Let's Celebrate--Blog Candy!!!!

Blog Candy Winner: Random.Cara selected #176 this morning before school. I had to count the posts about 6 times to make sure I got it right (She couldn't pick an easy one, could she?) Woohooo! Congratulations to Christina Gerlof who said "Congrats on being 12! Wow, I remember when I turned 12 I was finally able to shave my legs! LOL Happy Birthday!" Congrats, girl! Please email me (email link is on the side of blog) so I can get your goodies to you!Happy Birthday Random.Cara! ***

Tomorrow my baby turns 12! Although Cara is my oldest child, she will always be my baby.

I am so blessed to have her in my life. She was born almost exactly one year after my first child was born. Although she will never know her brother on earth, I KNOW he is watching over her. I have always felt that she was given to me to help me through one of the darkest times. And I know how lucky I am to have her.

Happy Birthday, Cara!!!

I love you (to the moon and back) and I am so proud of the young lady you have become.

Her GIFT: For the past three years, Cara has begged for a cell phone. My answer was always---"We will talk about it when you are twelve." I really did not feel that she needed one. True-most of her friends have one but a lot of them go home to an empty house after school. Since I am at home, I didn't want to get her one before she was mature enough to handle it. (You would not believe how many calls we get from friends at 10:30 p.m. on a school night because they have their own phones.)

So, because her birthday is tomorrow---I took all the information she gave me (pink cell phone, text messaging) and created the perfect gift for her:

Here is the card as it opens up!

I love the bling on the front.

I created this cell phone card using the Text Messages set from Gina K Designs. I knew when I got this set months and months ago what I was going to do with it. I stamped the image on folded cardstock, close to the edge. I cut out the phone shape and left two little side connectors (so that the front would connect to the back.) The phone is colored with Copic markers. For a final touch, I used some Hero Arts Gemstones for around the screen. I love how this card turned out and I think my daughter will to. After she opens it up I will tell her how you can sing any song you want to customize the ring tone! SNORT!

(Ok.....my friend Kim thought this was mean. Just to let you know.....we did get her a REAL pink cell phone! She will get it after I make her sweat just a bit more! And yes...there will be rules set as to WHEN she can use it!)

Materials used: Text Messages (Gina K Designs); whisper white cardstock (Stampin' Up!); brilliance black ink; Copic markers; Hero Arts Gemstones.

BLOG CANDY

On to the blog candy---I am so surprised that my counter went over 100,000 hits. I would have loved to reach this milestone at a year but I am just shocked that I reached it at six months. THANK YOU!

To be entered to win---just leave a little note wishing Cara a Happy 12th Birthday!

Random.Cara will randomly select a winner on Monday morning! Good luck! (Subscribers are welcome to post twice!) Good luck!

Here is what the blog candy includes (sorry that the MFT set doesn't show up well, click link below to see the full set):
Going Places clear stamp set by My Favorite Things
Dr. Feelgood stamp set by Gina K Designs
Tube of Esprit Aqua primas
Miss Elizabeth's Mini Board Book Paper Craft Kit
Cardinal Stamp by Rubber Stampede
Making Memories-blue/green/orange ribbon & ribbon brads

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

***My Favorite Things will be releasing several new sets on Wednesday, June 4th. More information (and MFTeasers) to come!!!!

Things are Jumping around here....

Although I am not creating too much these days, I do have a few more cards to post from the last Gina K release and then I have a few things created to show you next week for the My Favorite Things release.

I will be posting blog candy tomorrow for 100,000 hits....my dh took my digital camera today to take some pictures of our new house so I can't do it today.

A few updates on family life: My sweet daughter turns 12 on Friday. The fish is still alive. My other sweet daughter turns 3 next week. The fish is still alive. My husband graduates residency next week. The fish is still alive. My son graduates Pre-school next week. The fish is still alive. Add that all in with getting ready to move--and yep....I would say things are jumping around here....

And speaking of jumping.......This card features the new set from Melanie--Jumping for Joy. I love the adorable images in this set. For this card I created a rounded side opening using my Creative Memories cutting system. (The striped paper is on the inside of the card!) The motion of the juggling balls is conveyed with the paper piercing.

Materials used: Jumping for Joy (Gina K Designs); ink-brilliance black, pumpkin pie (SU!); cardstock-white, green; SU! Designer paper pack; paper piercing tool (SU!); Copic markers; ribbon (Oriental Trading); Creative Memories cutting system.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to all who serve or who have served our country in the Armed Forces. This country would not be what it is without YOU!

In honor of Memorial Day, I have a patriotic card to share with you. The front is cut half way--I used a chipboard star to cut out the star shape on the front flap.

Here is a peek at the inside! I used the same chipboard star to create the star on the inside.

I will be back this week---I know my counter passed 100,000 hits (wow!) so BIG blog candy is comin!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great day!

Taking a Break....

Well, as many of you know...there is a lot going on in our lives right now....and in the next month or so!

With school letting out soon and with our move getting closer--I have decided to take a break from my design team work. Actually, I tried to quit them all (some a few times!) because I felt that it wasn't fair if I disappeared for a while but knew that it was MOST important to help my children with this time of transition. All of the crazy people I work for did not accept my resignation, instead, they are allowing me to take a leave and return when I am ready. What amazing people I work for. Now I can rest easy knowing I am doing the right thing for my family without compromising my work.

With that being said, I am sure I will pop in and out here and there up to post a few cards until our move (middle of June) and then I will be gone for awhile when we actually move and set up our new home (as my computer and stamping supplies will be packed up!) I will keep you updated and I can assure you I will be back. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

I thought this card would be appropriate as we fast approach the summer season. I ADORE this Inkadinkado image. It is called Fun on the Beach. I stamped the image in Brillance black ink and colored it with Copic markers. I used the shell collage cuttlebug folder to create some texture in the background. This folder has an awesome design, unfortunately I covered up some of it with the image--but you can see the folder if you click the link above. The final touch was a little heart charm I received from a friend for my birthday (Thanks Cindy!) I tied it on to the card with silver cord which is attached to the sheer May Arts ribbon.

The ribbon, stamp, and cuttlebug folder can be found at Stamper's Dream!

Here is a close up of the image. I popped out the Nestability scalloped circle to add some depth to the card.

Materials used: Stamps-Fun on the Beach (Inkadinkado); cardstock-bayau, whisper white, soft sky, bannana; My Mind's Eye designer paper; heart charm (Dollarama); silver brads (Stampin' Up!); ribbon (May Arts); cuttlebug (Provocraft); silver cord (SU!); shell embossing folder (Provocraft); Spellbinders Nestability dies-circles, scalloped circles, petite ovals; slit punch (Stampin' Up!); Copic Markers; Dimensionals (SU!).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

New CC Article today!

Just a quick post tonight....you can check out my latest Craft Critique article here.

Have a great day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Woo-hoo!

Gina K Designs has added some fantastic new stamps AND embellishments to her site tonight. Check out the new releases here... AND....some of the One free with Three sets have a little something extra packed inside---check out this post on Gina K's blog to find out more!

For tonight's post, I chose to focus the new set called Woo-hoo! The fireworks and stars are perfect for those patriotic themed projects and cards.

For this first project, I picked up the America sign at my local Hobby Lobby. I think it was $1.50. I painted some letters red with acrylic paint (just on the front) and then stamped the star images on the other letters. Simple and fun!

Next, I paired the Woo-hoo! set with a release from last month called King of the Grill. I also used Jumping for Joy on the inside for the "date, time and place" information. One of the best things about the Fourth of July are barbeques. So I used these sets together to create an invitation.

The fireworks are stamped on the inside of the card. I added clear glitter (even though you cannot see it in the picture) to the fireworks and the popped up stars.

The main image was stamped and colored with Copic markers. The "Celebrate" and "You're Invited" sentiments are from the Woohooo set as well.

I used my Scor-Pal to create the grid pattern on the blue front panel.

REMOVED FOR PUBLICATION

Here is the card as it is opening up:


And here is a peek at the inside of the card. I used the photo corner punches to frame the invitation. I pierced the insides of the corner tabs (but they didn't show up in the photo.)

Materials used: Stamps: Woo-hoo!; Jumping for Joy, King of the Grill (Gina K Designs); cardstock-white, blue, red (Stampin' Up!); Scor-Pal; Copic Markers; brilliance black ink; brilliant blue, real red classic markers (Stampin' Up!); glue pen; glitter; photo corner punch (SU!); Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Nestabilities (Spellbinders); eyelets (SU!); gingham ribbon (SU!); dimensionals (SU!).

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm Late....

This is late---I was scheduled to sneak peek this brand new set by Gina K Designs yesterday but was out of town---so I am sneaking my sample in today! (Better late than never, right Gina!?)

First, I want to let you all know that I so appreciate your sweet emails and comments about my son. Ben was quite the trooper on Friday. We were at the hospital at 8:30 a.m. and he didn't get called back to the pre-op area until 1. As if dealing with a five year old is hard enough, try dealing with a super HUNGRY one! The poor guy wasn't able to eat and was getting tired.
Ben had a slow time waking up from the anesthesia--took about an hour in the recovery room but all in all he did just great. The poor guy had three root canals, five caps and one tooth pulled. YIPES! We didn't get home from the hospital until dinner time and he just collapsed again on the couch. But--I am happy to report that he is doing GREAT! Woohooo....he got to use his tooth fairy tin I made for him for the first time and we took some video of that. What a trooper he was. Thanks for all of your prayers and concern! I know they helped!

My husband and I were house hunting on Saturday and today so we are very exhausted from all the events of the weekend. We did find a few homes we liked and put an offer on one---fingers crossed that that goes well!

So.....THAT is why this is late. Sorry!

Here is a peek at Melanie's new set "Jumping for Joy!"for Gina K Designs. If you are like me, you just fell in love with all of Melanie's animal stamps--well, she has done it again. I cannot even pick my favorite in this set but I wanted to start off with the zebra.

This card also features some new zoo brads that Gina K will be carrying in her store. What a perfect accent for all those adorable animals!

I created my own background for this card by tearing pieces of white cardstock and then adhering them to the black to mimic the zebra's stripes. I used my easel design to attach the front of the card to the back using the oval punches. I thought the pink fringe would be an adorable accent to the card.

Here is another view of the adorable zebra. Notice that I curved the sentiment along the curve of the circle. Then I added the piercing holes to continue the flow.

Materials used: Stamps-Jumping for Joy! (Melanie Muenchinger for Gina K Designs); ink-brilliance black; Copic markers; cardstock-pink, white, black (Stampin' Up!); zoo brads (Gina K Designs); oval punches (Stampin' Up!); Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Nestabilities (Spellbinders); paper piercing tool and mat pack (Stampin' Up!); fringe; dimensionals (SU!).

*****Gina K Designs will be releasing five new sets, four single stamps and some awesome new Bling & Dazzle embellishments on Tuesday night after the new release party from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CENTRAL time on Splitcoaststampers. Be sure to stop by for fun, games, sneak peeks of the sets and a special code for a free gift with your order!*****

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Friends Furever

We are on our way out the door to take my son for his dental surgery...say a prayer that all goes well for the little bugger!

Here is a card I created a few days ago so I would have something to post this weekend! I love this image--it is from one of the newest sets from My Favorite Things called "Friends Furever." It is such an adorable stamp.


I kept this very simple (cause that is what I had time for!) I used my numbers cuttlebug folder (from Stamper's Dream store) to emboss the red in the background and used the same gingham ribbon I used on the card to make a ribbon collar tie on the dog.

Here is a close up of the image. You can see the embossed red background a bit better on this one!

Materials used: Stamps-Friends Furever (My Favorite Things); cardstock-kraft, white, red, black (Stampin' Up!); ink-brilliance black; Copic markers; gingham ribbon (SU!); Cuttlebug and numbers embossing folder (Provocraft); black brads (the Paper Studio); paper piercing tool and mat pack (SU!); dimensionals (SU!).

*** Fun Stuff:
Gina K Designs will be releasing some awesome new sets and fun new Bling & Dazzle embellishments on Tuesday, May 20, right after the new release party on Splitcoaststampers. Gina will start previewing the new sets this weekend so be sure to check out her blog for some peeks of these adorable new stamps.

Hope you all have a great weekend---say a prayer that we find a house!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mother's Day Part II and a Sketch Card

For those of you who were sympathetic to my Mother's Day camping trip, I decided to fill you in on the second part of my Mother's Day. (For those of you who just want to see the card, scroll down!)

After we decided to bail on the camping trip...we drove home and got everyone back into bed around 2 a.m. My husband and I collapsed into bed too.

When I awoke the next morning, my husband and son were coming in from grocery shopping (the girls slept in!) My husband told me that there was only the "mostly" dead flowers left in the store for those last minute guys who left buying them until the very last minute (like himself!)* But when my son Ben saw this--he HAD to get it for me because he knew I would love it:

Yep..a Beta fish. The kicker is that my husband let him. Knowing my aversion to fish...

You see--I have a lot of allergies and when my now almost 12 year old was about 6, I told her she could only have a fish because I was too allergic to dogs. So she got a beta fish. That sucker lasted three days--it developed some sort of fuzz fungus and was so gross and eventually died while she was at school. Well, knowing she would be very upset that he died so soon, I did what any mother would do....the switcharooney. I went to the pet store and found a fish that looked exactly like it and replaced it ---thinking that she would never know.
She didn't and all was fine....for about two days. I had to replace that fish two more times and then I just gave up...mostly because it really grossed me out to keep seeing a dead fish in the bowl.

Soooo.....I could have killed my husband when he pranced in with this thing. But, I can write this post because---IT IS STILL ALIVE. I have had "fishy" (named by Ben of course!) for 4 days and he is still happy and showing no sign of fungus! Woohooo!!! (Of course, now that I wrote this he will probably die tonight.)

(*BTW: I should add that my hubby cooked me a wonderful Mother's Day dinner too!)

*******

Now for the card. Well, life is throwing me a lot these days and my stamping time is suffering. Our house sold (whoohooo!) and we are going house hunting this weekend. My son is having his much awaited dental surgery (cracked tooth and cavities) this Friday. With so much going on in the next few days, I wanted to get a bit of stamping in before the weekend.

I loved today's sketch on Splitcoaststampers so I used that as the springboard for this card.

I used the Share Laughter set from Hero Arts (available at Stamper's Dream) for this card---it is a fantastic set and has about 17 images that paired in different ways can produce wonderful designs. I can tell I will be grabbing this set a lot!

I stamped the flower design and cut it out. I layered the Prima on top and then added the SU crystal brads that I keep forgetting that I have!

I used my rectangle scalloped Nestabilities to frame the sentiment. The punched scalloped piece was too wide for the sentiment so I cut a section out of the middle and re-attached the pieces. I added the strip of decorative paper in the center to cover up the overlap!

This card was easy and came together very quickly! Just what I needed today!

Materials used: Stamps-Share Laughter (Hero Arts); ink-celery, blue bayau (Stampin' Up!) cardstock-white, blue bayau, SU designer paper; ribbon-celery (Stampin' Up!); crystal brad (SU!); Prima flower; paper piercing tool and mat pack; dimensionals (SU!); Cuttlebug and scalloped rectangle nestability dies (Spellbinders).

Thanks for stopping by!

A Bear for Toy

It is Monday again and time for the CCEE challenge I do with a group of gals on SplitcoastStampers.

This week it was the name challenge-we pick someone on SCS that has a fun sign-on name and make cards fitting for her/him.

Holly (aka Toy) is this month's choice. So, we had to make a card with a toy on it. It seemed easy enough, until I realized I don't have many toy stamps. I had to dig deep to find something suitable but I think it worked out fine.

The stamp on this card is the first one I ever drew. It is from the Carolyn King Collection I set distributed by Gina K Designs. It has a special place in my heart and so I thought it would be perfect to create a fun card for Holly using it. After all, a bear IS a toy!

I stamped the image and colored it with Copic markers. The image is framed with a scalloped oval (Nestability die) and I pierced around the edge and filled the holes with my Ranger white gel pen. I added the "TOY" sentiment to the bottom with my Karen Foster snap stamps.

Here is a picture of the card when it is opened:

Using my slit punch and horizontal punch, I created the closure of this card. The ribbon is wrapped around the back and rests in the slit opening....the front of the ribbon is threaded through the main image and pulled through the horizontal punch opening.

Materials used: Stamps-Bear-Carolyn King Collection I (Gina K Designs), Karen Foster snap stamps (sentiment); Brilliance black ink, Not Quite Navy ink (Stampin' Up!); Copic markers; cardstock-white (SU!), My Mind's Eye designer paper; Cuttlebug (Provocraft) and Nestability dies (Spellbinders); ribbon (May Arts); paper piercing tool; slit punch, horizontal punch, photo corner punch (Stampin' Up!); dimensionals (SU!).

Thanks for stopping by!

A Camping We Will Go--and a Gift Tin

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Here is a quick account of my Mother's Day "surprise!"

My husband thought it would be wonderful to take the kids camping overnight---thinking it would get them out of my hair and give me a peaceful day at home by myself. (mistake #1) I, however, felt a bit sad at the thought of being all alone on Mother's Day so I decided I would go too (mistake #2). I don't camp--I love to hike and be outdoors but I don't like bugs and I prefer a nice clean shower and bedroom to sleep. But I really wanted us all to be together. How bad could it be?

So, we spent about 2.5 hours getting ready--packing everyone up, purchasing firewood, ingredients for s'mores, batteries for flashlights, etc. After we were on the road, we discovered our DVD player wasn't working. (Since it was a two hour trip to the campsite--this was not good!) Then, I decided it was a good idea to color some stamped images in the car (mistake #3)...didn't feel well for more than half of the trip. While we were driving, we watched the outside temperature gauge rise to 103 degrees (oopsie!)--not ideal camping weather but at least it wasn't raining! (mistake #4)

We finally arrived at Enchanted Rock (which is GORGEOUS if you live in Texas and are looking for a fantastic place to hike/camp!) We set up our campground and realized that during the whole rush to get packed our son, Ben, had taken off his sneakers and socks and replaced them with flip flops....eekkk!!! (mistake #5)
We spent the next two hours hiking the amazing mountains there and then returned to cook hot dogs and s'mores. After it got dark we attempted to go to sleep. My oldest daughter fell right asleep (she had a softball game earlier that day and was up late the previous night so nothing bothered her!) My littlest two were hopping and jumping all over the place and could not settle in. My husband was hot and couldn't sleep anyway.

Finally....at about 11 p.m. we decided to cut our losses and pack it up. We loaded up the car and went home. The kids all fell asleep immediately as we left the campground site....and we had a peaceful 2 hour drive home! (good idea # 1)

Next time, I am going to let my husband go with my son! The girls will stay home!

******

Here is a cute little gift tin I created yesterday before the trip. I used the fun hinged window tins from Gina K's site and her Baskets of Happiness set that I love so much to create the belly band for the tin.

I used my Nestability dies to frame the image and create the belly band focal point. I traced the paper to fit the bottom of the tin and the top of the lid. I stamped the "Thanks" sentiment from the Spring Blooms set all around the lid. I adhered the chocolate grosgrain ribbon around the edge of the lid using Scor- Tape (Scor-Pal).

Materials used: Stamps: Baskets of Happiness, Spring Blooms (Gina K Designs); hinged tin (Gina K Designs); ink-black, choc chip (Stampin' Up!); cardstock-white, chocolate chip (SU!); designer paper (My Mind's Eye); Prismacolor Pencils; Copic markers; Cuttlebug (Provocraft) and Nestability dies (Spellbinders); hemp (SU!); silver eyelets (SU!); Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal); Cropadile; Sakura stardust gellyroll pen; Dimensionals (SU!); silver tag (Hallmark).

Hope you created some wonderful (or at least "funny-when-you-look-back-at-them") memories this Mother's Day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Me thinks I've Been Had.....

It seemed like an easy enough challenge---use the adorable Hey There Cupcake set by Stampendous and the fabulous Cupcake Basic Grey paper and make a card.

**Stamps and paper available at Stamper's Dream store. (Check out lots of other fun stuff at Michelle's store including--May Arts ribbon, Inkadinkado, Stickles, My Favorite Things, Gina K, Northwoods, a muse, Hero Arts, Bind-it-All, Penny Black, Tim Holtz, Wordsworth and much more...)

Seemed easy.........until I tell you WHO initiated the challenge---two dirty girls whom I greatly admire--Tosh and Laurie. Yep---totally outranked..oh well...it sure was fun to play with these stamps though (Thanks Tosh!).

Check out their blog links above to see what they created for this triple challenge!

Here is my card:

I stamped the cupcake image and colored it. The frosting was stamped and cut out. I put it on foam tape for some added dimension. The cherry is covered in red stickles and I added some Sakura stardust gellyroll pen to the icing. I finished the card by adding some beautiful May Arts sheer ribbon.

I used my new Ranger white gel pen to connect the faux stitching and on the top I added the tab punch/circle punch design that I so often do. I just love these adorable stamps--the sets comes with TONS of different cupcake options AND sentiment options. Fun stuff!

Here is a close up of the cupcake:


You can see the icing is popped up and I popped up the Nestability layers too.

Materials used: Hey There Cupcake clear stamp set (Stampendous); white cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Designer paper-Cupcake (Basic Grey); brilliance black ink; Copic Markers; Sakura Stardust gellyroll pen; red stickles; Cuttlebug (Provocraft) and Nestability dies (Spellbinders); ribbon (May Arts); silver cord (Stampin' Up); small oval punch, small circle punch (Stampin' Up!); Ranger white gel pen; paper piercing tool and mat pack (Stampin' Up!); dimensionals (SU!).

Thanks for the challenge, girls. I can't wait to see what your creative minds came up with!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mother's Day Gifts (NOT!) and an Owl

It is Mother's Day this Sunday and my youngest two had their last day of school for the week today so I knew they would have their usual handmade treasures for me. Lauren (almost 3) gave me her hand print laminated picture right away. She kept the bookmark for herself.

Ben (5) carefully cradled his backpack all the way home (because the gift he made me was inside.) After we came home and had a snack, my son left the kitchen for a bit and came back with an hand full of Hershey kisses and gave us each one.

Mom: "Ben, where did you get this candy?"
Ben: "At school because we were good." (Seemed logical enough as they often get little treats or prizes at the end of the week.)

Then I went into the front playroom and saw this:

Ben's class made their mom's a painted pot filled with Hershey kisses and a pen that had their hand prints on them. Although I never saw the beautiful presentation, I did get the beautiful pot and pen....and I did get one kiss (out of about 25 estimated from all the wrappers found around the house.)

I guess he got my sweet tooth.

I did get a card made today while the kiddos were at school creating gifts they never intended to give me! (snicker!) I love this owl. I have created a few cards with this set from Gina K called Owl Always Love You but cannot post them so I created this one just to post!

The inside of the card says "Congratulations on your new nest."

The image is colored with Copics, Prismacolor pencils, odorless mineral spirits and I used some crystal stickles on the flowers.

Materials used: Stamps-Owl Always Love You (Gina K Designs); cardstock-white, designer paper-Stampin' Up!; slit punch (SU!); Cuttlebug and Nestability dies (Spellbinders); ribbon (May Arts); silver brads (SU!); Copic markers; Prismacolor pencils; Odorless Mineral Spirits; Crystal stickles; corner rounder punch (Creative memories); dimensionals (SU!).

Thanks for stopping by!

MFT Blog Candy Winner!!!!

Random.Cara chose number 270. Congratulations to Mary Ann K who wrote "Congrats to you on your anniversary at MFT! I think one of my favorite things is living on a lake and the neverending wildlife that comes to visit. I enjoy your blog daily."

Congrats Mary Ann. Please email me your snail mail address so I can get those out to you.

Thanks to everyone for your sweet comments and for playing along!

Happy Birthday Dimensional card

As always, the My Favorite Things release party was so much fun. If you have never been to one--you are missing out!!!

The three new sets are now available on the MFT site.

If you missed the par-tay, you can still play along to become the next My Favorite Guest Designer. You can find all the details here.

Here is another card I created with the new set called "Gone to the Dogs." I also used You Take the Cake (sentiment) and Let's go for a Walk (the circles in the background).

These sets work so well together and so this card came together in a flash. The lady and dog were stamped and colored. I cut them both out and layered them on the cardstock because I wanted to use the silver cording for the leash. I simply adhered the lady down and left her hand up in the air (until I had the cording situated.) I popped the pup up on dimensionals.

Here is a picture of the image close up--so you can see more of the dimension!

Materials used: Stamps-Gone to the Dogs, You Take the Cake, Let's Go for a Walk (My Favorite Things); cardstock-white, red, celery, pumpkin pie (Stampin' Up!); ink-brilliant black, Classic red stamp pad (Stampin' Up!); slit punch (SU!); Copic markers; Prismacolor pencils; photo corner punch (SU!); hardware (We R Memory Keepers); Paper Piercing tool (SU!); gingham ribbon (SU!); celery ribbon (SU!), Odorless mineral spirits; Circle scalloped punch and circle punches (SU!); dimensionals (SU!).

Random.Cara will pick the winner of the HUGE blog candy tomorrow (Thursday) morning!

Thanks for stopping by!

Circle Card-From All of Us!

This circle card features another one of the new My Favorite Things releases called "Gone to the Dogs." This set includes TONS of dog stamps along with a dog walking lady.

I thought it would be fun to use lots of the dog images for a fun birthday card. I masked the large dog in the center after stamping it and then stamped the other dogs around it. I used the large bone stamp from the other new release "Friends Furever" on the top of the card.

Both sets will be available Wednesday night after the new release party on Splitcoaststampers from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time (8-10 p.m. Central time).


Materials used: Stamps-Friends Furever, Gone to the Dogs, Let's Take a Walk, You Take the Cake (My Favorite Things); cardstock-bannana, white, mustard, choc chip (Stampin' Up!); ink-brilliance black; Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils; hemp; choc raffia; paper piercing tool; Cuttlebug and Nestability dies (Spellbinder); Creative memories cutting system; dimensionals (Stampin' Up!).

***There is still time to enter to win ALL THREE NEW RELEASES here!

Thanks for stopping by!

Goin Places?--Don't lose your bag!!!

Here is my MFTeaser of the day---a luggage tag! One of the new sets that will be released by My Favorite Things on Wednesday night is a set called "Goin Places." It has very cute images and I thought it would be a fun idea to create a luggage tag with some of them.

One side displays the fun travel girl (making your bag so easy to spot in baggage claim!). The other side the name and contact information - in case the luggage is lost.

I found these luggage tags at my local craft store. They are made by Xyron but you do not need a machine to make one. There are 5 tags in the pack and they cost $3.99. It is just a peel and stick tag but the image is fully protected with plastic.

Materials used: Stamps-Goin PLaces (My Favorite Things); ink-black, olive, bashful blue (Stampin' Up!); white cardstock; Copic markers; Prismacolor pencils; Xyron luggage tags; ribbon (Stampin' Up!).

***Don't forget to enter to win all three new releases from My Favorite Things. Details here!

My Favorite Things (http://www.mftstamps.com/) is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, May 7 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. Lots of fun is planned including finding out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. Head over to the MFT forum on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ to find out all the details and we hope to see you there on Wednesday night.

Thanks for stopping by!

More Pictures-Arlington Stamp Day

More Arlington Stamp day pictures! (I messed up my first post when I tried to include so many......so here are some more pictures!)

Deb, Me and Laura: Carole and Me (Yes, we are friends!):

Me and Kendra:

Me and Bev:

Wow...these ladies are just amazing! What wonderful people!

Arlington Stamp Day Pictures

As promised, here are some pictures from the Arlington swap day this past weekend. It was so much fun meeting so many people I know from blogging and SCS. Despite our delayed flight on Friday night (we didn't get to our hotel until 1 a.m!) it was totally worth the trip!

Here is the whole group:

Laura, Emily, Jenn, Sharon:

Melanie and Me:

Kim (My Favorite Things stamps) and Me:

Jessie and Me:

Jenn, Jen and Alma (The Cat's Pajamas):

Thanks for the GREAT time! Stamper's are wonderful people!