Cocktail Anyone?

Hey everyone! Happy Tuesday! Time for another fabulous challenge at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps!

Check out the cool inspiration photo. You can see a larger version on the SCRS blog. Of course, I couldn't help but pull out Cocktail Emily. After rummaging around in my paper stash, I found this DP from the Write Out Collection by We R Memory Keepers. I think the colors resonate with the inspiration piece. Everything is mounted on Kraft cardstock, and finished off with my favorite embellishment, Candy Dots.

You all know how much I LOVE a good sketch challenge. Well, there's a new kid in town who is creating the most awesome sketches... Carly Breach! You might recognize her as one of Kris Breach's adorable daughters. I got to meet her and Maddy in person earlier this year and they are just as sweet as you would think!

Carly is ultra-talented like her mom and has started her own sketch blog... Sketches by Carly. So if you're ever like me and need some inspiration to start your mojo, stop by and visit Carly! I used Sketch #4 for my card.

Be sure to join us this week for Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps challenge! As always, there's a prize up for grabs... one of Sparkle's wonderful stamps! We can't wait to see YOUR interpretation of the inspiration piece!

Make mine a martini!

Sweet!

Hey everyone! Happy Monday!

Time for another fantastic challenge at The Pink Elephant!!! 

MOSTLY WHITE

I was excited to try this challenge... it's such a clean look. And I was even more excited to get to play with this adorable image by Meljens Designs! This cutie is called Double Scoop, and I see it's currently 25% off! Ice cream just doesn't get any sweeter than this! And I LOVE ice cream... it's my favorite dessert.

The little bit of DP you see is from the  12 x 12 Olivia collection by Basic Grey, as is the chipboard piece. It's hard to see in the photo, but I embossed the white background cardstock with the cupcake embossing folder from the Once Upon a Princess Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Bundle. I love it!

I hope you'll play along with us in this challenge. Will you be one of our next winners???

Have a SWEET day!
 

School!

Happy Saturday! So what do you have planned this weekend? We are going to put the hammer down on finishing up some projects around the house. I have only eight more days to get things done before my dear friend Debbie comes to visit from Australia (I'm so excited!), which happens to roughly coincide with the student athletes returning and Paul getting too busy to help. So I'd better eat my Wheaties and get the troops organized to help!

Of course, a bit of crafting is always on the agenda... a girl's gotta have a break now and then! I'm sure the same goes for you, so why not play along with us at Sketch Saturday!

I turned the sketch upside down so that I could fit the school bus and school images in the right spots. Those are made with a mini stamp set by W R Memory Keepers. The star of the show is School Boy Landon by LORi Boyd for Claudia & Company! Landon is ready for school, with pencil in hand! Isn't he adorable?

The DP is from the Jack's World collection by Cosmo Cricut, which I dug out of my stash. It's funny the things you find when you go digging around in your stash. (*grin*) I inked all the edges with Tim Holtz Walnut Distress Ink.

Be sure to stop by the Sketch Saturday blog to see the other delicious cards made by the design team. We can't wait to see what you come up with using this fun sketch!

Have a wonderful day!

Thanks a bunch!

Yes, my friends, thanks a bunch for bearing with me while I'm concentrating on getting things done around the house before my husband starts traveling again for the golf season (the honey-do list is finally being whittled down!)...and while I work on a secret project. hee hee. Don't worry, I'll be revealing that to everyone very soon!

But YAY, it's Friday! Time for another fabulous Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge!

I am just loving the new Cosmo Cricket paper lines, especially Togetherness! (Pssst... by the way, Taylor has the new Cosmo Cricket AND  Basic Grey in stock!) Plus, I'm loving my new Garden Party Blooms die sets, so I grabbed my Garden Party Blooms stamp set and made this card in no time at all!

SU's So Saffron, Marina Mist and Poppy Parade inks match pretty well with the colors in the Togetherness DP. I punched out the butterflies with a 1/2" circle punch and placed a clear dome sticker over each to make the centers of the yellow and red flowers. A candy dot adorns the center of the blue flower. And finally, the ever popular shabby wrinkled ribbon... Taylor is now carrying some delicious colors of this fun ribbon. Just check Fresh Out of The Oven! That beautiful stick pin was made for me by my dear friend Kim Yu. Talk about happy mail! Thank you Kim!!!

I hope you'll come along and play with us this week! For more inspiration, take a peek at what the rest of the Sketch Crew has created with this fun sketch (a few of us are on break):

Alice Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland 
Lori Craig: Make a Difference

Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Rachel  Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Rosie Hughes: Love My Craft Room

and of course Taylor herself: Taylored Expressions

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

News Alert*News Alert*News Alert

You might want to nip over to the Waltzingmouse Stamps blog for a big announcement concerning this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge challenge!!! Hurry, because there's not much time left!!!

Taylored Expressions Blast From The Past Blog Hop!

Yay! It's time for the monthly Taylored Expressions Blast from the Past Blog Hop, a time when we show our "older" TE stamps (those released through May 2010) some love!

Sankari Wegman once again designed a fun sketch for us to play with. Since my August Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients kit recently arrived, and some of the DP (and kit extras) feature butterflies, it was only natural to reach for Discover Your Wings, which is such a beautiful stamp set.

I stamped one of the main butterfly images on white cardstock and then cut and embossed the image with one of my circle Nesties. While the die was still on the paper, I sponged Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass Distress Ink all over the circle. I then paper-pieced the butterfly, added the greeting, and sparkled the edge of the wings with orange Stickles. The ribbon was also part of the KI kit. I'm tellin' ya, Taylor's kits and stamps make it SO easy to create beautiful cards in a snap!



Enjoy!

Note, this is my second post for today... please scroll down for my Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps challenge card. Thanks!

Enabler Alert*Enabler Alert*Enabler Alert

You know me, I have to jump in and let ya'll know when there's a deal to be had, and there is definitely one you won't want to miss. All La-La Land Crafts rubber stamps are on sale for 25% off!!! Some of the images will retire when gone, so hurry!!!

Life is Good!

Woo hoo! Welcome to another fantastic challenge at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps!

Since August's release is all about travel, we thought we'd have a travel-related challenge! Lots of people travel in August, enjoying a last hurrah before school starts and the fall/winter busy-ness begins. So let your imagination run wild and join us in this challenge! You just might be lucky enough to win a Sparkle Creations stamp!

My card features Cruisin' Chloe. I just love her little "Bug." Life IS good when you're traveling along with the top down and sunny skies overhead!

I used elements from a past Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit that features DP from the Petals & Paisley's collection by SEI. A classic! The greeting is by SRM. I inked all the edges with Tim Holtz Walnut Distress Ink.

Thanks for cruisin' by today!

Miss You

I do miss several people. Mostly my family, but also several friends who have moved away. Where does the time go? I need to start traveling!

Hey everyone! Happy Monday! It's time for another fun challenge at The Pink Elephant!

SKETCH CHALLENGE

Our sponsor this week is Inktegrity, a digi shop owned by our very own Joni Wilson! Joni was sweet to allow Ella's Girls to play with some of her adorable images. I chose Tire Swing, which I just love! It was so much fun to color, and would be an awesome image to paper piece. I also think it would make a great backdrop for other images.

Joni designed our awesome sketch, which I flipped on its side and made into a square. The DP is from the Cherry Hill collection by October Afternoon. The greeting is from Claudia & Company, and my apples are Candy Dots (one of my all-time favorite embellishments).

I hope you'll play along with us at The Pink Elephant this week! I can't wait to see what you create with this sketch!

Have a wonderful day!

At Home In Mitford

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

What a wonderful celebration we had of Stampin' Sisters in Christ's first birthday this past week! Blessings abounded! If you haven't done so already, I invite you to experience the blog hop for yourself. Each of the design team sisters, past and present, had a very special scripture and testimony to share. And I also encourage you to read all the lovely comments left on the SSIC blog post. I can tell you they made us shed tears of joy and praise God!

Our hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is Cindy Coutts, who has shared her heartfelt personal testimony on the SSIC blog. She chose as the inspiration scripture Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I will trust in THEE." The challenge is to make something that represents what could be your life verse, a place where God has revealed to you that you can trust in Him, something representing a turning point in your life, or just focusing on Psalm 56:3. This is more of an open challenge, something that only you understand. Cindy wants us to be encouraged and remember those special "Jesus and me" moments when the Lord truly revealed Himself to us, and praise Him for it.

You know what? It's not easy to stand up and profess your belief as a Christian these days. Maybe it never really was. I remember a time when I was the only person in my circle of friends who was a Christian. And, of course, there have been times that I've had my doubts. I still feel weird talking about it sometimes because I don't want to sound like a "Bible Beater," nor do I want to give anyone the impression that I'm self-righteous about my beliefs. That couldn't be further from the truth. I'm just finally at peace with my faith. My life is the better for it. It's not that I'm trying to convert anyone, per se... I'm just sharing the peace and joy I've come to know through my faith and belief in God, and I'm hoping that by sharing that peace and joy, a seed may be planted so that others might experience the same.

So what was the turning point for me? The time when I knew that God was reaching out and revealing himself to me? Oddly enough it was when I read the Mitford series of books by Jan Karon.

I wish I could remember exactly what year it was. I know it was before she finished the series because I remember eagerly waiting for the new releases. I'm guessing about ten years ago. I was going through a very crushing time emotionally, and I don't even remember why I picked up the first book. Oh yes, I do. I just remembered it was a friend of my MIL's who mentioned them to me.

What I discovered while reading those books is how SIMPLE it is to have a close relationship with God. How really easy it is to believe. How truly uncomplicated, life-affirming, peaceful, and thrilling it is to know and trust in God.

By no means am I saying that suddenly all the bad feelings disappear and bad things never happen. But I am saying it's easier to deal with it when you know that God is by your side, that He loves you and wants you to be happy, and that He isn't the one who causes bad things to happen, but He very much wants to be with you through those trials.

I've read the Mitford series through about three times, and I plan to read them again. I have The Mitford Bedside Companion next to my bed when I just want a booster shot. It's full of favorite scriptures, Christian writings, and the most wonderful sermons you will ever hear, woven into stories that truly touch your heart. You will fall in love with the good folks from Mitford. Plus there are two books of Father Tim's favorite scriptures and writings which are also good for a dose of spiritual goodness.

And no, I have not forgotten about the Bible itself. It is the Book of all books, not ever to be replaced or upstaged. I dare say that after reading the Mitford books, you'll be more inspired to pick up your Bible!

So, for my challenge card, I made a digital collage of the Mitford books as the backdrop to this image of Reading Rachel by Sassy Studio Design, our sponsor of this week's challenge.

I can't wait to hop around and read what the rest of the design team share about this challenge. I hope you'll join me in visiting their blogs, and then make your own card for the challenge and share your story. Like I said, it's not always easy to step up and share the good news of your faith, but if you knew about a really fantastic sale on paper crafting supplies, you'd share that good news, wouldn't you?

Have a blessed day!

P.S. Jan Karon's newest book, the second in the Father Tim series (In The Company of Others), comes out October 19th. You can bet I've marked my calendar! You can read the first chapter here.

DeLovely Princess Shona

Hey everyone! Happy Saturday! It's been another whirlwind week for me, how 'bout you? I still can't figure out where the summer went. In my mind, it lasts until September. In terms of weather, it lasts until mid-October. In any case, my kids go back to school on Monday. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I think I'm more painfully aware that I only have about two weeks left of my husband's attention before the student athletes return and he's busy busy busy and on the road until late November. My "honey-do" list is still pretty long. ha!

Anyway, if it's Saturday, it's time for a new sketch challenge at Sketch Saturday!

Our sketch challenge this week is sponsored by Digital Delights, who was kind enough to share a few darling images with the design team to play with. I chose Princess Shona. Isn't she sweet?! There are also a castle, knight and dragon in this new series of digis. Be sure to check the Sketch Saturday blog to see them and all the wonderful cards created by the design team!

The DP and chipboard elements are from the DeLovely collection by Cosmo Cricket. I love using coordinating chipboard on my cards these days (as you may have noticed!). Funny thing though... when I uploaded my card and looked at the picture, I noticed something wrong with the image. Can you spot it? hee hee

Yes, I colored her arms as if they were part of her cape. LOL! That's what you get when you color while engrossed in a TV show. So I'm saying that she's wearing long sleeves and matching gloves. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

I hope you'll come along and play with us this week. I can't wait to see what you come up with using this fun sketch!

{Happy Day!}

{HAPPY friDAY}!!! Time for another fabulous Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge!

 This is actually a "stamp free" card. I couldn't resist breaking out my new Pixie-licious paper from Cosmo Cricket and coordinating chipboard. Too cute!!! I cut the "circles" with the sun die from Garden Party Blooms Die Set 2. And I used one of my new SRM Stickers for the greeting. Love those!

Be sure to stop by to see what de-licious-ness the rest of the Sketch Crew has come up with using this fun sketch!

Alice Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland 

Jami Sibley: More is More
Lori Craig: Make a Difference

Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Rachel  Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Rosie Hughes: Love My Craft Room

and of course Taylor herself: Taylored Expressions

Have a pixie-licious day!

sweetness

Hello everyone! Welcome to Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge #6!

Today we have an awesome sketch by the uber-talented Mary Giles. You know I LOVE a good sketch!

I'm still digging around in my craft room and finding all kinds of goodies. Everything I used for my card, except the cardstock and paperclips, were in a bag of odds and ends I bought somewhere a long time ago... a grab bag of sorts. It has all kinds of travel related things, so perfect for the new August stamps.

My card features Traveling Ruby, who looks so lost. Poor girl! I know exactly how she feels. I am the world's worst when it comes to directions. Just call me Long Lost Feldman's long lost grandaughter!!! {LOL}

I tried something new on my card... no, I didn't forget to color Ruby. I actually left her plain on purpose, trying to make a vintage style card. Trouble is, I think I probably should have aged the tag a bit more. I'm always chicken when it comes to things like that. I need to be more brave and work outside my comfort zone.

I can't wait to see what YOU come up with for our sketch challenge! Be sure to stop by the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps blog to see the eye candy from the rest of the design team... and then get out your Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps and let your creativity soar!

Have a great day!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Birthday Blog Hop

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Welcome to Stampin' Sisters in Christ's Birthday Blog Hop! The celebration begins at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog, so be sure to start there. You won't want to miss a stop along the way... abundant blessings await! Plus, there's a chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to the sponsor of your choice!

Each of us participating in today's blog hop are featuring a favorite scripture. Although I have many favorites, Jeremiah 29:11 is currently the most near and dear to my heart. For the past couple of years, I've faced many challenges...lots of stress, lots of change, lots of uncertainties. I'm not going to lie and say I never falter in my faith. I think we all do. There have been times I've felt depressed, worried, angry, fearful. But by faith... faith and trust in God's promises... I am able to rise up with renewed confidence and peace of mind, knowing that God is working in my life and that I need not worry.

I know the Lord has plans for me... plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. I know He has the same for you, and I pray you will be comforted and strengthened by that knowledge.

The next stop on the hop is back to Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog where you can leave a comment for a chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate! We look forward to hearing which scripture(s) touched you the most today. And we hope you have been blessed by your fellowship with us. Please join us for our weekly scripture-inspired challenges. We'd love to have you!

Blessings to you, dear friends.

Stamp: Jeremiah 29:11 by Verve Stamps
Paper: So Sophie Graceful collection by My Mind's Eye
Roses: Prima
Brads: Stampin' Up
Sketch: Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 81 (turned upside down)

Birds of a feather flock together...

Isn't it true? That's why we're a great big family of paper crafters!

Hello everyone! Time for another fun challenge at The Pink Elephant!

RIBBON AND SPARKLE

Our sponsor this week is Pink Cat Studio. Melissa let us play with her ADORABLE images, and I chose Pretty Birds in Tree, which I love love love! 

The cardstock, DP, ribbon (yes, it's peeking behind the image as part of the middle background panel) and glitter were all part of the July Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit.  I used to glitter my cards all the time and then forgot all about it... now I'm hooked again! It's a bit difficult to see in the photo, but I've glittered the "fruit" of the tree. The chipboard piece by K&Company also has some sparkle.

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge. Who doesn't love ribbon and sparkle? Be sure to click over to The Pink Elephant blog to see the CUTE cards created by the rest of Ella's Girls. They rock!!!

Have a great day!

Miss Garcia

Hello everyone! Today is the release of a brand new digi image set by the fabulous LORi Boyd for Claudia & Company! This one is called Sugar Stick Teacher Set. This cutie teacher image comes with several accessories, three of which you see in my card.

My sweet friend Alicia Garcia is a teacher, so I couldn't resist personalizing this card for her. I used Photoshop Elements to color in the chalkboard, and then set the text color to white to write her name on the board. Of course, who uses chalkboards anymore? I think they have gone the way of the dodo bird in favor of white boards and smart boards. Too bad because I LOVED writing on chalkboards when I was a child. In fact, I wanted to be a teacher just so I could write on a chalkboard. The one and only time I ever got sent to the principal's office was because I kept writing on the chalkboard when the teacher told me to stop! LOL!!!

Anyway, this is just such a fun set... I know you'll love it, too!

The DP and cardstock stickers are from the Report Card collection by October Afternoon. I also played with Card Patterns Sketch 77.

Please be sure to stop by and see what the rest of the Claudia & Company Design Team have come up with using this cute set!

Mary Giles
Sheri Gilson
Tracy Clemente
and LORi Boyd herself!

Have a great day!

P.S. Don't forget... there's still time to play in the Claudia & Company challenge!

Friends Forever

Yay!!! Today is the day that Simply Betty Stamps releases the SIX new Back 2 School My Kids Emo World digis!!!



Welcome to our new release blog hop! The fun starts at the Simply Betty Stamps blog, where you'll want to go to get all the deets on today's festivities, including prizes and sales!!! You'll also find the links to all the blogs in the hop in case there's a break along the way.

My card today features Back 2 School Lola. She is one groovy chick! The cardstock, DP and fun flowers are from a past Taylored Expressions Project Pantry Kit.

The greeting is from SRM Stickers. I had the pleasure of meeting Susan and John McShirley, the owners of SRM, today at a cute little paper crafting store in Claremont called Stamp Your Heart Out. I went to meet Nina Brackett, who was there to help with a make-and-take (Nina is on the SRM design team). It was truly wonderful to finally meet Nina in person (plus one of her adorable daughters and her sweet mom)... she is exactly as you would think and then some. We never stopped talking for over an hour! I wish we'd had more time, but any time was better than no time. I just love her and hope we meet again one day. And, yes, a picture will follow... Nina will email the photos to me when she gets a chance to upload them.

I admit I came away with several sheets of SRM stickers. I'm now totally hooked on them!

Okay, back to our regular programming! The next stop on the hop is the amazing NICOLE!!! Before you go, be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a prize! Have a great day!

sweet crazy silly friends

Ahhh, to be a young girl again, spending time giggling with your sweet crazy silly friends. Come to think of it, I still do that very thing!

Welcome to Day 2 of the previews of the SIX new Back 2 School My Kids Emo World digi stamps being released by Simply Betty Stamps tomorrow!

Today I'm featuring Back 2 School Betty. She's the artist of the bunch and just made a "splash" for her friends. (*grin*) The DP is by Pinecone Press, and the words are from an old set of graffiti stickers I had in my stash. The "splash" was made courtesy of my dear friend Alicia's template. Thanks sweet girl! (Alicia is my daughter-in-law at heart. We were out late crafting at our LSS last night, which is why my card is posting so late.)

I hope you'll click on over to the Simply Betty Stamps blog to see more previews from the rest of the SBS Design Team... they will knock your socks off! And be sure to stop by tomorrow for our new release blog hop. There are more goodies to see and prizes to be won!!!

Now I'm off to go meet Nina Brackett in person. I'm so excited!!!