Friday, October 30, 2009

Sending You Warm Hugs & Cocoa Wishes

Happy Friday! If you're reading this between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:30 pm PST on Friday, October 30th, then please send me some power thoughts. I'm in the middle of taking a 4.5-hour test on what I learned this week about financial analysis for commercial real estate investment. You're jealous aren't you? It's a miracle I have a creative thought left in my head!

All kidding aside, it was a very interesting class, and two of the best instructors I've ever had. Not only were they thorough, well-organized and easy to follow, they had great senses of humor. We spent a lot of time laughing. I'm sure going to miss the brownies they served every afternoon. I swear they were the best I ever had. (As you can tell, I have my priorities!)

Anyway, I'm pretty sure I got the right sketch this time, but this is coming from the same girl who put her sunglasses on to drive in the dark. I'm not too sure of anything right now except that if your cost of funds is less than your IRR, then you have positive leverage.

Oh wait a minute...wrong subject!

Yes, today is Friday and that means another wonderful sketch challenge from Taylored Expressions. I couldn't resist using the newest digi images from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Sweet Cocoa and Hot Cocoa Sentiments. Isn't that image just the cutest! And I love the sentiment. That's what I'm sending all of you... warm hugs and cocoa wishes... and a promise that I'll catch up on my blog surfing and emails this weekend!

The DP is from Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly mini deck. My newest Borderabilities is peeking out from behind the main image. The rhinestone snowflakes were something I had in my stash, and I replaced the middle rhinestones with red ones.

I hope you'll play in the TESC Sketch Challenge this week! I can't wait to see what you create! And don't forget to stop by and visit the rest of the Sketch Crew. They are so amazingly talented, your senses will undoubtedly be delighted!

Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Jami Sibley: More is More
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Sherrie Siemens: Card Creme
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
and of course Taylor herself: Taylored Expressions

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a hot cocoa day (unless, of course, you're here in California, in which case, make it an iced tea!).

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Postcards from the Edge... I Mean the Freeway

Hello my friends! Due to lack of time for crafting this week because I'm commuting 3 to 3 1/2 hours every day to and from a class related to my work, I have no card to share with you today... but I do have some information you might find interesting!

First of all, today is FREE DIGI day at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! And wait until you see the new digi stamps being released today: Sweet Cocoa and Hot Cocoa Sentiments . OMGoodness, they are a must-have! Too cute for words!

And if you LOVE digis, and want to join a wonderful design team of Christian women, you'll want to apply for a spot on the new SNSS Digi Design Team. Details are on the new Sweet 'n Sassy Digis Blog!

If that's not enough excitement, you also have a chance to win the entire first release of the new Sunbeams being released for pre-order on November 1st. It's all about the blinky, so click on over to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog for the details on how to win and what else is in store in celebration of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps' 2nd Birthday! We're kicking things off with a Blog Hop on Sunday... the details are on my side bar.

And if that weren't enough, there are a ton of stamp sets on sale for 70% off! Yes, you read that correctly... 70% off! Like my husband Paul would say, the more you spend, the more you save!

Before you go shopping, I'll leave you with a few thoughts about my experience this week commuting in the infamous California traffic:

  • You have to leave way too early. Because the time hasn't yet changed, it's still dark when I leave. Yesterday, I got in my car, cranked her up, buckled my seatbelt, checked the mirrors, arranged my purse so that I could reach it, put my cell phone in the cup holder (no worries, I have Bluetooth), shifted into reverse, pulled out of the driveway and headed out. I thought to myself, wow, it sure is dark! Even my headlights seemed rather dim. It took a few minutes before I realized I had my sunglasses on!
  • I can drive through Starbucks at the entrance to the freeway, and by the time I reach the traffic jam (which occurs with or without an accident...it's quite simply a bottleneck where two major freeways merge), my oatmeal is ready to eat, and I have just enough time at 5 mph to eat it all.
  • The news repeats itself at least four times during the trip.
  • Motorcyclists are nuts, and may have a death wish.
  • Apparently the posted speed limit is just a suggestion once the traffic breaks up.
  • Thank goodness I don't commute to work because then I'd never have time to stamp!
I hope you have a traffic-free day!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Santa Lala

Hello dear friends! Have you missed me? I'm attending a class this week related to my work, to which I have to commute in the infamous California traffic. Trust me, it's just as bad as you might have heard, maybe even worse. I honestly don't know how those who commute for a living do it. I'd probably take up boozing if I had a steady diet of this. Not to mention, no way would I have time to stamp! Anyway, it's taking a lot of my time and energy right now, but I'll be done by Friday and back to regular posting this weekend. Hopefully, all this left-brain activity won't steal my mojo!

If it's Wednesday, it's time for another challenge at La-La Land Crafts! Lucky me is your hostess this week! I chose RIBBON as my challenge. I LOVE ribbon. I can hardly stand to make a card without it. Ribbon comes in so many beautiful colors and textures, it can actually be the inspiration for your card... or the perfect finishing touch. Either way, I hope you'll join us this week. And guess what! The challenge winner will receive Santa Lala as a prize!!! Yep, it's true! So please join us!

My card, of course, features sweet Santa Lala. I can't tell if she's been naughty or nice, but she sure is cute, isn't she?

Be sure to click over to the La-La Land Crafts Blog to see all the goodness cooked up by the Design Team, and to wish our Guest DT for August-October a fond farewell. They most certainly will be missed!

The cardstock, DP and ribbon are from Papertrey Ink. The Christmas tree is by Me and My Big Ideas (thanks Irina!). I couldn't resist using some Liquid Applique for the fur trim, which I heated up for "puff" then dipped in glitter for a bit of sparkle. Gotta love sparkle!

If it's Wednesday, that also means it's time for Whimsical Wednesdays: The Diedrich Dare. I totally whiffed and modeled my card after the wrong sketch!!! I have no idea how that happened. I'm not usually so lame. It must be a case of Old Age Setting In. And there was no time to make another card by the time I realized it (for the reason, see the first paragraph above). But I really hope you'll hop around and see what the other Daredevils have created using the right sketch. I'm sure you'll love what you see.

Forgive me, girls, for this gaff! I'll be back next week with the right sketch!

I hope to catch up on blog surfing and emails this weekend, so please bear with me. I'll post again on Friday for the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge. In the meantime, wish me luck with the traffic...and on the exam!

Have a la-la lovely day!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

A Double Feature

Happy Sunday my friends! I promised a Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps double feature yesterday, but I was sidelined by a headache that just wouldn't quite leave me alone for most of the day. But today is a new day, and I have lots to share!

If it's Sunday, then of course that means it's time for a new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ! Laurie Gatton is our hostess this week, and she chose the scripture I Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (NIV) The challenge is to make a card that expresses your thankfulness for someone or something they have done, or that encourages someone to be thankful.

This scripture really spoke to my heart. In fact, I opened my Bible and read through I Chronicles 16: 7-36, which is known as David's Psalm of Thanks. I encourage you to read it, too. Really. You will be blessed. It's all about praising the Lord, which is what we should do both in good times and bad.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately because so many people I know are going through some really tough times... some are even unimaginable. For many, it's a time when they turn away from God or rail at Him for causing these hardships or doing these terrible things to them.

My friends, there is nothing further from the truth. God doesn't cause these terrible things to happen. But He wants to be with us through the trials to help us get through them, with the promise of everlasting life by his profound and loving grace through Jesus Christ our Lord.

One of my favorite books is Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher (actually, Rosamunde Pilcher's books are among my favorites; The Shell Seekers, September, Coming Home and Winter Solstice are my absolute favorites. I've read each of them several times and will read them again. In fact, I read Winter Solstice every year in December. But I digress.

There's a passage in Winter Solstice that I want to share with you. It's a discussion between the village minister to Oscar, one of the main characters of the story who suffers a horrific loss of his only child and wife early the in the book... a lot of the story is about his healing, but it really isn't a sad book, so don't be discouraged and think you'll cry all the way through, because you won't. Anyway, here's what the minister said to Oscar when Oscar finally found the courage to visit with him one day:

"If only is like hindsight. A useless exercise, The accident seemed to me to have been one composed of several tragic circumstances. Who knows? Perhaps you would have died, too, Oscar, and then an even larger hole would have been left in the lives of those who knew and loved you all....As for God, I frankly admit that I find it easier to live with the age-old questions about suffering than with many of the easy or pious explanations offered from time to time. Some of which seem to verge on blasphemy. I hope so much that no one has sought to try and comfort you by saying that God must have needed Francesca more than you. I would find it impossible to worship a God who deliberately stole my child from me. Such a God would be a moral monster.... It is what I truly believe. Thirty years in the ministry has taught me that the one thing we should never say when a young person dies is 'It is the will of God.' We simply don't know enough to say that. I am in fact convinced that when Francesca died in that terrible accident, God's was the first heart to break."

That resonates with me. How about you?

My card follows the The Sweet Stop sketch challenge for this week. Did you know you can win $10 in digi stamps by playing in the challenge? Did you know that Korin designs some of the most awesome sketches out there? Did you know that Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps carries a wonderful line of both rubber and digi stamps, nearly all of which are Christian based? Yes indeed, on all counts!

I used the adorable Thankful For You digi stamp set for my card. The DP, flowers and brad are by Bo Bunny. I just love the way this card turned out. I'm going to use this set again and again. And what else do we need to say except "Thanks be to God!"

Next, I have a little sneak peek for you of a new stamp, which is part of a series called the Sunbeams that will be available for pre-order at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps on November 1st.


Meet Caitlyn. Her favorite day of the week is Sunday because she gets to go to Sunday School. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up so she can help heal the sick like Jesus did. Isn't she adorable?

I used this sketch from The Pink Elephant Challenge #37
which, as you can see, I turned on its end. I paper pieced the tablecloth. The DP is by Doodlebug Designs. I'm loving my pendent die by Spellbinders! (Tip: be sure to put a layer of waxed paper between the die and your cardstock... the die will slip away from your cardstock like butter after cutting!)

We'll be having a blog hop on November 1st, with full reveals of all four stamps in the first Sunbeams release, plus prizes, so stay tuned for more information!

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit. It's been kind of a crazy week for me, and then my headache kept me off the computer most of the day yesterday, so I haven't been able to hop around and visit many of you in awhile, but I hope to catch up soon! Until then, I hope you have a very sweet day of thankful praise!

Friday, October 23, 2009

What's Brewin?

Woo hoo, today is my first official day as part of the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge Sketch Crew! I still can't believe I'm part of the "Crew." Someone pinch me!

Taylor comes up with great sketches, and this one is no exception. I can think of lots of fun ways to play with this sketch, can't you? Be sure and play with us this week 'cause I'd love to see what you come up with!

As you can see, I'm still in the mood to use my cute Halloween stamp sets before it's too late. I was thinking the other day how we stampers are just like magazines and department stores... always working ahead to the next season. Halloween was so two months ago, and Thanksgiving so last month, and Christmas so now! We'll be onto Valentine's Day before you know it! {LOL} But yours truly is living in the moment. I'm not done with the autumn holidays quite yet (*grin*).

I used Spooky Expressions for my card, along with DP, cardstock and embellishments from the Halloween Key Ingredients kit. The rhinestones are by Martha Stewart. Oh, and the green and white polka dot paper is a bit left over from last year's kit.

Something I haven't done in a long time... and want to do more often...is stamp my own background paper. I did just that on the orange panel, and then decorated the vines with orange rhinestones. I don't know what it is with me and stitching lately, but I can't seem to resist it!

For more inspiration, check out the awesome creations from the rest of the Sketch Crew:

Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Jami Sibley: More is More
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Sherrie Siemens: Card Creme
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
and of course Taylor herself: Taylored Expressions

Now it's your turn! Ready...set...go!

Edited to add:

In honor of Halloween, Taylored Expressions is having a Fright Night Special just for YOU.

All Halloween stamp sets AND the Halloween Key Ingredients are ON SALE for 20% OFF Friday October 23rd through Sunday October 25th ONLY!
So don't miss out on this last minute holiday deal!

Plus you'll want to check out the TE What's the Deal Department for some incredible deals like JustRite Stampers products at 40-50% OFF! These JustRite products will not be re-stocked, so grab them while you can!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thursday Alerts!

Hello everyone! I'm sorry I don't have a card ready to show you today, but I didn't want to miss the chance to remind you that today is FREE DIGI DAY at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! There's also a brand new digi being released today by Leah that is soooo pretty! Plus, you can catch a sneak peek at the Sunbeams that will debut in November. If you aren't already a Sassy Stamper (i.e., subscriber to the newsletter), then sign up today because Korin is offering an awesome deal for subscribers only (and full looks at the Sunbeams!).

Speaking of digis, did you know that you can win $10 worth of digi images of your choice by playing in The Sweet Stop sketch challenge? Yes you can! New sketches are released every Saturday, so jump on in... the water is great! You can use any stamps you want for the challenges, but if you have some SNSS stamps (or digi images), why not show them some love?

I will have a DOUBLE FEATURE of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps creations on Saturday, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, have a sunbeamy day!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Pirate Rosie

Happy Wednesday! If it's Wednesday, it must be time for another great challenge at La-La Land Crafts! This week Jane challenged us to make our cards SPARKLE with glitter, Stickles, atYou Spica pens, or the like. Since Halloween is drawing near, I want to make just a few more cards with all the cute stamps I have, so I reached for Pirate Rosie. She's one of my faves!

I know it might be hard to tell from the photo (the light reflects funny), but I used my atYou Spica pens to glitter up Rosie's hat, belt and boots. I also found that cool sparkly ribbon in my Taylored Expressions Halloween Key Ingredients Kit (along with the orange polka dot ribbon and that fun brad of the moon and stars).

The background DP is from Basic Grey's Indian Summer which, by the way, matches well with SU's Rich Razzleberry cardstock. The "map" paper is from a piece that Irina sent me. It was perfect for another Wednesday challenge: The Diedrich Dare! This week, Jessica's son Jack picked the inspiration piece, this cool pirate map.

Be sure and stop by the other Daredevils' blogs to see what they've created for your viewing pleasure:
And don't forget to hop on over to the La-La Land Crafts Blog to see what the uber-talented Design Team has created for the SPARKLE challenge. You are sure to be wowed! And while you're at it, why not join us! It's fun, and we'd love to see your SPARKLE creations!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a sparkly day! And if you run into any pirates, I hope it's Jack Sparrow!

Monday, October 19, 2009

You're Sow Kind!

This is my second... yes second!...post for today, so please scroll down for the other.

Good evening! I just had to jump in and show you this card I've made for Claire Brennan. I love her! I've been following Claire's blog for ages. I've always loved not only her art, but hearing her tales of ghosties and seeing pictures of her beautiful country of Ireland. Now she's gone and started producing her own line of stamps under the name Waltzingmouse Makes. (I think if I saw a mouse waltzing, I wouldn't run screaming in the other direction! ha!) I finally made my first purchase of her truly unique stamps, and I'm so glad I did.

This little angel is from the Earth Angel set. I have a special affinity for angels as my dear mother loved them so much. This set makes it possible to create an angel for all seasons (and several others) or to make beautiful butterflies (how clever is that?). Plus, the selection of greetings is wonderful, including phrases I haven't seen in other stamp sets. I've only begun to play with these amazing images!

This was a quick and easy card I put together with scraps laying on my crafting table. She's an autumn angel whose dress is paper-pieced with a scrap of kraft patterned paper. The red strip is actually left over from the card I posted on Sunday. A bit of lace and quick stitching, and voila! This card looks better IRL...I adore the rustic look. I'm going to try it again, but next time ruffle the lace. I think that would look better, don't you?

Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for more creations using WM stamps! I hope you have an angelic day!

Joy!


Yep, that's what I'm feeling today... JOY! I am so happy and proud to announce that I am joining the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge Sketch Crew! Yep! It's true! Eek! I'm so excited, I've been hopping up and down ever since I heard. My boys think I've lost my mind. (ha!)

OMGoodness, this is a dream come true and one I never dared to hope for. I'm a long-time fan (and customer) of Taylored Expressions. I've watched Taylor build her business over the past couple of years and have been so impressed. She has impeccable taste in all the fun new stuff we paper crafters are looking for. Her Key Ingredients Kits are a must-have in my stamp room... as any of you who visit me know. And her stamps are just my cup of tea, full of whimsy and too cute for words!

The best part is working with the veteran TESC Sketch Crew members, many of whom I'm sure you already know:

Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Jami Sibley: More is More
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Sherrie Siemens: Card Creme

Plus the other new Sketch Crew members:

Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland

All I can say is Yippee!!! And thank you Taylor for this awesome opportunity!

My official start is this coming Friday's sketch, but I wanted to kick off my celebration by sampling this week's sketch. I used the new Taylored Expressions holiday stamp set Wings of Joy. I love every single stamp in this set... the possibilities are endless! And who doesn't love birds? The DP is Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly (Mini Deck). I used a bit of Liquid Applique on the Santa hats. The cardstock is Prism Island Mist Light and Blush Red Dark. Quick and easy!


Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! I hope you have a JOYFUL day!


Sunday, October 18, 2009

The Simplicity of His Birth


Happy Sunday my friends! I have to admit that it's hard to write the blog post for Stampin' Sisters in Christ and then turn around and write my own because I want to say the same thing in both places. I have a terrible habit of repeating myself, anyway, so perhaps it's just as well. I always figure people only listen half the time, so if I say it twice, maybe they'll get the whole thing! {LOL} On the other hand, some people probably think I'm just losing it. Ha!

I really can't say it better than I've already said it on the SSCC blog post: now that it's time to start thinking about Christmas drawing near, which tends to throw us all in a panic as we start making long lists, let's slow down a bit and remember what's truly special about this time of year. It's time to focus on our dear Savior's birth. If we keep that at the forefront of our minds (and in our hearts), it puts the rest in the proper perspective, doesn't it?

My card uses the beautiful new stamp set from Taylored Expressions called Christmas Blessings. This stamp set will be awarded to the lucky winner of this week's challenge drawing. You don't want to miss out on that chance, do you? Then click on over to SSCC and get all the details about how you can play and win! Click on over to SSCC and get all the details about how you can play and win! (Gotcha!)

I'm loving the simple look of this card and the ease of making it. But most of all I love what it represents...and that most excellent verse, "May your Christmas be a time to reflect on the simplicity of His birth and the magnitude of His purpose." Amen!

Have a blessed day.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Lord of the Season Blog Hop!

Hello everyone! I was so honored to be asked by Nina Brackett to showcase one of her beautiful stamp sets, Lord of the Season, in today's Gina K Blog Hop. I met Nina through Stampin' Sisters in Christ, although I had seen and admired her work long before that. Now that I've gotten to know her, she is even more of an inspiration and blessing to me than ever. Nina has such a sweet and godly spirit. You really must visit her blog and learn more about her and her husband's ministry in Croatia...and see pictures of her beautiful girls!

I know lots of people are getting into the Christmas mood, but I'm still embracing autumn, so I chose the autumn topiary for my card... and one of the two awesome verses that come with this stamp set. Yes, to everything there IS a season... and we need to keep that in mind when we are in a hurry for something to happen. God knows what He is doing!

The DP is by Bo Bunny. Since I was following this week's sketch challenge at Stamp TV, I couldn't resist breaking out my lattice Borderability for the center strip.

I have lots of Gina K stamp sets and it's long past time that I start inking them up and giving them the love they deserve! Stamp TV is such a wonderful resource and place to share our love of paper crafting. I will definitely be back soon with more!

For even more ideas with Nina Brackett's Lord of the Season stamp set,
visit her blog as well as the GinaK Idea Center here: Lord of the Season Ideas


Gina K Designer's joining in on the hop tonight:

Nina Brackett
Carolyn King
Cathy Tidwell
Donna Baker
Erika Martin
Jessica Fick
Kurtis Amundson
Lee Murphy
Melanie Muenchinger
Theresa Momber

September's Center Stage Spotlight Team:

Janice Melton
Joy Hadden
Kay Simmons
Lori McAree

Nina's Guest DT and friends:

Crystal Bernsdorf
JenMarie Taylor
Lisa Hjulberg

Thanks again Nina for inviting me to play! Have a heavenly day everyone!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Enjoy the Magic of Christmas

Note: this is my second post for today. If you're looking for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog hop, please scroll down.

Hello my friends! Those of you who know me well, know how much I LOVE all things Taylored Expressions... especially the Key Ingredients Kits. So when Taylor released her new stamps this month, I was in front of the line to fill my basket!

This is one of the sweet stamp sets I added to my collection, Holiday Wonder. Coupled with Cosmo Cricket's Jolly By Golly
DP (some of which just so happens to be part of the Christmas Key Ingredients Kit *wink*), this card reminds me of the song "It's a Marshmallow World." I can't get that song out of my head, but it's such a happy tune, I don't mind!

My card follows this week's Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #86. Have I mentioned lately that a good sketch is all I need to get my mojo going? Probably a million times! {LOL} But it's true! And Taylor's sketches are among the BEST!

I used a pink gel pen to color in the light bulbs on the string, and used Taylor's Tiny Twinkles on the tree and in the center of the dormer window (just for good measure). The chimney was made with a bit of pink velvet ribbon, to which I stitched a tiny heart button I found in my stash.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit! I hope you have a marshmallow day!

P.S. We have a very special host for our challenge starting Sunday at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. A little hint: the initials are TE. Can you guess who? (hee hee)

Owl Be Home For Christmas

Hello and welcome to another wonderful Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog Hop! For your viewing pleasure, we have lots of great inspiration for Christmas cards. I know lots of you are either thinking about starting, or have actually started, your holiday cards. Some of you super organized ladies might actually be done! Me, I'm in denial. But I'm starting to get in the spirit!

The blog hop started yesterday at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog. If you haven't already, you should start there... I promise you won't be disappointed! There is soooo much goodness to see.

My card follows this week's sketch at The Sweet Stop. There's still time for you to play... a new sketch is posted every Saturday. Korin comes up with the most awesome sketches. I don't know about you, but all I need is a good sketch to get my mojo flowing!

I absolutely love Olivia the Owl. I used Owl Celebrations and Christmas Owl Add-Ons for my card. The possibilities are endless! And both sets together are less than $17!!!

The DP is by Websters Pages from their Winters Wings and Home for the Holidays Petite Papers (yes, they offer 6 x 6 pads of their gorgeous papers!).

And don't forget, today is FREE DIGI DAY at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! Be sure to grab yours before it's gone! And while you're there, check out this week's new digi release by Leah Cornelius. Can you say CUTE! I can't wait to color them up!

Now, off you go to Nancy Brown's blog. Oh my, that woman has talent and then some! Her lovely creations always take my breath away.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a hooty day!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Introducing Candy Cane La-La!

Here she is, the girl you've been waiting to see... Candy Cane Lala! Isn't she cute! Last Wednesday, we gave you sneak peeks of all the new Christmas stamps being released today at La-La Land Crafts. Today we reveal them in full and announce the winner of the ginormous super delicious blog candy on the La-La Land Crafts Blog, and the winners of blog candy being offered by individual members of the Design Team... including mine.

Without further ado, the winner of Window Lala is:

Kristine! Woo hoo!!! And I swear it wasn't rigged. I've shown the results from Random.org above, plus I counted like 10 times to make sure I got it right. Congratulations, Kris! I'll get Window Lala in the mail to you asap.

My sincere thanks to each of you for entering to win. Come back soon because I'm about to post a HUGE blog candy opportunity for which there will be THREE winners! All my blog followers will be eligible to win!

Be sure to click on over to the La-La Land Crafts Blog to see all of the new stamps, and then hop on over to La-La Land Crafts and fill your basket with some of the cutest images around! We also hope you'll join us in this week's challenge, which is to make a card or project with a Christmas or Winter theme. How easy is that! What are you waiting for?

Speaking of challenges, my card follows this week's sketch challenge at The Diedrich Dare by Jessica's daughter Madelynn. The DP is Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey. Please come play with us this week if you can. To get you inspired, check out what the other Daredevils have in store for your viewing pleasure:

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a la-la-lovely day!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Hello Baby!

Blessed Sunday to you my friends! Today is another wonderful challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Our hostess is Kathy Winter, and she chose the scripture Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (NIV) The challenge is to make a baby card or project, or a card for an expectant mother (or parents), or a baby shower card... anything along those lines. Please do pop over to the SSCC blog to see all the wonderful samples by the Design Team.

This scripture is the call of Jeremiah by God to become His prophet. God does know each and every one of us by heart. And He has a plan for each of us. One way to truly know God is to give of our talents and gifts to others. Someone very wise once said that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. What I think this all means is we need to find our light and let it shine!

A baby theme was perfect timing for me because a very dear friend of mine is due to give birth to her third daughter this week. (Pretend like you didn't already see this card, Lis!) Plus, I just got this cute Vintage Postcard Kit by Crafty Secrets at the ScrapbookExpo on Friday and couldn't wait to use it to channel Melissa Phillips again.

I realize there's no stamping, but isn't that image the cutest thing? After mounting it to the chipboard, I sanded around the edges to get the perfect fit, and then sponged a bit of white paint around the edges. The DP is by Melissa Frances, as is the glitter heart.

Yes, I had a wonderful time at the ScrapbookExpo with my BFF Des. We shopped 'til we dropped and did more than our fair share to help stimulate the economy. I figured it was the least we could do. Plus, every time I saw a good deal or a sale, I followed my husband's advice... the more you spend, the more you save!

Before I sign off, I want to wish my La-La Land Crafts Design Team sister Kim Yu a very Happy Birthday!!! Kim recently won the "sketch your own Wild Sprout" contest at The Greeting Farm. That girl is super talented and as sweet as can be. I hope you have a fabulous birthday Kim!!!

And I hope each of you has a wonderful day!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Happy Birthday Laurie!!!


Hey y'all, today we're celebrating our Stampin' Sisters in Christ Design Team sister Laurie Gatton's birthday!!! If you haven't started from the beginning, click on over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge Blog and hop from there. There's lots of fun and lots of great eye candy in store for all our guests... and that includes YOU!

I'm actually the second to the last stop on the hop, and I've brought the cake! Doesn't this just look too good to eat? Fresh from Sweet Pea Bakery. Please help yourself to a big piece to go with your ice cream!

We're absolutely delighted that you could join us today to celebrate Laurie's birthday. Your last stop is to hop on over to Laurie's blog to wish her a happy birthday!

Be sure to check in at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge blog tomorrow (Sunday) to join us for our next challenge!



Thursday, October 8, 2009

Thinking of you makes me smile!

And that's the truth! I do smile when I think of all my friends in blog land. What a blessing you are to me!

If it's Thursday, it must be FREE DIGI DAY at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! Check out these cute pumpkins! They are part of a digi stamp set...Country Pumpkins...being released today at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, along with three others... one of which is going to be the freebie for today only. So hurry on over...you won't want to miss out! One of our Design Team members, the fabulously talented Leah Cornelius, is debuting as a new stamp illustrator for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. Today's freebie was designed by Leah!

Back to Country Pumpkins. I couldn't wait to print them out and color their cute little faces! And what better sketch to use than this week's sketch challenge at The Sweet Stop. You really need to hop over there to see the loveliness created by the new Sugar Babies Design Team... there are lots of "stars" you will definitely recognize. You can use any stamps you want in the sketch challenges, but if you have some Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, why not show them some love?

The cardstock, DP and ribbon are by Papertrey Ink. The rhinestone swirl is by Zva. I colored the pumpkins with my Copics (of course!).

It's starting to get cooler here in So Cal, which I'm loving. Plus, of course, the days are getting shorter. I can just feel fall coming, but I don't want to get too cocky... we're in for Santa Ana winds and high temps again before the weather really settles down towards the end of the month. But my spirits are already lifting!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have a very smiley day!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

You might have to kiss a lot of frogs...

Happy Wednesday!!! This is my second post for today, so be sure to scroll down to see the other one... and for a chance to win some Blog Candy!!!

If it's Wednesday, then that means it's time for The Diedrich Dare! This week's challenge is an inspiration challenge (DDSC5) chosen by Jessica's son Nicky. The picture is from Cupcakes Take The Cake. How cute is this (not to mention the other yummy cupcakes to be seen on that website)!!!

I just love this frog stamp from Down by the Pond by The Greeting Farm. I bought those green jeweled crowns (Heidi Swapp) a long time ago to make just this sort of card. I paper-toled the frog's head to make the crown fit properly. The cardstock and DP are from a Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit (surprise, surprise!), and I colored the frog with my Copics.

Now, be sure to stop by and see what the rest of the Daredevils have created for your viewing pleasure, and then join in the fun!!! I can't wait to see what you create! And guess what's even better??? Marie is donating Down by the Pond as a prize for this week's challenge. Woo Hoo! So what are you waiting for!!

Have a very hoppy day!