Belated Happy Birthday to ...

My new llttle friend, Nikkinix
(her blog is: My Pretty Little Things To Cut) and I failed to wish her a Happy Birthday in time.

Sorry - Hope it was a fantastic day spent celebrating YOU!

She also has some blog candy running - (a best friends forevah stamp from Stamping Bella) so get over there and check it out!!

Sky work...

Gretchen Barron at Inspiration in Action has blog candy up for grabs (til Sept 6) for following her instructions on working on sky. I'm up for it. Here's my card.

I love this little Dustin Pike freebie image! The inside says, "and flying a kite is a Season of Joy!"

Another new Challenge at

Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle Saturday!

Week 3's winner is: Crystal Irwin! Congrats. Crystal's picture, and her card are both listed on the website today! Go check out her fantastic card.

Then, it's time for you to join in the fun.

This time it's a sketch. And here is my card.

The image was sent to me by a friend, so I'm not sure about where it came from exactly, but I love it. I just used basic cardstock for the card and the backgrounds. I added two tiny MStewart ribbons at the top (these are premade and sold as wedding accessories - and I got them on clearance for less than $1.00 a pack of 30!), and the sentiment was computer generated.

It never hurts to have a few of these simple basic cards in your stash.

Although I usually make a card for something specific, when doing these challenges I try to make something to "have on hand." I hate having to rush when I need a card and this helps me keep a few basics around.

I hope you find time this week to come join in our challenges! The link is on the right, and it's open to everyone - and, there is a prize!! I'll be looking forward to seeing what you can come up with!

CAS Birthday Card for challenge

DRS Designs Challenge #28 is what I made this very basic card for.

Of Course, I added a little bit of bling, but not much. Still could be suitable for a guy. But I need some basic cards in my stash and thought this is a perfect opportunity. I love the stripes, but for me, they are going the wrong way! (sorry - that's for the clothing designers out there who never learn how to run the stripes!).

Anywhoo, I think it's a good little card, I'm happy with it!

SUink Coordinations Challenge

Here's a little card I made for the SUINKWWC54 Challenge at Storage Units Ink and More! These papers reminded me of the inspiration photo, and so I just decided rather than stamp, just to make a cake with the papers! Really simple. The second tier is special because it's the Cancer Awareness papers! I coated that tier with Glossy Accents.

Cute and simple.

First Holiday card...

CAS - clean and simple.

Here's my first card for the holidays.

I was checking Moxie Fab World, and found this challenge, so I thought I'd include my first card.

I was sent these little birds (Perfectly Clear Stamps) by a friend, and I think they are soooo cute. I had to find a way to use them.

And, I had a bunch of cardstock already folded to this small size! Plus, a chance to win prizes, Yea, I'm all for it!! Count me in!

So Happy Holidays, everyone!~

Challenge Week #53

Here's a card I made for Challenge Week #53 at Storage Units, Ink and More. It's back to school time!
These images are from a recent blog candy win at SUINK and I thought now was a good time to use them! I'll give this card to my brother's grandson who is starting 1st grade this year! I think he'll like it.

Another win!

I won some SU Blog candy - this was from Chercroppin' Stamp Pad. I only had 1 previous stamp from SU, and so this is fantastic! One bad thing - for me - is that I'm loving the stamp pad!!

Now I want lots of them in different colors! And I can't afford them. So.... guess it goes on the wish list! And this catalog, if my husband only knew the items I'm circling in here! Thanks Cheryl, it's a lovely prize, and it arrived so quick!!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge entry...

and TSG17- Birthday Card!
I made a challenge card for My Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge #1, and it works for TSG17 also.
I love this image that Boni gave me and I use it, a lot! One of my very favorites. The challenge was to make a card that has some sort of food or drink theme, not necessarily religious. And I've been thinkin' on this all week, and finally decided to go with my first thought of image, this cupcake stand! Like with Christ, there is enough to share! Links must be posted by August 29. Come join in. There is a great prize this week too, a stamp set from Our Daily Bread Designs!
This card also works for the TSG17- Birthday Card at There She Goes! It's their week long Birthday Bash Week, and a chance for some nice prizes. And how simple is this - just a birthday card!

Monochromatic Card Challenge!

Hey, it's time again for another Stamp Scrap and Doodle Saturday Challenge, and here is the card I made for this upcoming week. You have until next Friday to get one posted, so check it out! The links are on the right! It's a lot of fun, and there is a prize!

A new digital design store, Digital Ink Co., is holding its Grand Opening on August 24, 2009. I've been told (and have seen some previews, shhh...) that the designs are some of the cutest you have seen and they are having tons of discounts, specials and freebies the week of Grand Opening - so mark your calendar. AND...
They are having a Design Team Call.
This is their first Design Team call and they are looking for - crafters/stampers/artists who are wanting to get in on the ground floor of a new venture. They are also looking for tried and true crafters who have experience working on a team and are cohesive team thinkers!Head on over to the new challenge blog and check out all the details!

I won some Fantastic Blog Candy!

***Edited: Well, this package arrived today and I'm so happy! More stamps than I thought were included (but it's bare rubber which I knew, and I need more backing! - so I'll have to wait a few days) What Fun I'll have then!

I just found out that I won the biggie prize at the ALOTA Rubber Stamps Blog Hop. I am so thrilled. It includes 14 new stamps and a Spellbinder Dahlia Nestibility. I can hardly wait to play!

2 new posts tonight...

This first card is for a challenge at the Blog Hop for The Digi Shack (love that this store has my initials!). And I do Love their images! And this could get me all their new releases, wouldn't that be great - Well it would for me!!

And this second card is for some friends who just celebrated their 33rd Anniversary!
Congrats Jeff & Sharon!

SSDS Challenge Week 2

Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle Saturdays Challenge #2

This time it's ALL ABOUT A BOY/MAN. So get creating and get in the drawing for a prize. You can do whatever you want....as long as it is boy/man themed!!! Use Mister Linky to link directly to your creation by 10pm (EST) next Friday to be in for the drawing!

Here's the card I made!

Challenge card - ssnotime100

Here's the simple card I made for Sharon at No Time to Stamp? Celebrating the 100 challenges they've done so far! I thought I'd make this a little girly with the pink and all, but then finish off with a BANG! Just like every good party!

Congrats!

Bad me - didn't post my card like I should have...

Well, guess what?! I was supposed to have posted sometime this week the card I made for the new Challenge Stamps Scraps and Doodles Saturday challenge. Well, since it was on the new Challenge blog, I didn't. Bad me! So, in case you didn't see it there, here it is.

I promise to get the next one up real soon! It's done, and I won't wait all week to post it.

New Challenge Blog!

NEW CHALLENGE BLOG FIRST WEEK ENDS TOMORROW!!!!
We are still very new - so the chance to win some candy is EXCELLENT!
Come on, join in the fun. HERE

Go to Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Saturday Challenge. Aug 7 -
until 10 pm Aug 14th.
Everyone is welcome to join and eligible to win prizes.
Please be sure to join the blog as a follower and use the Mr. Linky feature to link us directly to your creations. We can hardly wait to see your projects!
This first challenge is to use 2 buttons, 2 ribbons, 2 designer papers, and 2 layers.
It's that simple. Go on, you know you want to. You have until 10 pm tonight! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

PMSSC01 - another challenge card

Hey, I've made another card for the challenge over at GOT PMS? and it's a good one!

My Mom will love it, don't cha think?
Goes in the mail to her tomorrow!

Go here to participate in PMSSC01:

http://gotpms.blogspot.com/

new look - well maybe

I want a new look. So... I'm hoping to win it! Check this out. Tinker & Co. has some lovely blog skins to revamp your space. The collections come complete with blog skin, banner, blog button and signature. All codes will be written and a help file will also be provided with a help file, where everything is explained and instructions on how to install. Tinker Skins are reasonably priced at just £14.99 and $25.00 through etsy.
As a birthday special they are offering one blog follower the chance to win a blog makeover. Just post one of our skins (see Tinker & Co for more) on your blog and write a little bit about our new service on your blog. then leave me a comment. Winner will be chosen at random, on the 15th September. I hope they call me - I want a new skin!!

New Challenge Blog out there... GOT PMS?

I just found out about this new Challenge Blog called: GOT PMS? and you should check it out here: http://gotpms.blogspot.com
It has a beginning sketch challenge by Micki Harper, and you may use any stamp or digi image of your choice; You may use any product and/or embellishments of your choice; You may use any color combination of your choice. Easy Peasy!
Enter as often as you would like. There will be a prize, but it's unknown at this time. Deadline is: Noon, 9-19-09.

Here's my entry for Sketch Challenge PMSSC01!

Sympathy cards - and some blog candy?

Doesn't seem like those two words, sympathy and candy go together, does it.
But... go check out http://jesskittelson.blogspot.com/2009/08/comfort-military-spouse-and-win-some.html and you will more fully understand.

I spent a fair amount of time today just making up a few sympathy cards. Not exactly a fun task, but in a way, it was nice. I personally was very disappointed in our government for "taking a moment of silence out of respect for Michael Jackson" but they don't find the same kind of time and courtesy is necessary for a fallen soldier, or not even a bunch of fallen soldiers. Yea, I understand they can't do that for every single one (well, they could but won't). And, don't get me wrong, I'm glad they did this for Michael and his family, and I love Michael's music, and I was so sorry at his death, but something in the news just a day or so later, really ticked me off that they don't seem to hold the same respect for our own military. So when I saw this opportunity for me to personally contribute.... well I jumped at it.

I have no one in the military, so it's not like this is a personal crusade for me, but I think it's just a matter of knowing/doing what's right. And our governmental leaders DO NOT.







The black card is very hard to read here, but not as hard to read in person. It's embossed, but not with white - just clear and then I added some chalk to it.

Resigned from Simply Sassy Design Studio

With regret and due to some unforeseen circumstances, I have resigned my Design Team membership in Simply Sassy Design Studio. I enjoyed working with all the DT members and it was a great learning experience for me! It gave me the confidence to enter more challenges and I am grateful for that experience.
I really appreciated all the comments both in my own blog and the SSD blog regarding my cards. This was a great bunch of ladies. I wish each and every one of them well!
You may still see a few posts of my work in upcoming challenges, but as of today, I no longer will be part of the Design Team.

Blog Candy WOWSER!

There is this lady named Steph, who may not be in her right mind, but she is giving blog candy until August 28th and the prize is a gift certificate to the store of your choice mind you, in the amount of $150.
Yep, that's what I said, $150 gift certificate to shop where you'd like.
Now, I'd love to win that prize, so I kinda don't want you to go over there and enter, but to be fair, like she has asked, I decided to share this information with you. I also think it's highly appropriate that the title of her blog is: Where'd all my money go? Confessions of a papercrafting addict! http://stephaniecastrodesigns.blogspot.com/
So, since her only requirement was to post and share this on my blog and come back and put it on Mr. Linky - that's what I'm doing - cause I want this blog candy!!
Thanks for offering it Steph; and you know, I'm not sure you have to go this big even if you are from Texas! But it is appreciated!

SSNOTIME99 Challenge

OK, I've seen this challenge a lot, and intended to try, and this is the perfect week to do it.

Simple instructions - a card for a friend with the word Friend in it!

So here's my attempt. It's for No Time to Stamp Challenge Stamp Simply#99.

I just noticed when posting this, there appears to be some bleed through or something at the top - don't know what that is.

The image is a Simply Sassy Design Studio one and it's so cute. (By the way, have you checked out their new Challenge yet?? Click on the icon on my sidebar and participate!)

This is very good, and so I took it from Lorie Ames site

But I don't think she'll mind. I hope not. I just wanted to share a blog post from (Live-Love-Laugh) and she got it from the Women to Women blog. The basic story is...what is the best "candy" you could ever receive? Go HERE to read the whole thing. Once you've done that -- go here HERE to see what blog candy there is to enter.

It's Open! The First Challenge for Simply Sassy Design Studio!

It is official - today is the first Challenge for the New Simply Sassy Design Studio Challenge Site.
And here is a cheer recipe for you to make a card or other craft project: You do not have to use a SSDS image, but we sure would like you to.

2 Buttons 2 Ribbons 2 Designer Papers 2 Layers

You have until Thursday, August 13, at 11:00 p.m. EST to enter. The winner of this challenge will be announced Friday morning, August 14th, right before we announce the next challenge.

Everyone is welcome to enter but as usual there are a few rules. In order to be in the running for the prize you must have your entry completed and directly linked using the Mr. Linky by the deadline. Please make sure that we are linked directly to your artwork -not just the blog, and finally please become a follower so that we may keep you up to date with any specials/events etc.

Please also pass the word along to others who love challenges! And not required, but please put our blinkie on your sidebar!

The winner of the challenge candy will be selected by our wonderful Design Team and will get their choice of any single digital image "free" from the store. We have the most talented, super fantabulous challenge design team EVER!! Be sure to check out their blogs and samples.

And Please Have Fun with your project or card (that's why SSDS has fun images!) and we can't wait to see what you create!!

Click on the link on my sidebar at the right and join in! Here's the card I made for the Challenge!

I love this silhouette fish! and the adorable button fish too!

Here's another card I made recently using an SSDS image: The shoe may have a higher heel than Dorothy's but when you find the right shoe, you have to go with it!

DT call, and some Blog Candy too

Heads Up! Vicki over at Stamped Smiles is letting you know about the DT call at FireCracker Designs and also she's giving some blog candy. Go check it out! She also has a tutorial!

Another card from our SSDS images!

Well, first of all, I have some news! Simply Sassy Design Studio has set up a challenge blog. You can click on the link to the right and go there and check things out!
We hope all those who enjoy challenges will come join in, and I know there are a ton of you out there - so go on over and see what we are setting up! I think you'll like it! A lot!

Now, here's another card I made for the Simply Sassy Design Studio Grand Opening, but it didn't get posted, so I thought I'd show it today.

This is a cute little chef, like all guys think they are during the summer months! Sometimes that works out well, sometimes not!
I have to admit with my hubby, it's usually pretty good. He calls my grilled cheese a burnt offering (yea, early on I did sometimes do that)! And I tease him because I like my things well done, and of course that takes someone with some skill to get it done but not burnt! Anyway, go check out some of the cute images over at http://www.simplysassydesignstudio.com/
There is still time, summer isn't over yet - although students may feel that way very soon!

Blog candy

August 15 - Blog candy Here

More necessary B-day cards...

Here's a card for our nephew's 16th Birthday. Watch out world, he can get his license now!

One of my favorite images from DRS designs. Just love this set. I had some cute african paper, so I just stamped the image in Versamark and used the White Detailed Embossing Powder.

This next card is for my Stepdad who loves to fish! I got the image from a blog candy win, and the sentiments are off the computer.

The image for this last card was another blog candy win I believe. I can't remember. But I have a friend who works for the local church, and her birthday is coming up, so I thought it was appropriate to use this card for her!