the corners and popping the sentiment off. After the paper was cut, this card took no time at all to stamp, color, and assemble.

Well, now that I have bored you with a recap of my exciting day, I better go and catch up on all my wonderful friends out in blogland!! Thank you all so much for your encouragement and beautiful comments! They mean so much to me! And don't forget, my blog candy is still up for grabs until midnight tonight so please enter to win here!!!