Claudia & Company June Release Blog Hop!!!

Welcome to the Claudia & Company June Release Blog Hop!!! If you haven't already, please start the HOP at the Claudia & Company blog... there is a prize to be won by leaving a comment on every blog in the HOP, plus eye candy GALORE, so you don't want to miss out!


Each of the Design Team members has made a card using each of the TWO new stamps designed by the fabulous LORi Boyd... Ella (The Pink Elephant) and her brother Sammy... and a CUTE new stamp set that you'll use over and over again for all your Princesses and Quinceaneras! Many of our cards also showcase a new VERTICAL greeting stamp set designed by Claudia herself. Can I hear a WOOT WOOT????

Your next stop on the HOP is Krista's blog. Enjoy!!! Before you go, don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win prizes!

YOU CAN ALSO CLICK HERE FOR MY BLOG CANDY OPPORTUNITY!!!

Note: my Ella card uses Our Creative Corner Sketch #17.

Simply Betty Stamps New Release Preview - part 2

Woot woot! It's the second day of previews of the new releases in the My Kids Emo World line from Simply Betty Stamps!

My card today features Lola, whose little pet friend is a rat. I don't normally like rats, but I understand they are wonderful pets... the domesticated kind, of course!

I played with this week's sketch at Friday Sketchers. The DP is from the Teen Angst collection by W R Memory Keepers.

I hope you'll hop around and see what the rest of the amazing Design Team has created with the My Kids Emo World images! And then join us tomorrow for our new release blog hop and a chance to win the entire new release... all six stamps!!!

Amy Young: A thousand sheets of paper

Alicia Garcia: Crafting the Night Away

Catherine: PaperAddict Catherine

Debbie Pamment: Debbie P's Place

Jen Shults: Deconstructing Jen

Special Guest Kristy Young

You still have time to pre-order these stamps at a 10% discount up until 11:59 pm PACIFIC tonight (May 31st), so hurry!!! 

To my fellow Americans... I hope you have a memorable and safe Memorial Day holiday!

Simply Betty Stamps - June Release Preview part 1

Yay, hurray, the first day of official previews of the brand new stamps being released by Simply Betty Stamps on June 1st is finally here!!!

My card features Betty! Each of the new releases in the My Kids Emo World line comes with a little friend. Betty's is that adorable chihuahua!

I played with one of Maren Benedict's Go-To Sketches on page 33 of the magazine. I'm loving Go-To Sketches magazine by Paper Crafts... such wonderful inspiration and great sketches! That amazing DP is from the Beautiful Blooms collection by Papertrey Ink. This paper sings to me, so you'll probably be seeing a lot of it!

I hope you'll hop around and see what the rest of the amazing Design Team has created with the My Kids Emo World images! I'm absolutely thrilled that Betty asked me to be a part of this journey. There is nothing I love more than coloring up fun and whimsical images... and Simply Betty Stamps will most definitely offer some of the BEST around!!! Hop on... the ride will be wild and a little bit crazy!!!

Amy Young: A thousand sheets of paper

Alicia Garcia: Crafting the Night Away

Catherine: PaperAddict Catherine

Debbie Pamment: Debbie P's Place

Jen Shults: Deconstructing Jen

Don't forget... you still have time to pre-order these stamps at a 10% discount up until 11:59 pm PACIFIC on May 31st, so hurry!!!

My Last Chapter... for now

CHAPTER 15: New ideas are SWIRLING...doors are opening...all in our little WONDERLAND...

"'It's no use talking about it,' Alice said, looking up at the house and pretending it was arguing with her. `I'm not going in again yet. I know I should have to get through the looking-glass again -- back into the old room -- and there'd be an end of all my adventures!'


So, resolutely turning back upon the house, she set out once more down the path, determined to keep straight on 'til she got to the hill. For a few minutes all went on well, and she was just saying, `I really shall do it this time -- ' when the path gave a sudden twist and shook itself (as she described it afterwards), and the next moment she found herself actually walking in at the door..."

Hello everyone! There's lots of excitement today as Oh, Alice! enters a new door! There are always twists and turns down Alice's path, and with that, there is good news, and some sad news, but we are all looking forward to the next Chapter in WONDERLAND!

First off, CONGRATS TO LYNNE PHELPS! YOU are the challenge winner and will grace the Oh, Alice! Tea Party for the month of JUNE! It was a seriously TOUGH decision for the Mad Hatter (Jess) to make, but everyone LOVED Lynne's creation and the vote was nearly unanimous! We are very excited and can't wait for next week when Lynne officially gets started!

Today we are also excited to welcome LITTLE PAPER SHOP as this week's challenge sponsor! The very generous Julia has not only let the DT play with this adorably cute ALICE digi stamp, but is offering a $15 Gift Certificate to the Little Paper Shop to one lucky winner this week! We can't thank Julia enough for this fabulous sponsorship and can't wait to see your creations this week. Our Challenge this week is a fun one!

Since there are so many ideas "SWIRLING" around at Oh, Alice! and they can't wait to bring you the next three months worth of challenges, they want to see what YOU have swirling around! The challenge is to USE SWIRLS on your card/project this week. You can use DP, stamps, bling...whatever swirls up your own creativity! You have until Friday, June 4th at 8pm CST to upload your card/creation using Inlinkz in this week's challenge post on Oh, Alice! One random winner will be chosen to WIN the Little Paper Shop gift certificate, to be announced next week on the Oh, Alice! blog! GOOD LUCK and get those ideas swirlin'!

Be sure to stop by the Oh, Alice! blog to see all the WONDERful swirl creations by the awesome design team!

A personal note from me: It is with heartfelt thanks and a bit of sadness that I say farewell to the Oh, Alice! Design Team (aka The Twisted Thirteen). What a truly FUN and memorable ride it's been down the rabbit hole with Jess and these amazing ladies! I will always be grateful to Jess for allowing me to be a part of this awesome challenge... and for the new friends I made during my time there.


Betty, Catherine, Mary, Pam and I are jumping off for now, but there are some amazing ladies jumping on starting in June. I, for one, will be keeping my eye out and playing in as many challenges as I can. I hope you will, too!

And thanks Jess for this awesome certificate! You and I will always be friends... and hopefully see each other again at CHA!!! Hugs and best wishes to you, sweet girl!!!

A note about my card: That amazing DP is Beautiful Blooms by Papertrey Ink (love love love!), paired with Hawaiian Shores cardstock. The brads are by Stampin Up!

Have a BLOOMING good day!

CLICK HERE FOR MY BLOG CANDY OPPORTUNITY

Let's Hang Out

Happy Friday!!! And welcome to Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge! Taylor has come up with another super wonderful sketch for us to play with this week.

I love this new stamp set in the Whimsical Wishes line called Hangin' Out. I used a Hero Arts cloud stamp for my background, but Taylor has also come out with one called Cloudy Day; I just happened to already have one, but now I'm thinking I need both... they have two different looks!

The DP, cardstock, Red Glitter Candy Dots and Lime Stickles are all part of the In the Kitchen Project Pantry kit. Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Taylor's kits??? (*grin*)

Lynn, Sherrie and Lori are traveling this week, but be sure to check out what the rest of the awesome Sketch Crew has created with this fun sketch:

Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland 

Jami Sibley: More is More

Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper

Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery

and of course Taylor herself: Taylored Expressions

I sure wish I could hang out with all of you on this fine Friday! Let's pretend that we are!

Have a GREAT day!

What Can I Say?

Hello everyone! Pretend it's Tuesday. Yep, I'm a bit behind schedule again. I missed posting my card for The Burtonesque Dolls on time. For shame!

This week's challenge at The Burtonesque Dolls is sponsored by Busy Beauties Boutique, purveyors of wonderfully whimsical digi images, including new ones based on Tim Burton's move The Corpse Bride.

 I have to admit, I haven't seen the Corpse Bride, but I read about it here.  It actually sounds like a pretty good movie. I may have to have Ian call it up for me on our in-home Netflix subscription.


So it was a bit a of a challenge for me (haha) to figure out how to approach the challenge, which is to think wedding (or divorce - eek), bridezillas, grooms with cold feet, etc., or just the creepy cool color scheme from the movie - ANYTHING inspired by The Corpse Bride will do.

I opted for the color scheme based on the few pix I saw. And, of course, having this cute digi image to play with made it easier. That's Little Lionel by Busy Beauties.My son Avery is the one who reminded me that his face should be blue-ish gray.

I followed Sketch Saturday #104, which calls for a sentiment. I had to scratch my head on this one. All I kept thinking was, "what should it say?," which lead to "What Can I Say?" So I printed that out, and viola!

The DP and stickers are from the June Bug collection by Basic Grey (that's supposed to be the moon... you have to use your imagination!). {LOL}

Anyway, the rest of The Dolls did a MUCH better job than I interpreting this fun challenge, so be sure to jump over to The Burtonesque Dolls and see for yourself... and to play along for a chance to win 5 digi images from Busy Beauties Boutique!

This will be my last post for The Burtonesque Dolls. Instead, I'm going to focus my attention on helping Betty launch her new stamp line, Simply Betty Stamps. I sure have enjoyed my brief stint with The Dolls (even though I feel a bit like a duck out of water)... you won't find a more dedicated, macabre-loving group than they! There are lots of fun things in store, so be sure to subscribe to The Burtonesque Dolls blog to stay up on the latest challenges.

See you back here again soon!

The Gift

Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! Time for another fun La-La's Weekly Wednesday Challenge!Our hostess is my friend from the Aloha state 1LuvnMama! She challenges us to make a card using a Nestability for the card shape. Naturally, I turned to Labels 8 to make my card base... I got hooked on this card shape by my friend Alice, who makes the most wonderful cards.

I decided this shape fits with Card Patterns Sketch 55. The DP is from the Bloom & Grow collection by My Minds Eye. And, of course, that's sweet Birthday Present Rosie. I just love Rosie's little bird friend.

Come join us for a chance to win a $10 Gift Certificate to spend in the La-La Land Crafts store. You must use LLLC images in your challenge cards in order to qualify for the prize, but that's easier than ever now that, starting with the April release, rubber stamps also come in block form at a reduced price! Plus there are lots of digis to choose from, and the price has been reduced on those as well. So what are you waiting for? Jump on in! You will love it here in La-La Land!

Since 1LuvnMama used Lala With Bunny on her challenge card today, this adorable image is on sale this week for 20% off!

Be sure to visit the rest of the Design Team to see what wonderful Nestie shaped cards they have created this week.

Cheryl Valadez - The Ink Trap

Jane Matsumoto - Whoopsie Daisy

Kim Yu - Kimbee's Creations

Maureen Wong - My C.A.S.E. Studies

1LuvnMama - Luvn the Journey

Jana Weaver - Jana's Creative Pursuits in Stamping

and Irina Blount - Everything Paper Crafts

Have a la la lovely day, my friends!

P.S. Be sure to CLICK HERE for a chance to win my blog candy!!!

A Happy Annoucement!!!

Woot woot, as my dear friend Betty would say! I can finally let the cat out of the bag (haha)... yep, it's true! I have the distinct honor of being a Design Team member for Claudia & Company!!! I'm over the moon with excitement, and so proud and honored to have been asked to join a VERY talented group of ladies to showcase Claudia & Company stamps. Many of you may know that the beloved Puddle Jumpers... and now the digi versions of the Lollipops... all designed by my sweet and wonderful friend Lori Boyd... are offered exclusively by Claudia & Company, so I couldn't be happier!

The new Design Team will debut June 1st with the new releases (wait until you see them!), and I can hardly wait!!! Claudia & Company stamps are sold exclusively by Die Cuts R Us, where you can also purchase lots of other stamps and paper crafting goodies, all at fantastic prices. Be sure to check back here on June 1st. It's going to be an incredibly busy day on my blog, but one you won't want to miss!

In the meantime, please stop by and wish the rest of the new Claudia & Company Design Team well as we begin this new adventure together:

Lori Boyd (DT Coordinator & Stamp Designer)

Krista Vantol

Mary Giles

Sheri Gilson

Tracy Clemente

Claudia Harvey (Owner)

I'll leave you with a look back at a few of the cards I've made using Puddle Jumpers and Lollipops:

See you again soon!

Pinky!

Happy Tuesday! I love Tiddly Tuesdays, don't you? Our Tiddly Inks Challenge this week is BLING. You don't have to twist my arm... I LOVE bling!

I'm also LOVING this adorable new image AND digi paper that Christy just released in the Tiddly Inks store. That's Pinky, and the coordinating digi paper is called Skully. You can also get Skully as part of a three pack called Down to my Bones. Love love love!

The sketch is another fabulous one by Kazan at 2 Sketches 4 You.

I hope you'll come play in our challenge this week for a chance to not only play with some ADORABLE images, but also for a chance to win a $10 Gift Certificate to spend in the Tiddly Inks store! For more inspiration, take a look at what the rest of the Tiddly Inkers and Guest Tiddly Inkers have blinged up:

Betty: The Scrap Happy Witch
Emma: Something Sweet

Larissa: Car-D-elicious

Lissa: The Purr-fectionist Crafter

Lysa: Lysa's Crafty Creations

Ria: Treat Yourself

Carrie: Carrie's Creative Cards

Tammy: Life...Enjoy It!

And of course the artist herself: Christy Croll!

Have a Tiddly Tuesday!

P.S. Scroll down for a chance to win my blog candy!!!

Happy Birthday Clay and The Craft's Meow!

Today is my third son Clayton's 17th birthday. Happy Birthday Clay!!! Of course, he would be absolutely mortified if he knew I was writing about him on my blog. He's at that stage where everything I do embarrasses him. Ha!

Clay was my best pregnancy and easiest delivery of the four. He was the most beautiful baby...and I really mean that... perfect in every way. The best part about Clay's birth is that I shared it with my mother. She was there at my side, cheering me on, when Clay was born. She even cut the cord. It was the last best thing we ever did together... soon after, her cancer returned and claimed her life before Clay turned one. When I went back for the memorial service, many people came up to me and told me how thrilled she was to be there when Clay was born... how she loved to tell the story of how she "birthed" that baby. This is, and will always be, one of the most precious memories I have of my dear mother, who was the best mother and the best grandmother anyone could ever hope to have. I miss her terribly. If I'm any sort of good mother, it's because of her.

I have Collin scanning all my negatives for me (he's gotta do something besides sit around until he finds a job), but so far there are only a few of Clay as a baby. Here's one:

And here's a picture taken on Easter last month... terrible quality, but I have a terrible camera, and Clay is not the most cooperative subject.

That's my boy! He loves golf, working out at the gym, the Penguins, the Red Sox and mimicking people... which is really rather rude, except he's so good at it, it makes you laugh. I love him, even if he is a Terrible Teen! {LOL}

Anyway, this also happens to be my Second Blogaversary! Yep, I started this blog two years ago today, and featured this card that I had made for Clay (who loves penguins).

Isn't that funny! When I look back, I see how much my art has evolved. I remember when I first started out, I dreamed of being picked one day to be on a design team. I only had a handful of followers, but they were faithful to me. And then came followers who became dear friends to me... and now my cup runneth over! I am so lucky to be on several design teams, but mostly to have made some of the best friends a person could ever hope to have, all over this big world. It's fantastic!

So, of course, we must celebrate! Since it's my second Blogaversary, I have two prizes to offer:

First prize consists of the following stamps/stamp sets:

Kitchen Logic by Unity Stamp Company

Two adorable bear stamps by Ladybug and Friends

Best Fishes by Gina K Designs

Christmas Ornament Lala, Love Note Rosie, Running Clover,

and Lotus by La-La Land Crafts

Lottie and Gussie Gabalot, and

Georgina Glamourpuss by Stamping Bella

Second prize consists of three adorable stamp sets by Stamp and Smile.

For a chance to win one of these prizes, all you have to do is leave a comment here before 9:00 pm Pacific on Monday, June 14th. That's it! I won't bribe you to become a follower, although I'd love it if you were. I won't require that you post my blog candy on your blog, although I'd love it if you did. I want this to be fun and free wheeling. I'll announce the winners on Tuesday, June 15th.

Oh, but how about this... tell me what gift you'd like to receive on your next birthday if cost were no object... something you'd really love to have. I'll start by telling you mine: a new camera! One of those cool Nikons that Ashton Kutchar advertises. Now that would be heaven!

Celebration Charlie!

Happy Monday! It's time for a color challenge at The Pink Elephant!

And the color is... you guessed it... ORANGE!!! Orange is an often misunderstood color. But I say it's all about the shade! And the shades of orange in the Nutmeg collection by Cosmo Cricket ROCK!!!

Our sponsor this week is Digital Delights by Louby Lou. And, yes, their images are DELIGHTFUL!!!

My card features the adorable Celebration Charlie. He is wishing my son Clayton a Happy Birthday today! Okay, not really. Clay is a bit long in the tooth for this card, but today IS his 17th birthday. I'll have to make a card with a penguin on it for him... Clay LOVES penguins. I'll just have to save this cute card for someone else. (*grin*)

The sketch is by Jeanette Comerford for Friday Sketchers. I love Jeanette's work. Pop on over to her blog and take a look for yourself!

I hope you'll join us for this DELIGHTFUL color challenge! Be sure to pop over to The Pink Elephant to see what the rest of the Design Team created for this challenge.

Have a delightful day. Oh, and stay tuned... I have a very special post coming up next...

Flower Fairy

Note: this is my second post for today. Please be sure to scroll down for some exciting news!

CHAPTER 14: Gettin' Sketchy in the Golden Afternoon...

"Little bread-and-butterflies kiss the tulips,

and the sun is like a toy balloon.

There are get up in the morning glories,

in the golden afternoon.

There are dizzy daffodils on the hillside,

strings of violets are all in tune,

Tiger lilies love the dandy lions,

in the golden afternoon,

the golden afternoon.

There are dog and caterpillars and a copper centipede,

where the lazy daisies love the very peaceful life they lead... "

Hey everyone! Oh, Alice! has a wonderful Sketch for you today designed by our own Jen Shults! Here's her awesome design:

Our sketch challenge comes with just a small twist this week....

Ok, its HUGE!

ONE PLAYER will be chosen this week based on all of the entries (and we know it's going to be TOUGH!!!) to be our JUNE GUEST TEA PARTY MEMBER for Oh, Alice! That's right! The DT will be feverishly going through your creations to choose next month's Guest Designer, so if you've been wanting to be our Guest at our totally TWISTED Tea Party, now is your chance!

Need some inspiration to get ya going? Check out the samples from our TOTALLY TWISTED Tea Party on the Oh, Alice! blog. Here's my card to start you off:

The contest will be open until THURSDAY May 26th at 11:59 PM CST to enter your creation (please notice the earlier time limit this week so we have time to go over entries, contact the winner, and announce her by our next Challenge on the 28th!). A preliminary note to all-since we know this is going to be a VERY hard decision, please do not be discouraged if your creation isn't chosen as we have plenty of opportunities coming up each month and have tons of fun up our sleeves! We are so thrilled that the blog is going strong and can't wait to see what's next for Oh, Alice!

Please don't forget to upload your creation on the Oh, Alice! Chapter 14 blog post and use keyword OAC14 if you use a public gallery, thanks!

GOOD LUCK everyone!

A note about my card: I love the "story" that goes along with this week's challenge, which reminded me of a spring or summer meadow. And who might you find in such a meadow? Why, a flower fairy, of course! My friend and chief enabler Alice turned me on to Lili of the Valley stamps, and I couldn't resist this sweet image. It seemed perfect for the theme of the sketch challenge, even if it isn't an "Alice in Wonderland" image. I think Alice has fallen asleep somewhere nearby and that's why the flower fairy was brave enough to come out and smell the flowers. (*grin*)


The DP is from the DeLovely collection by Cosmo Cricket. I made the bow by tying two bows together and attaching them to the flat strip. I'll try to do a tutorial soon. This technique works great with organdy ribbon. 

Thanks for stopping by! And to all my friends who must think I've become a snob since I haven't been by to visit or email lately, please bear with me. I've got a lot going on right now, but things should settle down in early June. In the meantime, I'm making the rounds slowly but surely. I see you in my Google Reader even if I don't have time to stop and say hi!

Have a flowery day!

P.S. I'm finally entering a challenge at Flutterby Wednesday, which I've been meaning to do for ages! This card fits the current challenge (#110)... to use flowers with your butterfly, fairy or angel. Yay!

Sisters!

Hey everyone! I have great news!!! Digi  versions of the adorable Lollipops, designed by the wonderful Lori Boyd, are in da house!!! The Die Cuts R Us house, that is!!! The Lollipops are being offered as digis exclusively by Claudia & Company, which are sold only at Die Cuts R Us. Check it out!!!

My card features Lollipop Ella and Lollipop Gracie... Sisters! And that luscious paper is the new DeLovely Collection by Cosmo Cricket, also available... on sale... at Die Cuts R Us!!! I kept trying to figure out where an embellishment would fit, but I think the paper and the images rule the day. There's just a bit of pleated ribbon added to finish off this sweet card.

The cool part about having these images in digi form is that you can size them any way you want!

And what's a good card without a good sketch?  This one is Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #74.

I can't wait to see your Lollipop cards. Be sure to send me your link so that I can see it!

Have a sweet day!!!