HSS 176

Hi stampers and here's the last post of 2013!  And it's been a while...I know...I know.  Hang in there with me!  Not only are we in the midst of all the holiday craziness (and we had more gatherings than normal this year it seems) but our lives are totally hectic with trying to sell our house and find a new one!  So far no luck on our house and no luck finding a new one.  Along with all the other stuff that's going on I just haven't had the time or energy to stamp or if I have one I run out of the other, lol!  Ever feel like that???  Anyway, I'm still here and hopefully I'll be picking things back up soon!  Probably just in time to pack it all up and move, right???  :-)

So, since it's Tuesday we get to ring OUT the old year and ring IN the new year with a challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  This week is an inspiration photo:

Now, I suppose you could say I used the photo pretty loosely but again, my mojo has taken Christmas break :-)  I loved the brown and pink so I went with it and I got a cameo for Christmas so I wanted to use on of the shapes I had cut out.  The birds look like a heart so the word love was perfect!

How cool is that banner?  I'm still learning the software and the machine but it's so fun!

Now, make sure to check out the rest of the inspiration from the design team and play along with us!

Happy new year and happy stamping!

HSS 157

Hi stampers and happy Tuesday!  It's time for another challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments!  And thank goodness otherwise I'm not sure I'd get to stamp at all if not for a challenge!

Geesh!  Time is seriously getting away from me with all the crazy going on and the holidays!  I thought I'd have plenty of time to stamp today...until I realized I was supposed to sub a strength class at the Y in the middle of the day.  So, I didn't get any stamping done in the morning since it takes me a while to get going (hehe) and then I needed to clean up because we are having a realtor open house tomorrow!  And then after I taught and had to do a little extra cardio on my own (hehe) by the time I got cleaned up it was time to go brave the Wal Mart for groceries!  UGH!  It was nuts and pretty much exhausted me, lol!  So, at least I finally got my card finished (I did manage to start it this morning).  The best laid plans, right???  And now tomorrow's another busy day and with having to clear out of the house and all AND I'm going to go hang out with my mom overnight and maybe do some shopping and more importantly have a baking day!  I seriously have like 6 kinds of cookies I want to make...and I don't even like cookies that much, lol!  It just sounds fun and Christmasy!  At least my step-dad and hubby should benefit ;-)  I'm not sure my mom knows what she's in for though after she had the idea and then I started looking at ideas on Pinterest.....and so then Wednesday is probably out too since I won't come home until later.  I'm pretty sure my hubby is ready to get rid of me so he can make a mess and brew some beer which is his new hobby!  Mmmmm cookies and beer, lol!

Ok, anyway you probably want to see the card, huh?  I have to say I kind of loved this sketch and the card! Yay!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Christmas tagables (photopolymer)
Paper:  Whisper white, crumb cake, old olive, cherry cobbler, season of style DSP, silver glimmer
Ink:  Old olive
Accessories:  Pop & Place tags, merry minis punch pack, houndstooth embossing folder

I'm really enjoying the tags on cards as much as actual tags!  And I had fun trying to figure out how to use that particular stamp on a card and not a tag since it's more suited to a tag.  I think it works pretty well here and makes a cute card.

Ok, so now that I've chatted your ear off, make sure to go check out the rest of the HSS teams creations!  They are all fabulous!  And don't forget to play along with us even though it's a crazy time of the year!

Happy stamping!

Fab Friday 33

Hi stampers and happy Friday!  It's time for a new challenge at Fab Friday and our last one before the new year.  We will take a little break and pick back up fresh in February.  So, this week is a sketch:

I have to say since I've been struggling with my creativity I had a hard time with this card and I don't love it.  Not at all.  BUT I got it done and it is what it is.  It looked cute as I was putting it together but once I got it all adhered it didn't work as well.  Oh well!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Christmas messages
Paper:  Crumb cake, whisper white, champaign glimmer paper, season of style DSP
Ink:  Real red, whisper white craft
Accessories:  Pennant punch (SAB), circle punch, framelits, gold baker's twine, chevron ribbon

I tried to put a few sneak peeks on here but they didn't really work out.  But there is a cute little pennant punch coming for SAB that you can get for FREE and the gold baker's twine and chevron ribbon from the occasions mini.  The baker's twine is really very vanilla-ish and not white.  Not sure how I feel about that yet.....

Anyway, I hope that you play along and like your card :-)

Happy stamping!

The dog ate my cards

....not really but it's the only good excuse I can come up with for my absence :-)  Hi stampers!  So just being honest here I have almost completely lost my stamping mojo.  Between talking about our move and getting our house ready to put on the market, the holidays and just all the other junk going on in life I haven't spent much time in my room.  Add the fact that it's FREEZING here and I really don't want to do ANY activity that's not on the couch with 15 blankets :-)

I seriously feel like I have ZERO ideas so I haven't been forcing it.  BUT for the past two nights I made myself sit down in there because one, I got SAB and occasions goodies AND we flip flopped our family and living rooms to stage the house better for showings and I HATE my new family room, lol!  It's not small and cozy and it's freaking COLD with a gigantic window that faces west!!!!  Anyway, while I made some cards I hate some of them but some of them are ok and the one I'm sharing today although I don't LOVE it I was thrilled to think of the idea.  Like it totally just popped in my head!  Which is odd right now.  I stare and stare at sketches which can usually get me going but not so much lately!  So anyway, I'm going to try to both stamp more and share more.  I think I did much better when I worked and was pressed for time since I knew if I didn't get it done when I had the time it wouldn't get done.  Now....I just say oh I'll do it later, lol!!!!

Ok, so since I got some new goodies I wanted to combine stuff from the holiday catalog and the occasions and I had the genius idea to put Santa in a polaroid!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Santa's list
Paper:  Whisper white, crumb cake, old olive, polka dot parade DSP
Ink:  Real red
Accessories:  Framelits

So last night I didn't think I liked it all that much but I like it better today I think.  And I was totally surprised when I popped the die cut out because it embosses it too!  Very cool!   But I must admit it did take me a minute to realize the die cut was stuck in the die after I cut.  I was like, where is it????  LOL! So there's a tip for that one....look IN the die, hehe!

I'm finding it really hard to figure out wether to use new mini stuff or holiday stuff!  Decisions, decisions!!!!!  So, maybe I can find more ways to combine them!!!  Ok, I'm off to the gym then hopefully home to stamp!!!

Happy stamping!

HSS 174

Hi stampers!  Happy Tuesday!  I know, I know...it's been forever but I'm TELLING you life is super crazy right now!  We have a LOT going on!  We had the holiday of course where we hosted my mom and step-dad for a few days so they kept me busy.

Right now, I'm posting from a hotel room where we are looking for possible ideas of places to live.  If I haven't mentioned it my hubby has quit his job and is in the process of looking at some options for a new one so obviously you see that I've got a good excuse, right? :-)  So....I had to rely on MDS for this week's Hand Stamped Sentiment challenge!

I love MDS for this reason!  It's totally portable so you can do projects on the fly so to speak as well as scrapbook things pretty much wherever you are!  So I came up with a cute and quick little Christmas card!

It's super simple but super cute I think!  Now, make sure to check out the HSS site and play along!

I promise to get in my stamp room this week and share (unless something ELSE crazy comes up, lol)!

And please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this stressful and crazy time!!!!!  There are lots of things going on and with the holidays it's just nuts!  ME, the Christmas freak hasn't even gotten the tree up yet!  Yeesh!  And I HATE moving with a passion so this should be fun!  I'd rather clean toilets with a toothbrush and that's saying something because I'm kind of freaked out of toilets too!  ;-)

Happy stamping!

Fab Friday 32 - Too much turkey edition

Hi stampers!  Who ate too much turkey...and everything else yesterday?  I did!  So today's post is short and the photo is un-edited!  I'll try to fix it if I get a chance but I'm about to fall asleep at the keyboard...poor planning as usual :-)  And my momma is here and has way more stuff planned for us that I was expecting, lol!  With us moving she's trying to fit all the quality time in she can and I'm ok with that!!!!  I'm so thankful for my family and friends!  I have the best!  And I'm thankful for all of you, my friends who live in my computer :-)  I've been MIA again, I know but it's been crazy here and is just getting more so with everything that's going on!  I'll try to do better and hopefully once we move I can really get focused and get in the groove!

Anyway, we have a fun and festive color challenge at Fab Friday this week!  And since it's the day after Thanksgiving it's officially the Christmas season!

And here's my card.  Again, I'll try to fix the photo later!

And I'm off to give into the food coma!  Make sure to play along once you've recovered from yours and got all your shopping done!
:-)

Happy stamping!

I'm a Christmas freak!

Hi stampers!  While this post is going live Tuesday night just to make sure everything works right, make sure you come back on the 20th for the full November Control Freaks Blog Hop!  You've probably just come from the fantabulous Jan Tink's blog!  She is one of my stampy heroes!!!  And I'm excited to be sandwiched between two freaks I know in person and had fun with at convention :-)  But don't worry if you've joined us in the middle because we make a nice endless loop so just keep clicking and you're sure to hit all the stops!

The theme for the month is my favorite!!!!!  Christmas!!!!  It's no secret that I LOVE Christmas!  However, I do wait until the day after Thanksgiving to put up my decorations...card making not so much, ha!  Along with my stamping obsession I also collect Hallmark Christmas ornaments.  It's something my dad has done all my life and it was something we did together especially after my parents got divorced, it was kind of our thing.  I'm scare to know how many we have between the two of us!  ;-)  Anyway, on to the obsession at hand...the stamping!

First up is a pretty yet I think, stunning card with the single Christmas star.  I really like the encore metallic inks!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Christmas star, Many merry messages
Paper:  Whisper white, cherry cobbler
Ink:  Cherry cobbler, gold encore
Accessories:  Neutrals glimmer brads

Next up I'm finally sharing my Christmas swap with the Freaks.  I was a bit nervous for my first swap and I hope everyone liked it!  I got some gor-jus things back!  I think I was crazy to design a card that had rounded corners....think 4 times 30 some punches!  WOW!  My hand was sore...good thing I'd gotten the punchboard because that's the corner rounder I used!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Christmas collectables, be very merry, positively chevron
Paper:  Whisper white, crumb cake, chocolate chip, old olive, cherry cobbler
Ink:  Crumb cake, old olive, cherry cobbler
Accessories:  Christmas ornament punch, circle punch, basic rhinestones, polka dots embossing folder, envelope punch board

And finally, another simple Christmas card.  I seem to be making more clean and simple designs lately as opposed to over the top things.  And the endless wishes set makes wonderful CAS cards!  For this one, I pulled out pear pizzazz, a color that I've neglected lately!  I'm editing this to add that since this set was SO uber popular it's sold out for good :(  So, if you waited to get it you've missed out.  We are all way bummed!  And now it's back to the drawing board for an upcoming class of mine!  I'm still going to use it to inspire those of you who were quick enough to scoop it up but just be aware, it's sold out :(

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:   Endless wishes
Paper:  Whisper white, real red
Ink:  Real red, pear pizzazz
Accessories:  Basic rhinestones

And there ya have it!  Now head on over to the next stop on the hop at Cindy Elam's blog!  Love her stuff and her!  We got to bond at dinner one night at convention this year :-)

Happy stamping!

Get Ready!

Hi stampers!  Quick note here to let you know that the holiday sale is starting tomorrow through December 2nd!  This is SU's version of Black Friday so you get a head start on all those crazy day-after-Thanksgiving shoppers (I may more may not be one of them ;-)).

So, make sure to check back tomorrow here and on my online store to check out the deals!  AND there are a few doorbuster's tomorrow only!  Get 30% off the:

• Stampin' trimmer
• Simply scored diagonal plate
• Many marvelous markers

Remember, that's 24 hours only tomorrow!  The other deals are good until the 2nd!

Happy stamping....and shopping ;-)

HSS 173

Hi stampers!  Happy Tuesday!  You know what that means!  It's time for another challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments!  This week we have a sketch for you!

Now let me apologize again for another crummy picture.  I think I have finally figured out the problem. So, if I get to it, I'll try to re-edit this one.   But there's a lot going on.  I guess it's probably ok to let the cat out of the bag now and tell you that we will be moving!  And not just across town!  We aren't sure exactly where yet but my wonderful hubby is going to be getting a new job.  His last day is today and then we'll both be off for a while, eek!  Anyway, our town is kind of dying so we thought it best to try something different!  Wish us luck! :-)

Anyway, enough with the moving talk (I hate moving...I'm sure you'll hear plenty about that in time) and onto the card!  It's hard to tell in the blurry picture but I cut a tag out of whisper white and stamped my main image after I'd adhered it down to the base.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Endless wishes
Paper:  Whisper white, Bermuda bay
Ink:  Bermuda bay, strawberry slush
Accessories:  White baker's twine, basic rhinestones, brights buttons

You are so going to get sick of seeing this stamp set, lol!  I just love it!  Ok, now go check out the rest of the DT samples and play along!

Happy stamping!

Fab Friday 31

Hi stampers and happy Friday!  I can't believe it's mid-November already!  While I'm all about Christmas time is just going too fast!  But since time marches on, it's time for another challenge over at Fab Friday!  And you really should play along because we only have a few more challenges until we take a break for the holidays!

It's time for a sketch and here's a fun one pulled straight from the pages of the Holiday Catalog!

The catalogs are a terrific resource for ideas!  You can copy a card exactly as is or you can just use it for color and sketch inspirations.  I look through the catalogs quite often and pay more attention to the actual card layout than the cards/images themselves.  If you find yourself stuck for a sketch or that to be the hardest element of cardmaking like I do you should try looking for sketches in the catalogs!  You can change up the colors, elements, and images to suit your needs!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Santa's list, Christmas messages
Paper:  Whisper white, crumb cake, season  of style DSP
Ink:  Old olive, cherry cobbler, craft whisper white
Accessories:  Cherry cobbler baker's twine, dazzling details, hung up cute clips

The card this sketch is based off of can be found on page 9 on the bottom right corner (and also on the bottom center of the cover).  It's hard to tell in the photo (and I know it's kind of blurry but I'm still fighting with GIMP) but there is dazzling details on the little pom pom on the end of his hat and the whole card is sponged with craft white ink.

Now make sure to check out the Fab Friday site and see the rest of the amazing samples and then play along!

Happy stamping!

Thankful Thursday

Hi stampers!  I'm still on a roll with fall/thanksgiving/thank you cards!  I really like the way this one turned out!  Although I can't say the same for the photo...I'm still having issues with my editing program or the way my pictures are coming from my phone.  Not sure which it is!  I need to ask the Bada-Bing IT department....aka the hubs ;-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Truly grateful, fabulous phrases
Paper:  Whisper white, sahara sand,
Ink:  Whisper white craft, basic black
Accessories:  Thankful tablescape kit, autumn accents bigz die, linen thread, chalk marker

I'm kind of obsessed with the birchwood paper from the tablescape kit and of course with chalkboard looking stuff both of which you have probably already figured out if you've seen my blog lately :-)  The little placard from the kit also makes a really easy "chalkboard".  I just stamped on it and used my chalk marker (that thing is cool) to draw some lines on it.

Happy stamping!

Wood on wood

Hi stampers!  I'm cranking out the fall cards this week even though it doesn't feel much like fall after it snowed yesterday (UGH) and it was like 34 degrees out!  Hopefully it gets warmer like they say it will as I have a 5k on Saturday and while I like to run when it's cool I'm not a fan of COLD at least when I'm not used to it yet!  And my mom is walking and I'll never hear the end of it if she's cold :-)

Anyway, my card for today is what I'm calling wood on wood as it mixes the birchwood paper from the thanksgiving tablescape kit with the woodgrain embossing folder.  I should send this to my in-laws as they are adding hardwood to their family room this week and have been struggling on which way to lay it as it's a different shade from the rest of the hardwoods in the other rooms :-)  All the ladies say since it's different it should run perpendicular while the menfolk say it should be parallel:-)  I'll have to go visit soon and see what way won!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamps:  Gently falling, truly grateful
Paper:  Very vanilla, crumb cake, early espresso core'dinations
Ink:  Early espresso, chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, crushed curry, raspberry ripple
Accessories:  Thankful tablescape kit, linen thread, sanding block, woodgrain embossing folder

I pulled the layout and general idea from a card I had seen on a challenge blog.  And the picture is a bit wonky.  My editing software is on the fritz and some of the settings got changed and I can't figure out how to make them go back....

And finally, have you checked out the Stampin' Up blog and store lately?  There is a lot of new fun stuff like an ornament kit and some fun MDS classes.

Isn't this ornament cute!  It's just like the one featured in the Holiday Catalog.  And everything is already cut and scored for you!  All you need is some hot glue!  There's also a video on the SU Youtube channel showing you how to assemble it!

And here's some of the CUTE images from the MDS classes and downloads!

Make sure to chose me as your demo if you order though!  The link there won't take you to my personal store.

Happy stamping!

Pop & Place

Hi stampers and happy Monday and happy Veteran's Day!  Thank you to all the veterans past and present who protect our freedom especially my Uncle Harold who was a POW in the Pacific.  He's one of the most incredible people I've ever met.  If you're a history buff like me you can google Harold Bergbower and read some very interesting interviews he's done and watch some videos.  His story is quite amazing and it's beyond a miracle he survived!

Anyway onto the project for today!  I pulled out my pop & place tags and Christmas tagables  photopolymer set.  This set and these cute little tags are really fun and make it easy to make a cute card!  They just aren't for tags!  In fact I don't know if I'll make a single tag with them actually!  It's also cool that they come in a little booklet!  I have a number of them already stamped and just waiting to pop onto a project!  The folder has some pockets so you can squirrel them away!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Christmas tagables
Paper:  Whisper white, baked brown sugar, season of style DSP
Ink:  Craft white, old olive, cherry cobbler
Accessories:  Cherry cobbler baker's twin, pop & place tags, basic rhinestones, circle punch, doily

It's hard to see in the photo but there is about a quarter of a doily sticking out behind the 25 and December.  It looked a little bare so I added that and LOVED the outcome!

See, perfect!  Oh, and for my polka dots I simply used a sponge dauber.  I'm kind of obsessed with doing this right now!

Ok, time for a run!  Happy stamping!

Confession Friday

Hi stampers!  I have a confession...or two!  I'm obsessed with chalk board stuff right now!  Chalkboard cards and home decor prints specifically!  I've been playing in MDS for home decor items and making up lots of cards!  I hope you won't get tired of them when I share, ha!  For whatever reason chalkboard stuff is hot right now and I have to say I love the look!  Now, if I can just get my MDS stuff finalized and sent to print!  I'm kind of bad about that...guess that's yet another confession.

And while we are talking obsessions I might as well tell you I'm totally obsessed with the endless wishes photopolymer set!  It was SO popular it was sold out last week!  But it's back now so make sure to get yours!  You can make endless combinations with the greetings!  I love it!

So, I couldn't wait to combine a couple of my obsessions into this chalkboard card using the set!  It has a major chalkboard look!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Endless wishes
Paper:  Whisper white, basic black, coastal cabana
Ink:  Craft white
Accessories:  White embossing powder, basic rhinestones

The chalkboard look is really easy to do.  If I can find my memory card I'll try to make a video!  It makes a big impact too, I think!  I just love this!  I think I should have added some real red but I'm not sure where.

So what are you obsessed with right now????

Happy stamping!

Better Late Than Never

Hi stampers!  Two days in a row, can you believe it?  LOL!  Although I'm a bit late today.  We had some BIG things going on this morning so please send us some thoughts and prayers for the next few weeks, ok? :-)  Anyway, I figured since pretty much all I've done this afternoon is sit on the couch I could blog, duh!  So, while the hubby watches the Blues game and I feel like it's midnight or something already (dang time change) here we go!

I really love fall!  I love the cooler weather, the return on pumpkin spice lattes and the red cups at Starbucks!  Why does a peppermint mocha taste better/more pepperminty out of a red cup? LOL!  And who doesn't love leggings (which are probably the reason I keep eating badly...I mean leggings are all stretchy!), sweaters, hoodies, boots, and scarves!!!!!???  I also love the look of fall.  And who doesn't love leggings (which are probably the reason I keep eating badly...I mean leggings are all stretchy!), sweaters, hoodies, boots, and scarves!!!!!???  Then there's something about the sun in the afternoon that I just love as well!  And the leaves!  With the drought last year the trees weren't all that pretty but they are beyond brilliant this year!  I can't remember them being this gorgeous in years if ever!  If only we had a trip to my mom's farm to see them there!  Anyway, since I LOVE fall so much I probably need to get busy stamping some fall cards!  So here's one I whipped up the other day!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Wonderfall, fabulous phrases, my paper pumpkin kit
Paper:  Very vanilla, crumb cake
Ink:  Crumb cake, early espresso, baked grown sugar
Accessories:  Linen thread, witches brew and epic day washi tape, regals candy dots, wonderfall bigz die

It's pretty simple.  The hello is from a My Paper Pumpkin kit and I wanted to use the Halloween washi tape for more than just Halloween.  There is a third piece of tape from the epic day collection but it's hard to see in the photo as it's crumb cake in color.  The leaves are stamped once in full strength and once stamped off.

Happy stamping!

Wishy Washi Wednesday

Hi stampers!  Ok, I have GOT to get my act together and not only start stamping but blogging too!  I guess I'm not too good at time management when I'm not crazy busy and when I know I have "time" to put things off until later, lol!  Not that I ever actually DO those things....dah!!!!!!

Anyway, I'm going to TRY to get my you know what together this week and stamp and blog!  Of course about the time I think I have a plan a wrench gets thrown in, like today!  I had kind of forgotten my mom was going to be in town while my step-dad had some things to do and she needed to borrow my car.  Which that's all fine and dandy and so is the fact that she bought me an impromptu Panera lunch but it means I haven't gotten much done by the time Ronnie met up with us and ate his lunch and then they came back to play with my little doggie!  It was very nice especially on a dark and dreary day and especially since we've been cutting back and I don't even remember the last time I had Panera which if you know me at all is a big deal, lol!  Anyway, you see what I mean....it's always something, right? :-)  But I gotta get it together!!!!!  Anyone else feel that way especially with the holidays coming? :-)

So anyway here's a quick little card I made a while back.  This would be super easy to mass produce for your holiday cards, it's cheap supply wise and it's super mailable!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Many merry messages
Paper:  Whisper white, chocolate chip, real red, old olive
Ink:  Real red
Accessories:  Merry minis punch pack, season of style washi tape

See how simple but cute it is!?!?  There are so many things to do with washi tape!

Ok, maybe I can get some stamping and blogging done during the CMA's tonight.  I'm in a bit of a depression about Nashville (which ranks near the very top of my favorite TV show list) not being on tonight!  I've said it before, I just love that show!  Jon just laughed at me last week as I was yelling at the TV, lol!  I love me some TV!!!!!  But hopefully stamping can get me through my withdrawal tonight!

Happy stamping!

HSS 172

Hi stampers!  It's Tuesday and it's time for a new challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments!  I know I've been kind of MIA but we have a lot going on around here right now and I can't share much of it right now (no I'm not pregnant which is always what everyone thinks....) but I've been busy with a few other things.  And I just haven't had many ideas.  Period.  Which is no fun....

Anyway this week is a soft and pretty color challenge!

I chose to use the endless wishes photopolymer set that I'm all sorts of obsessed with right now and do an outside the box Christmas card.

I think it turned out pretty well!  It's much prettier than it appears in the picture, ha!  The blue flakes stand out much more!

Make sure to check out the HSS blog and play along!!!!

Happy stamping!

Fab Friday 30

Hi stampers!  Ok, this is going to be short and sweet.  We stayed at my in-laws handing out candy way too long and I have to get up early for an appointment out of town so even though you're seeing this Friday I'm writing it Thursday night when I should be in bed!

But since it IS Friday it's time for another challenge over at Fab Friday!  This week is a color challenge that I think fits the season well!

And here's my card.

Ok, no supplies because I'm beat.  I also think I have a minor concussion after getting accidentally whacked in the head last night so I need my rest!  And it's the first time I've had to get up "early" and get going since Jon's surgery.  No lounging around drinking my coffee and watching GMA in the morning!  First world problems!

Make sure to go check out the DT's work and play along ok?

Happy stamping!

Too little too late

Hi stampers!  Ok, so I'm a procrastinator. Seriously, it's bad.  My bills are due tomorrow and have I paid them yet?  Nope....I don't do most things until the last minute.  And that almost bit me in the you know what!  Now, when it comes to ordering SU stuff I'm usually the opposite of a procrastinator but now that my disposable income is pretty much non-existent I've found it hard to decide what and when to order :-)  Well, I LOVED the new photopolymer set endless wishes!  It's just too cute and it came yesterday!  Thank goodness I finally ordered because word on the street is that it might be sold out already!!!!  What????  Now, I hate to show you something you can't get but this little set is so cute and I'm going to use it a lot!  I don't have the official info yet but when I know one way or the other I'll update you!  Since I've not been stamping much and my mojo isn't flowing yet, I just cased one of the concept artists cards!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Endless wishes
Paper:  Whisper white
Ink:  Bermuda bay, coastal cabana, strawberry slush
Accessories:  Basic rhinestones

Super cute and super simple, no?????  It's a bit different of a style for SU and I LOVE it!  I hope they make more like it!!!!!!

And I think I forgot to post about the MDS sale!  There are some GREAT things on sale for all your holiday scrapping and gift giving!  

You can check out everything that's on sale in my online store!

Happy stamping!

Get Em NOW Mailable Edition

Hi stampers!  Today is the last day for the 25% off stamp sets!  There are GREAT sets on sale!  Some of my favorites.  I may or may not have all or almost off of these ;-)

You can find the stamps HERE!  And now for a Mailable Monday!  While we still aren't pregnant a friend from work (I know, I still talk about it kind of like I'm there...old habit die hard, lol) is so I had to whip up a little congratulations card for them the other day.  

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Zoo babies, cuddles & kisses
Paper:  Whisper white, coastal cabana
Ink:  So saffron, wisteria wonder, coastal cabana
Accessories:  None

The Zoo Babies set is a SUPER cute set and just happens to be one of them on sale.  But the sale ends TODAY so if you haven't picked up some of these great deals you need to!  Let me know if you have any questions or I can help you in any way!

Happy stamping!

25% Off 25 Sets

Hey stampers just a quick note here!  Starting today until the 28th there are 25 awesome stamp sets 25% off!  You can check it out in my store HERE!

Let me know if I can help you in any way or you have any questions!  The weekly deals are posted in the store as well!  Make sure you have me selected as your demo and enjoy the NEW and IMPROVED online shopping experience!

Happy stamping!

HSS 171

Hi stampers!  It's Tuesday!  Today is a very exciting day because the third book in the Divergent series comes out!  I'm super excited as an avid reader and this series is one of my faves!  Very Hunger Games-ish!  You should check them out if you haven't read them!  My nose will be stuck in the book...well the Kindle all day aside from teaching my class at the Y of course.

And wishing my momma a happy birthday, hehe!  She told me I better not read all day and forget, lol!  We celebrated early with her this weekend by visiting the farm and taking an impromptu trip to The Great Pumpkin Patch in Amish country this weekend!  It was gorgeous and was her first time to a patch!  I'll have to scrap our pics with MDS and share those soon!  Seriously though if you live in Illinois it's totally something worth checking out!  The Arcola/Arthur area is gorgeous for one and it's just flat out neat!  But more on TGPP in another post I suppose!

Anyway, it's also time for another challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments, whoohoo!  This week is a pretty clean and simple sketch!

I gotta say this one kind of threw me for a loop!  I'm glad I decided to work on it last week instead of at the last minute like I have been known to do!  But I think I like what I ended up with!  I kept it super simple!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  A banner Christmas
Paper:  Whisper white, gumball green, brushed gold
Ink:  Cherry cobbler
Accessories:  Circle punches, scalloped circle punch, gumball green stitched satin ribbon, festive paper piercing pack

I think the ho cubed stamp is super cute and was excited to finally use it!  It's hard to see in the photo but I used one of the ornaments in the festive peircing pack!

Now, make sure to check out the rest of the team's creations and then play along!

Happy stamping!

$25 Join Now Promotion Extension!

Hi stampers!  So I don't have a project to share but I do have BIG news!  The deal to sign up for ONLY$25 has been extended until tomorrow!  You really can't beat this deal!  There is NO downside!

You get everything you need to get started at a great deal and then you get a great discount on all your orders as a demo plus the opportunity to make some extra money while sharing what you love!  You get access to the demo website plus the demo forums as well as the bi-monthly magazine SU publishes and all kinds of other neat-o ideas!  You never have to buy or sell anything else if you don't want to, it's up to you what you make of it!  You don't have to give anything back if you drop (but you won't want to, lol).  You also don't have to make your first quarterly minimum until the end of the next quarter which would me March of 2014!  You'll get to see (and order from) the Occasions mini a month early in December!  It's really a win-win!

You'll get access to my Bada-Bing Team Facebook page as well!  You can chat with me quickly and easily there!

Don't delay!  This offer will expire tomorrow evening!  Please feel free to contact me if you need more details or have questions!

Happy stamping....and joining!  Hehe!

It's freaky time

Hi stampers!  It's that time again!  Time for another Control Freaks Blog Hop!  I just have to take a minute to say THANK YOU to my fellow freaks!  I was able to participate in my first swap with them and WOW!  What amazing cards I got back!  By far the best swap I've ever done!  But, I knew it would be like that since everyone is SO super talented :-)  And you probably have figured that our already as well since you probably just came from the wonderful Connie Babbert's blog!  If you didn't then don't worry as we make a circle so keep clicking the links to see everyone's fabulous projects!

So I am very GRATEFUL to be included in this fabulous group of stampers and flat out fabulous people!  And wouldn't you know that's the theme for this month....gratitude.  And it's funny, I was just thinking last night as I was going to bed how grateful I am for so many great things in my life.  The past year has not been an easy one for me for lots of reasons and there are still things in my life I'd like to change but I am so thankful for ALL the wonderful things/people/stuff in my life that I DO have!

So enough of the sappy stuff :-)

My first project is a simple card using the truly grateful stamp set which I love because it makes super easy and fun bakgrounds which are very collage like!  And that's not something I'm good at so this set makes it super simple!  I'm also very grateful for the thinlits (hehe) because I LOVE them!  I did cheat and use the retired spritzer.  I just can't seem to make good spritzes with anything else.  I'm still bummed they retired it!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Truly grateful
Paper:  Very vanilla, sahara sand, tangerine tango, crushed curry, sweater weather DSP
Ink:  Sahara sand, chocolate chip, soft sky
Accessories:  Thinlits expressions, color spritzer

My next project uses the tablescape kit.  I wanted to do something a bit different than what they showed for for the napkin holder pockets.  I really like the "fan" look of half of a lolly so that's what I did.  In part because I didn't make my lolly long enough and it ripped when I made it, lol!

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamps:  Truly grateful, tags 4 you
Paper:  Very vanilla, sweater weather DSP
Ink:  Crumb cake, crushed curry
Accessories:  Thankful tablescape kit, natural ribbon, scallop circle and circle punches, bracket punch

And last one is my favorite :-)  I doubted I would do the candles and stuff from the tablescape kit so I wanted to put it to use!  And I love the birchwood looking paper so I put it on my card.  I also love the chalkboard look so I was excited to use the little placards which by the way feel fun, they are like really smooth, lol!  I did manage to smear my sentiment all over the place but I was able to fix it by wiping it off carefully and trying again!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Truly grateful,
Paper:  Chocolate chip, Tangerine tango
Ink:  Craft white, crushed curry
Accessories:  Thankful tablescape kit, natural ribbon, linen thread, chalk marker

I'm also thankful for this blog hop in particular.  As you know, I've not had much inspiration as of late so this forced me to sit down and create and I had fun and kind of got in a rhythm for a while!

And now you're off to the fabulous Patty Bennett's blog!

Happy hopping and stamping!

Fab Friday 29

Hi stampers!  It's Friday again and time for a new challenge over at Fab Friday!

And it's finally feeling like fall here!  In fact, I've been cold since it went from 70-80 to like 50!!!!  We are going to watch my kids (I know they aren't my athletes anymore since I quit but they'll always be my kiddos, hehe) play their last home football game tonight!  I don't miss much about my job but I miss them!  I taught an outreach Turbokick class at the school the other night through my YMCA job and about 20 of the basketball kids did it with me.....HIL-AIR-IOUS!!!!  :-)  I think my abs got more of a workout from laughing than the actual exercise, ha!

So anyway, here's the challenge!

Isn't it fun?  I think so!  So since it's finally fall I made a fall themed card!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Truly grateful
Paper:  Very vanilla, crushed curry, baked brown sugar, sweater weather DSP
Ink:  Crushed curry, baked brown sugar, gold encore
Accessories:  Distressing tool, linen thread (from the thankful tablescape kit), chevron punch, witch's brew washi tape

I was really excited that the gold shimmer came out well in the photo!  I love the gold (and silver) encore pad!  I had this panel sitting on my desk for a while just waiting to do something with it when the time was right.  I used a sponge dauber to make the polka dots.  I kind of love how it turned out :-)  The ink didn't take for the sentiment over the gold ink so well so that's my one word of caution if you try that!

Now make sure to check out the rest of the DT's creations and then play along!  We'd LOVE to see what you do with the sketch!

And thanks for your kind (and sometimes funny) words about my lack of blogging lately :-)

Happy stamping!