It's HERE...

The new catalog from The Angel Company and it's AWESOME!! I just can't stop looking through it - so many wonderful things lurk inside...

Here's my top 5:

1. New stamps - TONS OF THEM (like 80+)

2. New paper - two collections both double sided

3. Exclusive Copic sets and matching papers

4. The Cinch and the Scor-Buddy

5. LOWER prices on our papers - who doesn't LOVE that?!?

and as a added bonus I have THREE cards published in it, too!!

So are you ready for yours? I'll have them available at my open house on July 9th! I hope you'll join me - there will be make n takes, prizes and tons of inspiration!! Can't make my open house - email me to get your copy mailed to you...it's just $5 plus $2 for shipping in the US! (If you live elsewhere, you'll just pay actual shipping to you.)

Part two of my post today deals with Seminar which was AWESOME!! I had so much fun! It was a smaller group but that was just fine as I got to know people better and we got a ton of cool stuff!

So here is my Top 5 of seminar:

1. Goodies galore - stamp sets, buttons, bling, paper, ribbon, make n takes

2. The new catalog - AWESOME...you have to SEE it to know what I mean!

3. Angels - new friends and old. One on one. Laughing. Visiting. Bonding.

4. Awards - I've been working hard on this one. I really wanted to get Top Sales. I did, #4 to be exact. That came with a tiara, certificate of award and $100 gift certificate. BUT the real shocker came when the announced me as the winner of The Angel of the Year award!!! Can you imagine? I was SO shocked...I got another certificate of award and $100 gift certificate PLUS a special invitation to a private luncheon which brings me to...

5. Halos Luncheon - LOVED this. Such a special experience. Meant a lot to me...got a few freebies (yes, more stamps!) and got to know some very special Angels even better!

So there you have it...me trying to sum up three fabulous days in a top 5. I have so much to be grateful for and am just floating on cloud 9 from the whole experience!

I have to tell you this story - it is just so special to me! Last year at seminar I won a Rising Star award. Didn't expect it and I was disappointed to learn that it wasn't captured on camera. I had NO picture to show me receiving the award. That is why I worked so hard this year. I wanted to get an award and have a picture taken this time. So this year, I asked a few of my fellow Angels if they'd be so kind to take a picture of me IF I got on stage. They of course said yes but unbeknownest to me my Angel Mama, Heather had secretly sent out an email to everyone telling them IF I won an award to flood the stage taking pictures. Fast forward, to banquet night. Mischelle is awarding Top Sales and gets to #4. She calls my name and I stand up and walk to the stage. I see a few camera flashes and think nothing of it until I turn around and see all these people taking pictures of me. This photo (thanks Barb!) captures my surprise!

Since I was already on stage and they were taking photos I decided to WORK IT. I haven't gotten all the photos from people yet but I can tell you that I know I got some and the scrapbook pages I will create are going to be AWESOME!!

This is me, hugging Debbie after she put my tiara on Can you tell I'm happy? Such a fabulous evening!! Oh and here's a pic from behind (thanks Brenda, for capturing this).

Hope you've enjoyed my post today! Remember - contact me TODAY to get your copy of the new catalogue!

Scrapbook Page for Softpencil Thursday!!

I was so excited when I saw the challenge this week was to make a SCRAPBOOK PAGE using MOLLY IS GIVING YOU A FLOWER image from Softpencil. Haven't I been saying I want to scrapbook more?! PERFECT challenge for me. Most my pages and albums are 12x12 so I stuck with that size.

This is MOLLY IS GIVING YOU A FLOWER image - isn't she adorable?! She is just so sweet! I knew she'd go great with a page about my little Abby - it was just a matter of figuring out which photo to use! I finally decided to use this photo of her from her dancing sessions in Memphis, TN. Sadly I haven't enrolled her in dance here in Kansas and I miss taking her and seeing her perform.

I thought Molly was a perfect embellishment because usually dancers receive flowers after their performances. For the title I used a retired stamp set from TAC.

So whatcha think? Want MOLLY for yourself? Hop on over to the Softpencil Blog where you'll find the latest releases (SO CUTE!), Challenges Elizabeth is sponsoring, and ordering information.

I'm off to seminar and will be gone till Sunday - I'm so excited to see the new catalog and have a girls weekend! I'm hoping to come back inspired and ready to go!! Thanks for stopping by!

TAC BLOG HOP - SNEAK PEAKS!!!

Good Evening! I'm so excited about tonight because I get to show you some SNEAK PEAKS from the NEW CATALOG from The Angel Company!! One of the perks of being a demonstrator is getting your hands on new stuff, FIRST. Plus we get to be a part of an awesome group - PAPER WINGS. What you are going to see on my blog (and my fellow demonstrators participating in this blog hop) are stamp sets that will be available in JULY...so start making your wish list now!

First up is a card using my favorite stamp sets being released (well that I've seen so far, lol).

The sets used on this card are HAPPILY GRATEFUL (leaves), BACKGROUND SOUP (polka dots) and LOVE YOU (sentiment). I could totally see this being used for thinking of you, get well, sympathy cards - just so many possibilities!

Supplies also used: Belle Rose Palette Ink, VersaMagic Tea Leaves, Memento Rich Cocoa, Scrapper's Floss, Kraft Cardstock, White Cardstock, Green Cardstock (Mia's Cottage), Pink Cardstock (Lilly Anna), Scor-Pal, Buttons

Next up is a card that just makes me smile.

This cute whale and sentiment is from the OH HAPPY DAY set. Colored him in using my pencils and OMS. The paper is from our Amberley Grace line, Cardstock from Willoughby, Kraft and Ivory Cardstock, Memento Tuxedo Black and Brads.

Both cards are inspired by projects I saw in Paper Crafts magazine. I'm also planning on these being my swap cards for seminar which starts this Thursday!! I'm so excited to be going and can't wait to see what is in store for The Angel Company!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you've enjoyed my cards. Please visit the other participants of this blog hop below - I'm sure you'll LOVE all the fabulous creations they will showcase using all NEW sets!!

Shirley http://glitteredpaws.blogspot.com/

Teresa http://mamapickle.blogspot.com/

Kim http://angelatmydoor.blogspot.com/

Carol http://stampincarol.blogspot.com/

Julie http://juliesstamppad.blogspot.com/

Rita W http://ritascreativenest.com/

Seleise http://amethystcat.blogspot.com/

Chelsea http://inkystamps.blogspot.com/

Christine http://christines-creativetherapy.blogspot.com/

Bridgett http://hoosierstamper.blogspot.com/

Challenge #54 - Very Vintage

The challenge today over at the CSAYL BLOG is to go VINTAGE! I'm not so sure about the whole vintage thing. I mean I like the look just not sure I can create it! I can tell you that I have an AWESOME vision in my head on how I wanted this card to look BUT could not get that vision on paper.

I LOVE the beaded ribbon I got at Hobby Lobby. Bought a few different types that I felt were very vintage. LOVE the new image from The Angel Company called Twinkle in the Eye. It will be appearing in our new catalogue and available in July!!! Love the crinkle and sponging - totally vintage in my book! So what is it then - well the colors? the layout? I don't know...it's just missing SOMETHING. Oh well we can't love them all, right?

I hope you decide to join us over at CSAYL. I'd love to see your vintage creation - I mean come on...I can use some inspiration here folks! Thanks for stopping by - remember to come back on Sunday for some more creations using NEW TAC stamps that will be available in JULY! It's going to be an awesome blog hop for sure!

Softpencil Thursday - Michu's Mom

Good morning and welcome to another Softpencil Thursday! This week we were asked to use the image MICHU'S MOM. It was an OPEN challenge so I decided to make a card. My Mom's birthday will be coming up and MICHU'S MOM is the perfect image to use!

How cool is it that they live in a cupcake house?!? I had so much "decorating" it! I used Liquid Applique and added a little glitter before puffing it up. LOVE how it looks (and feels)!

I really went all girly on this one - even added pearls to the scallop border. I followed Mojo Monday #142 sketch. It's last week's sketch that I never got around to using. I seem to grab my pencils and OMS when coloring Softpencil images - there is something just so relaxing about it.

I think I mentioned I got a cabinet from my dad - pretty sure it's a cabinet that held like blue prints in it. I LOVE it cause I'm able to group items together and get a lot in a drawer. Why am I telling you this? Well when I got it I reorganized my room and found things. This paper is one of them. I found tons of paper pads from years past. Now that I know what I have and am trying to use it...this is some OLD Making Memories paper.

I hope you like my Softpencil creation today. Be sure to stop by the Softpencil blog where Elizabeth has released some awesome background paper and a few other fun images. You can also pick up MICHU'S MOM for yourself! I failed to welcome FINK to the team last week (sorry about that) so want to officially welcome her this week! You can visit her blog as well as the entire team just by clicking on their name on my sidebar.

I want to apologize for not posting. Once again life threw me a little curve ball - I ended up having to go to the Dr. for a few things. I am on antibiotics and am hoping it takes care of this nasty infection I have. I'm still functioning, just a little slower :) Still up - Christmas, new TAC releases (blog hop on Sunday) and my scrapbook layout - so stay tuned!! Thanks so much for visiting and for all your sweet and wonderful comments!! It means the WORLD to me!

Challenge #53 - Non Stamped Card!

Happy Friday to you! Today I get to share another creation for CSAYL. Now here's the funny part - CSAYL stands for Christmas STAMPIN All Year Long BUT the challenge this week is to create a card WITHOUT STAMPING!! This was good for me though. I got to take a break on stamping and I used some embellishments that have been in my stash for quite awhile.


I'm TOTALLY LOVING THIS CARD!!! I'm a HUGE snowman freak...collect any and all so this little embellishment had to come home with me. Poor thing has been in a bin ever since. I LOVE BoBunny Paper...it's definitely one of my top favs. Right up there with Doodlebug, KI and BasicGrey!

You combine all those wonderful things along with a FABULOUS sketch from Taylored Expression #116 and you have this little beauty! I used a Quickutz die for the snowflakes along with white cardstock which I sponged with VersaMagic Turquoise Gem. Then I added a little Crystal Stickles to them. LOVE how they turned out - the centers are dew drops. The sentiment is a rub-on and the snowflake/lamp post is a sticker.

So see it is possible to create a CA-UTE card without stamping...Don't worry though I won't be giving up my stamping anytime soon! It's too much fun and I have WAY too many stamps :) Are you up for this weeks challenge? Why not join us and play along. Just visit the CSAYL Blog to link your creation up - you may even win a guest DT spot!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Anything But A Card Challenge for Softpencil

Welcome fellow friends! Today I'm going to share a few projects I made using a fabulous digi from Softpencil called RATINY'S MUSHROOM HOME. The challenge was to create ANYTHING BUT A CARD.

When I saw the image, I instantly thought it would be perfect to welcome someone into the neighborhood or into a new home. I made a gift bag that would hold some goodies. My idea of goodies are freshly baked treats!

I got the idea for the bag from Jen del Muro and she calls it a Genie Bag. Basically it's a craft sack that is decorated.

I used a couple of TAC stamp sets (Thankful for You and Build-A-Flower) for the sentiment. I colored RATINY'S MUSHROOM HOME using pencils and OMS.

When we moved into our house almost 2 years ago, things were so hectic. I mean boxes everywhere! Plus finding the time to unpack them all - well lets just say there were many times I couldn't find what I needed! I thought it would be nice to also include a little pad of paper with my gift.

I used the same papers and image (just colored a little differently). Here's an open view of the pad.

It's not that big and would be perfect to write down those items you need to buy (we always have them). I probably should have included a pen because Lord knows I can never find one of those when I need it, LOL!

I hope you've liked my creations! Don't you just love this sweet image from Softpencil? If you'd like to get one for yourself, just stop by the SOFTPENCIL BLOG. While there check out all the new releases and happenings going on. You can find the links to the other DT members on the right side of my blog. Be sure to stop by their blogs to see what they came up with this week! I'm sure it will be awesome!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

PS - I finally made time to finish a scrapbook layout and get all 244 pictures off my camera. I'll be sharing a few projects that I've made the last few weeks as well as my newest scrapbook page and some new pictures of the family...so stay tuned :)

CSAYL Gift Set #4 - Album Purse

Folks hold on to your hat cause I actually scrapbooked!! NO it's not a page it's a mini album!! I have to tell you it felt good to get some photos in something to show off. Totally makes me want to do some scrapbooking...and I'm adding it to my to-do list!

For the Christmas Stampin' All Year Long Blog (CSAYL) we are doing a gift set. It's a CD Envelope 5.5x5.5 Pocket Album Purse. Our very own Maria came up with this idea and has a fabulous tutorial for you to follow. You can find the instructions along with other samples on the CSAYL blog.


Since it's a gift set we also were asked to make a matching card. I kind of forgot about doing one since I was totally making this album for myself. I did make a "general" card though that could be used separately.

I should warn you now this post will be photo heavy. I really wanted to try and show all aspects of this cute little purse. I already know I'll be making another one for Grandma and maybe even one for Aunt Shannon...they will make AWESOME gifts!! Below is a side view of the purse.


And a close up of the front of the purse. The stamps are from The Angel Company.


Every year we make Christmas cookies so I decided to make this purse entirely about that event. The photos are from 2006 (yes folks, I am THAT behind!!!). I should tell you that I modified the tutorial slightly to accommodate my photos. The tutorial calls for 2 CD envelopes and I used 4. It allowed me to use all my photos. When you first open the purse this is what you'd see:


The sleeve on the right is what I added. I took another CD envelope and used the flap to adhere to the center folds. I took an X-acto knife and sliced the "bottom" of the CD envelope to create a pocket. I put a little adhesive on the "top" portion (which is now my bottom) to hold it close. Because of this my inside panel (which holds the photo) had to be adjusted slightly to fit. This will probably make better since when you see the actually tutorial that Maria did.


On this side the left CD envelope is what I added. I did the exact same thing as what I mentioned above.

This is the back of the two extra CD envelops. The brown pattern paper hides the CD envelope flaps. Since the back of the CD envelopes are white I put pattern paper on them and then my photos. The neat thing about adding these two extra CD envelopes is I was able to add 4 more photos. Plus if I really wanted to, since the inserts to the CD envelopes are removable I could add pics to the back. I didn't though because I wanted to leave room for journaling and little notes.

Isn't it cool?!? I so enjoyed this PLUS I did this in an afternoon...tells me that accomplishing a page in an evening isn't impossible! Abby was only 3 years old in these photos...it's so nice to look at the photos instead of them being in a box. Jay loved it too and wants to put it on our bookcase for others to see. It kind of bugs him that I don't scrapbook as much as I used to.

I hope you'll try and make one for yourself! If you do, be sure to link your creation up on the CSAYL blog. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy Everything!

Yeah it's Thursday - time for a Softpencil creation!! Today I'm sharing a card using a new image - MY NEW TINY FRIENDS.


Such a cute image! She's enjoying the sunshine, green grass and some friends. What could be better?

I used a Mojo Monday sketch for my card and some paper I found while reorganizing my room. Gotta love that! To get this image and many other awesome ones, just visit the Softpencil Blog. I'd like to let you know there have been some changes with the DT. We have two new guest designers - Mary and Larissa. Also Betty is now a regular DT member. WELCOME LADIES! I hope you'll visit the team's blogs to see their wonderful creations using this image as well. You'll find their links on my sidebar.

So I had a great weekend - hubby is off on Tuesday's so we had a nice long weekend spending time with family. My dad is still not back to work. He did get a different type of pain medicine and when I spoke with him last night he said he thought it was helping. Prayers would still be awesome...it's so hard to see my dad like this. I've been enjoying spending time with Abby and trying to adjust to summer schedule - camps, softball games and such. I'm hoping to post everyday with stuff but may be a little while longer. I'm treasuring my family time and trying to get all I can! Thanks to everyone for the anniversary wishes. Not sure if you know but in May I get to celebrate Mother's Day, my birthday and my anniversary. Usually I get one big item and this year my hubby and daughter got me a new camera!! YIPPEEE!!! I'm so excited. Now I just have to read the HUGE manual and play. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and to leave comments. They really make my day! I'll be back tomorrow for my CSAYL Gift Set so see ya then!