Merry Christmas

Hello my friends! It's been a busy Saturday, with the usual chores and a rather feeble attempt at starting the Christmas decorating, but I couldn't let the day go by without popping in to announce that I, Lisa Hjulberg, lucky girl that I am, have been invited by the fabulous Claire Brennan to be part of her Design Team for Waltzingmouse Stamps!! I could not be happier!

I think I first "found" Claire through our mutual love of Papertrey Ink. I remember one of the first posts I read on her blog was a ghost story. Claire lives in bonny Ireland, land of fairies and magic, and I was immediately intrigued. I've read lots of books that take place in Ireland and am desperate to see it all for myself one day. So I get a vicarious taste of it through Claire's blog... not only from her unique and well-loved artwork, but also through her stories and pictures of Ireland.

I remember when Claire drew a "wee cottage" for a card. I was delighted because it was like something right out of one of those books I've read. When she decided to step out and start her own stamp company, I was thrilled! Her designs are truly special, and I love that most of them require no coloring. (While I love coloring images, it IS nice to do some solid stamping once in awhile, and certainly much quicker to a finished card.)

That "wee cottage" landed in one of her first sets, Irish Blessings.

My card features stamps from a very special Secret Stamp Set. You have to go to a special link and enter a password to see the full set... she's clever, our Claire!

You still have time to get some of her wonderful stamp sets in time for Christmas, but you must hurry... the Royal Mail is advising December 10th, but the sooner the better! Two new sets were just released yesterday...Very Vintage Labels #5 and Little Box Labels. Plus, there's a chance to win your entire order this weekend for free! For details, see Claire's blog post here. I can't wait until the Pony Express arrives at my door with Very Vintage Labels #5 so that I can sample it for you. I think it might be the most elegant of the Nestie labels sets yet!

The beautiful DP is from a digi paper pack designed by my dear friend Nina Brackett for GinaK Designs, called Simple Elegance. She just released two more wonderful digi papers, Lovely Shelf, to coordinate with her new stamp set of the same name. I'm printing those out next! You can see Lovely Shelf and all of the rest of Nina's stamp sets and digi papers at this link. My card base is GinaK's Pure Luxury Green Apple. I print my digi papers on SU's Whisper White because it's so lightweight.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you'll come back tomorrow for the latest Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge, and a few more things I have to share with you. Have a great evening!

Warm Winter Wishes Waltzingmouse Style!

TGIF, especially since today kicks off not only a new Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge, but also a new stamp release! Four amazing sets are up for grabs today, including the newest in the Whimiscal Wishes line, Discover Your Wings. In Taylor's own words:

"...we've decided to donate proceeds from the sale of this stamp set to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS). The NILMDTS Foundation is a charity that administers a network of almost 7000 photographers throughout the US and 25 other countries. These photographers volunteer their time and professional services to gently provide a helping hand and healing heart to families who have suffered the loss of an infant. They offer beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner. NILMDTS is there for parents and families to help them in their healing, bring hope to their future, and to honor their child. They believe that it is through remembrance that a family can truly begin to heal. We are honored to help support this charity and I encourage you to go to their website and learn more about their wonderful work."

Wow, Taylor, what a great choice of charities to support. I can only the imagine the anguish a parent feels in losing a child so young. I'm grateful mine were (and still are) healthy. My heart breaks for those who weren't/aren't so lucky.

There are also two more CUTE sets being released today, one designed in collaboration with the fantastic Jami Sibley called Sweet Occasions, and the latest in the Cuppie series, Crafty Cuppie, along with a coordinating sentiments set Crafty Expressions. I don't know about you, but I think all four will find their way into my shopping cart!

Plus, wait until you see the new TE Card Kits available starting today! Yowsers! You can see everything in all its glory on Taylor's blog.

Speaking of wonderful stamp sets, my card features two from Waltzingmouse Stamps; Sewing Box Christmas and Off Beat Backgrounds. I just LOVE the Sewing Box stamps because I'm really into the homespun look and there's no coloring required. Notice that the center flower is cut from the inside of the larger flower. I didn't have quite enough room for three full flowers, so this worked out great. Plus, you can stamp the flower (or any of the stamps) on two different colored cardstocks and layer them for even more variety.

I stamped my flowers, words and background with Papertrey Ink Fresh Snow hybrid ink (which is also sponged around the edges), and the plaid pattern in Memento Rhubarb Stalk.

Be sure and check out what the rest of the Sketch Crew has to delight your senses:

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

Another enabler alert: word on the street is that Waltzingmouse Stamps is releasing two more amazing stamp sets either today or tomorrow, so keep an eye out for those! One will coordinate with another Spellbinders Nestie Labels set. In case you didn't know, Waltzingmouse Stamps carries lots of sets that coordinate with Nesties!

Okay, raise your hand if you're ready for Christmas already. Because if you are, I want to know your secret! All I've done so far is make a list, but I guess you gotta start somewhere.

Thanks so much for stopping by my friends. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Christmas Blessings

It's Wednesday! Time for another fantastic La-La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge! This week's hostess is the fabulous Jane Matsumoto (love her!), and she has challenged us to use buttons in our cards/projects. Shhhhh...don't tell Jane, but that's not a challenge for me... I LOVE using buttons on my card. (*smile*)

This week's Mojo Monday Sketch 115 was calling my name. I have a thing for square cards, and it's the perfect fit for this beautiful background paper by Webster's Pages. I decided to rough up the edges and ink them a bit. I punched the snowflakes from the same Websters Pages DP (showing the reverse), and added the buttons for the final touch.

The adorable image is Christmas Rosie with Bird. The greeting is from a Papertrey Ink stamp set.

I hope you'll come join us for this week's La-La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge. You can use any stamps of your choice, and there's a chance to win a La-La Land Crafts stamp as a prize! There's also still time to play in this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ hosted by La-La Land Crafts. Jump on in ladies, the water's fine!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you have a blessed day!

You're a Peach!

Is it Tuesday already? Wow, I've been so busy celebrating my birthday and getting back into the swing of work, the past couple of days are a blur!

I cannot tell you how blessed you all made me feel with your heartfelt good wishes for my birthday. The birthday party blog hop thrown by my Stampin' Sisters in Christ was also amazing and made me laugh and cry all at the same time...especially the Donny Osmond video (if you have time, you must check it out). Wowsers, do I feel like a queen! Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart. Truly.

Today also happens to be December 1st, so time for a fabulous new release from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! Two wonderful stamp sets are being released today: Trees of the Field (a portion of the proceeds from which will go to the Anderson family in honor of their precious Henry), and Punny Fruits & Veggies, which I've sampled for you today. This is such a great set for Valentine cards, don't you think?

The cardstock is Prism, and the DP is from the Nook & Pantry collection by Basic Grey (perfect for this whimsical stamp set!). I'm entering my card in this week's Crazy4Challenges Week 13 challenge - Punch Happy. The challenge is to use border, shape or decorative punches on your card. I used a Martha Stewart border punch along the top, a square punch to punch out the images, a circle punch for the greeting, and a flower punch for the greeting mat.

If you're reading this in your Google (or similar) Reader or by email, don't forget to post a comment in the post below for a chance to win one of five prize packages for my birthday blog candy. I'm paying it forward!

Danielle, Becky, Des, Marianne... that includes you!

Thanks so much for stopping by... it's always a pleasure to have you visit. I hope you'll come back tomorrow for the La-La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge: Button, Button, Who's Got the Button. (That's a hint...haha.)

Have a very pun day!

Lisa's Birthday Blog Candy!

This drawing is now closed. For the winners, please click to this post.

This is the 3rd of 3 posts today. I hope you'll scroll down to see some of the wonderful birthday cards I've received in the post entitled "The 11th Anniversary of My 39th Birthday," and my Stampin' Sisters in Christ post entitled "The Joy of Giving," after you're finished here.

Yep, it's the Big 5-0 for yours truly. Rather than be depressed, I'm focusing on my many blessings...and paying it forward!

I thought about offering one big huge prize, but I always wish everyone could win. Since that isn't possible (at least not until I win the lottery), I'm dividing up the candy into FIVE prize packages... one for every decade of my life so far.

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Prize Package

Contains the following stamp sets:
Romans Road
Holiday Road
Baby Blessings
Elly & Friends
Love Scripture
Trendy Girl
I'd Pick You

Designer Paper Prize Package

Contains these 6 x 6 Paper Pads:
Postcards from Paris & Sweet as Cherry Pie Combo Pack from Websters Pages
Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey
the Boyfriend by Cosmo Cricket
Patterns Pack by Stampin Up'
Patterns Pack II by Stampin Up'
and these 8 x 8 Paper Packs:
Pop Fashion Collection by Pink Paislee
Pretty Little Papers by Lizzie Anne Designs

Build-A-Bear Prize Package

Contains:
Beary Best Friends Stamp Set
Beary Nice Wishes Stamp Set
Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper, cut to 6 x 6
All by Stampin' Up!

Paper Pretties Prize Package

From the Sophia Stamp of the Month Series:
Gliding By
Bunny Hop
Ballerina
Aloha
Giving Thanks
Make a Splash
Hola Chica
Make a Wish
Story Time

Hodge Podge of Stamps Prize Package

Contains:
Birdie Trio by Basic Grey
Cheer Up by My Cute Stamps
Go Green by My Cute Stamps
Holiday Lane by Lizzie Anne Designs
Cosmobella by Stamping Bella
Party Dragon by LeLo Design
Magnolia with Bell
Magnolia with Lantern
Magnolia Tree
Starlight Starbright Remixed by Verve
Sweet Pea by Fiskars
Jolly Little Winter by Unity
Little Me by Unity
Cuppyland by Stamps and Smiles

Because I want everyone who wins to be happy, I'm going to let each person pick which prize package she wants, although we will have to do first and second choices and break ties by the order the names are drawn.

So, how do you win?

1. Be or become a follower of my blog

2. Or subscribe or become a subscriber to my blog through Feedblitz

3. Link this blog post to the picture at the top of this post on the side bar of your blog to spread the word. If you don't have a blog, that's okay... just let me know when you leave a comment.

4. Leave a comment to enter the drawing... be sure to tell me whether you're a follower or email subscriber. If you're an email subscriber, please include the first part of your email address so that I can match it up. Also confirm that you have placed the blog candy photo and link on your blog sidebar... or let me know that you don't have a blog.

Oh, and just for fun, tell me which of the five prizes you would pick if you won. Don't worry, I won't hold you to it if you win. You can definitely change your mind!

5. I will verify that all these things are true of those whose names are drawn. To be fair to everyone, please enter only once and make sure you've followed all the rules.

I will use Random.org to draw the five winners

The deadline to enter is 11:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time on Sunday, December 13, 2009. I will announce the winners on Tuesday, December 15th.

Enjoy! And thanks from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my blog family!

The 11th Anniversary of my 39th Birthday!

This is the second of three posts today. I hope you'll scroll down to see the first titled "Joy of Giving" for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge after you finish here.

Hello my friends! If you are reading this on Sunday, November 29th, then I'm celebrating the 11th anniversary of my 39th birthday! I'm not feeling too badly about turning (gulp) 50, probably because most of my friends (and my husband) are older than me, so I feel like the "baby." I love reminding them on their birthdays that they should always remember that no matter how old they get, I'll always be younger!

Truthfully, though, I've come to the realization that time is indeed passing. Even if I'm lucky enough to have just recently passed the half-way point of my life, I don't have endless amounts of time left in this life on earth. I've resolved to make some changes so that the quality of my life is better, and to do the things I really want to do, not put them off for another day that may never come. That includes getting rid of a lot of negative emotional baggage I've been carrying around for too long. You've gotta have a plan peeps, and I have one! I've asked God to guide me and be with me in all things. He knows the desires of my heart most of all. With Him as my compass, I cannot fail!

I also happen to be blessed with the most amazing friends and family who truly make me feel like the Queen on my birthday! I've received many birthday cards and gifts from friends I've made over this past year through blog land, and I can't tell you how uplifted and loved I feel! Take a look at this beauties and you'll see why:

From Debbie Pamment

From Kathy Winter

From Kim Yu

From Kristine Breach

From Michelle Yungbauer

Aren't these gorgeous? Am I lucky or what? These ladies bless and inspire me every day.

Hugs and love to each of you, with a tall heaping of gratitude,

The Joy of Giving!

Happy Sunday! It's time once again for another scripture-inspired challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ! Since this is the first of three posts for today (a record for me!), I'll keep this short. You'll be totally sick of me by the time you get through all three... if you can make it that far!

Our hostess this week is the wonderful Randi Barrett. As I said in the SSCC blog post, Randi is a true blessing to us, and I thank God for bringing her into my life. I enjoy her wonderful sense of humor, but most of all I love her godly spirit and the way she keeps a thankful heart in spite of health trials that would cause many of us to question God's love.

Randi chose these scriptures for our inspiration:

Matthew 2:11 "After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

Matthew 7:7-11: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give what is good to those who ask it."

Her challenge is to make a card, layout or other paper craft project that has a gift featured in it.

Our sponsor this week is none other than La-La Land Crafts, so naturally I reached for one to make my card. Christmas Dress Rosie is one of the prizes for this week's challenge. I'm sorry I can't name the DP... it was a gift from Irina, the owner of LLLC, along with the row of beads along the bottom. She is such a sweetheart. Thanks Irina! I also followed the CPS143 sketch for my card.

I hope you'll click over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge blog and read Randi's thoughts about the scriptures she chose for our inspiration. Her words resonate with me... for as much as I do enjoy receiving gifts, my greatest joy is in giving them. I love making people happy. I love finding the perfect gift and seeing someone's face light up with pleasure. I never really thought about God feeling the same way when we accept His gifts, but it makes sense, doesn't it? We are His children and He wants us to be happy, just as we want our children, family and friends to be happy.

All I can say is "Thank You, dear Heavenly Father"!

Speaking of gifts, I hope you'll enjoy my next two posts for today (above)...

Winter Wonderland

Hey y'all! (I'm channeling Paula Deen.) Happy Day After Thanksgiving! I meant to post yesterday, but I spent most of Wednesday doing absolutely nothing... at least not craft wise. I did, however, scratch 6 or 7 things off my to-do list, and I finally watched the movie Twilight.

I didn't hate it. Okay that might sound terrible to those who are huge fans of the books and movies, but it really isn't. I'm just the wrong demographic. But I do appreciate that it very likely stayed true to the book, and I do think they cast the movie very well. Lots of unknown actors, but (I think) perfect for their respective rolls.

That actually got me to thinking about whether I've ever been wild for something the way folks are for Twilight. I honestly can't think of any such instance. The closest I could come was my crush on Donny Osmond when I was about 13. (Who, by the way, I hear just won Dancing With the Stars. I saw a couple of commercials for the show, and I must say Donny is looking good for a guy in his early 50's. So don't count us middle-aged folks out just yet!)

Anyway, that led me to thinking about who during my generation would have played the Twilight characters well. I came up with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere as Bella and Edward, George Clooney as Carlysle, maybe Angelina Jolie as Esme, Brad Pitt as Jasper, Madonna as Rosalie. I have the perfect person in mind for Alice, but I can't think of her name to save my life. Am I onto something or what? Hahaha! Edited to add: It's Meg Tilly I was thinking of for Alice. And perhaps Demi Moore instead of Angelina Jolie for Esme... Demi is a bit more innocent looking. Ha!

But I digress, as usual.

We had a good Thanksgiving, just the six of us. It's the first time I've ever done the entire Thanksgiving dinner without the help of my MIL. I'm usually her sous chef. This time Paul was mine. We actually did really well. Everything came out hot at the same time and was pretty tasty, if I do say so myself. I guess helping Jo all those years taught me more than I realized. Oh, and thanks Nancy for the excellent Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Filling recipe. We loved it!

Now I'm trying not to panic over the fact that Christmas is less than a month away. Here in California, we're having Spring-like weather, so it's hard to "feel" Christmassy. I made a wintery card for inspiration!

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge 49 is perfect for the images found in Winter Fun With Sam and Gretchen by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. I decided to add a little whimsy by having the bird pull Gretchen's sled...wouldn't that be something you might see in a winter wonderland?

That is, of course, Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses DP, and Prism cardstock. I put a little White Sparkly Fluff along the bottom of the sled, and then punched and glittered a snowflake for the finishing touch.

You might be wondering where my sample is for the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge. Well, because of the holidays, Taylor is taking the week off from the sketch challenge. Instead, she's running a HOT Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale:

In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday (the two biggest shopping days of the year!), Taylored Expressions is offering 15% off everything in the store! Just use the promotional code TEBlackFriday upon checkout to receive the discount. You don't want to miss up to 50% off all JustRite products, Buy 2 Get 1 Free on Tiny Twinkles, and the new TE Shirts & Aprons!

I don't know about you, but I'll be filling my basket for sure! Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kits? And did you know Taylor carries Copic markers, lots of Spellbinders, tons of rhinestones and other embellishments, ribbon galore, and the cutest darn stamp sets? The list goes on, my friends. And I can't wait to get my hands on one of the new t-shirts!

I hope you have a wonderful Friday. Are you getting out amongst them at the stores and shopping malls, doing your part to stimulate the economy? Me, I'll probably lay low and do some on-line shopping. There are still so many things I want to get done before going back to work on Monday, and time is slipping away so quickly...

Thanks for stopping by!