Soaring

Card Patterns Sketch 152 & CR84FN48

2012-02-14T19:36:00.002-06:00

Good evening! I hope that you've all had a wonderful Valentine's Day! Ours has been full and fun, but I'm ready to cuddle in and just veg. Between yesterday's snow, which is pretty much non-existent today :(, and today's holiday, my kiddos have been bouncing off the walls! LOL! I do have a few, Valentine pics to share, but before I get to that, how about a card creation?

I started this card by trimming the center of a piece of vintage, chair, patterned paper, which had opposite corners rounded and was ink distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks, with a strip of chartreuse, floral, patterned paper, as well as a length of ivory lace, and machine stitching, with gray-threaded, straight stitches, the length of the top edge of the chartreuse, floral, patterned paper and around the entire piece's edges, while, at the same time, anchoring the stamped, in Jet Black ink, on a hand-cut, vellum pennant, "WITH sympathy" sentiment.

I then wrapped a length of Basic Gray, taffeta ribbon, around the prepped piece, between the connection of the chartreuse, floral, patterned paper and ivory lace; tied it, in a bow, near the right edge of the piece and embellished it with a lavender, flower medallion and a couple of green, leaf, trinket pins, before adhering the entire thing, with foam tape, to the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face and trimming the sentiment pennant even with the outside edge of the card face.

The frame was stamped, in Lucky Limeade ink, on an ink distressed, Very Vanilla, cardstock die cut and filled in with the vase image, which was stamped in Jet Black ink, colored with Basic Grey and Bordering Blue inks and a blender pen, and given a little shine with Crystal Effects. Finally, I stamped the blossoms, in Warm Violet and Orchid Opulence inks; colored them in with Orchid Opulence ink and a blender pen; hand cut them out; distressed their edges with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks; and adhered them, with foam tape, in their respective location.

Inspiration for this card came from Card Patterns' Sketch 152...

and Create for Fun's Color Challenge #48.

And now, those Valentine pics I promised before. We decided to stay in, for dinner, tonight, instead of heading out to our usual, Red Robin dinner. So, I whipped up meatloaf, as per Ezekiel's request, mashed potatoes, and broccoli, and we all enjoyed the Valentine cookies below by candlelight.

I'm also thrilled to share a small handful of recognitions, before I run. This card was featured in the 6+ Hearts CARDS Gallery and the second card in this post in the Valentines CARDS Gallery, both at CREATE:. And this one received an Honorable Mention Cup of Tea at The Shabby Tea Room. Thank you so much to both Paige and Debbie and her talented crew! I'm absolutely honored!

That's all, for today, folks! Please don't forget that you have a few more hours to link up your takes on The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #118. Then, we'll all be back, late tomorrow, with a brand new splash to try your hand at. Until then, stay warm, and be blessed!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Very Vintage Greetings - sentiment & frame (Wplus9); Comforting Florals - flowers & vase (MSS) Paper: Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla (SU); vintage chair (October Afternoon); chartreuse floral (Cosmo Cricket); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Lucky Limeade, Bordering Blue, Basic Gray, & Orchid Opulence (SU); Warm Violet (ColorBox); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: gray thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Corner punch, Crystal Effects, & Basic Gray taffeta ribbon (SU); Label Layers 3 die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); foam tape (Scotch); flower medallion & leaf trinket pins (Maya Road); ivory lace (Paper Studio)

Weekend Snapshots

2012-02-13T20:04:00.000-06:00

Hey, ya'll! Happy Monday! I know that I'm popping in here a bit later than usual, but I've come to the conclusion that computer time, because my big kiddo uses it most of the morning for school, as well as quiet time, as my kiddos have now gone to bed, comes much easier this time of night. Plus, it seems that I'm much more fruitful, in my creative space, in the afternoons, when I'm not just completely exhausted from the day. So, I may just make these evening posts the norm. Anyway, I wanted to share a few pics of our weekend.

I was feeling seriously under-the-weather all last week and spent a lot of time in bed and on the couch. Fortunately, I'm doing much better as this week begins and thought that I'd rid the house of any lingering germs by washing the slipcover on our couch; but imagine my surprise, when I reached into the dryer and discovered this. I'm sure you can only imagine what my slipcover looks like. Ugh! The culprit is a blue crayon that, unbeknown to me, had gotten tucked up into the folds. Sigh. My littlest was sure it was her fault and kept saying that she was so sorry over and over again. (Even she knows how terrible my couch now looks :(.) Poor thing! I just love her so much!

On Saturday, my big kiddo had another basketball game. So, we ran a few errands. Then, we were off to cheer him on to a victory! Woohoo!

It was his team's first win, so I just had to memorialize the moment with a picture of Ezekiel and his Coach/Daddy.

We spent the rest of the day taking naps and enjoying time together just relaxing. On Sunday, after church, we cooked up a yummy lunch and napped again. (I was still trying to shake the last of the ickies.) Then, we whipped up a batch of cookies to start Valentine's week off right. They're just regular Peanut Blossoms with the KISSES replaced by dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and REESE'S hearts. The REESE'S tended to melt much more than the rest of the bunch, but they're still uber delicious!

Once the boys went to Awana, I had a weekend's worth of fun to clean up after, and Adina had a date with her bath time friends. I'll spare you each of their names. LOL!

Then, we woke up, this morning, to snow! My kiddos have been waiting all winter for snow. So, they were a little off-the-wall excited, even though it was just a little bit. So much so, that we had to take an extra long break, from school, to play.

Our dog, Summer, even got in on the action, when she snatched the sled right out from underneath Adina.

We also had to enjoy a hot cup of cocoa, when we were all tuckered out.

We've got a short week of school, this week, as we have a field trip with a homeschool coop we're trying out, on Thursday, as well as a trip, with Daddy, to CoCo Key Water Resort, on Friday. But we've still got a lot to get done, before the fun begins. So, here's hoping for a dedicated, focused, and poised third-grader and a toddler who plays well and stays out of his way. Thanks, as always, for checking on us, and have a great week!

Market Fresh Feb. Kit Reveal

2012-02-10T19:00:00.089-06:00

Today's the big day, ya'll! Your February, Market Fresh Farmhouse Dreamin' Kit is available, even as this post goes live, in the Market Street Stamps Online Store. But before you're off to getting them while they're hot, hot, HOT, please let me share, with you, the whole enchilada. (Photos courtesy of Stephanie Washburn.)

And one more closeup of the details of that gorgeous, doily stamp.

Here's the deets...
"Farmhouse Dreamin'" Kit

(1 sheet of each 12x12 patterned paper per kit)

Basic Grey - “Breadbox” Picadilly Collection

Basic Grey - “Farm Fresh Eggs” Picadilly Collection

Basic Grey - “Home Sweet Home” Picadilly Collection

Cosmo Cricket - “Scraps” Odds & Ends Collection

Lily Bee Design - “Office Blue” Memorandum Collection

October Afternoon - “Attic Trunk” Farmhouse Collection

October Afternoon - “Church Social” Farmhouse Collection

October Afternoon - “Porch Swing” Farmhouse Collection

(1 sheet of each 12x12 cardstock per kit)

Bazzill Cardstock 12x12 Carob Cream/Smoothies

Bazzill Prismatic Cardstock 12x12 Sunflowers Medium

Bazzill Cardstock 12x12 Vanilla/Canvas

(Embellishments: 1 per kit unless otherwise stated)

Kaisercraft Self - Adhesive Pearls 50/Pkg Champagne

October Afternoon - Farmhouse Buttons

October Afternoon - Farmhouse Cardstock Stickers Label

Basic Grey Picadilly Petals

Jillibean Soup Alphabean Chipboard Stickers Whitewash Woodgrain

May Arts Twisted Burlap String - Natural (2 yards per kit)

(Stamps)

One stamp set valued at $5

And a few more...

Our Market Fresh Kits are a monthly papercrafting kit coordinated by Stephanie Washburn, containing 12x12 patterned papers, an exclusive Market Street stamp, and coordinating 12x12 cardstock and embellishments.

What are the benefits of being a kit member?

You'll receive one exclusive Market Street stamp (sized approximately 3"x3") in each kit. These cannot be purchased separately, and once the kits are sold out, they're gone!
If you're one of our first 50 subscribers, you'll receive a FREE stamp. (We still have spots left to get in on this awesome offer!)
An everyday 20% Discount on stamps for the months you are a kit member
Special savings when you choose a membership - your choice of 3 month ($29.99 + $8.50 shipping/month), 6 month ($27.99 + $8.50 shipping/month), or 12 month subscription ($24.99 + $8.50 shipping/month) (Shipping cost is based on US Domestic Shipping Only. Canadian/International customer's shipping quotes are listed on our website.)

And just because I think it's fun (Although, I hope you do, too.), I've got one last pic to share. These are the goodies that I still have left to play with, even after creating all the projects I've shared, right here, over the last couple of days. Woohoo!

Now, run get 'em here; and if you still have any questions, please be sure to stop by the Market Street Stamps Blog. Oh! And don't forget to show us what you're making, in The Neighborhood, too! Happy creating, ya'll! And enjoy your weekends!

Market Fresh Feb. Kit Sneak Peek: Day 2

2012-02-09T19:00:00.205-06:00

Note: It's been a busy 24 hours on my blog! So, if you've come here looking for my SIT #69, Guest Designing for DYSU #58, PDCC118 - Simon Says Stamp, and/or my Market Fresh Feb. Kit Sneak Peek: Day 1 post(s), please scroll down.

It's so good to have ya'll back visiting for our second day of sneak peeks for Market Street Stamps' Market Fresh February Kit! Yesterday we showed you all layouts, and even though I used nearly all the cardstock, from the kit, in their creation, I pulled a trio of card bases, along with a little thread and twine, from my stash, to bring you all a bundle of cards, showing more of what this beautiful kit has to offer. So, let's get started. Shall we?!

I started this card by adhering a strip of gray, gingham, patterned paper vertically down the center of a wider strip of aqua, ledger, patterned paper; machine stitching, with black-threaded, straight stitches, the vertical lengths of both of the papers' edges; and adhering the prepped piece down the vertical center of the 5" square, Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face. I then machine stitched, with black-threaded, zig-zag stitches, between each of the various images on a square of vintage, image, patterned paper, before adhering it, to the card face, over the previous papers.

A length of gray, velvet ribbon, leftover from last month's Market Fresh Kit, was then wrapped, vertically, around the card face; tied, in a bow, near the card face's top edge; and embellished with a paper blossom, which, again, was leftover from last month's kit. If you're lovin' those bits from last month's kit, it's your lucky day, because there's still a few left. Woohoo!

That gorgeous, doily stamp was then stamped, in Pretty in Pink ink, on Very Vanilla cardstock; hand cut out; ink distressed; and adhered, with foam tape, just below the embellished bow. Its center was then filled in with a cardstock, sticker, journaling spot, which had been ink distressed; stamped, in Basic Black ink, with the "Deepest Condolences" sentiment; and dressed up with a little glitter.

That makes one down and two more to go. So, let's just keep right on moving.

I started this card by machine stitching, with brown-threaded, straight stitches, around the edges of a piece of green, floral, patterned paper and adhering it to the Chocolate Chip, cardstock, card face. I then split a journaling card, which had been ink distressed and machine stitched with brown-threaded, straight stitches, and adhered each piece to the outside, vertical edges of the card face, before wrapping a length of hemp twine, three times, around its center and tying it, in a triplicate bow, near the right edge of the card face.

A "LOVE" label, cut from the backside of that green, floral, patterned paper, was ink distressed; framed with an ink distressed piece of textured, ivory cardstock; enhanced with a red, scalloped, cardstock sticker, which was cut in half and anchored to opposite corners of the framed, "LOVE" label; and adhered, with foam tape, in the center of the card face, to serve as my partial sentiment.

I then dressed up the "O" with a color-coordinating, canvas flower, whose center was embellished with a brown button, filled in with a large pearl.

Finally, I used another, cardstock, sticker label, which had been distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks, to stamp, in Chocolate Chip ink, the completed, "you." sentiment, adhered it with foam tape, and dressed it up with a trio of pearls.

If you're still with me, I've got one more card creation, to share with you all, today. Then, we'll all be back, at this same time, tomorrow, to show you the February, Market Fresh Farmhouse Dreamin' Kit in its entirety.

I started this card by machine stitching, with red-threaded, straight stitches, around the edges of the aqua, plaid, patterned paper and adhering it to the Basic Grey, cardstock, card face. I then die cut a trio of hearts from an aqua, journaling card, which had been distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks; trimmed it, across its bottom edge, with a punched strip of gray, gingham, patterned paper; and adhered it, with foam tape, near the top edge of the card face, over scraps of gray and aqua, floral, patterned paper.

Another, ink distressed, aqua, journaling card was, again, trimmed, across its bottom edge, with a punched strip of gray, gingham, patterned paper and tucked under the bottom right edge of the previous, die-cut, journaling card. It was then used to house more of those fabulous, whitewash, woodgrain alphas and flanked with a stamped, in Real Red ink, on a gray, No. label, partial sentiment, which was adhered, with foam tape, to the left of the woodgrain alphas to create the "Hey, you" sentiment.

Finally, a trio of color-coordinating buttons, laced with Baker's Twine, top the die cut, journaling card and complete the look. This button package is literally endless, ya'll!

That's it, folks! I have had so much fun making these projects to show off this fabulous Market Fresh Kit, which will be available for purchase tomorrow at 7 pm CST, and I hope that you've had as much fun seeing the unlimited potential it contains.

Please be sure to stop by the Market Street Stamps Blog to check out more details of the kit club subscription and the Market Fresh Kits Group in the Neighborhood, as well as by my teammates' blogs, to see what they've cooked up with their kit goodies.

Brenda Weaver
Stephanie Washburn

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a super, fabulous, rest of your weeks, ya'll!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Doily & Comforting Florals (MSS) Paper: Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla (SU); aqua ledger (lilybee design); gray gingham & vintage image (October Afternoon) Ink: Basic Black (SU) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scotch); Dazzling Diamonds (SU); cardstock journaling spot (October Afternoon); gray velvet ribbon (May Arts); aqua paper blossom (Kaisercraft)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Comforting Florals (MSS) Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU); ivory textured (Bazzill); green floral (Cosmo Cricket) Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: brown thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scotch); "LOVE" label & red journaling card (Cosmo Cricket); pearls (Kaisercraft); brown button & red cardstock sticker label & scallops (October Afternoon); canvas flower (Basic Grey); hemp twine (Creative Impressions)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: For All It's Worth (MSS) Paper: Basic Gray (SU); gray gingham & aqua plaid (October Afternoon) Ink: Real Red (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: red thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Scallop punch (SU); Hearts & Clouds die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); foam tape (Scotch); aqua journaling cards (Cosmo Cricket); gray No. label & buttons (October Afternoon); whitewash woodgrain alphas (Jillibean Soup); Baker's Twine (Clean Country Paper Supplies)

SIT #69

2012-02-09T12:01:00.033-06:00

Note: If you've come here looking for my Guest Designing for DYSU #58, PDCC118 - Simon Says Stamp, and/or Market Fresh Feb. Kit Sneak Peek: Day 1 post(s), please scroll down.

Just popping in here real quick to pass along this week's Sketches in Thyme Challenge #69.

Have fun with it! Can't wait to see what you all have cooked up, this month, so far. And don't forget to stop by the challenge link above to see what Team B has created to stun you with, as well as to be reminded of what you're playing for this month. I'll be back, later tonight, with Day 2 of Market Street Stamps' Market Fresh February Kit sneak peeks. Until then, be blessed!

Guest Designing for DYSU #58

2012-02-09T01:01:00.072-06:00

Note: If you've come here looking for my PDCC118 - Simon Says Stamp and/or Market Fresh Feb. Kit Sneak Peek: Day 1 post(s), please scroll down.

I'm just beyond thrilled to be guest designing, this week, with the talented, Do You Stack Up? Design Team, for Challenge #58: Love.

I was given a sweet, little, bride and groom, digital image, from Birdie Brown Stamps, to work with. Thank you, Torico! And you really must stop by her blog to see how these darling images SHOULD be colored. LOL! Anyway, here's what I came up with.

I started this card by printing the image onto Whisper White cardstock and coloring it in with Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, and Real Red inks and a blender pen. I also added a touch of glitter to the bride's veil, before adhering it to the Whisper White, cardstock, card face.

I then cut a heart, using my Cricut, from the red, polka dot, patterned paper; adhered a strip of vellum, stamped, in Jet Black ink, with the "Congratulations to the happy couple" sentiment, to its bottom center; backed it with piece of clear cardstock; machine stitched, with white-threaded, straight stitches, around its edges, as well as the edges of the Cricut-cut heart; and backed it with foam tape.

A small handful of clear and red, confetti hearts were then tossed over the image, before I adhered the prepped, sentiment panel over it, to complete the look.

Please be sure to pop by the challenge link above to see what the team has whipped up just for your viewing pleasure, as well as to find out what you're playing for this week. Thank you so much for having me, Alison, Joan, and your whole, motley crew! And thanks, to you all, for stopping by! Be blessed!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Lovely Couple digi (Birdie Brown); Heartfelt Mix - sentiment (Wplus9) Paper: Whisper White (SU); red polka dot (BoBunny); vellum (Paper Studio); clear (PTI) Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, & Real Red (SU); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Dazzling Diamonds (SU); confetti (party supply store); foam tape (Scotch); George & Basic Shapes Cricut cartridge & Cricut (Provo Craft)

PDCC118 - Simon Says Stamp

2012-02-08T23:01:00.088-06:00

Note: If you've come here looking for my Market Fresh Feb. Kit Sneak Peek: Day 1 post, please scroll down.

Welcome to The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #118!

And here's where that golden yellow, pacific, and cobalt color story lead me.

I started this card by machine stitching, with turquoise-threaded, straight stitches, around the edges of a piece of blue and yellow, plaid, patterned paper, before adhering it to the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face. I then adhered a wide strip of turquoise and blue, chevron, patterned paper, whose bottom edge was trimmed with a yellow, wavy, starter strip, and machine stitched, with turquoise-threaded, zig-zag stitches, the length of its top and bottom edges. Both a length of white lace and white, seam binding ribbon, which had been stained with Yellow Daisy Glimmer Mist, were then wrapped around the center of that wide, chevron paper; before the latter was tied, in a dressy bow, near the left edge of the card face, and embellished with a blue, star button, laced with a duet of hemp twine bows.

The "sending you sunshine" sentiment was stamped, in Basic Black ink, just inside the bottom edge of a vintage, notebook, journaling card.

And its top edge was dressed up with a trio of color-coordinating and hand-cut pennants, anchored with turquoise-threaded, zig-zag stitches.

The pocket was stamped, in Pacific Point ink, on a Very Vanilla, cardstock, die cut pocket, which had been distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks. It was then adhered, with foam tape, just below the stamped, in Daffodil Delight ink, sun, which also received a yellow, glitter treatment, to complete the look.

Now, it's your turn! You have until the close of the day EST, next Tuesday, February 14, 2012, to link up your takes over at the challenge link above. Have fun with this one, ya'll! And before you're off to getting inky, please be sure to also use that challenge link to see what the rest of the girls have been up to with this bold and bright color story, as well as to find out what you're playing for, this month, from our fabulous sponsor, Simon Says Stamp.

Thanks for humoring me with a little visit, and happy stamping!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: A Pocketful - pocket & sunshine & The Birds & the Bees - sentiment (Wplus9) Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, & blue graphic (SU); blue & yellow plaid (Pebbles, Inc.); chevron (My Mind's Eye); yellow Starter Strip & graphic (Sassafras); yellow & turquoise polka dot (Crate Paper) Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point, & Daffodil Delight (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: turquoise thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); A Pocketful die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); white lace (Paper Studio); white seam binding (Zipper Stop); Yellow Daisy Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); blue star button (Blumenthal Lansing); notebook journaling card (Jenni Bowlin); foam tape (Scotch); yellow glitter (Pink Paislee)

Market Fresh Feb. Kit Sneak Peek: Day 1

2012-02-08T19:00:00.014-06:00

We're back, from Market Street Stamps, with a spectacular couple of days of kit sneak peeks! And ya'll, you don't want to miss this one. Stephanie is on fire! And she's cooked up another, amazing, Farmhouse Dreamin' Market Fresh Kit, for you all, this month. Plus, there are still some January kits left, too! So, run scoop 'em up, before they're all sold out!

If you'll remember, we're starting the sneak peeks out with layouts. So, let's just dive right in!

I started this layout by filling the space between the gray, gingham, and red, lace, patterned, paper, base pages with a piece of aqua, polka dot, patterned paper; trimming its outside edges with punched strips of the opposite side's patterned paper; and machine stitching around all but its inside edges with gray-threaded, zig-zag stitches. That give the pics, which were all matted with ivory, textured, patterned paper, their foundation. Now, let's take a look at each side a little closer, beginning with the left side of the layout.

The "September Swim" title was created from whitewash, woodgrain alphas and flanked with a trio of die cut, from that same, ivory, textured, patterned paper as above, and ink distressed, with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks, clouds.

A "CAPTURE the MOMENT" subtitle, which was grounded with a row of pink, gray, and aqua buttons, laced with hemp twine...

and under which was tucked an, aqua, polka dot, journaling card, which reads, Lenexa, KS, Sept. 13, 2010...

as well as a series of Very Vanilla, ink distressed, cardstock, journaling strips, which read, Adina thought it was fun to put just the top of her head into the kiddy pool. Soon Maya and Leah joined in. This girl's going to lead the way to big things!, complete the look...

and turn our direction to the right side of the layout.

Another aqua, polka dot, journaling card, which reads, Best Buds, was grounded by a couple more of those die cut and ink distressed clouds...

and another series of journaling strips, prepared in the same way as above and which read, Even though it was a bit chilly and this was likely the only pool not yet closed for the winter, we had so much fun swimming, with Ryan, Leah, Maya, and Luke, at Four Colonies, complete the duplicated elements.

And a die cut, from an aqua, checkered, patterned paper, banner, which was dressed up with pearls and flanked with burlap string bows, embellished with pink buttons, laced with hemp twine, completes the look.

The only things I used here that don't come in the kit, aside from ink and tools, were a little, Very Vanilla cardstock for the journaling strips, hemp twine, and sewing thread. And the latter two, along with a circle of Whisper White cardstock and small, aqua, glitter letters are the only additional supplies my second page received. Check it out!

I started this page by piecing a trio of gorgeous, fall-inspired, patterned papers inside the top edges of the brown, cardstock, base page; machine stitching, with white-threaded, zig-zag stitches, between them; trimming them with my photographs below; and machine stitching, with white-threaded, straight stitches, around their inside and outside edges. I then stamped away, randomly, in White ink, with that AMAZING, doily stamp, across the bottom of the layout. I cannot even begin to tell ya'll how much I adore this stamp! It is detailed to perfection and stamps like butter! And I'm going to be completely honest, with you all, here. I had very little experience with Market Street stamps before I joined the Market Fresh Kit DT. I was a bit skeptical of the stamps due to their rose-colored appearance. I mean, every other photopolymer stamp I'd used was perfectly clear in nature, but my reservations have been permanently put to rest. I LOVE Market Street stamps! And you all do not want to be without this beauty!

The space above my stamping and below the pictures was then filled in with a strip of aqua, plaid, patterned paper, which was anchored, with white-threaded, straight stitches, the length of its top and bottom edges. It was then embellished with a couple of lengths of the remainder of that burlap string, tied in bows to either side of a handmade rosette. More to come on that rosette in just a second, but I wanted to show you all how I hold that burlap string in place, at either end, with a couple of punched notches.

Now, the rosette was made from a vibrant, green, floral, patterned paper, which I punched along its outside edges and used my scoreboard to turn into its seen form. It was then topped with a stamped, in Pool Party ink, on a circle of Whisper White cardstock, scalloped circle, from For All It's Worth, which was distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks; filled in with the golden tree, cardstock sticker; tabbed with the yellow, date label, which was filled in with the 11.27.08 date; and embellished with a brown button, laced with hemp twine, as well as lots of little, alternating in size, pearls.

A cardstock, sticker, journaling card, which was flanked with a couple more pearls and reads, Your Aunt Jana and cousin, Hunter, came to meet you, while we were celebrating Thanksgiving at G-pa and G-ma Newlin's, turns our attention to the top of the layout.

The "first Impression" title was created from aqua, glitter letters and whitewash, woodgrain alphas and embellished with a trio of color-coordinating buttons, laced with hemp twine, as well as a scattering of pearls.

I hope you're all still with me, because I've got two more pages to share. So, fasten your seat belts and hold on for the ride!

I started this page by stamping the yellow, cardstock, base page, in White ink, with the Grungy Border background stamp. After adhering my pics, I created the "trail walk" title from more of those whitewash, woodgrain alphas...

and tucked a green, floral, journaling card, which reads, Just passing away the beautiful weather, on a peaceful trail, while camping with Mom, Dad, and Madison, just to the left of my bottom photograph.

I then had lots of fun with those Picadilly, cardstock and canvas flowers! Several were layered one on top of the other and several more were topped with buttons, laced with white string, which again, aside from ink and tools, is the only element on this page that does not come with this month's kit.

Finally, I scattered a trio of circular, cardstock, journaling spots, one of which was labeled, with June 13, 2009, Melvern Lake, about the design, to complete the look.

In my {Supplies & Tools} below, you'll find Tea Dye and Antique Linen ink listed over and over again; and I just wanted to explain that a bit, before I dive into my last layout. I like to use a combination of these inks, even though sometimes I don't mention it in the actual text of my post, to add dimension to the edges of cardstock stickers, blends the connection of patterned papers, and soften the edges of die cut elements. It does the trick time and time again and is one of my cannot-live-without, paper-crafting supplies. With that said, I really do have a fourth page, for you all, today.

I started this page by stamping that fabulous, doily stamp again. This time I stamped it, in Basic Black ink, down the left side of the yellow, floral, patterned, paper strip, which was then added to the right edge of the aqua, checkered, patterned paper to create my base page. I then added lots of those random, vintage, patterned, paper images just to the left of the stamped edge, before machine stitching, with black-threaded, straight stitches, around the edges of the entire page and, with black-threaded, zig-zag stitches, between the connection of the two, patterned papers forming the base page.

After adhering photographs, I topped them with the "NOVEMBER'S child" title, which was created from black, mini, chalkboard letters, which do not come with the kit, and more of those stunning, whitewash, woodgrain alphas.

A quartet, including a floral, cardstock, sticker, journaling card, which reads, Precious pics of G-pa and G-ma Newlin holding you for the 1st time; a cardstock, sticker, date label, filled in with the Nov. 1, 2008 date; a couple of die cut, from aqua & gray, patterned paper, leafy branches; and a canvas, Picadilly flower, dressed up with a bunch of pearls, which I salvaged from a broken, charm bracelet of Adina's, complete the look.

That flower may look a little more dimensional, to you, than the ones you saw on the previous page, and if you're still with me, I'd love to share how that happened. I whipped a few stitches around the center of it...

and pulled snug, before tying it tightly in a knot but leaving the needle side of the string attached to stitch in those little pearls.

That's all, from here, for today, folks! I hope you're just as excited about this kit as I am, because I've got a trio of Farmhouse Dream' kit cards to share, with you all, on Thursday; and the other girls have got lots of fabulous layouts to still share today. So, if you haven't yet peeked into their neck of the woods, be sure to run (Don't walk.) there now.

Brenda Weaver
Stephanie Washburn

Please also be sure to stop by the Market Street Stamps Blog to check out more details of the kit club subscription and the Market Fresh Kits Group, in the Neighborhood, to join in fresh, new, up-to-the-minute conversation and to see so much more of what this kit has to offer. Thanks so much for stopping by, ya'll; and I hope to see you tomorrow, same time, same place. Hugs!

{Supplies & Tools}
Paper: Very Vanilla (SU); textured ivory (Bazzill); aqua polka dot (lilybee design); gray gingham & red lace (October Afternoon); aqua checkered (Basic Grey) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: gray thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Edger punch (EK Success); Pile It On & Hearts & Clouds dies (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); buttons (October Afternoon); "CAPTURE the MOMENT" subtitle & journaling cards (Cosmo Cricket); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); burlap string (May Arts); pearls (Kaisercraft); foam tape (Scotch); whitewash woodgrain alphas (Jillibean Soup)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Doily & For all It's Worth (MSS) Paper: Whisper White (SU); brown (Bazzill); yellow floral & checkered, aqua & gray floral, & green floral (Basic Grey); aqua plaid (October Afternoon) Ink: White, Pool Party, & Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); scoreboard (Martha Stewart); circle template & Threading Water Border punch (Fiskars); pearls (Kaisercraft); buttons & cardstock stickers (October Afternoon); burlap string (May Arts); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); handheld circle punch (craft supply store); aqua glitter letters (Making Memories); whitewash woodgrain alphas (Jillibean Soup)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Grungy Border (MSS) Paper: yellow (Bazzill) Ink: Basic Black & White (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: green floral journaling card (Cosmo Cricket); circular journaling spots & buttons (October Afternoon); whitewash woodgrain alphas (Jillibean Soup); white string (Hobby Lobby); cardstock & canvas flower (Basic Grey)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Doily (MSS) Paper: aqua checkered, yellow floral, & aqua & gray floral (Basic Grey); vintage image (October Afternoon) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Folkart Florals die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); canvas flower (Basic Grey); pearls (my stash); cardstock date label & journaling card (October Afternoon); foam tape (Scotch); whitewash woodgrain alphas (Jillibean Soup); black mini chalkboard letters (Jenni Bowling Shot (Sizzix); canvas flower (Basic Grey); pearls (my stash); cardstock date label & journaling card (October Afternoon); foam tape (Scotch); whitewash woodgrain alphas (Jillibean Soup); black mini chalkboard letters (Jenni Bowlin)

The Deconstructed Sketch No. 37 & MSSCC11

2012-02-07T17:23:00.001-06:00

Good afternoon, ya'll! We're just hanging out, trying to relax and get back into tip-top shape, as well as anxiously anticipating the bit of snow our weather people are predicting for tonight. So, I thought that I'd pop in here, real quick, to share a little of what I've been working on.

I started this card by distressing the edges of a piece of Whisper White cardstock with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks; stamping it, in Basic Gray ink, with the vintage notepad image; trimming it, across its bottom edge, with a piece of gray, polka dot, patterned paper; and filling the space between the two with a punched strip of Really Rust cardstock. I then stamped the "My thoughts and prayers are with you." sentiment, in Jet Black ink, on a piece of vellum, which was anchored, just below the punched edge, with yellow-threaded, straight, machine stitches, running around the entire piece's edges, before adhering it to the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face.

A length of skinny, yellow ribbon was wrapped, three times, around the card face, just above the vellum, sentiment piece; tied, in a triple bow, near the left edge of the card face; and embellished with an orange button, laced with a hemp twine bow.

The vase and flowers were then stamped, in Jet Black ink, on a Whisper White, cardstock, die cut frame, which had been distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks, and colored in using colored pencils and my new Gamsol kit. I got to play with this stuff, at Archivers, a couple of weeks back and fell in love. While I'd still love to get my hands on a set of Prismacolor pencils, my Crayola pencils are doing the trick for the time being. It was then adhered, with foam tape, tucked over the wrapped ribbon and under the stamped, vellum sentiment, before receiving a hint of glitter to complete the look.

Inspiration for this card came from Deconstructing Jen's Deconstructed Sketch No. 37.

and Market Street Stamps' Paint the Town: February Color Challenge.

Speaking of Market Street Stamps, I'll be back, tomorrow night, with the first day of projects, boasting goodies from the brand spankin' new, February, Market Fresh Farmhouse Dreamin' Kit. Until then, how about a couple of peeks just to keep you guessing?

I'm telling ya'll, it's AMAZING! Please don't forget that you have until the close of today EST to get in on The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #117. Thanks so much for stopping by, and be blessed!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Vintage Notepad & Comforting Florals (MSS) Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, & Really Rust (SU); gray polka dot (Fancy Pants); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Basic Gray (SU); Jet Black (StazOn); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: yellow thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Label Layers 2 die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Edger punch (EK Success); Gamsol (Inky Antics); colored pencils (Crayola); Dazzling Diamonds & orange button (SU); yellow ribbon (Hobby Lobby); hemp twine (Creative Impressions)

Awana Quiz

2012-02-06T22:06:00.002-06:00

Hey, guys! I usually try to work up these posts while my kiddos are having quiet time/napping, but I needed to crash, along with them, today, too. The ickies are on the rampage again, and I'm struggling. I feel like I've been cleaning and washing for weeks on end and to no avail. Everyone still seems to pick something up. Sigh. Anyway, I know it's late, but I wanted to share a few pics of one of the special things we did this weekend. Ezekiel had the opportunity to compete, with a church group of four other boys his age, against a number of churches in our area, in Awana Quiz.

He and BJ rode up, from church, at the crack of dawn, with the rest of the kids competing. And since they had to be there two hours before the actual competition started, Adina and I popped in just before the action began. He was so sweet as soon as he spotted us, waving and smiling and giddy as could be.

He didn't seem the least bit nervous either. He's so brave!

He was the only one, from his group, who received a High Honor ribbon for not missing a single question...

and although he forgot the word "and", in one of the scriptures he quoted, in the second round...

his team still tied for 1st place. Unfortunately, while they were tallying up the scores, all but one boy from his team, including Ezekiel, had to sneak out to basketball games. So, we missed the awards ceremony and the news that there was a tie breaking question, which wasn't answered by the one boy left to compete, and they got 2nd place. Ugh! So close! I still cannot tell you how proud we were/are of him! It was such a great experience, and I have no doubt that he's already got next year's Quiz in his sights.

Oh! And he didn't win that basketball game again, but he and his team have improved so, so much! They keep getting better and better every week. The problem is that everyone else is too. LOL! Anyway, he's still having fun, and that's what really matters.

Also, I wanted to update you all on how Ezekiel did in the Sea Life Young Environmentalist Competition. Out of 101 entrants, he tied for 29th place with 127 votes. So, being that 29 isn't in the top 12, the lowest of which received 333 votes, he obviously didn't attain the title. But I have to say that, again, this was such a great experience for him! He also received two, FREE tickets for the opening month, for his efforts, which totally made his entire day. So, to him, it was worth all the hard work he poured into it. Thank you so much for your votes and for helping us spread the word about the competition. We greatly appreciate YOU!

Well, ya'll, Castle just got over, and my hubby is lying next to me snoring away. So, I'd better run. Thanks so much for checking in on us, and have a wonderful week! Hugs!

Wplus9 Feb./Mar. Release: Group Post

2012-02-04T23:01:00.069-06:00

Howdy, and welcome to our Wplus9 Design February/March Release Group Post! I'm bringing you all a trio of minis, boasting Folkart Florals and its coordinating, Folkart Florals die today.

What do you say we get a little up close and personal?

I started this card by distressing the edges of the 3" x 3-1/2", Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks and spritzing it with Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip inks, before stamping the "Friends like you are very few, I'm so glad I found you." sentiment in Basic Black ink.

I then cut four, Whisper White, cardstock squares and ink distressed their edges, before adhering them, in a grid pattern, above the stamped sentiment. Moving clockwise, from the top left corner to the bottom left corner, the first square was stamped, in Pool Party ink, with the large, flower image. Its center was then dressed up with a Build-a-Brad, whose center boasts a smaller, stamped, in Daffodil Delight ink, flower image. The second square was stamped, in Lucky Limeade ink, with the small, leaf image and glittered. The third was dressed up with the smallest, die cut, using the Folkart Florals die, from Coral Calypso cardstock, bird, which was embellished with a pearl eye and adhered, in its prepped square, with foam tape. And finally, the fourth was stamped, in Wisteria Wonder ink, with the bird house image, which was embellished with a little, hemp twine bow.

That's it, for this round, folks! Thank you so much for visiting me and for all your super sweet comments throughout this release! I'm absolutely giddy glad that you like what you see! Now, before you're off, to the Wplus9 Design Online Store, to get these goodies while they're hot, one last time, please don't forget to stop by the rest of the teams' blogs to see what they've created today, just for your viewing pleasure. Until next time, be blessed! Hugs!

Cristina Kowalczyk
Dawn Woleslagle
Elise Durenberger
Jean Martin
Kerrianne Gwin
Lea Lawson
Savitri Wilder

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Folkart Florals (Wplus9) Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, & Coral Calypso (SU) Ink: Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, & Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: Folkart Florals die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Build-a-Brad kit, 1/4" Circle punch, Color Spritzer tool, & Dazzling Diamonds (SU); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); pearl (Zva Creative); foam tape (Scotch)

Wplus9 Feb./Mar. Release: Reveal Day

2012-02-03T23:01:00.050-06:00

Today's the big day, folks! I've got all the deets, regarding this month's release goodies, for you all, today. Please also be sure to stop by the Wplus9 Design Blog for any and all additional information. Now, here's that reveal.

Folkart Florals

is a 4x6 clear photopolymer stamp set
contains 24 stamps; 20 images and 4 sentiments
will be available for purchase February 5th for just $14

Folkart Florals Die

compliments the Folkart Florals stamp set
designed to be used as stand alone images
comes on a single die that can be easily snipped and separated
will be available for purchase February 5th for just $12

Folkart Floral Tags

is a 4x6 clear photopolymer stamp set
contains 15 stamps; 3 (1.75") circle tag images, 4 sentiments, and 8 accent images
will be available for purchase February 5th for just $14

Circle Stackers 1 Die

contains 3 stackable round shapes
coordinates with the Folkart Floral Tags stamp set
comes on a single die that can be easily snipped and separated
will be available for purchase February 5th for just $15

Timeless Tags 1 Die

a classic tag shape in 3 graduated sizes
comes on a single die that can be easily snipped and separated
will be available for purchase February 5th for just $11

Easter Greetings

is a 3x4 clear photopolymer stamp set
contains 4 stamps; 3 images and 1 sentimet
will be available for purchase February 5th for just $6

Layered Butterfly Die

contains 4 stackable shapes to build a layered butterfly
comes on a single die that can be easily snipped and separated
will be available for purchase February 5th for just $7

They're just absolutely irresistible! Right?! And each and every one will be available for purchase, in the Wplus9 Design Online Store, tomorrow. Please don't forget that we'll all be back with one more fabulous project, at that time, as well. Until then, thanks for peeking in; and happy stamping, ya'll!

Wplus9 Feb./Mar. Release: Day 3

2012-02-02T23:01:00.050-06:00

So glad to have you all back visiting for Day 3 of Wplus9 Design's February/March Release sneak peeks! Today we're showing off Easter Greetings, as well as two, new dies, including Timeless Tags 1, which you've already seen a bit of, from me, each day so far, and Layered Butterfly; and I've got two, new cards, boasting their beauty. Check them out!

I started this card by masking the clouds, using our Hearts & Clouds die, off on a piece of Whisper White cardstock. I then inked it up with Bashful Blue ink and distressed its edges, being careful to avoid the clouds, with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks, before removing the cloud masks. A length of pink, gingham ribbon was wrapped, vertically, around the left half of the prepped piece; tied, in a bow, near its top edge; and embellished with a purple button, laced with a couple of hemp twine bows, as well as the stamped, in Jet Black ink, on vellum and hand cut, "Easter Greetings", sentiment banner, before the entire piece was adhered, with foam tape, to the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face.

The green, plaid, patterned, paper strips were then punched to appear as though they were the grasses cradling my stamped eggs. The first was adhered directly to the prepped piece, and the second, slightly shorter piece, was popped up, with foam tape, along the bottom edge of the sky piece. I then stamped the eggs, from left to right, in Rose Red ink on Rose Red cardstock, in Pretty in Pink ink on Pink Pirouette cardstock, and in Wisteria Wonder ink on Wisteria Wonder cardstock; hand cut them out; ink distressed their edges; dressed them up with a little, white, gel pen detailing; and nestled them in amongst the blades of grass.

A few, die cut, using the smaller leaf from the Folkart Florals die, Garden Green, cardstock branches complete the look.

Now, how about a peek at that other, fabulous, Layered Butterfly die?

I started this card by machine stitching, with ivory-threaded, straight stitches, the lengths of the top and bottom edges of a piece of red, polka dot, patterned paper; trimming its bottom edge with a length of ivory lace; and adhering it to the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face, which had been distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks.

The tags were then die-cut, from Very Vanilla cardstock, using the Timeless Tags 1 die. And now you've seen all three tag sizes, in Timeless Tags 1, from me. Woohoo! They were then ink distressed; stamped, in Antique Linen ink, with the "friend" text from Defining Words; and wrapped up with a little, Lemondrop twine. One of the tags was not only wrapped up with a little, Lemondrop twine, but that twine was also laced with the smallest tag, from the Timeless Tags 1 die, which was die-cut from Lucky Limeade cardstock, ink distressed, and stamped, in Lucky Limeade ink, with the heart image from Folkart Floral Tags and, in Chocolate Chip ink, with the "FRIEND" sentiment from Folkart Florals, before being tied in a bow.

All three tags were then embellished with safety pins; adhered, with foam tape, to the card face; and embellished with those beautiful, layered butterflies, which were all three die-cut, from color-coordinating, patterned papers, vellum, and cardstock, using the Layered Butterfly die. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I adore this new die!

There you have it! Tomorrow is the big reveal, ya'll! Then, we'll all be back the following day, as scheduled, with our famed Group Post. Hope to see you then, and thanks ever so much, again and again, for all your kind words throughout this release! Don't forget to pop by my fabulous teammates' blogs, and have a wonderful day!

Cristina Kowalczyk
Dawn Woleslagle
Elise Durenberger
Jean Martin
Kerrianne Gwin
Lea Lawson
Savitri Wilder

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Easter Greetings (Wplus9) Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Wisteria Wonder, & Garden Green (SU); green plaid (Nikki Sivils); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Wisteria Wonder, & Bashful Blue (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: Folkart Florals & Hearts & Clouds dies (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); foam tape (Scotch); Grass punch (Fiskars); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); purple button (DeNami Design); pink gingham ribbon (Hobby Lobby); white gel pen (Signo)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Folkart Florals, Folkart Floral Tags, & Defining Words (Wplus9) Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie, & Lucky Limeade (SU); red polka dot (BoBunny); aqua chevron (lilybee design); floral (Basic Grey); lime text (7 Gypsies); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Lucky Limeade & Chocolate Chip (SU); Tea dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: ivory thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Layered Butterfly & Timeless Tags 1 dies (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Lemondrop twine (The Twinery); safety pins (Hobby Lobby); ivory lace (Paper Studio); foam tape (Scotch)

SIT #68

2012-02-02T12:01:00.054-06:00

Note: If you've come here looking for my Wplus9 Feb./Mar. Release: Day 2 and/or PDCC117 - Melanie Muenchinger post(s), please scroll down.

So, are you ready for another, Sketches in Thyme sketch to get your creative juices flowing?! Well, let's just dive right in to Challenge #68.

I may have taken a few liberties with this sketch, but I was completely drawn to all those circular elements, which translated into flowers on this fun, summertime take, which was inspired by my January, Jenni Bowlin kit.

I started this layout by framing all my pics with Whisper White cardstock, before adhering them in a kind of jumbled/layered design near center of the water-stained, base page. I then tucked a kraft, die cut tag, laced with a length of hemp twine, in the bottom right corner and used it to back my "summer lovin'" title, which was created from denim alphas and anchored with white-threaded, back-and-forth, machine stitches.

Lots of fabulous, cardstock and canvas, Picadilly flowers were layered and scattered about the design, and many of them were topped with deep red Sparklets.

A trio of hand-cut, "today, enjoy, memories", subtitle pennants, all three of which were anchored with more, white-threaded, back-and-forth, machine stitches...

as well as a June 7, 2010, sweet loves, date tab, complete the design.

Now, it's your turn! You have until the close of the month, on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, to link up your takes over in the right hand column of the Sketches in Thyme Blog. Please don't forget to pop by the challenge link above to see what the rest of the Mavens have whipped up with this fun sketch, as well as to find out what you're playing for, this month, from our fabulous sponsor, The Cutting Cafe.

Until next time, thanks so much for peeking in, and happy scrapping!

{Supplies & Tools}
Paper: Whisper White (SU); water-stained (BoBunny) Ink: Basic Black (SU) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Picadilly flowers (Basic Grey); red Sparklets (Kaiser Craft); pennants, denim alphas, kraft tag, & date label (Crate Paper); hemp twine (Creative Impressions)

Wplus9 Feb./Mar. Release: Day 2

2012-02-01T23:02:00.056-06:00

Note: If you've come here looking for my PDCC117 - Melanie Muenchinger post, please scroll down.

Welcome back for another day of February, Wplus9 Design sneak peeks! Today we're showing off Folkart Floral Tags and our new, Circle Stackers 1 dies, which you all got a little peek of, from me, yesterday. So, anyway, check out my projects!

I started this card by dry embossing a piece of Pool Party cardstock, which had its top corners rounded, with daisies; distressing its edges with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks; and machine stitching, with black-threaded, straight stitches, around its edges.

I then trimmed its bottom edge with a punched and pleated piece of color-coordinating, polka dot, patterned paper; topped the space above the patterned paper with a length of white, scalloped lace; and filled in the space between them with a black, gingham ribbon, tied, in a bow, near the prepped piece's left edge, before adhering it, with foam tape, to the Basic Black, cardstock, card face.

The floral frame was then stamped, in Pool Party ink, on a Whisper White, cardstock die cut, using one of three Circle Stackers 1 dies, which had been distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks. It was then filled in with the stamped, in Basic Black ink, "MY DEAR friend" sentiment and popped up on another Circle Stackers 1 die cut, from Coral Calypso cardstock, which in turn was adhered, with foam tape, in the center of the dry embossed, Pool Party, cardstock piece.

I'm also sneaking in a little, Easter project I made for my nieces and nephews, and I LOVE that it shows off a couple more dies from both yesterday's Folkart Florals and tomorrow's Timeless Tags 1 reveal!

Those pillow boxes were filled with Hershey's KISSES Raspberry HUGS and wrapped up with white seam binding ribbon, tied in a bow. But before it was tied, I laced it with a Crumb Cake, cardstock, tag die cut, from Timeless Tags 1, which had been ink distressed and stamped, in White ink, with the trio of bird houses and, in Perfect Plum ink, with the "Easters WISHES" sentiment, as well as a glittered, Barely Banana, cardstock, bird die cut, using a Folkart Florals die. It was then topped with a plum button, laced with a hemp twine bow. The only variations I made between bundles were changing up the sentiment and button colors a couple of times to Tempting Turquoise and Rose Red.

We've still got another brand spankin' new stamp set, as well as two, new dies to show you all. So, please be sure to not only stop by all these lovely ladies' blogs today, but also come on back, tomorrow, for another, creative display of Wplus9 Design fabulosities. Until then, thanks for peeking in, and have a terrific day!

Cristina Kowalczyk
Dawn Woleslagle
Elise Durenberger
Jean Martin
Kerrianne Gwin
Lea Lawson
Savitri Wilder

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Folkart Floral Tags (Wplus9) Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pool Party, & Coral Calypso (SU); aqua & coral polka dot (Paper Studio) Ink: Pool Party & Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Circle Stackers 1 (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Edger punch (EK Success); 1/16" Handheld Circle & Corner punches & Daisies Texturz Plate (SU); foam tape (Scotch); white scalloped lace & black gingham ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Folkart Floral Tags (Wplus9) Paper: Crumb Cake & Barely Banana (SU) Ink: White, Perfect Plum, Tempting Turquoise, & Rose Red (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: Folkart Florals & Timeless Tags 1 dies (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Dazzling Diamonds & buttons (SU); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); white seam binding ribbon (Zipper Stop); pillow boxes (Jenni Bowlin)

PDCC117 - Melanie Muenchinger

2012-02-01T23:01:00.059-06:00

You all completely blew my socks off with last week's color story! WOW! I just love visiting your blogs and being inspired! Thank you for being you and for playing along with us, at The Play Date Cafe, week in and week out! With that said, check out the deliciously elegant and uniquely shabby Challenge #117.

This has got to be hands-down one of my favorite color stories EVER! And I decided to use these robin egg, lilac, and bisque colors to make my birthday thank yous.

I started this card by trimming the bottom of a piece of soft blue, flourish, patterned paper, which had its top edges rounded, with a punched strip of Wisteria Wonder cardstock and a strip of woodgrain, patterned paper; stamping it, in Chocolate Chip ink, with the nest image; and distressing the edges of everything with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks.

I then machine stitched, with lilac-threaded, straight stitches around the entire piece's edges; trimmed the space above the punched, cardstock strip with a length of ivory lace; and filled in the space between the spoken, two elements with a Bashful Blue, taffeta ribbon, tied, in a bow, near the prepped piece's left edge, before adhering the entire thing, with foam tape, to the Very Vanilla, cardstock, card face.

The "Merci Beaucoup" sentiment was stamped, in Wisteria Wonder ink, on a Very Vanilla, cardstock, punched label, which was distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks and adhered just below the nest image. A little, blue glitter, added to the nest eggs, completes the look.

And I just couldn't resist showing you all the whole lot. LOVE to see them all lined up like that!

Now, it's your turn! You have until the close of the day EST, next Tuesday, February 7, 2012, to link up your takes over at the challenge link above. Please also use that link to see what the rest of the team has cooked up with this gorgeous color story, as well as to find out what you're playing for, this week, from our sponsor, Melanie Muenchinger, Designer for Gina K. Designs. We're also welcoming the talented Alicia Thelin to our Design Team tonight. So, please be sure to pop in and give her some extra love. Welcome to the team, Alicia! It's so good to have you! Have fun, ya'll, and be blessed!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: C'est la Vie (Wplus9) Paper: Very Vanilla & Wisteria Wonder (SU); woodgrain (Paper Studio); blue flourish (K&Company) Ink: Chocolate Chip & Wisteria Wonder (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: lilac thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scotch); Scallop Trim Border, Corner, & Modern Label punches & Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon (SU); ivory lace (Hobby Lobby); blue glitter (K&Company)

January Pubs

2012-02-01T19:00:00.009-06:00

I'm absolutely thrilled to share a few, CARDS publications, with you all, this evening! I had four in the January issue. The first, along with all the details of and supplies for its making, can be found on pages 14 and 73.

The second and third can be found on pages 80 and 150 respectively.

And the fourth and final can be found on pages 116-117.

I'll be back, in just a bit, with not only a brand new and utterly delicious color story for The Play Date Cafe, but also a continuation of Wplus9 Design's February/March Release sneak peeks. Until then, I think that I'm going to sneak in a little cuddle time with my kiddos. We've been out enjoying this beautiful, springlike weather we've been having and are ready for a little downtime. Hugs!

Wplus9 Feb./Mar. Release: Day 1

2012-01-31T23:01:00.253-06:00

So good to be back with a brand new line-up of goodies from Wplus9 Design! Dawn has cooked up, for you all, this month, a trio of beautiful stamps, with coordinating dies, that utterly exude springtime and friendship and are deliciously sweet. Today we're showing off Folkart Florals and its coordinating Folkart Florals die. So, let's just dive right in. Shall we?

I started this card by stamping the "Time spent with friends is time well spent." sentiment, in Elegant Eggplant ink, on a piece of Whisper White cardstock and framing it with the arched leaf image, which was stamped in Certainly Celery ink, as well as the smaller leaf and flower image, which was stamped in Certainly Celery and Perfect Plum ink and glittered, before adhering it to the Elegant Eggplant, cardstock, card face.

I then die-cut the frame, using the Label Layers 3 die, from a piece of Perfect Plum cardstock; machine stitched, with white-threaded, straight stitches, around its edges; dry embossed it with the polka dot image; distressed its edges with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks...

laced it with the green, stripe ribbon, which was tied in a bow and embellished with a white, crochet flower, as well as a green button, laced with white string; and adhered it, with foam tape, centered over the previously stamped images and sentiment.

I've also got a layout, for you all, today. Check it out!

I started this layout by arranging the pictures, in a grid design, on the white, distressed, patterned, paper, base page. I then anchored them with a piece of red, plaid, patterned paper, which was topped with a punched strip of vellum; anchored with brown-threaded, straight stitches; and served as the place to put my ink distressed, Whisper White, cardstock, journaling strips, which read, Ezekiel was so excited to show off the new bird house that Grandpa helped him build and tell us all the fun things he did with his cousin, Grant, when Adina and I picked him up from Grandma's.

I then filled in the spaces between the photographs with stamped, cardstock pieces, which were distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks. The top one was stamped, in Wild Wasabi ink, with two, leaf images and given a little texture with both the stamped, in Crumb Cake ink, cross-hatch images, from Sweet Nothings, as well as brown-threaded, straight, machine stitches.

And the bottom one was stamped, in Pool Party, Perfect Plum, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Wild Wasabi inks, with lots of different floral images. Guys, I'm telling you, the possibilities with these darling images are absolutely limitless! It, too, was given the same texture treatments as the stamped piece above and flanked with a yellow, "My Treasures" tab.

Now, I'm giving ya'll an extra sneak peek; because those Whisper White, cardstock, doily die cuts, from the new, Circle Stackers 1 dies, are being introduced tomorrow. I distressed them with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks and splattered them with Crumb Cake and Soft Suede inks, before scattering them, strategically, about on the page. The top one was also stamped, in Real Red ink, with the partial, "HAPPY Spring" title and tucked behind the completed "BREAK" title, which was created from kraft, Hardcover Thickers.

The title was then flanked with a couple of die cut, from Wild Wasabi cardstock, leafy branches, as well as a little bundle of hemp twine bows. A little, added dimension was given to those die cut leaves using Distress Inks and foam tape.

The bottom, doily die cut was partially tucked under the bottom edge of the photos and embellished with a Pure Poppy button, laced with Baker's Twine, as well as a kraft "DATE:" label, which was filled in with the March 17, 2010, date.

And the third, doily die cut frames the die-cut, from red, polka dot, and yellow, wavy, patterned papers, bird house, which was hung from the top edge of the layout with hemp twine and embellished with a mini clothespin, as well as a stamped, in Perfect Plum ink, on another peek of a future, release day, Timeless Tags 1, die cut tag, bird, which was tied, with Baker's Twine, to a leaf, trinket pin.

A stamped, in Jet Black ink, on a strip of vellum, "Though miles apart, still close at heart." subtitle, completes the look.

Inspiration for this layout came from PageMaps' CHAW12 Sketch Contest.

That's all I have, for you all, today; but we'll all be back, tomorrow, with another, stamp set, as well as more, Circle Stacker 1 dies, both of which coordinate beautifully with today's cuties. Please be sure to stop by the rest of this talented team's blogs to see what they've cooked up, just for you all, today, and have a wonderful Wednesday!

Cristina Kowalczyk
Dawn Woleslagle
Elise Durenberger
Jean Martin
Kerrianne Gwin
Lea Lawson
Savitri Wilder

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Folkart Florals (Wplus9) Paper: Whisper White, Perfect Plum, & Elegant Eggplant (SU) Ink: Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, & Certainly Celery (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Label Layers 3 die (Wplus9); polka dot embossing folder, Dazzling Diamonds, green stripe ribbon, green button, & white crochet flower (SU); Big Shot (Sizzix); white string (Hobby Lobby)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Folkart Florals & Sweet Nothings (Wplus9) Paper: Whisper White (SU); white distressed (Basic Grey); red plaid (Crate Paper); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Perfect Plum, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, & Basic Black (SU); Tea dye & Antique Linen (Ranger); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: brown thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Folkart Florals, Circle Stackers 1, & Timeless Tags 1 dies (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Pure Poppy button (PTI); Baker's Twine (Clean Country Paper Supplies); "DATE:" label & "My Treasures" tab (October Afternoon); Edger punch (EK Success); foam tape (Scotch); mini clothespin (Canvas Corp.); leaf trinket pin (Maya Road); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); kraft Hardcover Thickers (American Crafts)

Weekend Snapshots & a Winner

2012-01-30T15:03:00.004-06:00

Happy Monday, ya'll! It's been a busy morning, in our household, between laundry and bed changes and making a meal for another, new mom from our church. So much so, that I was feeling icky by lunch time. That's what I get for forgetting to eat breakfast and not taking care of myself. Anyway, my hubby fixed lunch for the kiddos and even cleaned up a lot of the mess I made, from cooking, in the kitchen, before heading back to work. So, I laid down for just a bit; and while I'm still not feeling 100%, I'm now able to function properly. Thanks, Baby!

Anyway, I hope you all aren't getting tired of basketball shots of my big kiddo; because I've got a few more, for you, today. He's learning so much, and while his team still hasn't won a game, they doubled their best score this week. Woohoo! Ezekiel even made two baskets. Oh! And just in case you haven't figured it out yet, Ezekiel's jersey number is one.

On the way home from basketball, our car lost a lot of value. (Please ignore the dust on my dash.) Sally (That's what Ezekiel and I named her about six years ago now.) has been such a great car for us. And while there's many times that we wish she were bigger, we love the benefit of better gas mileage while we're tooting around town.

While the rest of our weekend was packed to the brim with visits from both sets of my kiddos' grandparents and church activities, I only have a few more shots to share with you all, and they boast my Birthday Giveaway winner as randomly chosen by my kiddos.

Congratulations, Diana! Shoot me an email with your mailing address, and I'll get your package in the mail, to you, ASAP. And thanks again, ya'll, for all the sweet, birthday wishes! I also don't think that I ever said thank you for all your thoughtful, get-well wishes for Adina. Her fever dropped last Thursday, but we really tried to take it easy this weekend, because she just hasn't been herself since. I think we all just need a day to sleep, not have anything planned, and just be a family. Keeping up with schedules is exhausting!

So, thanks so much for popping in here to check on me! I'll be back, late tomorrow, with the start of five days of February/March Release sneak peeks from Wplus9 Design. Have a wonderful, work week, ya'll! Oh! And if you haven't already, please go vote for Ezekiel to get one of the coveted Young Environmentalist slots for Sea Life Aquarium. You can read about all the details in this post. Unfortunately, the whole competition isn't based on what the children wrote or how creative they got with their drawings. It's simply on how many people you know on Facebook, and to be honest, we aren't. So, if it's not asking too much, please share the link on your Facebook pages, too. Voting ends tomorrow, and he needs at least 80 more votes! Thanks again and again!

MFW: Die Cutting Challenge & CTD176

2012-01-28T08:01:00.000-06:00

Just popping in here, on this beautiful, chilly, Saturday morning, to share a few, more, Valentine cuties that I've made for Winter's Valentine's Day Card Drive. She's accepting Valentines until the end of this month, so you've still got a few days left to get creative and send them in.

How about a little closer look?

I started this card by stamping the open hearts, in Crumb Cake ink, on a piece of aqua, patterned paper; machine stitching, with brown-threaded, straight stitches, around its edges; over stamping it, in Chocolate Chip ink, with the "be mine Valentine" sentiment; and adhering it to the 3-3/4" x 4", Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face.

I then die cut the pocket from Chocolate Chip cardstock; embossed it with the weave pattern; tucked a small piece of rose, polka dot, patterned paper behind the die cut heart; and adhered it, with foam tape, centered above the stamped sentiment and over a length of hemp twine, which was tied, in a bow, just to its left edge.

The pocket was then stuffed with a glittered, leafy branch, which was die-cut from Crumb Cake cardstock, as well as a stamped, in Rose Red ink, envelope bundle, which I hand cut out and distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks.

Inspiration for these cuties came from the Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World, as well as Color Throwdown's Challenge #176.

We're off to another, basketball game, of Ezekiel's, in just a bit. Then, my crafty space is calling my name, and I'm hoping to find a little, quiet time to bust out a few treasures. Until next week, ya'll, thanks so much for looking my way, and have a blessed rest of your weekends! Oh! And please don't forget that you have until the close of tomorrow CST to get in on my Birthday Giveaway. Hugs!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: A Pocketful: Valentine - envelopes & sentiment & Background Builders: Hearts - open heart background (Wplus9) Paper: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, & Very Vanilla (SU); aqua (K&Company); hot pink polka dot (My Mind's Eye) Ink: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, & Rose Red (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: brown thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Mini Leaves Sizzlit, Weave Texturz Plate, & Dazzling Diamonds (SU); Love Notes die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); foam tape (Scotch)

Friday Faves

2012-01-27T13:37:00.001-06:00

It's that time again! Time for my first Friday Faves of 2012, and it all begins, as has become tradition, with the fabulous, Noel Mignon Charm School Kit. I am completely drawn to these types of collections for their not being matchy-matchy but still being completely coordinated, textural, and irresistible in every way. I especially love the Hambly Screen Prints banners and the sweet pennants from October Afternoon's Sidewalks Collection.

Speaking of the latter, I adore the Sidewalks Collection, in it's entirety, from the colors right down to the theme, including the paper...

Label Stickers...

Word Stickers...

and Tin Pins. Really there's just nothing not to love from this collection!

I'm also loving this gorgeous, new Vintage Button Mold from Mold Muse...

and while we're talking buttons, check out Basic Grey's amazing, new, Picadilly Wooden Buttons. Stunning!

These Medallion Sparklers, from Webster's Pages, would add just the right amount of shine to any of my crafty needs...

and their Green Flowerdrop Trim is perfectly fabulous from the get-go. I mean, what a great way to add a punch of color! Right?!

You all know how much I love The Twinery, but I just couldn't love their new, Shore, Orchid, Cantaloupe, and Flax colors any more. Delish!

I'm throwing in one stamp set, this month, for good measure. The size and options, not to mention the simple sentiment, behind Gently Seasoned, from Paper Smooches, totally have me swooning. FABULOUS!

And finally, I've shared lots of beautiful things from Gsakowski Designs, but I just couldn't resist showing ya'll another. They're just so amazing, and someday, I really will be able to afford one ;). LOVE this Azalea Pink Collette Scarf!

That's all, for this round, folks! Enjoy your weekends! My hubby and I are headed out solo, tonight, for a belated, birthday dinner. Woohoo!

CQC #121 & CPS 252

2012-01-26T13:32:00.001-06:00

I've got another, little trio of Valentines, for Winter's Valentine's Day Card Drive, to share with you all, this afternoon. And I'm just going to get right to it, because it's been a busy day, and I still have a load of things to get done.

How about a little closer look?

I started this card by trimming the bottom of a piece of mustard, flourish, patterned paper with a punched strip of red, polka dot, patterned paper and the top with a punched strip of olive, paisley, patterned paper; machine stitching, with white-threaded, zig-zag stitches, between the patterned paper connections; and adhering the prepped piece to the 3" x 4", Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face, which had been stamped, in Basic Black ink, with the "You're a great CATCH!" sentiment.

I then wrapped a length of Baker's Twine, three times, around the horizontal center of the prepped, patterned, paper piece and tied it, in a bow, near the left edge of the card face.

The hooked worm was stamped, in Jet Black ink, on a Whisper White, cardstock die cut; surrounded with the stamped, in Old Olive ink, double frame; colored in with More Mustard ink and a blender pen; and dressed up with a couple of google eyes. I then laid it in place to stamp the string, in Basic Black ink, from the top of the hook off the top edge of the card face, before securing it, in its proper position, with foam tape.

Inspiration for these cuties came from ColourQ's Challenge #121...

and Card Positioning Systems' Sketch 252.

I've got a few, more Valentines, for the children's hospitals' kiddos, that I'm still working on and hoping to share, with you all, before the close of the week, as well as before Winter's deadline; but I've also got a lot of work still to do to really show off a trio of beautiful stamps and coordinating dies that Dawn has cooked up, for you all, this month. So, cross your fingers and wish me luck to get it all done ;). Thanks so much for stopping by, ya'll, and have a truly terrific day! Hugs!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Hooked On You - hooked worm & sentiment, Brothers & Sisters - frame, & Classic Christmas - string (Wplus9) Paper: Crumb Cake & Whisper White (SU); mustard flourish (Basic Grey); olive paisley (K&Company); red polka dot (KI Memories) Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive, & More Mustard (SU); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); All Occasion Label die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Edger punch (EK Success); Upper Crest Border punch (Fiskars); foam tape (Scotch); Baker's Twine (Clean Country Paper Supplies); google eyes (craft supply store)

PDCC116 - Sweet 'n Sassy

2012-01-25T23:01:00.089-06:00

So fun to have you visiting for The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #116!

I had the treasured privilege of having dinner with my sweet friend, Lynn Mangan, last week. And not only did we get to spend time catching up and learning more about one another, but she paid for my dinner and all. What a blessing! I was so surprised, and I know that it's just a card; but I so wanted to say a big thank you, even if it is in such a small way. So, this sweet thing is for her.

I started this card by trimming the bottom of a wide strip of blue, floral, patterned paper with a slightly shorter strip of punched, Whisper White cardstock. I then trimmed the space just above that punched strip with two, punched and layered strips of chartreuse, patterned paper to represent the grass, before machine stitching, with white-threaded, straight stitches, the lengths of the top and bottom edges of the blue, floral, patterned paper and adhering it near the bottom of the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face. A white embossed "You make days brighter and life sweeter." sentiment rounds out the bottom of the design.

The top edge of it was then dressed up with a plum ribbon, tied, in a bow, near the left edge of the card face.

And a couple of punched, from Whisper White, textured, cardstock, clouds turn our attention to the mid section; where I hand cut a chartreuse, glitter tree from patterned paper and adhered it with foam tape, before finishing the design with a trio of embossed and die cut, from Elegant Eggplant cardstock, butterflies, which were adhered just at their centers and embellished with clear gemstones.

I'm also turning this one in for The Punches Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. And now, it's your turn; and I hope you all won't turn running from this challenge but will really dive into your stashes and hunt for just the right elements to make these plum, chartreuse, and moldy cheese colors shine. You have until the close of the day EST, next Tuesday, January 31, 2012, to link up your takes over at the challenge link above. Please also use that link to find out what the rest of the team has been up to, as well as to find out what you're playing for, this week, from our fabulous sponsor, Sweet 'n Sassy.

We're also saying goodbye to Michele Gross and Andrea Ewen this week, and I cannot tell you all how much I'm going to miss these ladies. I had the privilege of working side-by-side with Michele, in cahoots with sponsors and guest designers, way back in the beginning of my first term here at the PDCC. From that interaction, I learned that she is literally one of the kindest, most flexible, willing to bend over backward for you kind of people I've ever known, and that's not even to mention that she ROCKS a CAS design. And Andrea portrays pure perfection when it comes to the vintage, shabby chic world. Plus, if it's possible, she's even sweeter than her unending creations. I have no doubt that both of these ladies will go so far and wide into the future with their creativity, and I know that they'd really appreciate it if you'd stop by their blogs to wish them well. Big hugs and tons of blessings, ladies!

Thanks for peeking in, ya'll! Have a terrific day!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: The Birds & the Bees (Wplus9) Paper: Crumb Cake, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, & blue floral (SU); chartreuse (KI Memories); tree (DCWV) Ink: watermark (VersaMark) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Scallop punch, white embossing powder, & Beautiful Wings Embosslit (SU); Big Shot (Sizzix); Grass & Cloud punches (Fiskars); plum ribbon (Hobby Lobby); clear gemstones (Paper Studio); foam tape (Scotch)

Three in One

2012-01-24T13:57:00.002-06:00

Good afternoon! We're back to warmer weather in my neck of the woods, but Adina is also back to feeling icky. It seems that every time we go to church, she comes home not feeling well. That cannot be good! Then, I get so tired taking care of the poor, little thing, that it's difficult to keep caught up on everything. Help! I think I need a vacation! Anyway, I'm still trying to get my mojo back but, at the same time, refusing to let it take a break. So, I do have a pretty, little number, to share with you all, today.

I started this card by machine stitching, with ivory-threaded, straight stitches, a piece of pink, polka dot fabric to the front of the Very Vanilla, cardstock, card face, which had been distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks.

A strip of gray, doily, patterned paper was then adhered down the vertical center of the card face and anchored with ivory-threaded, zig-zag, machine stitches. I then wrapped a length of seam binding ribbon, which had been stained with Pink Bubblegum Glimmer Mist, around its center; tied it, in a dressy bow, near the top edge of the card face; and embellished it with a couple of hemp twine bows; a black, checked bow; a cream, resin flower; and a chipboard house, which I dressed up with a little, silver glitter.

A piece of Very Vanilla cardstock was then stamped, in Basic Black ink, with the "Congratulations to the happy couple" sentiment; clear embossed with the gorgeous, blossom images; distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks; framed with a piece of Pink Pirouette cardstock, as well as ivory-threaded, straight stitches; and finally, dressed up with a little, pink trim; a couple of cream, doily, flower halves; and a trio of silver, mini brads, before being tucked under the embellished bow.

Inspiration for this card came from the Tuesday Trigger: Winter Blossoms in the Moxie Fab World...

The Shabby Tea Room's Week #98: Sparkly & Bright...

and Deconstructing Jen's Deconstructed Sketch No. 35.

I'm also thrilled to tell you all that this card, that I made for Winter's Valentine's Day Card Drive, put me in the Top 3 over at The Ribbon Reel. Thank you so much for the honor, ladies! My cup runneth over!

And thanks, to you all, for stopping by! Please don't forget that you have until the close of tonight EST to link up your takes on The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #115. Then, I'll be back, late tomorrow, along with the rest of the team, with another color story to try your hand at. Until then, happy stamping, and be blessed!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Heartfelt Mix - sentiment & Very Vintage Greetings - flower (Wplus9) Paper: Very Vanilla & Pink Pirouette (SU); gray doily (My Mind's Eye) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger); watermark (VersaMark) Other: ivory thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); pink polka dot fabric & pink ruffle trim (Hobby Lobby); cream doily flower & chipboard house (Jenni Bowlin); white seam binding ribbon (Zipper Stop); Pink Bubblegum Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); skinny black ribbon (May Arts); clear embossing powder & silver mini brads (SU); silver glitter (K&Company); foam tape (Scotch); cream resin flower (Maya Road); mini clothespin (Canvas Corp.)

Weekend Snapshots

2012-01-23T14:10:00.002-06:00

Happy Monday, ya'll! First and foremost, I have to say thank you so much for all the sweet, birthday wishes you left, for me, on yesterday's Birthday Giveaway post. You all are the best! Thank you! And it was so fun to see that most of you celebrate low-key in exactly the same way I did, but before I get to that, I had to share a few pics of Ezekiel's Saturday, afternoon, basketball game.

The kiddos and I were on our own all morning, while BJ was away at a church meeting; but we all met back up, early afternoon, to cheer Ezekiel on to another, unfortunate loss. But look at this lineup! How did those boys get so tall anyway?! Sigh. We couldn't even catch a rebound!

I tried to get crafty Saturday afternoon, but I cannot seem to focus lately. My mind is racing a million miles an hour with everything that needs to be done, and between that and the continual interruptions from little ones, I just wasn't getting anywhere. So, I bailed, baked a couple loaves of French bread, and whipped up a big batch of Gumbo. At least everyone went to bed happy and full :).

Then, at church, on Sunday, we, along with the rest of the parents, were invited to spend the morning, with Ezekiel, to see what happens in the first to fifth grader's territory. It meant a lot, to Ezekiel, for us to be there, and it's always fun to see him interact with his friends and spout out verses and answers left and right. It's comforting to know, too, that he knows the right way to behave when his sister gets into his things. Now, if we can just put that into practice. LOL! (Ezekiel's in the green and plaid shirt to the far right in the photos below.)

Then, we went to Olive Garden for my birthday lunch, courtesy of BJ's aunt, via a couple of Christmas gift cards...

and finished up, back home, with an Apple Crumb Cake that BJ made for me.

Poor Adina might've gotten mauled after she blew out the first candle. LOL!

I got to pick out a few, new, creative goodies to celebrate with. My kiddos were completely giddy to give me the cards they picked out all by themselves. LOVE! And my handsome hubby brought home these sweet, flower bundles, which I separated, to keep me company all weekend long.

Oh! And I think my hubby's working up a light box for me, too. Woohoo! Wish him luck!

We spent the rest of the day taking a nap and watching football, while we listened to the thunder and watched the lightening, which is so out of character for January in Kansas, but I LOVE rainstorms! BJ and I have been totally cheering against one another, during the football games, for the last two weeks; but so far, I'm 4-0. Although, I have to admit that I no longer know who to cheer for. I guess that I've got a couple weeks, before the Super Bowl, to pick a fave.

Oh! And Ezekiel was blessed with this big box of books from a family friend, whose son is all grown up and off to college, and started sorting right away. Now, they'll be gratefully loved :)!

Thanks for peeking in, and have a wonderful, work week, ya'll! I'm off to sneak in a little creative time, while my kiddos are resting/reading. Hugs!

Birthday Giveaway

2012-01-22T07:00:00.001-06:00

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend! I'll have pics to share of ours tomorrow, but I wanted to pop in here, today, to share a little something-something with all of you. I was planning on doing a little giveaway, when I reached 200 followers; and although I haven't quite reached that number, today is my birthday, and I'm thinking that's a great reason to celebrate early.

So, I've picked out two of the most popular, not to mention my most favorite, products from my newest gig at Market Street Stamps. And I'd LOVE to send them both, including Gone Campin'

and Vintage Notebook...

to one of my faithful followers, just for being said such. All you need to do, to be in the running to have them all for yourself, is leave me a comment below, telling me how you like to celebrate your birthday, by the close of next Sunday, January 29, 2012, CST. And I'll announce a winner the following Monday.

Good luck, and thanks so much for all the love and encouragement you've showered upon me over the last almost two and a half years. Gosh, it's hard to believe that it's been that long! But when I started my blog back then, I never imagined that I'd meet so many kind and talented people along the way, and I cannot even begin to explain the amount of joy you've all brought into my life. THANK YOU! Enjoy the rest of your weekends!

Papercraft Star Challenge 80

2012-01-20T14:20:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday, ya'll! We've been out and about, at Adina's dance class and picking up some necessities, and I just cannot believe how cold it is! We've been spoiled rotten, this winter, with gorgeous weather and unseasonably warm temperatures, and I've already begun dreaming of tulips and daffodils and hyacinths. Matter of fact, I just had to try to bring a little springtime back on this chilly day, when I saw Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday #49: Ghost Masking post. LOVE! Although, I have to admit that the shot below was my fourth try, and I'm still not completely happy with the way the masking lined up. Sigh. I still think it's beyond beautiful, though, and I'll definitely continue to work with this technique. Thanks for sharing, Betsy!

I started this card by stamping the frame, in Jet Black ink, near the bottom center of a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and distressing the edges of that piece with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks. I, then, masked it off and stamped the heart strip in Basic Gray ink, the large blossoms in Ruby Red ink, the small blossoms in Pool Party ink, and the leaves in Lucky Limeade ink, before reversing the mask and doing the same thing again, with the exception of stamping off first. A stamped, in Basic Black ink, "The heart blooms with Love" sentiment finishes the ink work.

I then trimmed the top edge of the stamped piece with a punched strip of floral, patterned paper, which is also where I pulled my ink colors from, before framing the whole thing with a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and machine, stitching, with black-threaded, straight stitches, around the bottom edges of the prepped piece.

A length of red, saddle stitch ribbon, wrapped around the prepped piece, between the stampy portion and the punched strip, and tied, in a bow, near the left edge of it, as well as a few pieces of foam tape, prep the piece for its final resting spot on the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face.

Further inspiration for this card came from Papercraft Star's Challenge 80 to use a frame, and if it inspired us so, to use the below photograph as well. And oh, my gracious, I so want this bedroom! My poor quilt, that we bought, right at two years ago, back here, is falling apart at the seams, and the ones in this photograph have me oooing and awwwing.

I also have a few recognitions to share, with you all, today. I haven't been very good about doing so this year, but I'm uber proud of each and every one of them, and I think that it helps encourage others to find and support many of these online challenge blogs as well. So, without further ado, I'm thrilled to share that this card and this one, as well as this beauty, were all three featured over at CREATE:, the first two for CARDS' Vellum Challenge and the third for CARDS' Rolled Paper Challenge. These cuties put me in the Top Three over at Do You Stack Up? and also earned me a spot Guest Designing, with their fabulously talented crew, on February 9, 2012. I hope you'll be sure to pop back in and join in the fun!

And this layout made me a Sketchy Thursdays' Fave for their final :( sketch. Thank you so much to all those who made said such possible! What a true privilege it is to get to be a part of this fabulous, creative community!

That's all, for today, folks! I'm off to fold another load of laundry and try to sneak in a nap. I'm feeling a little under the weather and think that one might do me some good. Have a fabulous weekend, ya'll!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Ever After - blossoms, leaves, & sentiment, Design Basics: Backgrounds I - heart strip, & Very Vintage Greetings - frame (Wplus9) Paper: Very Vanilla & Crumb Cake (SU); floral (Basic Grey) Ink: Ruby Red, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Basic Gray, & Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Label Layers 3 die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Edger punch (EK Success); red saddle stitch ribbon (Hobby Lobby); foam tape (Scotch)

SIT #67

2012-01-19T12:01:00.003-06:00

Note: If you've come here looking for my PDCC115 post, please scroll down.

It's that time again! Time for Sketches in Thyme's monthly, two-page sketch, specifically for Challenge #67 this go around.

I've got to say that I'm completely loving these two-pagers! While I'm not usually drawn to finishing two-page layouts, I've got pictures running out my ears that call for said such, and they're all slowly but surely finding homes. LOVE! So, here's what I came up with this month.

I created the beginning of this layout, at my Scrapbook Club, by adhering the top, two strips of patterned papers across the Pretty in Pink, cardstock pages and dressing up those delicious papers, which were adhered across their bottom edges, with embossed and die cut, stacked, cardstock buttons, laced with hemp twine, fabric brads, and pom-pom trims. And I just couldn't seem to work that little, button, card embellishment into the completed design. So, I've set it aside to grace the face of a future, card creation.

I then tucked my photographs into a strip of coordinating, green, sewing pattern, patterned paper and added a smattering of staples along those embellished bottom edges...

before turning my attention to the left side of the layout...

where I added a couple of die cut embellishments, before machine stitching, with both white-threaded straight and zig-zag stitches, along the edges of my patterned papers.

A trio of die cut, from Whisper White cardstock, clouds...

a yellow, photo corner; and a length of Pink Sorbet twine, tied in a couple of bows...

turns our attention to the right side of the layout.

After I applied the same, machine stitching, as above, along the top, two, patterned papers, I tucked a strip of Whisper White cardstock behind my pictures, as well as that green, sewing pattern, patterned paper, and machine stitched, with more, white-threaded, straight stitches, that final strip into place. The top of the cardstock strip served as a place to put my journaling, which reads, I cannot even begin to explain how beautiful you looked, to me, in the birthday dress I made for you. There's so much life, joy, and excitement in those big brown eyes, and I'm the luckiest mom in the world to call you mine.

And the bottom of that cardstock strip houses the "First Birthday" title, which was created with hot pink, scratch 'n sniff alphas, as well as the Sunday, November 1, 2009 date. A couple, more, Whisper White, cardstock clouds and another length of Pink Sorbet twine, tied in a bow, in cahoots with a small handful of yellow photo corners, complete the design.

Now, it's your turn! You have until the close of the month, on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, to link up your takes, on Challenge #65, Challenge #66, and/or this week's Challenge #67, over in the right hand column of the Sketches in Thyme Blog. Please be sure to stop by the challenge link above to check out the fabulous takes, on this week's sketch, by the rest of the Mavens, as well as to be reminded of what you're playing for this month. Thanks so much for dropping in, and have a terrific Thursday!

{Supplies & Tools}
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, & all patterned (SU) Ink: Basic Black (SU) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Hearts & Clouds die (Wplus9); Sweet Buttons Embosslit die, hemp twine, photo corners, fabric brads, & pom-pom trims (SU); Big Shot (Sizzix); foam tape (Scotch); staples & stapler (office supply store); pink die cut trim (My Little Shoebox); green polka dot die cut trim (Crate Paper); Pink Sorbet twine (The Twinery); hot pink scratch 'n sniff alphas (American Crafts)

PDCC115

2012-01-18T23:01:00.015-06:00

Welcome to The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #115!

I cannot tell you how much this slate, moss, bark, and burlap color story spoke to me! LOVE! And although I didn't go that direction, I think that it would make a fantastic guy card. So, here's my take.

I started this card by piecing the various, patterned papers onto a piece of Mellow Moss cardstock and machine stitching, with white-threaded, zig-zag stitches, between their connections. I then ink distressed the edges of a doily, cut from a gray, patterned paper, and adhered it, horizontally centered, near the papers' left side. The "thank you" sentiment was stamped, in Jet Black ink, on a strip of vellum, before being anchored to the prepped piece with white-threaded, straight, machine stitches, running around the edges of the entire piece.

A punched strip of Whisper White cardstock was adhered to the prepped piece's left side, before the entire thing was adhered to the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face.

Finally, I dressed it up with a moss-colored, metal flower, embellished with a pearl, and a cream, fabric flower, flanked with stamped, in Mellow Moss ink, on Whisper White cardstock, hand cut, and ink distressed leaves and a trio of hemp twine bows.

Further inspiration for this card came from this week's Card Pattern's Sketch 148. And now, it's your turn! You have until the close of the day EST, next Tuesday, January 24, 2012, to add your entries to our gallery at the challenge link above. Please also use that link to see what the rest of the girls have been up to, as well as to find out what you're playing for, this week, from The Twinery.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a truly terrific day, ya'll!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Ever After - leaves & Very Vintage Greetings - sentiment (Wplus9) Paper: Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Crumb Cake, & kraft polka dot (SU); large gray polka dot (Authentique); brown damask (BoBunny); moss music (unknown); small gray polka dot (American Crafts); moss crackle, kraft woodgrain, & vellum (Paper Studio); brown woodgrain & gray doily (My Mind's Eye) Ink: Jet Black (StazOn); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); cream fabric flower (Prima); moss metal flower (Basic Grey); pearl (Paper Studio); foam tape (Scotch); Scallop Trim Border punch (SU); hemp twine (Creative Impressions)

Goodbye Sketchy Thursdays

2012-01-18T20:16:00.000-06:00

We have had such a busy but really good day! Ezekiel had a little, home school program, called When Science Attacks, at the Kansas City Zoo, this afternoon; and he was so excited to get there, that he got all his work done before lunch. And not only was it done, but it also looked fabulous! LOVE! I wish he had that kind of commitment every day of the week. LOL! Anyway, I know that it's a bit of a late post for me, but I just couldn't miss out on Sketchy Thursdays' final sketch. So, I'm sneaking it in with moments to spare.

I started this layout by anchoring the photo, on the gray, scroll, base page, with a piece of gray, polka dot, patterned paper, secured with black-threaded, straight, machine stitches. I then stacked lots of color-coordinating, patterned papers, haphazardly, below the photograph and anchored them all, across their top and bottom edges, with more, black-threaded, straight, machine stitches, running over onto the base page itself.

The partial, "YOU make me" title was tucked under the top edge of the photograph, near its left corner...

and the completed, "happy" title was stamped, in Jet Black ink, on a strip of vellum, before being secured over the bottom portion of the photograph.

I then flanked the picture's left side with a hand cut, from a gray, patterned paper, doily; a stack of canvas and cardstock, patterned flowers, topped with a red Sparklet; and a white tag, laced with white string and upon which I journaled, You had your Daddy wrapped around your little finger from the moment he laid eyes on you.

A red label, which was anchored, at either end, with silver, mini brads, was used as a 6 days old, date card.

Finally, I hand cut the pennants from a patterned paper; strung them on two lengths of white string, crossing over one another; and anchored each end of the banners with pewter, Jumbo brads, dressed up with white, string bows.

Like I said above, inspiration for this layout came from Sketchy Thursdays' current and last sketch. Thank you so much, Diana, Heidi, Julie, and the fantastically talented, Sketchy Thursdays' Design Team, for the inspiration you've been to me and all of your creative groupies and for all the time and energy you've put into making your challenge such a huge success. You will be deeply missed!

I'll be back, in just a bit, with a brand new challenge from The Play Date Cafe. Until then, thanks so much for peeking in, and have a truly wonderful evening! I'm off to enjoy the rest of my favorite and cannot miss show of the week, Modern Family. Hugs!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Happy Everything (SU) Paper: gray scroll (Authentique); banner, hot pink polka dot, & gray doily (My Mind's Eye); pink star & pink & red letter (Jillibean Soup); gray polka dot (Fancy Pants); red & pink floral (Jenni Bowlin); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); white tag (Kraft Outlet); canvas & cardstock flowers (Basic Grey); red Sparklet (Kaiser Craft); red label (Jillibean Soup); "YOU make me" journaling card (lilybee design); pewter Jumbo eyelets & silver mini brads (SU); white string (Hobby Lobby); foam tape (Scotch)

Valentine's Day Card Drive

2012-01-17T13:58:00.002-06:00

Warning: This is a picture heavy post. But hang in there, because it's all for such a great cause.

Hey, ya'll! I'm just popping in here, today, to share a trio of Valentine's Day cards that I made for Winter's third, annual Valentine's Day Card Drive. She's collecting cards for St. Jude's and Vanderbilt, Texas, and St. Louis Children's Hospitals. Here's the deets for this year's drive...

Cards need to be a Valentine theme.
Cards can't have anything about 'Get Well Soon', 'Feel Better', or anything reminding them of being sick.
No buttons or anything that can be pulled off and become a choking hazard.
Please make cards that can be used for any gender or age.
Cards must be able to fit into a 4-1/2" x 5-3/4" envelope. Winter will provide clear envelopes for each card, so there is no need to send one with your card.
You can include a message on the inside of your cards, but please, remember nothing reminding the children of being sick... maybe just a Valentine sentiment. You can, also, sign your first name but not your last name or where you are from. St. Jude's rule's state that they can't give out the givers info.
Please include, with your cards, a piece of paper with your name, address, email address, and the amount of cards you sent. Winter will be picking random winners for prizes, including your choice of two stamp sets from our very own Wplus9 Design Online Store.

She will be accepting cards until the end of January at...

Winter Sims
Cards For St. Jude
P.O. Box 754
Warren, TX 77664

I'll also post the St. Jude's logo, on my blog, to make it easier, for you all, to find all the necessary information throughout the course of the drive. Now, how about a little inspiration, from little, old me, to get you creating?

First and foremost, I need to share that inspiration for all of these beauties came from this card, created by CASE Study's January Muse, Jen Rzasa, for Challenge #73.

Now, let's take a look at the first one, in the stack above, up close and personal.

I started this card adhering pieces of color-coordinating, patterned papers to the 3-1/2" x 5-1/4" Pink Pirouette, cardstock, card face.

I then die cut the hearts from the front, Whisper White, cardstock panel, stamped the "hey there" sentiment in Basic Black ink, and dry embossed the prepped piece with polka dots. A length of Blush Blossom twine was wrapped, three times, just below the die cut hearts and above the stamped sentiment, around the stamped piece and tied, in a bow, near the left edge, before adhering it, with foam tape, over the patterned, paper pieces, to the card face.

Further inspiration for this one came from Create for Fun's Color Challenge #46.

The top one, in the stack above, was created in exactly the same way...

with the exception of a change of sentiment to "Celebrate"...

twine to Honeydew, cardstocks to Very Vanilla and Coral Calypso, and patterned papers...

to fit The Paper Player's Colour Challenge #78.

The third and final card, in the trio above, too, was made like the cards above.

However, the sentiment was switched to "You're Special"...

the twine to Pink Sorbet, the cardstocks to Very Vanilla and Pretty in Pink, and the patterned papers...

to fit a trio of challenges, including Do You Stack Up's Challenge #54: Pink...

The Ribbon Reel's Challenge #19: Pink Polka Dots...

and Paper Smooches' current SPARKS Challenge.

Thanks so much for hanging in there and humoring me with a stop by my little neck of the woods! Please don't forget that you have until the close of today EST to link up your takes on The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #114. And until tomorrow, happy stamping, ya'll!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches) Paper: Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Coral Calypso, & Pretty in Pink (SU); gray polka dot (Authentique); yellow pink & gray floral & pink & yellow plaid (American Crafts); pink paislee & hot pink polka dot (My Mind's Eye); coral floral (Webster's Pages); pear glitter (K&Company); pink star (Jillibean Soup); red & pink floral (Jenni Bowlin) Ink: Basic Black (SU) Other: polka dot embossing folder (SU); Hearts & Clouds die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Blush, Honeydew, & Pink Sorbet twine (The Twinery); foam tape (Scotch)

Weekend Snapshots

2012-01-16T14:01:00.001-06:00

Happy Monday, ya'll! I hope you had a nice weekend! Ours was relaxing and full of television football, which was just what I needed after a week of taking care of a sick little one. I was tapped and beginning to feel icky myself.

On Friday morning, Adina began her first dance class. The teacher is young and was uncomfortable with parents being in the same room. So, most of us huddled around the door to try to catch a glimpse of our kiddo, through the little window in it, as she tiptoed or danced by. I'm going to try to sneak in and get at least a few pictures over the next few weeks. Anyway, when we got home, I went to help Ezekiel get started back with his assignments and came to see what she was up to. She was exhausted, and I found her all cuddled up, in the beanbag, dozing with our dog Summer. Too cute!

Saturday brought another basketball game. Ezekiel's just loving it!

A little lunch, at Red Robin, afterwards, was just what we needed.

Then, Sunday, I finally got to go to church again. I haven't been for a month! They closed down over the holidays for two, whole weeks. Then, with Adina being sick last week, as usual, I was the designated nurse. So, it was really nice to get back in the swing of things. Afterwards, my kiddos wanted to go to Barnes and Noble. They both had Christmas gift cards burning holes in their pockets. So, we humored them and came home with a small bundle. We LOVE books!

Oh! And my January Jenni Bowlin kit arrived, this weekend, too. I'm hoping to have a chance to play with it a little later today, but I just couldn't wait to share. Delish!

Here's the deets...

1 Crate Paper Pattern Paper
2 Bo Bunny Pattern Papers
1 Lily Bee Pattern Paper
3 Basic Grey Pattern Papers
2 Coredinations Cardstock
1 Coredination Solid Cardstock
Crate Paper Random Alpha Labels
1 pkg. of Kaiserkraft Sparklets
Basic Grey Die Cut Flowers, Picadilly
Mercantile Exclusive Stamp
1 XL ledger index card
Pillow Box containing:

Harlow Prima Flowers – colors will vary between cream, pink and red
Metal Flowers Basic Grey, Picadilly
1 yard May Arts Ribbon
2 vintage “Smith” pharmacy labels

Now, even with it being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and many children being out of school and adults being off of work, we're plugging along, as usual, with laundry, dishes, changing the beds, cleaning the mouse cage, and even baking a couple loaves of bread.

Oh! And I also just have to share this little conversation we had at the dinner table. It began with Adina practicing her memory verse, and I'm thinking that her Sunday School teacher must've really plugged the whole manger scene image over Christmas.

Adina: With God, all things are possible. (while doing hand motions)
Daddy: Good job! Do you know where Jesus lives?
Adina: With the cows.
Mommy/Daddy/Ezekiel: Snicker. Snicker.
Adina: I mean with the sheep.
Mommy/Daddy/Ezekiel: More snickering.
Ezekiel: No, He lives in Heaven.
Adina: No, He lives with the cows.
Ezekiel: No, He lives in Heaven with God the Father.
Adina: He lives in Heaven with the cows.
Mommy/Daddy/Ezekiel: Hysterical laughter.

I just can't argue with that face! Plus, I'm sure there are cows in Heaven, too. Gotta love the innocence of a little one! Thanks so much for stopping by! May you all have an absolutely blessed work week! I'm off to see if I can sneak in a little time with that kit, before my little one is up from her nap.

Tuesday Trigger: By the Numbers & CR84FN45

2012-01-13T15:46:00.002-06:00

The ups and downs of last weekend have carried into and throughout my week. Remember back here, when we awoke to no heat. Well, it turned into an even bigger problem, with the winter temperatures finally hitting Kansas City, this week. The blower stopped working, too. So, we had to bite the bullet and get the ignition control fixed, which cost way more than our budget can handle right now. Ugh!

Adina has continued to feel icky for the better part of the week. She's been my little shadow, which I truly don't mind. I really love our cuddle time. She even fell asleep, in my arms, in the rocker, yesterday.

Fortunately, now, she has been fever-free for two whole days. Woohoo! And she's getting right back to being her spunky old self. Thank you so much for all your well-wishes for her! I truly so appreciate your kindness and prayers!

And because I threw in those few of Adina, I wanted to share some of what Ezekiel has been up to this week. He's plugging along at school and loving learning how to read maps!

I also wanted to give you all an update on his standing in the Young Environmentalist Competition for Sea Life Aquarium. He is currently running 22nd out of 101 entries, which is a great place to be, but it doesn't get him the title. If you'll remember, he has to be in the top twelve. I'm a firm believer in if it's meant to be, it will be; but I also believe that with the help of many, great things can be accomplished. So, I'm asking, once again, for your help.

If you haven't already, please go "Like" his entry! You can use the link in the top right corner of my blog to go directly to Ezekiel's entry; or if you'd like to check out all the entries for yourself, you can go to the Entry Gallery. Please also share his link on your Facebook pages, and THANK YOU to those who have already voted, and in advance, to those who are heading there now! Your votes are deeply coveted! Now, how about a little something papercrafty in nature ;)?

I started this card by stamping the "Celebrate" sentiment, in Jet Black ink, on a 4-1/2" square piece of Whisper White cardstock...

machine stitching around its edges, with white-threaded, straight stitches; and dry embossing the prepped piece with polka dots.

I then cut my "3, 2, 1" numbers, from various, patterned papers, with my Cricut and adhered them, just to the left of the stamped sentiment, before punching a small hole above the "2" and lacing a length of Charcoal Twine, after it was wrapped around the Ballet Blue, cardstock, card face three times, through it. The prepped panel was then adhered, with foam tape, to the card face; and the twine was tied in a bow and embellished with a black, glitter brad.

Inspiration for this card came from the Tuesday Trigger: By the Numbers in the Moxie Fab World...

and Create For Fun's Challenge #45.

That's all, for today, folks! Thank you so much for stopping by! Your visits and comments truly make my day! Have a wonderful, safe, relaxing weekend!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Mehndi Medallions (Wplus9) Paper: Ballet Blue, Whisper White, orange polka dot, & yellow gingham (SU); blue stripe (American Crafts) Ink: Jet Black (StazOn) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); polka dot embossing folder (SU); Big Shot (Sizzix); black glitter brad (Paper Studio); Charcoal Twine (The Twinery); George & Basic Shapes, Cricut Keystone, & Storybook Cricut cartridges & Cricut (Provo Craft); foam tape (Scotch)

SIT #66

2012-01-12T12:01:00.004-06:00

Note: If you've come here looking for my PDCC114 - Simon Says Stamp post, please scroll down.

It's time for another sketch, specifically associated with Challenge #66, over at Sketches in Thyme!

I hope you all can forgive me for steering a little, hopefully not too far, from the sketch. I kept the circle, the number of photographs, the trio of paper strips, and the below-the-pictures title, but I threw it all into a bit of a wonky placement on the page. Check it out!

I started this layout by using a sort of whitewash, of Ivory White, acrylic paint, to stencil through a large, paper doily near the top left corner of the base page, which, although it appears to have been pieced together, actually comes that way. I then machine stitched, with black-threaded, zig-zag stitches, between each of the different, patterned squares, before trimming the top of the page with a torn strip of textured, Ruby Red cardstock and the bottom of the page with torn strips of the previous, as well as Basic Black cardstock.

A trio of patterned papers were then adhered, haphazardly and vertically, near the center of my white-washed doily.

After adhering pictures, I tucked an "APR" Bingo card under the top left photo...

and used the bottom center photo as the foundation for my "Mesmerized" title, which was created from black, mini, chalkboard alphas, anchored with messy, black-threaded, machine stitches, tied off, to the front of the page, at either end.

The medallion image was stamped, in Basic Black ink, on Very Vanilla cardstock; hand cut it out; distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks; dressed up with a little Apple Red, acrylic paint; and tucked in the nook between the two right photographs. A number "FOUR", paper domino and a clear ticket strip were then tucked under its right side. And a black, country flower, backed with a Basic Black, cardstock, leaves die cut, as well as a trio of hemp twine bows; silhouette die cut; date sticker, which was labeled with the April 4, '08 date; and a red, "U" brad, complete the look.

Color inspiration for this layout came from The Paper Variety's Black and White With a Kiss of Color Challenge.

Now, it's your turn! You have until the close of the month, on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, to link up your takes over in the right hand column of the Sketches in Thyme Blog. Please be sure to stop by the challenge link above to see what the rest of the Mavens have been up to, as well as to find out what you're playing for this month. Also, just in case you missed it, be sure to check out our Top 3 and Our December Winner post. You won't be disappointed! Congratulations, ladies! And thanks so much, to you all, for stopping by! Have a terrific Thursday!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Medallion (Jenni Bowlin) Paper: Very Vanilla, textured Ruby Red, & Basic Black (SU); all patterned (Jenni Bowlin); paper doily (Wilton) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Little Leaves Sizzlit (SU); Big Shot (Sizzix); Apple Red & Ivory White acrylic paints (FolkArt); "APR" Bingo card, black mini chalkboard alphas, & "FOUR" domino (Jenni Bowlin); black country flower & clear tickets (Maya Road); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); date label (Jillibean Soup); silhouette die cut (October Afternoon); red "U" brad (Paper Studio)

PDCC114 - Simon Says Stamp

2012-01-11T23:01:00.072-06:00

Welcome to The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #114!

I must admit that I always struggle with color combos that incorporate gold. It's just not one of my go-to colors, but I tried to weave it in any and everywhere I could, and I think that I stayed true to my style and still did that burgundy, gold, and plum color story above justice. Check it out!

I started this card by adhering a piece of gold, doily, music note, patterned paper (I soooo wish that paper photographed better! LOVE the subtlety of the shine!) to the bottom of a piece of burgundy, polka dot, patterned paper and trimming the space between them with a punched strip of damask, text, patterned paper. I then stamped the "Wishing you a never-ending love Song" sentiment, in Jet Black ink, on a hand-cut, vellum pennant, before anchoring it with gold-threaded, straight, machine stitches, running around the entire, prepped piece's edges.

Gold-threaded, zig-zag stitches were machine stitched between the gold, doily, music note, patterned paper and the punched, patterned, paper strip, before the entire, prepped piece was adhered to the Very Vanilla, cardstock, card face. I then wrapped a length of plum ribbon, vertically, around the card face, just to the left of the stamped, vellum pennant; tied it, in a bow, near the top edge of the card face; and embellished it with a gold, heart button, backed with two, hemp twine bows.

A pair of stamped, in Elegant Eggplant ink, on Very Vanilla, cardstock die cuts, birds were adhered, with foam tape, just to the bottom left of the sentiment and overlapping the length of ribbon, and dressed up with a hint of glitter, to complete the look.

Now, it's your turn! You have until the close of the day EST, on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, to link up your takes over at the challenge link above. Please also use that link to find out what you're playing for, this week, from our fabulous sponsor Simon Says Stamp...

as well as to see what the rest of the team has whipped up with this regal color story. Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Love Birds & Just a Note (Wplus9) Paper: Very Vanilla (SU); vellum (Paper Studio); burgundy polka dot & damask text (My Mind's Eye); gold doily music note (lilybee design) Ink: Elegant Eggplant (SU); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: gold thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); plum ribbon (Hobby Lobby); gold heart button (Jesse James & Co. Grandma's Grab Bag); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); Dazzling Diamonds (SU); Love Birds die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); Edger punch (EK Success); foam tape (Scotch)

Market Fresh Jan. Kit Reveal

2012-01-10T19:00:00.109-06:00

Today's the big day, ya'll! Your January Market Fresh Kit, from Market Street Stamps, is available to you, even as this post goes live. But before you're off to getting them while they're hot, if you haven't done so already, please let me share with you the whole kitten caboodle.

Here's the deets...

“Love Birds” Kit

(1 sheet of each 12x12 patterned paper per kit)

Crate Paper “Valentine” Paper Heart Collection

Crate Paper “Cupid” Paper Heart Collection

My Mind’s Eye “Banners” Love Me Collection

My Mind’s Eye “Love” Love Me Collection

My Mind’s Eye “Favorite Party Paper” Lost & Found 2 Blush Collection

My Mind’s Eye “Precious Motif Paper” Lost & Found 2 Breeze Collection

Lily Bee Design “Courting” Head Over Heels Collection

Lily Bee Design “Dreamy” Head Over Heels Collection

(1 sheet of each 12x12 cardstock per kit)

Bazzill Cardstock 12 x 12 Berry Sensation/Smoothies

Bazzill Cardstock 12 x 12 Almond Cream/Smoothies

Bazzill Cardstock 12 x 12 Iced Cocoa/Grass Cloth

(Embellishments: 1 per kit unless otherwise stated)

Crate Paper Border Stickers 6 x 12 Cardstock Stickers Paper Heart Collection

May Arts Velvet Satin Edge ½” Ribbon Silver (2 yards per kit!)

Dear Lizzy Thickers Alpha Stickers Black

Lily Bee Design Journaling Cards Head Over Heels Collection

Kaisercraft Paper Blooms Sage

(Stamps)

One stamp set valued at $5, which, if you'll remember, came a little late to my mailbox, so it missed the photo shoot above

And despite all the projects you've seen me create with these fantastic goodies, I just couldn't resist showing you all the supplies that I still have left. Oh, but don't get me wrong! None of it will be sticking around in my creative space for long ;). LOVE!

Are you ready for your subscriptions yet?! Here's a few more details for you to consider...

Monthly Papercrafting Kit, coordinated by Stephanie Washburn, containing 12x12 patterned papers, cardstock, and coordinating embellishments
Each Kit contains one exclusive stamp, illustrated by Angelica Suarez.
20% Discount on stamps for the months you are a kit member
First 50 Kit Club Members receive a FREE stamp set!
Choice of 3 month ($29.99 + $8.50 shipping/month), 6 month ($27.99 + $8.50 shipping/month), or 12 month subscription ($24.99 + $8.50 shipping/month)
Shipping cost is based on US Domestic Shipping only. Canada/Mexico Kit Members will be billed $24 for shipping, and International Customers will be billed $33 for shipping. Orders may be combined so everything ships in the kit box. You never pay more than it costs to ship. Our cart software uses a USPS calculator to estimate your shipping charges. In the event you are charged over the actual cost of a shipment, we will refund you automatically.

Now, run get 'em here; and if you still have any questions, I'm sure stopping by the Market Street Stamps Blog will take care of that. Happy creating, ya'll! Oh! And please don't forget that you have a few hours left to enter The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #113. Can't wait to see what you all have cooked up!

Market Fresh Jan. Kit Sneak Peek: Day 2

2012-01-09T19:00:00.208-06:00

Welcome back for another sneak peek of Market Street Stamps' first ever Market Fresh Kit! It's so good to have you here visiting! I promised you all some card creations in my Market Fresh Jan. Kit Sneak Peek: Day 1 post, and I'm here, today, to deliver.

I started this card by adhering a piece of turquoise, doily, patterned paper to the center of a piece of gray, design, patterned paper; machine stitching, to either side of the paper connections, with gray-threaded, straight stitches, the inside of which was tied off, to the front of the piece, at all four corners; and adhering the prepped piece to the kraft, cardstock, card face.

I then ink distressed each of three, journaling cards and adhered one, haphazardly and directly to the card face, before wrapping a length of gray, velvet ribbon, vertically, around the card face and tying it, in a bow, near the top edge of the card face. Ya'll, Stephanie was uber generous with that ribbon. This kit comes with two yards of it! Woot! Woot!

The last, two, journaling cards, the top of which was stamped, in Basic Black ink, with the "i like you just the way you are" sentiment...

and dressed up with a touch of glitter, were then adhered, with foam tape, one on top of the other, to complete the look.

But that's not all! I've got two, more, card creations, to share with you all, today. So, I hope you'll hang on for the ride.

I started this card by piecing punched strips of patterned papers onto a piece of kraft cardstock; adhering it to the hot pink, cardstock, card face, whose edges were then softened with a little Ivory White, acrylic paint; and machine stitching, with ivory-threaded, straight stitches, around its edges.

I then wrapped a length of white, seam binding ribbon, vertically, around the left half of the card face; tied it, in a dressy bow, near the top edge of the card face; and embellished it with an aqua, paper bloom.

Finally, I tucked one of those yummy, journaling cards, which I trimmed down, rounded two of the corners of, and ink distressed, in the center of the card face, tucked under the embellished bow, with foam tape.

I hope you're still with me, because I've got one more sweet, little number, for your viewing pleasure, today. And you don't want to miss it, because it shows off the fantastic, Market Street stamp that comes in your kit. It was running a little behind at the manufacturers, but I'm so excited that it arrived in time for our card creations sneak peek!

I started this card by stamping the birds image, in Jet Black ink, near the bottom of a piece of Whisper White cardstock and coloring it in with Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Ruby Red, Lucky Limeade, Barely Banana, & Crumb Cake inks and a blender pen.

I then masked off the colored image, as well as several clouds in the space above and below the image, and inked the entire panel with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, before black embossing the "LOVE BIRDS" image, centered above the inky birds in the cloudy sky.

After adhering the prepped piece to a piece of hot pink, polka dot, patterned paper and trimming it, across its bottom edge, with a heart die cut, I machine stitched, with red-threaded, straight stitches, around its edges.

A length of red, gingham ribbon was then wrapped around the card face, before the entire prepped piece was adhered, with foam tape, to its center; laced through a hole I punched near the right edge of the prepped piece; and tied, in a bow, near the prepped piece's right edge. A touch of glitter and a turquoise button, laced with a couple of hemp twine bows, complete the look.

That's it, folks! I have had so much fun making these projects to show off this fabulous Market Fresh Kit, which will be available for purchase tomorrow, and I hope that you've had as much fun seeing the potential it contains.

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Cheep Talk (MSS) Paper: kraft (Bazzill); gray design & turquoise doily (lilybee design) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: gray thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); journaling cards (lilybee design); Dazzling Diamonds (SU); gray velvet ribbon (May Arts); foam tape (Scotch)

{Supplies & Tools}
Paper: hot pink & kraft (Bazzill); gray design (lilybee design); teal lacy, aqua design, & hot pink polka dot (My Mind's Eye) Ink: Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: ivory thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Ivory White acrylic paint (FolkArt); foam tape; Corner punch (SU); Edger punch (EK Success); white seam binding ribbon (Zipper Stop); aqua paper bloom (Kaiser Craft)

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Cheep Talk & Love Birds (MSS) Paper: Whisper White (SU); kraft (Bazzill); hot pink polka dot (My Mind's Eye) Ink: Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Ruby Red, Lucky Limeade, Barely Banana, & Crumb Cake (SU); Tumbled Glass (Ranger); watermark (VersaMark) Other: red thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); 1/16" Handheld Circle punch, black embossing powder, embossing gun, Dazzling Diamonds, & turquoise button (SU); heart die cut (Crate Paper); foam tape (Scotch); red gingham ribbon (Hobby Lobby); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); Cloud punch (Fiskars)

Weekend Snapshots

2012-01-09T09:37:00.002-06:00

We've had one of those up and down weekends. It all started on Thursday late afternoon, when we got a few, more, Christmas gifts in in the mail.

Then, Thursday evening, Adina took quite a fall. I only saw the end of it with her falling, on the back of her head, from the wing chair in our kitchen; but she said that her ear hit the counter, and she had some scrapes below her lip and a bruise on her chin. Anyway, all tears aside, she really seemed to be fine. I was watching for all the signs of any head injury, but it appeared to be just another fall. Then, she started running a high fever in the middle of the night and didn't sleep well. A nurse friend assured us that the fever and fall were most likely unrelated, but as the day progressed, Adina began to complain of her ear hurting, and I didn't know if it was just because she bonked it or if there had been an internal injury. And even with Ibuprofen in her system, her temperature spiked to 103.5 degrees. I had it! So, I hauled her off to the pediatrician.

As it turns out, it was just pure coincidence that the temperature began when it did. Praise the Lord! Her white blood cell count was low, but her ear looked just fine, and she passed all the other tests. So, I've been cooped up, most of the weekend, watching movies, cuddling, reading stories, and nursing her back to health, while the boys have been off gallivanting around. Matter of fact, the only thing she just couldn't live without was a quick stop by the library, on Saturday morning, to give a hug to our children's librarian, who is retiring. We have known her since we moved into our home when Ezekiel was two-years-old. We will miss you greatly, Miss Debbie!

Then, the boys were off to Ezekiel's first basketball game. I was so bummed to have to miss it! Sigh. According to Ezekiel, they got "creamed"; but he had so much fun in the process, and that's what really matters ;).

Sunday was just a completely lazy day, but I cannot even begin to tell you how exhausted I felt. Adina and I whipped up pork chops, rice, and glazed baby carrots for Sunday noon, which was good, because the boys were starving, when they got home from church. But other than that and a massive pile of dirty dishes to wash, we just rested, watched football, and tried to relax; before the boys were off to Awana again, and us girls got back to the really important stuff, like changing our toenail polish from RazzApple Magic Dip...

to Wicked Lemonade. I'm not sure either one was a very good decision. LOL!

Now, we're off to another week of school and taking care of all the things that come with managing a household. Plus, the Market Fresh Girls and I have got a fabulous line-up of card creations to share, with you all, later today. I hope you'll stop back by to check it out! Until then, I wanted to leave you with a picture of our amaryllis. I just LOVE to have a little pop of sunshine, growing right in my window box, when the plants outdoors have lost their luster and shriveled up with the frost!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful start to your work weeks, ya'll!

Market Fresh Jan. Kit Sneak Peek: Day 1

2012-01-06T19:01:00.008-06:00

Eeek! Just typing that title has my temperature rising and my feet doing a happy dance! So excited to be here showing off the fabulous, January Market Fresh Kit, from Market Street Stamps, that Stephanie Washburn has so brilliantly put together!

Today is all about layouts. Then, for those of you whose fancy is card making, we'll be back, on Monday night, showing off our card creations, using this same kit. So, enough of the chit-chat. Let's get down to business and showing off all that this month's kit has to offer.

I started this two-pager by piecing together the woodgrain doily and aqua, stripe, patterned papers; trimming the space between them with a punched strip of teal, lacy, patterned paper; and machine stitching, with black-threaded, straight stitches, to either side of the connection between the punched strip and aqua, stripe, patterned paper. That sets the foundation for both sides. So now, let's take a little closer look at the left side first.

I'm being completely real, with you all, in showing these personal pics of my family and I with a blotchy, tear-stained face and all. So, please be gentle with me :). Anyway, every element, on this page, surrounds and highlights that picture of my hubby and I with our littlest, beginning with the "bundle of love" title, which was created from teal alphas, which were anchored with black-threaded, messy, machine stitches, tied off to the front of the layout, and gray Sticky Keys, both of which do not come in the kit, as well as fabulous, black, puffy Thickers which do. Hip, hip, hooray!

The cluster to the bottom left of the photograph includes a hand-cut and ink distressed, patterned, paper doily; a hand-cut from hot pink, polka dot, patterned paper and machine stitched around, with black-threaded, straight stitches, heart; an aqua, girl silhouette, which came from my stash; an aqua, paper bloom; and a handmade, by me, hot pink, felt flower, which was topped with a black button and flanked with Garden Green, cardstock, die cut leaves, as well as a bundle of hemp twine bows.

The "Just the facts:" journaling card was then tucked under the cluster's bottom right corner; embellished with a portion of a die cut, ticket strip, which was positioned with a mini clothespin I picked up; and detailed with the following: 1.) My water broke @ 7pm. 2.) We arrived @ the hospital around 10 pm. 3.) Hard labor began @ 11:30 pm, and I began pushing @ 12:40 am. 4.) We were holding you in our arms @ 12:54 am. I've got so many pictures of Adina's birth, that I think that's all the journaling this layout needs.

Another hand cut and ink distressed doily; a portion of an aqua, floral die cut; an AMAZING, gray, velvet ribbon, anchored with black-threaded, messy, machine stitches; and a black button, from my stash, which was stitched to the page with hot pink thread...

turn our direction to the far right edge of the page, which gives a hint of what to expect on the right side of the layout.

The hot pink, die cut, scalloped strip was anchored with black-threaded, messy, machine stitches, tied off, at either end, to the front of the layout, and serves as the foundation upon which I built six more pictures from the same moment in time.

I then tucked an "adore", texty, journaling card under the pictures far right edges...

and a hand cut and ink distressed, patterned, paper doily under their top right corner. Another, handmade, felt flower, embellished in the same way as above, completes the look.

Okay, ya'll, if you're still with me, let's just move right into my second layout, and remember that you'll find nearly all of these goodies in the January Market Fresh Kit.

I started this page by adhering a wide strip of turquoise, doily, patterned paper down the center of the kraft, patterned, paper base and machine-stitching, with pink-threaded, zig-zag stitches, down either of its long sides. After adhering a circle, cut from the backside of that turquoise, doily, patterned paper, near the bottom right of the wide strip, it too received a pink-threaded, zig-zag, machine-stitch treatment, before having a pink, lacy, scalloped, die cut strip, which was anchored, at either end, with a couple of staples, adhered, horizontally, across the top of it.

I then adhered my photographs, a few of which had one corner rounded in order to keep the eye moving throughout the design, in their respective locations. A floral, journaling card was tucked between the top, two photographs; used to anchor the "J&L" title, which was made with black, puffy Thickers...

and written upon with, Even though we didn't get to attend Jared and Lindsay's wedding, what a joy it was to have these beautiful pics given to us. Orange Beach, AL, September 5, 2009. A large heart was cut from clear cardstock and anchored, over the journaling, with a small handful of black, hand stitches.

A "LOVE METER" die cut...

and a trio of die cut, from Whisper White cardstock, clouds, complete the look.

Ready for one more? This third and final layout was inspired by this page, by Lisa Dickinson, which I found on the JBS Mercantile Blog.

I started this layout by arranging and adhering my photographs around a center, 3" square piece of notebook, patterned paper, which had a large heart Cricut-cut from its center; was grounded with black-threaded, straight, machine stitches, tied off, at all four corners, to the front of the layout; and serves as the foundation for the "my girl" title, which was created from more of those fabulous, black, puffy Thickers.

I then adhered four blocks of punched, from a quartet of patterned papers, hearts and anchored them with large, free-hand zig-zag, black-threaded, straight, machine stitches. A "TODAY'S DATE IS" label, which was filled in with, Melvern Lake, KS, June 13, 2009, was placed in the bottom left corner...

and a "darling" tab, which was trimmed from one of those lilybee design, journaling cards that come in the kit, prepares the page for journaling, which reads, You were the muse of all our pics with that gorgeous smile, happy spirit, and easy-going demeanor, as well as the many faces you portray in a matter of minutes. This was your first camping trip, and you couldn't have done any better!

That's all, for today, folks! I hope that I haven't completely overwhelmed you, but rather inspired you to get scrapping and excited you about this absolutely AMAZING Market Fresh Kit! I just know that you'll be as in love with it as myself and the other girls are! Anyway, I'd be just thrilled to have ya'll come on back, next week, to see more of what this kit has to offer. Please be sure to stop by the Market Street Stamps Blog to check out more details of the kit club subscription and the Market Fresh Kits Group in the Neighborhood, as well as by these two, uber talented ladies', whom I am so lucky to call my teammates, blogs, to see so much more of what this kit has in store for you and 2012.

Brenda Weaver
Stephanie Washburn

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a fabulous weekend, ya'll!

{Supplies & Tools}
Paper: Garden Green (SU); aqua stripe & woodgrain doily (Crate Paper); teal lacy, gray doily, & hot pink polka dot (My Mind's Eye) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: black & hot pink thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Little Leaves Sizzlit (SU); Big Shot (Sizzix); journaling cards (lilybee design); black buttons & heart template (Jenni Bowlin); aqua floral, ticket, & hot pink scallop die cut (Crate Paper); gray velvet ribbon (May Arts); foam tape (Scotch); aqua paper bloom (Kaiser Craft); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); hot pink felt (Hobby Lobby); mini clothespin (Canvas Corp.); teal alphas (Sassafras); gray Sticky Keys (October Afternoon); black puffy Thickers (American Crafts); Upper Crest Border punch (Fiskars)

{Supplies & Tools}
Paper: Whisper White (SU); kraft patterned (My Mind's Eye); turquoise doily & chevron striped (lilybee design); clear (PTI) Ink: Basic Black (SU) Other: pink thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); circle template (Fiskars); Hearts & Clouds die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); "LOVE METER" & pink scalloped lacy die cuts (Crate Paper); staples & stapler (office supply store); Corner punch & paper piercing tool (SU); heart template (Jenni Bowlin); black embroidery floss (DMC); foam tape (Scotch); black puffy Thickers (American Crafts); journaling card (lilybee design)

{Supplies & Tools}
Paper: tan textured (Bazzill); gray notebook, hot pink polka dot, teal lacy, & aqua design (My Mind's Eye); turquoise doily (lilybee design) Ink: Basic Black (SU) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); George & Basic Shapes Cricut cartridge & Cricut (Provo Craft); heart punch (EK Success); "TODAY'S DATE IS" tab (Jenni Bowlin); "darling" tab (lilybee design)

SIT #65

2012-01-05T12:01:00.072-06:00

Note: If you've come here looking for my PDCC113 - Sweet Stamp Shop post, please scroll down.

Welcome to our first Sketches in Thyme sketch for 2012, specifically Challenge #65!

I just couldn't LOVE the CAS design of this sketch, with the potential to grow and build upon, any more! Delish! Here's what I came up with.

I started this layout by using a polka dot stencil to paint little spots of white over that gorgeous, texty, kraft base. I then added three strips of patterned paper, cut as though they were banners, vertically, to pull in additional color...

tucked a hot pink, journaling card, which had been distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks, under the far right strip; and used that card to journal, Just a sweet pic of another, little accident, while BJ was in charge none-the-less. That literally never happens! Your accidents always seem to occur on my watch. Anyway, Daddy was trying to get things cleaned up, when I walked around the corner and found this. Too cute!

The photograph was matted with Whisper White cardstock and used to anchor my "accidents happen" title, which was made from Blueberry, Scratch 'n Sniff letters and orange, mini alphas.

A "Best of Times" tab...

and a few, hand cut, from lace cardstock, hot pink doilies, embellished with color-coordinating buttons, laced with white string, complete the design.

Color inspiration for this layout came from The Color Room's Palette #91: {Sun Room}.

Now, it's your turn! You have until the close of the month, on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, to link up your takes over in the right hand column of the Sketches in Thyme Blog. Please be sure to use the challenge link above to see what the rest of Team A, as well as our talented Guest Mavens, Karen and Rita, have cooked up with the sketch and to find out what you're playing for this month. Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a truly wonderful day!

{Supplies & Tools}
Paper: Whisper White & hot pink lace (SU); texty kraft (My Mind's Eye); aqua plaid & yellow polka dot (October Afternoon); orange ruler (Crate Paper) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: Blueberry Scratch 'n Sniff letters (American Crafts); orange mini alphas (My Little Shoebox); orange & hot pink buttons & yellow button blossom (SU); white pearl button & polka dot stencil (Jenni Bowlin); foam tape (Scotch); Ivory White acrylic paint (FolkArt); white string (Hobby Lobby); "Best of Times" tab (October Afternoon)

PDCC113 - Sweet Stamp Shop

2012-01-04T23:01:00.070-06:00

I trust you all had a wonderful holiday season! It's so good to have you back visiting, in 2012, for The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #113!

Our sponsor for this week is Sweet Stamp Shop...

and I've used their Tree Traditions stamp set to capture that gorgeous, juniper, mint, and vanilla color story above.

I started this card by white embossing lots of snowflake images over a piece of juniper, snowflake, patterned paper, which had its top corners rounded.

I then trimmed it, across its bottom edge, with a strip of mint, patterned paper, stamped, in Chocolate Chip ink, with the "let's make cocoa." sentiment, before adhering it to a piece of vanilla, text, patterned paper, which, too, had its top corners rounded, and machine stitching, with white-threaded, zig-zag stitches, around its edges.

Before adhering the prepped piece to the Crumb Cake, cardstock, card face, I distressed the edges of the vanilla, text, patterned paper. A length of white lace was then adhered, horizontally, just below the snowflake, embossed, patterned paper and topped with a piece of mint, ruffle ribbon, which was tied, in a bow, near the left edge of the card face and embellished with a mint brad, backed with a couple of hemp twine bows, to complete the look.

Now, it's your turn! You have until the close of the day EST, next Tuesday, January 10, 2012, to link up your takes over at the challenge link above. Please also use that link to check out what the rest of this talented team has stirred up using their Sweet Stamp Shop goodies, as well as to find out what you're playing for this week. Also, Sweet Stamp Shop is having a DT Call, so be sure to run check out all the details! Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a fabulous day!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Tree Traditions (Sweet Stamp Shop) Paper: Crumb Cake (SU); vanilla text (7 Gypsies); juniper snowflake (My Mind's Eye); mint (Pink Paislee) Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU); watermark (VersaMark) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); white lace (Hobby Lobby); mint ruffle ribbon (American Crafts); mint brad (Jenni Bowlin); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); white embossing powder (Ranger); Corner punch, distressing tool, & embossing gun (SU)

CASE Study #71

2012-01-03T14:15:00.000-06:00

Good afternoon! What a busy day it has been! It's our last day of Christmas Break, so I'm scrambling to get everything lined up to have a good start back tomorrow. Plus, if this is your first time visiting today, we've got some exciting news to share in my previous Market Fresh Kits Design Team and Please Help! posts below. So, please be sure to scroll down! With that said, let's just jump right into a fresh, new, paper-crafted creation of mine.

I started this card by adding a strip of punched, stripe, patterned paper near the bottom of a square of couch, patterned paper; machine stitching, with white-threaded, straight stitches, around their edges; and adhering the prepped piece to the 4-1/2" square, Pool Party, cardstock, card face. I then trimmed the space above the punched strip with a length of white, scalloped lace, as well as a piece of brown, pleated trim, topped with a length of hemp twine, which was wrapped, around the card face, twice, and tied, in a bow, near its left edge.

The lace circle was hand cut from a piece of lace cardstock and adhered just to the right of the hemp twine bow. I then dressed up that circle with a stamped, in Chocolate Chip ink, on Whisper White cardstock, and hand cut, leafy branch, as well as a stamped, in Chocolate Chip ink, on a punched, from Crumb Cake cardstock, label, "welcome" sentiment, both of which were adhered with foam tape. A little, aqua, house brad completes the look.

Inspiration for this card came from this beauty, created by CASE Study's December Muse, Amy Sheffer, for Challenge #71.

Before I whisk myself off to my creative space, I'm thrilled to share that this card was featured in CARDS' New Year Cards Challenge Gallery; and this one was recognized, at Embellish, as one of their Mixed Patterns Color Trends Challenge What's Hot creations. Thanks so much to Paige, as well as to Ashley and her talented design team! What a thrill it is to see my creations recognized through so many avenues! My cup runneth over!

That's all, for today, folks! But please don't forget that you have until the close of today EST to link up your takes on The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #112. Then, I'll be back, tomorrow, along with the rest of the team, with a brand new, soft and serene color story fit for a January sky. Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a terrific Tuesday!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: House a Home (Ippity); Woodgrain Silhouettes Additions (Wplus9) Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, & lace (SU); all patterned (Nikki Sivils) Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: white thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Modern Label punch (SU); foam tape (Scotch); house brad (BoBunny); hemp twine (Creative Impressions); white scalloped lace (Hobby Lobby); brown pleated trim (Prima); Upper Crest Border punch (EK Success)

Market Fresh Kits Design Team

2012-01-03T08:55:00.000-06:00

I'm beyond thrilled to tell you all and super glad that I don't have to keep it a secret anymore ;), that I will be joining Market Street Stamps' new Market Fresh Kits Design Team, beginning this month! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Angelica and Stephanie, for giving me this amazing opportunity!

Membership to the Market Fresh Kit Club includes a fabulous and versatile, monthly, paper crafting kit, as well as exclusive perks throughout the length of the subscription. So, please be on the look-out for more details to come in the coming days. You don't want to miss out!

And if this is your first stop by my blog today, please be sure to scroll down, to my Please Help! post, to find out how you can help my big kiddo become a Young Environmentalist for Sea Life Aquarium.

Please Help!

2012-01-03T07:50:00.003-06:00

My big kiddo, Ezekiel, recently expressed an interest in becoming a Young Environmentalist/ocean ambassador for the new Sea Life Aquarium opening, at Crown Center, in April 2012. Sea Life is looking for 12 young, ocean enthusiasts from the greater Kansas City area, and Ezekiel has fulfilled the requirements to become one of those said such promoters. Now, he needs your help! Please go to the Sea Life Entry Gallery, and "Like" his entry beginning TODAY! For ease in finding his entry, on page 14, here is his imaginary sea creature, the Octoshark...

and you’ll find his 100-word essay, completing the statement, “We need to protect our sea life because…”, below. You can go directly to his entry, here, as well. Please also tell all your friends and family members to go vote and help him earn an amazing opportunity to further enhance his own personal growth and education of the great mysteries of our sea. And finally, THANK YOU, from both he and I, in advance, for your invaluable help!

We need to protect our sea life, because some ocean creatures that live today may not be living in a few years if we don’t. One way that we can protect our seas is by not littering. Even a plastic bag can be mistaken for a jellyfish by a hungry sea turtle. It is also important not to cut and let big, fishing nets float freely in the sea, because a sea animal could get tangled up in them. You can help protect the seas by simply spreading the news to others about why sea animals are endangered. The more people that know why, the more they’ll be educated to help.

Weekend Snapshots

2012-01-02T17:15:00.001-06:00

We had a super relaxing weekend that started, on Friday night, with a visit from my parents. I just love these pictures of my kiddos, that I captured, while they were anxiously awaiting Grandpa and Grandma's arrival. Our little library has the best view, in the house, for being the first to see a car pull into the driveway. LOL!

Then, we had a delicious dinner and a few, more, Christmas presents to open.

Plus, we also had a birthday to celebrate. I know that Apple Crumb Cake isn't much to look at, but it is both my Mom and my favorite in the whole wide world! It has a delicious, warm, buttery sauce that tops it, too. Check out My Birthday Weekend post for a close up. Anyway, happy birthday, Mom!

On Sunday, we just hung out and were really lazy. Gotta LOVE days like that! Although, I did find one opportunity to take a couple snapshots of my littlest. LOL!

Then, lucky for us, our weekend expanded into today, since BJ didn't have to work. So, I started laundry and changed the beds. Then, we packed up the kids and went to do a little shopping at Crown Center. We picked up a birthday gift for my niece, played in the Crayola store...

and just enjoyed the atmosphere and sights and sounds that Crown Center has to offer.

Have a fabulous, hopefully abbreviated, first, work week of 2012, ya'll!

December Pubs

2012-01-01T15:12:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year, ya'll! I hope you all had memorable celebrations! We stayed home, together, and enjoyed good food and watched even better movies. Ezekiel picked out Ramona and Beezus for us to watch as a family, and once the kiddos went to bed (They're the grouchiest kids on the block, when they don't get their sleep. Plus, neither of them were really interested in staying up to usher in the new year.), BJ picked out The Help for the two of us to watch. I totally recommend them both! We've seen Ramona and Beezus before. Matter of fact, we own it. But The Help was new to us. Regardless, I'm not afraid to admit, that they both drove me to tears. There's just so much meaning wrapped up in their little packages. LOVE!

Anyway, I had four, card creations in the December 2011 issue of CARDS Magazine; and if you have a moment, I'd LOVE to share a few of their snapshots. All the details and supplies for the making of the first two, to follow below, can be found on pages 99 and 84 consecutively. LOVE that the first one couldn't be more perfect for my first post of 2012!

And all the details and supplies for the making of the last two, to follow below, can be found on pages 71 and 52-53.

Thanks so much for peeking in, and may all your hopes and dreams come to fruition in 2012! Hugs!

Friday Faves

2011-12-30T14:18:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the December 2011 edition of my Friday Faves! I've got an awfully scrumptious line-up of goodies, for your viewing pleasure, today, beginning with a quartet of stamp sets from Gina K. Designs. I adore the versatility of Vintage Backgrounds...

the sweet patterns present in Perfect Pennants...

the fabulous fonts and bold, floral silhouettes Botanicals boasts...

and the playful images and puny sentiments Garden Fresh supplies to any and all of my creative muses.

Last month, I shared JBS Mercantile's Black Ledger Cardstock Alphabet Stickers; but now, I'm lovin' that I could create them in any color I want with their Clear Stamp - Alphabet. Eeek!

Crate Paper's Paper Heart Collection Kit is absolutely perfect for all those Valentine concoctions just waiting to be cooked up. Plus, I LOVE the pinks and reds and blues, as well as all the scrumptious, lace embellishments! Delish!

While we're talking holidays, how about fancying up those Christmas pics with a little something fabulous from Chic Tags, like Christmas Chevron ATCs...

Christmas Vintage Cards...

Christmas Scalloped Lace...

or Christmas Milk Bottle Caps? LOVE!

I'm thinking that a little, sweet stamping with Lawn Fawn's Love 'n Breakfast...

and/or Paper Smooches' Yummers, from The Kismet Collection, might just satisfy my late night cravings without adding any bulk to my mid-line. LOL!

This edition of my Friday Faves just wouldn't be complete without a peek into Noel Mignon's newest Mistletoe and Holly Kit. After all, scrapping the hundreds of Christmas pics I take, at least for me, is an all-year affair.

In putting my love for papercrafting aside, I just had to sneak in here another one of the things that tends to capture my attention; and this Black Everyday Zippered Closure Bag, from Marbled, fulfills that to a "T".

And finally, just because it's New Years and someday I'll actually have a need for a gorgeous, little, black dress, I'd love to try on Old Navy's Women's Chiffon Ruffle Dress...

and/or LC Lauren Conrad's Ruffle Mixed-Media Dress for size.

That's all, for this round, folks! I hope you found something to love, too! Thanks so much for peeking in and for all the love and encouragement you've showered upon me throughout 2011! May you all have a truly happy and safe New Year! See you in 2012!

Three in One

2011-12-29T15:05:00.001-06:00

Good afternoon! And oh, my goodness is it a warm one, at least for this time of year, in our neck of the woods! We spent much of the morning playing outside. Ezekiel can't stop practicing with his new bow and arrow, which I LOVE! And Adina just isn't the same when she doesn't have some time, during the day, to play on the swing-set; ride her bike; color, on the patio, with chalk; or blow bubbles. They both just love to be outdoors, and we've been blessed, thus far, with a mild winter, which makes our 920 square foot home much more manageable with two kiddos :). So, enough chit-chat. How'd ya'll like to see a little, country, New Year's creation?

I started this card by adhering a strip of black, damask, patterned paper, vertically, near the left edge of the Very Vanilla, cardstock, card face and machine stitching, with ivory-threaded, zig-zag stitches, down its long sides. I then anchored a piece of black, polka dot, patterned paper, overlapping the right side of the black, damask, patterned paper, with ivory-threaded, straight, machine stitches, before hand cutting the silver banner from glitter tape and adhering it draped across the top right corner of the card face.

The bird was hand cut, from a gray, textured cardstock, using a template; silver embossed with the "Celebrate" sentiment; distressed with Tea Dye and Antique Linen inks; given a black, crystal eye; and adhered, with foam tape, just below the silver pennants.

A length of ivory lace anchors the bird and was topped with a black, gingham ribbon, tied, in a bow, just to the left of the sentiment, and embellished with a black, scalloped and pearl-studded brad.

Inspiration for this card came from ColourQ's Challenge #117...

The Ribbon Reel's Challenge #18...

and Chupa's Sketchbook Saturday: Challenge #43.

I also wanted to share a few pics of my kiddos decorating Christmas cookies. We usually decorate them on Christmas afternoon, but the weather was so nice, even then, that we went outside. It's kinda fun to drag our Christmas festivities into the week after the big day, too, though. Although, I really wouldn't mind a little snow ;).

And I just couldn't resist throwing in the first take on that last photograph. LOL! She's such a silly girl!

I have one last Friday Faves, for 2011, coming your way tomorrow. Then, I'll be off celebrating 2012! So, if I don't catch you tomorrow, have a safe and happy New Year, ya'll!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Mehndi Medallions (Wplus9) Paper: Very Vanilla & gray textured (SU); black damask & polka dot (Jenni Bowlin) Ink: Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger); watermark (VersaMark) Other: ivory thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); foam tape (Scotch); silver glitter tape (Recollections); black crystal (Prima); silver embossing powder & embossing gun (SU); black gingham ribbon (Hobby Lobby); ivory lace & black scalloped pearl-studded brad (Paper Studio); bird template (Jenni Bowlin)