Hey there, Chickadee - FBW

Okay I'll admit, I'm a little late with this post today BUT it's before midnight so technically it is still Flutter By Wednesday!! This is the last week of Danni's month long celebration. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE that made this celebration such a success. I know Danni's enjoyed giving away the fabulous blog candy and we've all loved seeing the different creations! Be sure to stop by Danni's blog and link your creation and get registered for the giveaway! So what's the challenge you ask - it's to use sapphire - either the color or bling - along with a fairy or butterfly.

For my creation I reached for my C.C. Design Swiss Pixies again - they are just so cute and fun to color.

I'm not sure what it is but I adore this card - I love the soft colors and the blue bling. Plus the saying is just perfect - something I'd definitely say! I paper pieced the pixies dress and boots. I added Crystal Stickles to the wing - I have to admit this is the one bottle of Stickles I use the most. I love that I can use whatever color I want and then add shine without ruining my color choice. I have like 3 bottles of it on hand!! The paper used was Chatterbox - love the designs and soft colors. Below is a close up of the pixie...

So whatcha think? Do you likey? Be sure to check out the other design team members blogs to see their wonderful sapphire creations. While visiting Chris be sure to tell her HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Also, welcome back Kristie and Taylor to the team - glad you're back girls!! Last but certainly not least is our guest designer this week - it's Anna and I'm sure you've seen her blog before. If not, stop by now! She is one talented and super sweet gal who I have had the pleasure to get to know. She's the one who has enabled my fairy doodle obsession!!

Quick update on me - still trying to adjust to working outside the home. Preschool is going good - the kids are darling! I've had the opportunity to sub in the 3 and 4 yr old rooms and have been rewarded each time. The laughter, smiles and comments that kids say just warms my heart. I feel blessed to have stumbled upon this opportunity and look forward to what is still to come. I think I'm starting to get the hang of things and hope to be back on a regular schedule here. With the holidays coming and all the craft shows I've signed up for I've got to get creating!

Thanks for stopping by!

Trick or Treat

Why yes it's Monday but I don't have a Christmas card for you! The challenge this week is to create a scene and for the life of me I just couldn't get anything to work that I was pleased with...so please forgive me. Go see all the wonderful creations on the Christmas Blog. For me though I have a Halloween card to share that I made last week for my Yahoo group. The sketch is from PageMaps.

I used some scrap paper (KI Memories) and my Justrite stamps for the sentiment. This weekend I organized all my Justrite stamps and realized I have quite a few. My good friend Danni, gave me the idea to have a stamp book with all my stamps. For some reason though I had never added my Justrite ones. So I did that and added a few new TAC stamps that I got a week or so ago. I have to tell you that making the stamp book in the beginning was a LONG BORING process but it is so worth it (if you have a ton of stamps like me!). I'm in the process of making a book of all my dies - I have so many Sizzix, Quickutz, Spellbinders and Cuttlebug that I forget what I have. Most of the time I just don' t use them because of it. By having the book on my desk, I would refer to it often.

Nothing really exciting happening this weekend. My evenings are pretty open (as of right now) but I do have a lot of creating and planning for upcoming FUNShops and crops. Hopefully my mojo will be in full swing and I can get a lot accomplished. Wish me luck!!

Thanks for stopping by - Don't forget about the blog candy I'm giving away. GO HERE...YOU NEED TO ENTER TO WIN!!!

Celebrate

Celebrate - cause it's FRIDAY!!! Yippee!! Do you have a lot of plans this weekend? We've got a soccer game, 2 birthday parties as well as a to-do list a mile long! My parents have been gone for a few weeks on vacation and while on vacation they found me two wire card racks to hold all my cards. You'd typically see these racks in like a flower shop. Well I've always wanted one and was so excited when my parents told me they got me TWO!!! They will be dropping them off this weekend and I can't wait to get my hands on them...

Before I talk about my card for the day don't forget about my blog candy. You can see the post here - it will have how you can enter (scroll to the bottom) as well as a pic of the FEW goodies I'll be giving away (I'm adding to it so there will be MORE). Thank you to all you have entered - spread the word for your increased chance at winning too. Thank you also for all the sweet comments about my daughter's pictures - I, too think she's pretty darn adorable!!

So today I'd like to share another card from one of my classes I did last month. This is a card we made at my Scor-Pal class.

The background was done on my Scor-Pal using a Scor-Bug. I just love the way the Scor-Bug embosses the paper. I used DCWV white core paper and sanded off the top a little so the design really pops on my card. For the cupcake (which is from the Little Cupcake stamp set), I paper pieced the cup using Uptown Girl paper pack. I used my glaze gelly pens to color in the cherry. I applied Liquid Applique to the icing and before heating it I added a little prisma glitter. Below is a close up of the cupcake:

It was fun to make and everyone loves feeling the icing! Everything I used is available through The Angel Company so feel free to contact me regarding questions or if you'd like to order. I just put in my application today to get my own online ordering site so when that is finalized I'll add that information to my blog. How cool to be able to order in your jammies or at anytime you'd like and have it shipped right to your door?!?!

Thanks so much for stopping by - Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

SMILE

SMILE - it's FLUTTER BY WEDNESDAY!!! Hello to you and thank you for stopping by. There is a lot in this post and I saved the best for last so make sure you read through my entire post - especially if you want some goodies :o)

Today, on the Flutter By team our challenge was to use a butterfly or fairy and flowers. That's not a hard one - I mean I have a TON of flowers not to mention paper with flowers and stamps with flowers!! So I'm sure this would be an easy challenge for you as well so why not join in? As you know we are celebrating Danni's 40th birthday this month so be sure to stop by her blog, share you creation and enter to win the giveaway of the week!! Oh and there is also a special designer this month - Kim whose blog I LOVE to visit. She's very talented and I'm always amazed at her coloring, design and ability to cut & pop up almost everything! Trust me you'll want to check out her blog!! Now on to my creation:


I had to use SMILE as when I look at this card that is what I do. I mean it has to bring a smile to the recipients face, right? The image is from TGF - which was a RAK to me. I colored her with Copics. The paper is a retired set from TAC. The greeting is from Paper salon and the flowers are Prima.

Be sure to stop by the other team members blogs to see their wonderful creation and while you are visiting Christine's blog be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday!!

Today was school picture day at Abby's school. My sister bought this outfit for Abby and I've been saving it for her picture day. I thought she looked ADORABLE so I had to snap a few photos - sorry but gotta share my baby!

She was so funny - she told me she looked like she was in high school - I totally busted out laughing!!

As I've been promising I have some blog candy to give away. This is to thank you - for without you blogging just wouldn't be! I am so happy that my friends kept pushing me to start a blog and am thankful for meeting such wonderful people. This has truly been one great year - I'm looking forward to many more!! Now this picture isn't complete - I'm still adding to the pile. You can be sure there will be some paper as well as some images in the loot as well. But for now here's a little taste of the goodies I'm giving away

There are stamps - Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween; Prima flowers, Epoxy greeting stickers, Flower stickers PLUS there will be images & papers. Who knows what else I'll decide to throw in so be sure to sign up!! What do you have to do? Well that's easy:

1. Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win

2. Get another "entry" by mentioning my giveaway on your blog (leave a comment telling me you did with a link so I can enter you)

3. Get yet another "entry" by becoming (or being) a follower of my blog (leave a comment telling me you did this as well so I can enter you)

I'll leave the contest open until Wednesday, Oct 7th at noon central time. I'll reveal the winner that evening....so get to entering and spread the word!!

Non-Traditional Christmas Challenge

Good Morning! As you know, it's Monday so time for another Christmas card. I'm so excited about the number of cards I have completed - I'm so ahead of the game this year and it feels GOOD! The challenge on the Christmas Stampin' All Year Long Blog was issued by Sankari. She asked us to make a card using non-traditional colors - no red, green or blue!

I bought a DCWV Christmas Stack last year and have wanted to use some of the papers from there. One of the color schemes is pink and black - well that is definitely non-traditional, so I went with it!

The image was a RAK which I colored with my Copics. I added a few buttons a small bow and tadaa - a cute Christmas card done!

I've been gather a few items for my blog candy give away. I'm so happy to have been blogging for a year and to have so many visit and comment on my blog is absolutely wonderful to me!! THANK YOU ALL!! Check back as I hope to have the details up about the giveaway tomorrow. I'll be posting a Halloween card tomorrow too - see ya then!!

Just be-claws

Happy Friday!! Whohoo am I so ready for the weekend! I'm hoping to get lots of things crossed off my to-do list today. Plus this weekend there's no soccer game or commitments so we can relax - we ALL need that from time to time. Abby is out of school on Monday so I'm trying to figure out something fun for mommy and her to do that would be special. It's been awhile since we've had a day to do something. Sunday I have a FUNShop at my house with a bunch of fabulous ladies so that will be fun. The projects will be using a brayer on one and fun flock on another. I'll share them next week!

This card is one we did at my Scor-Pal class. It was a lot of fun - you should think about coming if you live near Topeka, KS. Or, just let me know you'd like a kit and we can send that out anywhere! My kits include detail instructions with pictures of each card so it's easy to assemble. My next class will be Christmas cards & a planner. Still finalizing the details on that - so I'll post when I've got it done.


I got the FISHY FRIENDS set awhile ago cause I just love the sayings that go with the images. Haven't used it yet and decided it was time. The dots at the top were made with the SCOR-BUG and my SCOR-PAL. I made lines on the top of the white cardstock with my SCOR-PAL as well. I wrapped BROWN SCRAPPER'S FLOSS around the card and used a glue dot to attach my button over it. For something a little different I threaded black ribbon through my button and tied in a knot. I really like the color combo - KRAFT, OLIVE, and red wine. The "I care" sentiment is from a retired hostess set.

Well that's it for me today! The weather is beautiful here and I'm sitting back enjoying some coffee getting ready to do some coloring! Whatever you may be doing today (or this weekend), I hope it's fun....and relaxing! Thanks for stopping by!

I'm a demonstrator for The Angel Company. Feel free to contact me to order products, kits or if you have any questions!

Shimmery Flutter By

Week 3 of Danni's Flutter By Wednesday celebration! We have special designers this week - Annabelle and Matthew, Danni's mega talented children who just happen to be adorable to boot! Be sure to stop by Danni's blog to see their wonderful creations!! The challenge is to create a card that shimmers or shines and includes a butterfly or fairy. I received some images from the super talented and oh-so-sweet, Anna that I just had to use for my card today.

I used Mojo Monday sketch found here. The paper is from Cosmo Cricket that I "found" in my room (love those kind of finds!). I colored the cute fairy with my Copics and added Stickles to her wings. You can't see it very well in the top picture but I added shimmerz to the flower centers on the DP as well. Below is a close up that shows that a little better.

If you'd like to play along and be included on all the fun be sure to stop by Danni's blog and link your creation using Mr. Linky. Also, stop by the other design team members blogs to see their wonderful cards - they are all so mega talented and I LOVE looking at each one of them!

Hope your Wednesday is a good one - thanks so much for stopping by!

Embrace Happiness

Quick share today of a card I made for a Yahoo group I belong to. I didn't really even stamp on it. The sketch was a good one to use up some of my scraps and came together rather quickly. That's okay though - not every card can be a Van Gogh, right?

The sketch is from PageMaps. Below is my card using the sketch

Sorry it's blurry - I was having a heck of a time with my camera. Later I realized there was a HUGE fingerprint on the lens - needless to say it's all good now :o) The paper is KI Memories - I just love their bright awesome patterns. It makes me happy!

Today is preschool day #2 with the kiddos. I hope that it goes well but I haven't seen them since Thursday. We did have some crying then so I'm sure I'll have some today as well. Tonight I'm teaching a card class out at the Shabbi Shack - I always enjoy going out there and hanging out with the ladies! Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure to stop by tomorrow - it's Flutter By Wednesday and Danni's birthday celebration continues!!

Maria's Sketch Challenge #34

Good Morning! I hope you had a good weekend - so glad you've stopped by my blog! I'm happy to report that I allowed myself some time this weekend to create and I feel MUCH better!! I still have a lot to do - but won't that always be the case!?! Any who, on to Monday morning Christmas challenge. This week, Maria gave us a sketch to use. Gotta love sketches and Maria's are always so fun!

I just got a whole bunch of new stamp sets from TAC - one of the perks of winning a contest is getting a nice gift certificate for FREE goodies! I knew that I wanted to use the new set, Holiday Girls for my card.

Isn't that my Abby?!?! Seriously, how CA-UTE is that! There are even Holiday Boys and they are just as cute :o) The sentiment is also a TAC stamp set, Thinking of you. I colored using my Copics - I think I'm getting a little more comfortable with them. I usually outline my image in grey or light blue but have seen others use yellow and orange so I thought why not try something different. Not sure I'll use green too often but I think it works! The flower is a Quickutz die that I cut 3 times and adhered with a rhinestone brad.

To see more wonderful Christmas cards using this sketch visit the design team blogs located on the right hand side of my blog. Or you can visit the Christmas Stampin' All Year blog and see them all as well.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am a Demonstrator for The Angel Company. Feel free to contact me regarding order products or if you have any questions!

FBW Challenge - Let's go PINK

Yipppeeee!!! I'm finally able to post my card for Flutter By Wednesday! We are continuing the party over at Danni's blog to celebrate her turning 40 this month! She is giving away awesome prizes so stop by and see how you can play!

Today's challenge is to make a card using a fairy or butterfly and PINK - which just happens to be Danni's favorite color! We also have a guest designer - check out Jacque's creation. Let me tell you it's BEAUTIFUL - what a talented lady she is!!!

For my card, I had to use the swiss pixies from C.C. Designs again - I mean aren't they adorable?!?! I also used Jen's SFYTT for the layout.


I just love coloring her with my Copics. Lots of open space for me which means easier for me to stay in the lines :O) I added Crystal Stickles to her wings. The sentiment is a rub on (from Making Memories) and the paper is by Chatterbox. Here is a close up of the fairy:

Hope you enjoy my card. Be sure to visit the other design team members blogs to see their wonderful PINK creations. After you make your card (come on you know you want to!) stop by Danni's blog and link it using Mr. Linky. Then enter to win her blog candy giveaway for the week - It's an AWESOME stamp set that I know you'd enjoy!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

It's one of those days, I mean weeks!

So today I should be posting a flutter by card. Heck I should have posted a few cards this week but no such luck! As you know I took a part time job as a preschool teacher and right now I'm in the phase where I'm trying to juggle everything and figure out how to get it all done. Unfortunately, I'm not succeeded!! PLEASE bear with me - keep checking for updates cause I promise I'll be posting regularly soon!!

please note - I DO, yes that's right, I DO have a flutter by card finished and ready to post BUT Blogger has a different idea! It won't let me - boo hoo!! SO I'll continue trying to get it on here today and hopefully Blogger will fix the problem soon! Please come back and see me!!

Thank you for all the visits to my blog - I noticed last night that I've had over 10,000 hits!! That's awesome for little 'ol me! Also, next week will be my one year anniversary in the blogging world. I'm thinking I should have a giveaway? Whatcha think???

Birthday Celebration Begins on FBW

Today kicks off a month long celebration over on Danni's blog. Her birthday is Friday and what better way to celebrate than to give away a bunch of awesome goodies!! That's right head over to her blog now and see how you can enter to win an awesome giveaway! Plus all month long we'll be doing special challenges, issued by no other than the birthday girl herself. And if that isn't enough for you, each week there will be a special guest designer - this week is Christy Croll! I just adore her Huggabugs - they are so darn cute! Don't forget my fellow DT sisters will all have some awesome creations to look at as well so be sure to stop by their blogs!!

The challenge this week is to create a birthday card using a butterfly or fairy. Remember you must have the butterfly or fairy on your card somewhere in order to play along. I'm always needing birthday cards and I just received these cute pixie stamps a couple of weeks ago so I immediately knew what I'd be using!

The paper is KI Memories (one of my favorites) which is where I drew my colors from for the image. I used my Copics and am very pleased on how this turned out. Who am I foolin' I think it's darling!! I drew inspiration for the layout from a Mojo Monday sketch but didn't really even stick to it since my image was much larger than I thought. I should point out that I added the presents to the wheelbarrow. It was a clear stamp from Michael's and it had a little heart which matched the wheelbarrow exactly. I love it when that happens! Makes me feel like it's ok to have all this stuff, LOL!

So whatcha think? Are you going to play along? You know you want to - I'm sure you've got a birthday to celebrate soon - I do, Abby's is Saturday. Yep, my little girl will be 6!! If anything you could make one to send to her. Nevermind...scratch that! You better make one and send it to Danni - I mean she's the master behind this whole FBW thing for which I'm grateful for! She's a heck of a girl - very nice, so supportive and wickedly talented. Gotta love her! Happy Birthday Danni and thanks for everything!!

Thanks for stopping by!