Frog Friends

I can't believe this is the first time I used my lily pad wheel by SU! I knew I wanted to create a little scene after getting inspiration from Melanie's Froggy Went a Courtin' and thought my lilypad wheel was the perfect springboard for it. After I finished, I realized I need to work on another one because at the very end, I put the friends way too high to keep the frog jumping out of the water on the bottom of the card (he had his splash underneath and it needed to be sacrificed for the sake of finishing the card). I know, lazy stamper. There was just so much coloring work so I had to stop there. Hope you still like it!

Bloomin' Froggy & Case'ing Melanie

I just had to do it! I cased this Bloomin Baby card of Melanie's from April 2004! I can hardly believe it's almost 4 years old! I remember getting this card in a swap from her and thought it was the cutest! So how fitting for me to CASE it with one of her very own designed stamp sets Just so Hoppy! I love the Terrific Tulips (which I don't think I will get rid of, it's so timeless). Instead of popping the big tulip up like Melanie did on her card, I cut a slit in the cardstock & slipped my frog in. Then figured he should have a little tulip bouquet of his own! I got the sentiment from a retired hostess only set from last year called Blooming with Happiness (stamped on vellum & adhered with celery eyelets). I used my color spritzer tool on the vanilla background with a celery marker. It's just perfect when you don't want a stark empty background.

I'm so very proud of you, Melanie - you've come a long way, baby!!

My Bunny's going shopping with Linsey's Bunny

Well, it seems that Linsey's Uptown Girl extended an invitation to have another friend to shop with. So here's my stylin' (but oh so modest so she needs clothes, albeit a bathing suit) Bunny ready to hop around in her pink daisy platform heels* to prove to the world 'It's a Girl Thing'! Great minds think alike because this is the card I worked on last night & was so giddy to share but was going to today. Last night when I saw Linsey's bunny I told her great minds think alike because I made my bunny with a purse too (I didn't divulge the details about her clothes or other accessory though so she would be surprised). I took a cue from Melanie's onesie piecing tip. I guess bunny coulda used something in her hair (fur) too but I didn't want to distract from her dress detail or purse bling (can you see her little cleavage?) I guess my blog may be rated PG-13** now?!

My card, because I used 2 different patterns of designer papers, also qualifies for the Try a New Technique Challenge TLC157 on SCS this week (why don't I do these challenges more often? Probably because my full-time job tends to suck a lot of my energy! I almost forgot - if YOU want to have a TON of fun with the Just so Hoppy set by Gina K - illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger...HOP on over to Gina K Designs & get it! Only $17.95 for 24 images and have you noticed how great they work with the Just so Hippy set?! Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun!

*TIP:
The heels are from the It's a Girl Thing by SU! that was a free set moons ago that I'm glad I still have! Wonder how I got a left AND a right shoe?! It was not hard. I stamped the left foot on a piece of vellum and put temporary adhesive to the back side of the patterned paper I wanted and traced around it. Then I placed it on the front side of the patterned paper (at that point I got my mirrored image) cool huh??

**Edited to add per Melanie's reply.

Lots of Thank Yous

I made this card quickly so I could send off a hostess packet (with catalog & invitations) to my customer who's having a workshop in March. I'm excited - it's been nearly 2 years since I've held a traditional workshop with someone else as hostess! I hope she likes it.

Rub a Dub Dub...

It's Tub Time for Froggy!!

As I was chatting with my favorite cousin Andrea (hi) the other night about Melanie's set Just so Hoppy, my sister's baby shower invitations & her gift registry, we stumbled upon this hooded towel & wash set & I got the idea for this card! The tub, bubbles & little fish in the corner are by C.C. Designs that I got from All That Scraps. I love the towel (ribbon from Leigh I won in a blog candy) that totally matched my DCWV adhesive sack I used for the rug (it is the A*Muse small oval). The towel 'holder' is 2 silver brads with natural hemp glued to the back. I drew the wood floor & colored with prismas & oms. This was the card that kicked off creative stamping weekend that just passed.

Mr. Bunny & his Easter Wagon

Here's Mr. Bunny toting his wagon o' eggs! I used the wagon from the SU! retired set Favorite Teddy Bear (Melanie's first set to think outside the box with!) The handle is on the left of the wagon but I spent the time to mask & place it on the left so the bunny could hold it. The background & bunny's eggs are DCWV Nana's kids stack (which I love).

WSC36 - Long Time Friend

Here is my card for Beate's WSC36. I used Gina K's Baskets of Happiness and Stampin' Up! Lots of Thoughts (just inked up the tiny line to fit in the square 3/4" punch - cute, huh?) I used prismacolor pencils, OMS and some twinkling h20's) What do you think about my chocolate satin ribbon? Hobby Lobby was having 1/2 off their spool ribbon last week and it was in the FLORAL dept - 20 YARDS for 50 cents! How's that deal for ya? I never go to the floral dept for ribbon! I will now.

Brayered Sky Sympathy

A co-worker asked me to make a sympathy card for a business associate who lost their father. 7 times out of 10 I reach for my Lovely as a Tree for these type of cards especially when you need to have more of a neutral feel to it (flowers speak femininity to me more in these cases). So I decided to try the Brayered Sky technique on splitcoast which was highlighted about a month ago I believe. What more appropriate background to complement the tree than the Leaves 3 backgrounder by Cornish Heritage Farms? I believe I should have placed the brads in the upper left corner though.

Hoppy 'Bright' Birthday

I just realized I hadn't ever posted the first Kangaroo card I made when I got my Just so Hoppy set! I guess I got distracted by all the interactive cards I've made tht I forgot about the simple straightforward ones I am capable of making. I took my color inspiration from my DCWV Adhesive patterned paper and used my stardust glitter pen on the balloons. Hope you like it & have a great week!

The Gang's All Here

I just had to do it...

Make a Pop-Up card featuring ALL the HOPPYS

With Froggy & Bunny wearing party hats & holding matching balloons

with Chicky & Kanga too...

How you like me now??

No seriously...I am hoppy'd out for the night but I have MORE hoppys to show you in the days to come but I pulled out all the stops tonight!

Come Rain or Come Shine...

'I'm gonna love you like nobody's loved you come rain or come shine. High as a mountain and deep as a river come rain or come shine. I guess when you met me it was just one of those things. But don't ever bet me cause I'm gonna be true if you let me. Youre gonna love me like nobody's loved me come rain or come shine. Happy together unhappy together and won't it be fine? Days may be cloudy or sunny. Were in or were out of the money. But I'm with you always, I'm with you rain or shine.'

Today I felt a little inspiration from Shannan - Pink Tulle with Feathers & Sequins (you know she titles ALL her posts with song lyrics?) It's so true!! Don't expect it from me anymore, it was a fluke because of the card.

I couldn't help but think of these lyrics the HOURS I took to complete this card. It was sure a labor of love. I was a little inspired to make a more interactive card when I got my Scor-Pal this afternoon. But for this card I didn't really use it all that much -but I know I'm gonna love it. I kept the outside of the card simple because of the complexity of the inside. Yes, I cut out the row of flowers (used my stampamajig to place them side by side) and two rows of blades of grass...wasn't it worth it? I think so. I've wanted to make one of these pop up cards FOREVER but was inspired until today.

Colors are Yoyo Yellow, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore & Bashful Blue. Of course I used my Just so Hoppy set by Gina K Designs & illustrated by my friend, Melanie. Yes I'm name dropping. HA! Did you know she's having a contest right now? If you have the Just so Hoppy set, check it out - you can win her next set! Good Luck! Sentiments are by My Favorite Things

Baby Shower Invitation Ideas - Final!!!

I'm so excited I have a final idea from CknODaC on SCS who got her inspiration from several others. Thank God, because I was really beginning to struggle with coming up with something 'perfect' and I think this is it!!! Thanks everyone for the input!

These are the rejects:

Here's the second idea I had (thanks to Melanie for the cb bg idea). I had to scrap the first because it was too 'girly' with my glitter bg paper (you can see it in my SCS gallery though). I used my Occasions mini 'In the Stars' set in Barely Banana on the bg. I like this card but not totally loving it.

Then I changed a few things here. I like the more colorful umbrella and the circle with 'baby shower' from PTI's Borders & Corners set (added an eyelet and now it sorta looks like a bib, huh?) I changed my yellow to So Saffron because I think Barely Banana is just too light for my taste. Because my focal image is so large, I didn't put a blue mat behind it so as not to cover up the stars on the bg piece. It says 'baby' twinkle twinkle little star do you know how loved you are? I also 'fixed' my hop mark thanks to Melanie too - I was doing it all wrong. After all, the artist should know *wink* oh I realize I have some of the rain drops wonky. I'd fix that once I start production.

So here's where you come in - have any ideas for improvement? Which one do YOU like??! I need to get started on these right away and come up with matching favors, thank you cards & announcements. I just am not feeling any other ideas and need to know if one of these would pass. Ugh...I think the past 2 days I didn't stamp because I wanted/needed a break made me lose my mojo!

Edited to add: card with Shannan's suggestions (basic gray matting on focal image & ribbon instead of the blue strip) - I like it!!!

Thanks!

TECC5 - No Stamping?!?! Inspired by Angie

I think this is my first ever card with NO stamping since I've been stamping! Taylor's Challenge 5 was not to stamp, just use embellishments. Makes is super easy having rub-ons (which are FUN to use) Here I used my SAB one (Free with $50 purchase with SU! until March 17th) - I love the saying. I used my cosmo glitter in purple on my chipboard flower after coating it with my Essential glue pad (that's a great product). The paper on the bottom is DCVW Glitter Stack, I love how it has a lot of fun colors in it! Topped the flower off with some primas & a rhinesone brad for more bling!

btw: I've really been wanting to do a card with no stamping for a while since Angie Tieman of Schwoo! started doing it and loves it. Love her clean, simple style! So here it is, Angie! What do you think???

You Make Me Happy

Here is another Baskets of Happiness card (this was the first one I made, actually). I paired it with Cornish Heritage Farms Backgrounder Leaves 3 and SU! Linen background. I used River Rock, Rose Red, So Saffron & Always Artichoke. I love the elegant look of the Stylized silver hodgepodge hardware that will be available March 1 with Stampin' Up! I colored my image with prismaclor pencils, oms & highlighted with my Twinkling H20's (I think I need to get more of those that is the sparkle you see in the bigger image, like silver)

Today's Word - T.G.I.F. Baby!!!

Be Strong in the Lord

Hope you have a great day! I only work until noon then I am having lunch with a friend I haven't seen in over 6 months!! I will have a card (or 2) to show you this evening. Looking forward to Beate's sketch!!

Hoppy Greetings!

Remember The Wheel Thing set from a few year's ago?? Well, I still have it, and I'm glad because look how cute the chick looks in the wagon?? This card was SO fun to make (even coloring & cutting 3 sets of flowers from the set!! Don't you just love the little flower in the chick's hair? Or is it fur? I used the 'spring' from one of the other greetings in the Just so Hoppy set by Melanie and I'm having as much fun with this set as her last one!!


I've been wanting to do an image with this set where it goes 'outside' the shape. Can't remember what that's called but the Kangaroo's ears are outside of my oval (I cut with my Coluzzle). Used my traffic jam cuttlebug embossing folder. Like my new glitter paper? I was totally diggin' the last one I got (and shared with Melanie, you will see some of the same papers on her blog). But last time we went I eyed this one too. It's also from DCWV (Die Cuts With a View) it's called Nana's kids and it has all kid themed papers. So adorable! There are even a few more 'boy' with no glitter but not as many. Like how the Kangaroo is holding the egg?? Too fun!

Today's Word - His Power at Work

I've been thinking about what I could post on my blog that would be 'my thing' like a thought for the day, something unique - and now I know. I've always enjoyed Lakewood Church in Houston (even when John Osteen was preacher) but I was privileged to see his predecessor (and son) Joel a few years ago when visiting for a weekend with a friend. This was at their previous church not the stadium they're in now. That church would be the ONLY reason I would ever move to Houston but that's not going to happen. His sermons (click to view on-line) are always uplifting and encouraging - characteristics I aspire to have. So I decided I will post their Scripture for the day with a link to Today's Word with Joel and Victoria - it will be my reader's choice to click on it if there is a desire to read it. I'd like to think of this as an extension of my Divine Design Challenge.

His Power at Work

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20).

Altered Scripture Frame - Divine Design response

I found this gem of a frame at the Dollar Tree last week and figured from the looks of it, it could be altered. I was right - the little silver 'clips' pop right off & there are 2 cardboard mats in there. I covered both with Basic Grey paper - Blush & Infuse, I believe. I just realized I can cover the other 2 sides to make 4 different looks!! I printed up the scripture to go in the frame the perfect square to fit the flower pot from Baskets of Happiness by Gina K. I really love this set, because I love coloring & they are so nice, not just for Easter.


I made this in response to Lori Craig's Divine Design Challenge - posted on the 8th of each month. I am a month behind but will pick up the pace now that I have my inspiration.


I chose this Scripture (one that inspired me many years ago & to remind me to think anew about why I am where I am, that there is something bigger than me in all this) - Exodus 23: 20-22 God's Angel to Prepare the Way "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you."


This scripture was a prompting from God in answer to my prayers before I moved to Texas to get married & start a new life (not that the current one was bad, it was just fine but I had lost my mom to lung cancer just 8 months before which was tough but I had tremendous support and God held me tight in the palm of His hands the whole time). I was single but had been praying about (and for) my future husband for a while. On March 1, 1997 I opened a webpage of a stranger sent to me by my friend. Little did I know the faceless stranger would become my dear husband and I would make a series of decisions in the months to come that would change my life forever. In just 6 weeks of talking on the phone, emailing and sending snail mail, he 'proposed' over the phone. This was after much prayer and talking about what the future may hold for us, I knew in my heart to trust God because He was the one who was leading us. I met John IRL on Weds June 25 and we were married on Sunday July 6 - just 2 days before I was flying back to CA. We are both Christians so it was not a decision we took lightly - sure we only had a little more than 3 months to get to know one another and only 10 days IRL but we knew that we knew that we knew - so all was well. I have to end this story here because there is so much more to say but I would go on forever. I just have to say (for my new readers) that we will celebrate our 11th anniversary {as if you couldn't count} this year and these years have been filled with so many things: love, learning, challenges, lay-offs, laughter, frustrations, trials, great memories, fun vacations, and so much more. John means 'The Lord is Gracious' and I believe He sure has been to me - because He gave me the gift of my beloved who loves me in spite of me. I wait in eager anticipation to many more years together and what they hold for us.

Nugget Dresser

When I was blurfing the other day (occasionally I will check blog rolls on people's blogs because if you don't you never know whose blog you're missing out on) Well, I found The Possibilities are Endless by Wendy with the CUTEST matchbox dresser! I totally knew I would want to make one those someday but of course didn't want to bother with painting match boxes so I figured a good substitute would be nugget boxes! So I used the template on SCS for 3 nugget boxes & made them with coordinating colors for the Cutie Pie paper. I needed something to put my new Stylized Hodgepodge Hardware in (I split a box with Melanie & let her keep the tin) you save on space when you go up, not out so now this takes up LESS room than the tin! It just looks so darn cute on my desk!

My Favorite Peep

When I was looking at Just so Hoppy tonight I was trying to figure out how I could make the animals interact - lo & behold the friendship between Chick & Bunny was made!! I stamped the bunny first & created a mask then used my stamp positioner to get the chick in the right place (the bunny's hand). I knew right away this card would turn out pretty cute. I couldn't help but smile and get all giddy about it & of course the sentiment goes perfectly with these friends. Kinda looks like they're dancing, huh? Did you see Lee's Famous Frogettes? - too funny! How about the resurrection of the Yoyo Yellow? I agree with Melanie, it goes so well with her chick so I'm using it again and the grosgrain ribbon which I still have quite a bit of and I bought it about 5 yrs ago. HA!

TECC 4 Hey Sweetie

Here is my card for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge 4 (I missed making 3 but I had to do 4 before I got too far behind - I'll try to do 3 this week). I'm trying to get ideas together for my sister's baby shower invitations (it's in April) so I can get started on them. I am going to post all the ones I have so far & get some votes on them. Stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, Taylor's cupcake challenge is to make an ATC (Artist Trading Card size 2 1/2" x 3 1/2") and then make that into a standard A2 size. ATC's are very fun to make! In fact, I participated in several of Taylor's ATC swaps for A*Muse last year and they were ALL great! I found this fun bright color challenge on the great SU! Color Combo site and have made several cards with it - Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore, Always Artichoke and Soft Sky. I used Stampin' Up!'s set In the Stars which will be available for purchase beginning March 1 - May 31 (Occasions Mini Catalog) and Cornish Heritage Farms Large Polka Dot backgrounder to mimic the polka dots on the cupcake bottom. FUN

WSC35 - Easter Blessings

Here is my card for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge 35 - I totally look forward to doing these although I didn't have to work yesterday, I was BUSY getting ready for my stamp club today. I will post a few projects from that tomorrow. I really like Gina K's Baskets of Happiness because you can use it for more than just Easter but for this card I knew I wanted to make it Easter so I chose Apricot Appeal, Almost Amethyst and Always Artichoke for my colors. I colored my image with prismas/gamsol and what do you think about my background piece? I totally made it! Yesterday as I was cutting my Just so Hoppy set, I had quite a bit of leftover pieces and since they're on cling foam, thought I could make my own background, sort of like a mosaic or stained glass? I used craft ink so it would show up well. This is what I did:

Lastly, I used my new StylizeD Silver Hodgepodge ribbon slide, rectangle nestabilities and my Ornare piercing template (which I believe I got from Ellen Huston, LLC but I just looked for it to get the link and it's not there, sorry).

Another You Make My Day Award!

Thanks to Sophia of Moonight Inker who nominated me for the above award. I totally LOVE Sophia's blog and she recently created a new one Moonlight Inker for the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator (which uses just SU! product). Wow, she sounds like a BUSY lady! She is such a sweet person; I can tell via her blog (and recently a few email conversations about Texas, because her husband is stationed in El Paso right now). She is amazing at coloring/shading and is on the Magnolia & All That Scraps Design Teams and has really showcased those sets well!

Now I want to shout this award back to ANYONE & EVERYONE who has EVER or WILL EVER post an encouraging comment about anything I ever post! You really do make MY DAY!

You're One of My Favorite Peeps

I am SO excited to have Melanie's Just so Hoppy set by Gina K Designs now!! A few weeks ago the color challenge on SCS was Yoyo Yellow and 2 Grays but since I used only Basic Gray and threw in some Basic Black for the matting on the greeting. Isn't it cute?? The card was not quite complete until I went back & put some googlie eyes on the chick. SO fun!! I absolutely LOVE the glitter background piece by DCWV Glitter Stack (diggin' it) which is why I've been using it a LOT. Speaking of diggin' - I totally DIG this set and already have a TON of ideas brewin'

Have to gush about Melanie again...

Have you seen the Crafts on a Whim Featured Crafter today? It's all about Melanie! Seriously, it's a great article...

Her article really struck a chord with me and I need to share it with y'all. I literally had tears in my eyes reading it. Melanie and I met about 4 1/2 years ago and were in touch intermittently for a while then lost touch and re-united again last October and I was thrilled about it! It's almost like that time hadn't passed because we picked up where we left and it's been even better than the first time! Here is a tidbit of Melanie's advice to crafters:

'So whether you stamp, draw, paint, sculpt, write, whatever, and your hearts sings when you do it, you must do it! Whether you can earn a living doing it or only create for yourself, whether you are naturally talented or not, you should find time for it, develop it, and allow yourself to experience that joy of expressing what is inside you.'

I wanted to post this real quickly! I am not working today, woohoo! Really needed some time to get some things done, have the house to myself (yea) and stamp! I'll have something stamped to show you later! Have a great day!

Thank You Gift Bags

I made these little gift bags to give some new customers as a Thank You. Uses Bali Breeze dp, felt fusion flowers and SAB set (free with $50 purchase through March 17) Lots of Thoughts. This was shown at Leadership this year but I saw it about a year & a half ago on the Carol Duvall show (you basically just cover a box & 'wrap' it like a present on the bottom & keep the top open for this I used my mini glue dot box. Inside is a cello bag filled with Cherry Cordial Hershey's kisses which coordinate with rose red & purely pomegranate & are very tasty! I also put my business card inside.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Bright Sweet Birthday

I made this card for Julie's sketch challenge for Gina K's release party using the How Sweet It Is (stamps for a cause, Adult & Juvenile Diabetes). My colors came directly from the DCWV Glitter Stack (and the handy dandy Color Combo site which I use a LOT). I knew I wanted a bright card and had to work with my Apple Green grosgrain ribbon) and went with a search for Green Galore & Perfect Plum because they matched. Well then So Saffron & Black did too! I really liked it! I threw in a little orange on the cake swirl for interest and voila! A card that is really not so much my style but one of my favorites nonetheless. Used my prismas/oms and added stardust stickles to the cake accents.

Monkey 'Business'

Business card holder - to be exact. When Gina K had their release party on Sunday night & issued some challenges, this is the one (3-d Challenge) I wanted to create something very unique for.

So as I was working (at my full-time job) yesterday, the thought came to me-how about a business card holder with the monkey from Just so Hippy holding a sign and the sign could say 'call me'. Great...then came the time to execute it, wow...I immediately went home, changed my clothes, grabbed a glass of tea and sprang into action. It was 'rough' to say the least but I managed to do it and even covered it in DP because I dind't know how to figure out the sides-it didn't come out perfectly (but perfection I did not have time for since the upload deadline is 11:00 a.m. central today) and here I am again at work. I am not much of a night owl for stamping, so my weekends (as long as DH doesn't take me away from them) are marathon stamping times for me. And then there's the occasional morning I have to do something or other & I make myself late or I have to miss breakfast because of a project to do.

p.s. - I'll share my other stuff later but if you want to check it out now - go to my SCS gallery (linked on the right under my profile)

Kimmie's Kreation Challenges

I was like a stamper on a mission this weekend! I love Kimmie's blog - Kraftin' Kimmie's Korner so when she set out to celebrate her birthday with daily challenges, I snuck a peek all week & started to think about what I would do. Here are my creations for the challenges. Enjoy

KKCC1 - Alter an Item
My first item was a Target $1 spot pink paper frame. I used Melanie's Just so Hippy set (the daisy) stamped in Pretty in Pink craft and sponged. I really like how this turned out and plan to send it to my niece soon (she is 22 months old & lives in another state but I call to talk to her a few times a week and see her on the webcam too. I'll be visiting in May when her baby brother is born (yea) This picture was taken in Nov the morning after she first called me 'AUNTIE' and my heart melted like never before.

KKCC2 - Sketch Challenge
My inspiration for these colors came from the DCWV Glitter Stack cardstock with browns, apricot & pinks. Cinnamon stickles for the frosting - yum.

KKCC3 - Colour Challenge (Spring Colors) I used a stamped image by Stampendous that came with my goodies I won for eP's 1st Birthday Cupcake Challenge a few weeks ago. This little bunny is TOO cute. The swiss dot embossing folder bg is so great (I embossed them at Melanie's the other day, wish I'd have done more, she got all the new folders, they are so nice and now they're all sold out and/or backordered, ugh)

KKCC4 - Valentine or Lovey Challenge - Used Stampin' Up! Simply Said heart and the center one has Fruit Punch Stickles. The 'love you' is from Just so Hippy by Gina K Designs.

KKCC5 - Paper Piecing - first time using MFT Meet Me at the Cafe (borrowed from Melanie). I don't imagine owning this set, but it sure was fun to use for this challenge. I used my DCWV Glitter Stack with pinks & browns. Colored with copics (going to send this to a friend that I haven't seen in months, we used to work together & when she quit we would still occasionally meet for lunch but she moved jobs again & we haven't had lunch in a long time. We used to eat at La Madeleine-the French Bakery & Cafe...that place is SO good.

KKCC6 - create a Thank You or Thinking of You or You are Special to Me creation
I made this to send to Beate (I doubt she will see this post) I used her weekend sketch 34 for it & wanted to send it as a Thank You for a great sketch EVERY Friday to kick off the weekend!! I used Posies For You by Anna Wight (for Whipper Snapper) and colored with my copics. The cb background is another new one but I don't know the name and I'm too lazy too look it up (sorry, I am at work but I think it's Floral Fantasy or something)

According to Linsey I'm rated E

for Excellent (my blog, that is). This is so sweet of Linsey (I just recently found her blog because she's also into the Hippys and soon enough - Hoppys). You need to check out her blog, she's so cute, has great stuff & has only been blogging since January! Thanks, Linsey!

In fact, Linsey is so excellent, she won **Melanie's contest with this sweet Baby Lamp she made for her 6-wk old niece and is going to get a FREE set of her new set Just so Hoppy (which was just released this evening) I know I am going to have as much fun with the Hoppys as I do the Hippys.

**Melanie is just a gem & quite the creative gal so of course I have to nominate her for the same award! I should nominate more but so many have received it (and deserve it) so if you are reading this (consider yourself nominated by me)

Beate's WSC34 - Cupcake For You!!

Here's my sketch from Friday, which I actually made Friday but forgot to photograph it on my cupcake stand (sorry not going to start all over). I actually stamped & colored this cupcake earlier in the week but never got a card idea for it until the weekend sketch came up. I looked at the cupcake 'bottom' and realized my cb embossing folder d'vine swirls resembled it so I went with that. Don't you just love the pearlized look of the frosting? I do...it's liquid pearls! I also used a sakura clear glaze pen for the cherry (so fun, I love glitter & shine, you'd be able to tell if you ever saw me IRL with my wardrobe).

New Gina K stamps & Sneak Peek of Melanies New Set!

are you excited about Gina K Designs new release tonight? I am - it's on SCS (member forum) 7:00-9:00 central time. Check out her blog for a few reveals & a giveaway (she is so generous). Also be sure to check out Melanie's Some Bunny Loves You sneak!

Melanie's whole set will be revealed tonight! So far we've seen the cute frog and now the bunny - hmmm...what else can there be with 24 different images and they coordinate with her first set Just so Hippy!?!

More Monkey Love for Valentine's Day

Look at the little Valentine's gift I took to my friend Melanie! Go check out her post about how her monkey is wilder than my monkey! It is TOO funny! I found this pink monkey at Wal-Mart, it is adorable & soft and has a button on its tummy when you squeeze it kisses! So I made a big 'ol (12 x 12 cardstock) box scored it at 4 " 8" on both sides and I scalloped the edges with my corner rounder punch. How do you like the double-sided balloon with wire? I made two hearts & stamped a different greeting and attached with a rolled up mini glue dot behind the monkey's hand so you can turn to see the other side. I love it. I was so proud of myself after completing this box. Melanie really liked it too, so to see the smile on her face and get a warm 'thank you' hug was so worth all the effort! What about that monkey list pad?! That came from the $1 Target spot...too cute.

Oh and look at the velvet flowers behind BOTH the monkey's ears! Here's the close-up on the monkey on the box. Those came from Papertrey - I love that there's tiny ones too!

Did you see the sneak peek of Melanie's new set Just so Hoppy?! It is too darn cute! Gina also has sneaks of the other 3 sets being released tomorrow. Don't forget to check out Gina K's new stamps release party tomorrow night 7:00 - 9:00 pm central on SCS. I'll be there for sure - hope YOU are too!

Happy Friday!!!

Oh man, it's 12:20 and I've already had a full day (and I need to head off to work in 20 mins and I haven't eaten anything all day yet!) I visited Melanie, went to the dentist and uploaded cupcake cards to eP gallery, checked out Taylor's Cupcake Challenge briefly and will play this evening), have clothes in the wash but wanted to post SOMETHING. So here is a cupcake card I made last weekend when I got my Hey There Cupcake set by Stampendous exclusively for eP! I made a groovy guava 'frame' for my cupcake and look at the cute button on the top left - it came in the prima surprise pkg when you purchased something for eP's 1st birthday weekend. I love it, colors match guava, artichoke, cocoa, choc chip, blush blossom. I need to make more with them. So many stamps, ideas, inks, paper so little time.