New baby coming card...and a challenge at Paper Popsicles

One of my husband's co-workers is having a baby, and is taking her leave starting now. So I thought I'd make up a card for her and her hubby, and this quote from Erma Bombeck is timeless! I think they'll have this sense of humor! I hope so, when you start a family it becomes a necessity. This also works for a challenge over at Paper Popsicles I think.

More Blog candy arrived...

I just received today some more blog candy I won. It's the SU INk & More Inkies that I won at Scrap-Creations1 a couple weeks ago. Aren't these little stamps adorable. I can't hardly wait to use them. Soon I hope to show some cards I've made with them.

La La Land Crafts blog candy

OK, there's another cute stamp and YUMMY misc blog candy available until Aug 5 at the new store and you can get all the information at http://lalalandcrafts.blogspot.com/. I'd love to win this little cow to add to my animal collection, and there are plenty of other goodies too!. So cute!

Freebie Fridays in August

Don't you just love freebie images? Well, I certainly do. And starting in August, for the whole month, on Fridays you can get a freebie image by Cheeky Radish from Paper Popsicles. Now you love free, right?? The new digital stamp image will be posted on the blog and to get it for FREE you have to head to the Paper Popsicles store, go to the Digital Designs category and order it. Now, just to make this EVEN better if you post our Freebie Friday information on your blog you will be entered to win a nice big surprise package of goodies! You need to post on your blog the information about the Freebie Friday in August and link to their blog. You need to become a follower of their blog and put a Paper Popsicles blinkie in your favorites places. Simple. And Free.

Mailman arrived and guess what?!

I just got my blog candy wins from Stamped Smiles and boy was Vicki quick! I just won this on July 26! Besides the two new cutie kids stamps, I got some stamped images that are on my "wish list". And some flowers, clay chalk ink, some rubons and sticky alphabets and some cutie buttons! I'm happy today! So thanks so much Vicki, especially for the images and promptness! Wow!

Just a couple cards...

This first image with the ropes is for a friend who just received some really horrific news recently and he called to chat. I so want him to feel better today! He's a sweetheart.

**edited**
had to remove a card - shouldn't have posted it until after the Challenge at Simply Sassy Designs - It will be back shortly!

This third one, mostly purple, is for a birthday challenge at the Little Paper Shop. I used the stamps from Floral Frenzy added to the background paper and then some embossing to make some of them pop. The sentiment is from one of the Stamps and Smiles sets, Carl the Cupcake I thinnk.






The bee is from an image from Simply Sassy Designs and it's for a friend who's recovering after being in the hospital 3 times in 3 weeks. He's had it kinda rough and I've been sending him some cards to hopefully cheer him up a little.

Hope you enjoy these, I've been working on some others, but they aren't complete yet.

Happy Sunday!

Here's another card using a new image from Simply Sassy Design Studio! I really like this one, and the one I used last time, and the one before that!

Can you tell I like these images?!

Go on over to the store and check them out. The Creative Team is making new images all the time, I can hardly keep up with them. I thought with the Grand Opening over that they might take today off - but noooo! They've been busy working still loading up the store!

Simply Sassy Designs Grand Opening

Hey everyone, did you get a chance to drop by the Grand Opening and participate in some of the challenges and things? I hope so. There is still some time left to join in too.

But for all those who did come over and join in, Sassy has a special for you. To those who participated and joined in - Sassy has a gift certificate. You must have been registered during the Grand Opening, and get registered at the store also. To everyone who joined the Simply Sassy group, she wants you to contact her at http:/www.simplysassydesignstudio.com and she'll get it right to you. Just a TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION and as a Welcome to you!

We hope you had a good time at our event, enjoyed seeing all the new stamps and images (more will be coming practically daily), getting to chat and meet some of the team members, and that you will come back.

Let us know, give us some feedback either through the Design Team Members or directly to the Simply Sassy Designs site. We want this to be a favorite place to shop! We want to know what you liked, didn't like, want to see more of, or whatever. Communication is a great thing ya know!
Thanks again for checking us out!

Simply Sassy Design Grand Opening!!

Here's just a few of the "party" images available.

We're getting close to halfway through the Grand Opening at Simply Sassy Designs - come check things out! Here's a couple of the cards I put online last night and/or in the wee hours!

Go check some of the other artwork being shown, AND check the challenges too!

My fav card for the Grand Opening!

Happy Grand Opening Day at Simply Sassy Designs.
Here is a new card I made for this opening. It's my Michael Jackson tribute.
The first time I saw this little bear, this is what I thought of - or the image of Michael in this pose, so naturally I had to complete the card.
I love it! I had thought of putting a few song titles around the background, then decided that might be way too busy. I prefer the simple cards best. I think everyone can see "Michael" in this card, down to his glitter glove!

So let me know what you think of him. This stamp is available at the Simply Sassy Shoppe. I'm sure there are tons of other uses for him also. Just think about it, and then go get one of your own!

Simply Sassy Designs Grand Opening!!

Good Evening everyone.
I am SO excited to tell you that I am a member of Simply Sassy Design Studios Design Team and we are having our Grand Opening Party at midnight July 24th and into July 25th on the Ning Network of Card Universe (http://snrcardiverse.ning.com/) from Friday Midnight to Saturday Midnight.
There will be prizes, gift certificates and all sorts of goodies! Make sure you RSVP for our Challenges, Contests and so much more.
The first 10 people to RSVP will receive a free image of their choice!!
Be sure and swing by the Store and check it out... and during the rest of July you can get 25% off your purchase with the coupon code: fireworks4u
Hope to see you at the party.

Laura's joke... and Whachadoin Wednesday #49

My girlfriend Laura sent me this joke yesterday, and I couldn't resist.
I have a set of stamps with the pigs on it from DRS Designs, and this seemed to fit perfectly!
And of course, a turkey would rather you eat Pork, so he has to be in there!
Whachadoin' Wednesday Challenge #49 is also looking for something different in a birthday card, and I think this just might work too, for someone with a great sense of humor!

Fred She Said Challenge

Here's the card I made for the Fred She Said Challenge ending 7-27-09. I wanted to do a very basic simple card. I think the black helped the image Pop! And I love the ribbon which is green and yellow and I wish I had a ton more of it! It goes so well with flowers.

I don't know if I stand a chance against all the others, but hey, it was fun, it's a freebie image, and I like it!

Challenge - Blog candy too

Well, at Crystal's Crafty Creations there is blog candy up, but there is a twist. She wants to see a celebration card of some type. So... since I needed a congrats card anyway, I went right to it! Hopefully this will work (and I can win some blog candy!) We'll find out on July 31!

Oh what I got in the mail....

Well, hubby is on vacation and he and I finally got a chance to go and see the new Harry Potter movie (which we thoroughly enjoyed) and when we got home I checked the mail (assuming it would just be the bills from my shoulder surgery like I've been getting for the past two weeks) and Guess What?!! There was a surprise in my mailbox!

I got a package from Nikki (remember I sent her a belated birthday card that she liked and chose). Well she sent me these items! Wasn't that sweet! I'm not great at taking photos, but what isn't showing well is some pop-dots and some small bags and the bag of sparkles called Center Kisses is mostly flipped over, and that tube is a pink paislee pixie stix! I'm a happy Stamper today!! Thanks Nikki!

Another Challenge Entry

Here's an entry into CPS125 Challenge. I love Just Rite Stamps, and that's the prize this week! I had to enter! I'm getting to like these challenges! I was rather disappointed in the oval, as it's a vellum with ferns on it, but I couldn't get it to show up very well. In person it's cute! Honest.

Simply Sassy Designs is having a Grand Opening!

Hello everyone.
I want to let you know about a new store opening.
It's called Simply Sassy Design Studio, and I am a proud member of their Design Team.

We are having a Grand Opening Party on July 24 on the Ning Network of Card Universe (http://snrcardiverse.ning.com) There will be prizes and all sorts of goodies!

RSVP for our Challenges, Contests and so much more, and win yourself a $10.00 Gift Certificate for some Simply Sassy Creations!!! If you've been following my blog, you've seen a few of those creations over the past few weeks. I've also entered a few challenges using some of them as well!

Now here's something that Sassy just let us know, the first 10 people who register will get an image of their choice from Simply Sassy!!

And, don’t forget for the Month of July you can get 25% off your purchase with the coupon code: fireworks4u

Blog candy and new store

There is a new stamp company getting ready to open, and they have some blog candy! I just found out about this new store, and find it very interesting. Check out La-La Land (http://lalalandcrafts.com/) and see the new candy that's available on July 22nd. There is already a sneak peak up and more to come on that date. The store is set to open at the end of August with a release of 12 stamps! Go see what Irina has planned.

Sketch Saturday #60

Here's my entry for Sketch Saturday #60. This challenge just started today, so there's plenty of time to join in!

I used a new stamp from Simply Sassy Designs (the Crooner) and the paper is from Me & My Big Ideas pack. I love this little bear, he's so cute! And I'm not sure why, but he simply reminded me of Frank Sinatra and how he used to dip the microphone!
I remember from movies and such how the ladies used to call his name when he sang, so I just wrote that in! Enjoy!

More candy can be found...

July 18 blog candy - YUMMY and it closes quick!

And more candy can be found here! This one stays until Julyu 31!

Whimsie Doodle challenge WDS01

I found out about this challenge and just had to participate. I love Whimsie Doodle images. Alas, I don't own any YET, but could win a couple with this challenge, and I would love that!
So... I dusted off the one freebie I had and decided to join in. It was fun, and as I said, their images are so easy and cute! Check it out.
This is their first challenge, but I'm sure there will be more to come!

Another challenge attempt!

Stamped Smiles has a blog candy up with a challenge - DRS challenge that is! So I decided to try my hand at making this Bagged Challenge DRSC25.
I kept it very simple and straight forward! With pigtails, kinda anyway! Oh well, it's the gift inside that counts, right?!

Keeping in touch card...

Just a cute little card I'm sending my youngest son, to stay in touch.

Plus, he likes Budweiser Beer!

He'll like it I think!

Plus this works for a candy challenge at My Bucket Overfloweth too!

Some more news!

Just wanted to let you know that there will be more postings coming up really soon!
I believe I've mentioned that I am now a member of the Design Team for SimplySassy Designs and there is some news humming along in the background of some exciting events that are happening pretty quickly!
But shhhhh, I can't say more just yet.

Another challenge another card...

Well, I just found out about the challenge at CCEEC and this one was so cute (CNFS Fooprints27) that I had to enter. I made up this cute little card with some images from Simply Sassy Design and added in the sentiment about WHY things always seem to taste like chicken and included the little footprints for it to climb in the pot! It's a simple card, and I have a friend who eats venison and always teases me because I don't like the taste, so I think I may send this card to her!

A card for Sis-in-law...

My sister-in-law is getting this card for her birthday this week.
I hope she likes it. I think no matter what age, everyone should have one of these "May all your wishes" cards.

This card also complies, I think, with a challenge TSSC78 for the Monday Lunchtime Sketch.

I used a couple of images from a new shop called Simply Sassy, of which I am a member of the Design Team! You can check them out Here!

They are having a Grand Opening really soon! Check them out!

Some older Blog Candy Wins that ....

I failed to write about. I'm sorry it has taken me so long to do so.
I was looking back through this blog, and there are many Blog Candy wins missing! I guess I got caught up in it all, and in making more cards, and fail to let my fellow bloggers know! And That's Awful.
It's also bad for those wonderful Blogs/companies who offered the candy in the first place. I do so appreciate winning blog candy, as I'm sure other do too, and I feel it's only appropriate to mention it on my blog as well as it being announced on the blog candy site. So... to remedy some of that, I'll try and catch up most of them.

In May (yes, shameful isn't it) I won from stampsandsmilesstore@yahoo.com a Carl the Cupcake stamp. Then I also won a wonderful assortment of items from stampedbyanangel@aol.com.
At the end of May I won a collection of papers from http://www.moxiefabworld.com/ , and from http://littlepapershop.blogspot.com/ I won the new stamp set Flower Frenzy.
In early June, I won some Smooch Sugarberry ink and a Yellow Daisy Glimmer Mist (a few other items were included) from http://whoopsiedaisy-jane.blogspot.com/ .

And from http://www.clearandsimplestamps.com/ I won a 3 piece limited edition Breast Cancer stamp set (and they generously gave me another set to donate to a local Oncology Clinic for a fundraiser project!) Then in late June, I won from http://melaniemuenchinger.blogspot.com/ a choice of stamps, and I chose the Sporty Accessories Set.

And finally, at the end of June, I also won from http://doodlepalace.blogspot.com/ 4 stamps of my choice and a variety of items, including a Nestibilities Scalloped Heart set.

Whew! I know, I have won a lot of blog candy, and I thank each and every blogger for that.
I hadn't realized it was that much. But I had kept a separate list, just for this reason in case something kept me from announcing it on my blog too!

I've been stamping for less than a year, and been unemployed that whole time, so I didn't have much to use, just the will and drive to make cards. I want all these bloggers to know how very much I've appreciated their generosity. I've now started doing some candies on my own and hope to increase that - not nearly as large as a lot I've seen, but hopefully something to help encourage others to continue to do the same and benefit other new crafters.

Thanks for listening to this whole thing, and again, thanks to all the wonderful bloggers out there who offer blog candy unreservedly. You've been a tremendous help to me in getting started doing this hobby I love, you cannot know how much it is appreciated!

The 99 Things list...

Have you seen this? It's the 99 things list and I saw it from a fellow bloggers list. Seems it may be connected to blog candy from Sue's Krafty Cards Here!

I've not done much I guess, judging by this list. Some I'm sure you wouldn't want to know about (like the karaoke one!). But judging myself - I've done a lot! NOT a lot on this list! Mine would be a more mundane list I'm sure.

My list would contain things like: swam in the muddy old river, climbed a tree, had a Christmas Open House every year for over 17 years!, raised two normal healthy loving sons!, call my Mom faithfully nearly every week, keep in touch with friends - old & new, sang in church every Sunday, visited older relatives, you know.... all those regular type things. But those are my kind of things. I had a son walk the Great Wall of China, and another son who has published a book. My husband has met and interviewed many Celebrity type people. Those things are great too, just not my kind of list.

But come along for the adventure of seeing how you stack up! Actually there is no comparision - just a simple statement of fact.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/World/Disneyland Paris
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Made a Snow Angel
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Stood in the rim of the Grand Canyon
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an erupting volcano in person
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Cookies for charity
62. Gone whale watching
63. Been given flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy
70. Visited Buckinham Palace
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt or blanket
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Been to the top of the Empire State Building
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Cuttlebug? Anyone?

Wow! You could be the winner of $1,000 in the Cuttlebug Spot contest currently going on! They are trying to reach 1000 members/followers before the end of July - can they do it?! Well, they are having a random draw with this big prize if they do! They already reached 500! So go Here and sign up to follow - You never know who will be the random one chosen! It could be you! And even if not you, you will be following a great site with tons on information on Cuttlebugs!

Yummy candy here...

Stamp with Ann has some Yummy SU blog candy through July 17! Check it out.

Card for a challenge...

** Edited: Guess what? I won!
Nikki liked my card (so I'm sending it to her, a little late of course!) I just found out this morning, and that started my day off just right!

Well, there was a challenge issued at Smells Like Homemade and I am the person for the challenge. Here's my simple birthday card for Nikki! Happy Birthday! Celebrate it any way you can!

Blog candy sighting...

This is some blog candy available until 8-4 from
Crafty Goings On ! There are 72 of them! I've signed up to win! (see, I don't have any of these yet, and would love to start using them!) So I really don't want you to win. I want to win! But go ahead, check them out!

Winner of MY Blog Candy

The mail arrived yesterday, and no new card for this contest (sorry, the ones from relatives didn't count!) So I'll get right to it. The winner of my blog candy is...
Chris Domino of Michigan.
Chris, I'll get your package in the mail on Monday, as I have your address already from the card. Congrats, and thanks for the lovely card you sent to me. I LOVED the inside sentiment, "anything silly is worth doing well!"

Thanks to all the wonderful readers who sent cards for this contest. I appreciate them all so much. Some fantastic cards came my way! I didn't receive as many as I had hoped for, but the ones I did get are great! I also won't drag out the next blog candy as long either!

There will be more candy done at a little later date. I've also learned that even smaller candies are fun to win! I've won a few recently also. So I'll definitely be doing some more candy, and maybe another with a twist - you never know, check back often. They will definitely not be of long duration!

Caardvarks Challenge

Here's a window card I made for the Caardvarks Challenge on my birthday! The window cutout is a little rough, I'd liked to have fixed it, but it just kept getting worse, so I stopped. The window was going to outgrow the scene I had placed inside! But I tried. And that's the whole idea.

My Blog CANDY drawing is coming soon...

** Edited CLOSED - see new post for winner.
**Edited: Just 1 days left for me to receive your card snail mailed to me to enter for my candy!! I have added a few items that aren't shown also.
Birthday BLOG CANDY!! *
My birthday is coming up on July 3, so I thought July 4 was a perfect time for Blog Candy.
FOR Entry: each handmade card snail mailed to me is an entry into my BLOG CANDY Drawing, the actual entry is by receiving the snail mailed card.
I am using blog candy as an incentive for receiving snail mailed cards (ANY CARDS, not just birthday). The end date for receiving the cards is JULY 3, so you have a couple months to get them mailed. Once a card is received, from the return address on the envelope, I'll place that name in an excel list and then randomly announce a winner on JULY 4. Each separately mailed and received card is an entry. More than one entry IS allowed, but only one entry per envelope. (not responsible for items lost in mail!)
Any card. Any style or size, or theme. No restriction or guidelines except that it must be snail mailed to me (and received) to be entered for the blog candy. Email me through the profile to get my mailing address.
This post will stay on top until July 4.
*Over 30 stamped images on white cardstock; Several punched borders on white cardstock;
3 pkg various stickers from Michaels; Various lengths of ribbons/rickrack/sequin strips; 4 Pkgs of Stamps (3 Christmas ones);
Small bag of buttons/embellishments. More may be added.