Happy 2010!! SNSS debut - Melody of Love

*~* HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! *~*

It's 2010, can you believe it! I feel the excitement already and am really looking forward to 2010! We let the kids stay up with us and ring in the New Year, watching the fireworks from our window, eating grapes and me - champagne ;) And for my first post for SNSS, I'm uber excited to bring you two examples of the stamps that will be available in the SNSS store January 7th.

These cards are from the Melody of Love stamp set ~ it's darling image plus verses from Isaiah, 1 Chronicles and Psalm. The first card is a 4 x 6 elongated, colored with prismacolor markers adorned with lace and ribbon. This was truly a wonderful image and so versatile, especially with the holiday of LOVE coming up in February!

For my second card, I used the verse from Isaiah 12:5 which reads "Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth." Such a wonderful verse to start out the year ~ the paper is from Glitz Design Olivia: Birds which has a musical flow through out with a mixture of hearts and flowers.

Be sure to stop by SNSS for challenges and sketches and remember these will be available next week!

Deets: Card 1: SU! Carstock - Baja Breeze, Choc Chip; PTI white: Stamps & sentiment = SNSS "Melody of Love"; Image colored with prismacolor markers: Ink - Momento Black; MS Flower punch; circle nesties; Lace from JoAnns; Ribbon from SU! Baja Breeze; Buttons from EK Success; Tombo

Card 2: Cardstock: Pomegranite Bazzill, Real Red & Old Olive from SU!; DSP - Glitz Designs Olivia Birds; Stamp verse from SNSS "Isaiah 12:5"; flower punches, circle nesties, Momento Black ink; Kaiser pearls - green; Tombo

***Exciting News for the New Year!!***

After hearing this most exciting news from Sandy at SNSS a little before Thanksgiving, and having to keep quiet ALL THIS TIME (Hee hee!), I can finally let the cat out of the bag and share this!

Ta-Da! I'm humbled and blessed to be a Guest Designer for SNSS for this month of January - what a wonderful way to start of the New Year :) Thank you, Korin, for this opportunity to work with SNSS and the lovely stamps create encompassing His word and verse. I will be your Friday poster for the month of January and bring you a new card(s) showcasing the stamps that will be available in the store after January 7th. Be sure to stop by and see Christi's blog, my fellow January designer!

SNSS offers many exciting things through-out the week so make sure you stop by The Sweet Stop for many wonderful sketches and challenges to play along with! There is also digi stamps released on Thursdays at SNSS and you can also check out the SNR and PCP sites with challenges, digi give-aways and sketches to get your creativity flowing!

I'll be back with more deets later on (had a huge speech typed up in Word, alas, it is not there today - the best laid plans, right?!) ......

For now, here's my WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO early for tonight being that it is almost 2010!

Sugar Bowl Challenge #25

Whew, what a crazy busy week! I finished up all the shopping last week, but haven't wrapped a single gift! It's much easier, I've learned, to craft with the kids around than try to wrap .... as soon as the paper is unreal, tape is in hand, someone shows up needing something! Eeek! T'will be a LONG LONG night, lol :)

So on this most joyous Christmas Eve, I had time to sneak in one more challenge before the holiday dash (starting at my house - 11 guests will be here in just a few hours!) Have you been to the Sugar Bowl this week? I absolutely adore this sketch! I even used it for my Christmas card for dh this week! Love, love it!

Here is my take, using Sugar Nellie Manga girl, cropped to fit. She just has this most wonderful spunk about her! I propped her up under a cuttlebugged frame, surrounded it with holiday pearls, using the holiday Basic Grey collection called Eskimo Kisses - a most very popular line this year! The only other challenge requirement was to use your favorite color - mine is green! So I used the coveted Kiwi Kiss which is always fun when it gets to come out to play :)

Here is my card:


And the great sketch (up later, having blogger issues!)
http://sugarbowlblog.blogspot.com/

TFL and May He Bless your house with a most wonderful Christmas day and the New Year be filled with memories and blessings abundant - hugs to all!

Sweet Stop SSS#35

Just enough time to squeeze in another challenge! What a truly awesome sketch .... Using the most adorable digi stamp "Jolly" from the Busy Beauty Boutique, I created a pocket card for a holiday gift to go inside.

First up is the front view with Mr. Jolly, colored with prismas and glittered for his snow home ....




Inside view:



Close up!



This is an extremely heavy card from all the layers and tons of fun embellies added - truly a fun card to make and give! (thankfully handing it over and not mailing, lol!)

Deets: Kiwi Kiss & Baja Breeze & Close to cocoa: GP White for the image: DSP from cosmo cricut and ... colored with prismacolor makers & signo; MS Glitter; Cuttlebug nesties: ribbon from AC; snowflakes unknown; Button from BG; sentiment from SU Riveting; dew drops ...

SSCC #18 ~ Luke 1:26-32

Happy Sunday! I hope you've had a marvelous Sunday -- thinking of you all, my Northern friends, as you battle the tons of snow you've had this weekend! I send to you my sunniest, warmest and heartfelt hugs!

This week at the SSCC, hostess Kathy shared with us the wonderful scripture of Luke 1:26-32 as it tells the story of Joseph and Mary and the birth of Jesus. This week my son and I have been reading his little book of bible stories so he'd fully understand the play he is in at preschool - he was one of the 3 wisemen that came to visit baby Jesus, the newborn King. He was so excited to have a "big boy" part! (yes, I cried!!) And so this was an especially joyfully challenge for me to play in this week, both in the lovely layout and scripture.

The challenge: With Christmas being this week and all the hustle and bustle of last minute baking and shopping, my challenge for you is to simply make a card using the sketch provided below. Good luck!! And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!






I went with Inky Antics Baby Jesus in the manger and this is truly one of my favorite stamp sets :) It is a little fun and whimsically drawn but at the same time sends us a powerful message! I showcased the image around some new paper I found at the LSS from Bo Bunny - a beautiful holiday line! Here is my card, and the sketch below. The sentiment is from my City of David SU! set, and reads "Christmas Blessings to you and yours." (** Tomorrow, update with better lighted photo - so please check back!) TFL and may this week be a wonderful one for you all - stay safe and be blessed!

Making of the Traditional Gingerbread House :)

Can you believe it's nearly Christmas!! We've been uber busy, constantly moving, and with much worry, I wondered if and when we'd have time to make our traditional Gingerbread house that the kids and I make every year :) This year, alas, I did not have time to MAKE the gingerbread (my favorite part!) so I stopped by a local bakery and picked up a KIT, lol. The kids didn't mind one bit and we had a blast making a mess .... I mean, G-bread House! (we had more frosting on the table, chairs, hair, even the dog!, than we did on the House .... but more fun that way, right!)


First up: Construction .... roof, walls - it's all the same! It'll be a Dr. Suess Gingerbread house!



A little progress!



This is what happens when you EAT more of the icing than you should, and some gumdrups, jelly beans, M & M's .... um ..... to name a few and you get a SUGAR RUSH! Woooooohooooooo!! ;)



And Le finished producte' .... it's not Martha Stewart, but it's beautiful :) I let them have free reign and just "have at it" and I just LOVE IT :) We had so much fun and it's a happy moment in my heart that I had the time to get it done with them! Even if it was just supervising :) And sampling :)

Happy HOWL-i-Days! Doggie Bloggie Hop! :)

It's a Doggie Bloggie Hop!!!



Welcome to the SOTC Canine Couture Fashion Show! Be prepared for some CUTENESS!!!! A few sistahs on the SCS SOTC were talking about how we dress up our fur babies for the holidays and agreed to post their pictures, outfits and all :) We have a new puppy, Buddy, who is pretty photogenic - he stares at the camera and can't figure out what it is, but he looks until you're done. Except he wasn't liking these outfits so much, lol! Take a stroll (haha, couldn't resist!) through the little hop we have lined up of the most adorable snookems! ;)

First up ....... shameful, I know .... but how could I not resist taking him to see Santa Claus at PetCo!! For each photo, they donated $5.00 to the HS ... it's a win/win!



Santa's little helper .....sometimes a bit too much! Chewing on boxes, ripping paper that's sealed and bowed :)




This is bordering on just plain SAD ..... ROFL!!



'SUP?!! Seen my shades anywhere? I need to step out ...... for a walk ..... alone ...... :)


Poor boy couldn't handle any more! He's not quite ready for the catwalk - hee hee! But I'm sure these gorgeous canines are!

Updated! The girls were able to pin Brandy down long enough to get this ..... rofl! She wanted nothing to do with any of this :)

Please be sure to stop on by and visit
the other cuties on the Doggie Bloggie Hop! Next up is the talented Miss Kadie with Mr. Winston!! RRRuuuuuuuuuuuff!! Happy Howl-i-days to you!


Kadie
Karen
Lorie
Catherine

Beautiful Music with treasured Bling! (SSCC17 + SSHP11)

How's that for a title! LOL! This is my dual purpose card to play along with two challenges this week: The SSCC #17 and SSHP11.


Stampin' Sisters this week reflects on the book of Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The hostess, Kristine, gives us these wise words and the Challenge: Now let's switch directions a bit and apply this concept to our crafting. How many of us are hoarders? Do you "store up" beautiful crafting items because you think they are too pretty to give away? God tells us that "He will supply ALL our needs" and so anything in excess of that I believe is for us to give away in a responsible loving way (storing up treasures in heaven).

Challenge:
My challenge to you is to get out your crafting *treasures* and use on your cards or other projects this week, in other words BLING IT UP (ie. charms, gems, pearls, dazzling diamonds, flowers, etc).

I just love this stamp set from Hanna stamps called For the Soul. I used both pearls and bling diamonds for the stars behind the stain glass window. One of my favorite christmas songs is this verse, reflecting Our Savior's birth. I loved making this card, and even though the stained glass window was a labor of love, it turned out just as I visioned it would (now that's rare, lol!!)

SECOND Challenge!! Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential challenged us to create a card reflecting on The Music Within Your Soul . Music is such an incredible part of my life and it just stirs my soul and moves me from within - from classical style (Bocelli! My fave!!!) and nearly every contemporary christian artist .... even some Top 40's, loved the 80's, and still crank up my BeeGees and ABBA *wink!*

The Spotlight Divas challenged us to create something with the music in your soul! What do they mean? What is your favorite style of music? Is it country, rock, opera, Christmas music, or the oldies? Whatever your "music style", show us what it is on your creations! eg: Use a cowboy image for "country music", etc. Perhaps you can just create a "musical masterpiece"....just get creative with it!
Can't wait to see what you come up with!

TFL and grab the links and give the challenges a try! I had sooooo much fun with this one and am happy that this card will find a new home this week with my son's christian preschool music teacher :) He comes home singing so many wonderful new songs each week and it brings such happiness to my heart when people use the talents God graces them with to share with the children and others.

Have a blessed week!!

Sneak Peak Day 2 - Bear Hugs!

Time for another Inktegrity Sneak Peek! Today's image is called Bear Hugs ~ just as sweet as can be! I created a card with a hidden gift card pocket on the inside for a dear friend of ours ~ a great friend indeed :)







Make sure to stop by the other DT (see previous post!) and come back later for another sneak peak at one classy shopper!

Hugs!


Deets: Cardstock, Buckaroo Blue (SU!), PTI White - DSP from Creative Imaginations, Image from Inktegrity (Bear Hugs), Colored with Prismas, MS Glitter, MS Punches, Ribbon from Joanns, snowflake K & Co embellie, Making Memories Brads, Prima Flowers, Tombo ....

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas .......

Truly, I am! At this time of year, I get soooo nostalgic for the winters that I remember and how fond the memories we created in those white winters! But as I dream, I also create and for you today I have a PINK Christmas! :) Here's my card showcasing the darling new image from Inktegrity Inktegrity and I'm showing you today the release of the new Image entitled "Winter Wonderland" - just as adorable as can be!

My card has an astonishing 11 layers of cardstock and dsp! And that's not including the inside :) I love the color combo together and this is starting to look like a front runner for some Christmas cards still needing to be done (Locally, lol)

Be sure to stop by the other DT blog and see their dazzling creations! You won't be disappointed! And, as always, stop by the uber talented and super sweet Joni at her store here: The digi will be available for you today!

Stop by tomorrow as we will be releasing another new stamp! Thanks for stopping by and blessings!
xoxoxo

DT Blog's to Visit!
Joni (Inktegrity)
Sheri (PaperCrafty)
Tracy (Primitive Paper)
Melissa (Stampitscrapitshareit)
Diane (My Useless Crafts)
Jeanette (Creative Play)
Tenia (Jazzy Paper Designs)
Jacquie (JavaBlustamper)
LJ (BuckyGirl)
And our December Guest DT: Mary


Deets: Cardstock from SU: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, White PTI: Fancy Pants DSP, Image from Inktegrity's Digi stamps (Winter Wonderland); Colored with prismamarkers; CuttleBug; MS Punch; Corner punch ...

+~+ November Kit Cats ... Brrrrrrrrrr! +~+

I'm soooo sorry for the last post today! :( My daughter (15) and I celebrated her birthday today and then a frantic call from her sister (dd12) came in from an incident at school that has me quite unraveled ...... Keep the faith, keep the faith .... that's my mantra and I will channel it into showing you the November Kit for this month!

++For the BLOG HOP, scroll down to previous post!++

So, isn't it darling image! My camera is shot, so not the best picture but our hostess with the mostess this month was Catherine and she picked the cutest image from Victoria Case called Coco Puff :) I tell ya, it reminded me SO MUCH of a picture I have of my dd when she was just 3, so I colored her as a blonde/blue eyed little girl just for her :)




Catherine provided the papers and image and some gorgeous ribbons (one of them is so beautiful, I just couldn't figure out how on earth to work with it so look for card #2 soon!) I did a small booboo when I made this card a few days ago with the candy paper and cut it too short for my liking but I was inventing this L/O in my head and it looked better IN MY HEAD, rofl!! It's quite poofy and layered 3D each layer, added some dew drops off the side in the pink theme and a blingy rhinestone snowflake :)

Make sure to stop by the other Kittens to see what yummy cards they have made for you to see with this kit!

Catherine

Jeanette

Lorie

Michelle

Susan



Off to hug my daughter now ..... Love to all :)
xoxoxo

* Fresh Brewed Designs Release & Blog Hop! *

Good Morning! I hope you are all comfy and ready to HOP with some coffee in hand! If you know the super sweet and talented Heather from Fresh Brewed Designs, then you will be excited to see the new releases out today - they are just terrific! If this is your first visit, then you are in for a real treat! Stop by here and take a peek - adorable digi stamps is truly an understatement :) You should have arrived here from Terri's blog and if not, make sure to start at the beginning here!

Today's line-up are two new releases .... First up is Guitar Girl. Now, today is my daughter's 15th birthday (I seem to post on my blog on birthdays, lol!) and instantly I was drawn to this lovely digi stamp ..... she is like the #1 fan of the uber fantabulous Taylor Swift and she came to mind when I saw it ...... and then I started singing Taylor's song "Fifteen" ..... and here we are! LOL! Behold, a card for my daughter which she absolutely LOVED :) (see, your shopping will be rewarded! Tee hee!) I added the sentiment inside (from an SU! set) and took a photo before writing her a special message :) I wanted to use this paper specifically (thank you, Catherine!) because it had that youthful, somewhat whimsical look to it and designed a layout to showcase the image (and *15!*)

Next up is Coffee Talk which I just adore ...... this image is so much fun and versatile for the friends you meet at the coffee shop, for tucking away a gift card {like, S'Bucks :)} or sending a card to say *I'm thinking of you* :) I paired it with some dsp from MFT, added some flowers and ribbon and a string of rows of tiny pearls.



Make sure to stop by the terrificly talented Carmen! You won't be disappointed!
Thanks for stopping into today and enjoy the hop and then head on over to Fresh Brewed Designs for some wonderful images!

*Blessings!*

A little Lovin' from the Oven! :)

Hi friends! The holidays are upon us and there is a lot of bakin' going on in our house -- I absolutely love to cook and baking is a small part of that (my real passion is the meal done in courses!) My children - including little man - have all inherited my love of cooking and it's often quite busy in the kitchen around here (and yes, I often look like Baking Beauty you see here, tee hee!) Isn't she gorgeous! And if you stop on over to the Busy Beauties Boutique, she can be yours, too!



I made another card as well using the dreamy papers from Fancy Pants - also from the Baking Beauties accessories :) They really are quite versatile and fun to use ... give them a try!





TFL and hope your weekend is going well - we're off to dd's Chorus Holiday Show in a bit and hoping this post launches as it should ;)

Deets: All Cardstock is by SU!, PTI white for images; DSP is a mat stack Holiday Papers from Fancy Pants; Digi stamps from BBB; colored with Prismacolor markers; e. flowers; SU button & twine; MS Punch, 3D dots; tombo

Busy Beauties Boutique Release Day + Bog Hop!

What an exciting day for me -- First, it's my daughter Victoria's 11th Birthday! She's my joy, my miracle, my angel, my shadow :) I'm so proud of the beautiful girl she has grown into and thank the Heavenly Father every single day for her :*)
****Happy Birthday, Victoria! Muah! Mommy loves you soooooo much!****

And it's also new digi release day at the BBB!! The images are SO STINKIN' CUTE!! It was hard to chose which ones I wanted to showcase so I just let my creativity get to work (and one is still a work in progress!) Also, there is a blog hop with a grand prize winner but we kindly ask you to leave a comment on each blog as you hop - you will be glad you did! :) Please start HERE at the beginning of the hop and see what the lovely Grace has for you to see! If you are reaching me from the beginning, guess what - I'm the caboose! That's right, you are finished hopping! :)

First up, introducing ....... Stick figure reindeer! Isn't he just the sweetest! He just melted my heart when I saw him :) I went with another elongated card - these have quickly become my favorite to make! I just invented a layout that looked like it matched, lol, and voila! He's avaiable for you to buy in the store TODAY!!










I also have the new frilly cupcake for you to see ~ darling, isn't it! I let it be the center of the birthday card which has layers and layers upon layers .... kinda like a cupcake should! (tee hee!) It's very versatile ~ could even be a holiday cupcake :)







I also made them in a smaller form to make a set of birthday mini cards (3 x 3) with matching envies ..... perfect for a "grab and go!"





And lastly, I made some gift card holders using these sweet Gingerbread boy and girl! I made one of each, one using more winter masculine colors for Gingerboy and one girly girly pink (even with pink frosting :) for gingergirl! I will show these in detail tomorrow since I really need the entire page to show you from start to finish but at least you can see them finished :)





Thanks so much for stopping by -- I hope you liked the hop and get the chance to stop by all the blogs and the store after you are finished hopping! :) Have a blessed + beautiful day :)

(Deets to follow asap!)

It's Release Day at Inktegrity :)

And some things were just MINT to be! Isnt that the cutest?! The new stamps at Inktegrity from the Sundae Best collection will just make you smile all over! Check them out HERE!! they are available to purchase today.


One of my many daughters ..... haha, couldn't resist that! ..... has a birthday in 2 days. She is all about pink and bling (couldn't be more opposite than me, lol) so I wanted to make her an unusual card - one that is her style. I used the Mint Sundae digi and paired it with some MME Christmas colorful paper, hot pink cardstock and some bling ~ she always tells me the best gifts are the ones I MAKE for her .... sniff,sniff!

Make sure you stop by and see the yumminess Joni has in store for you! TFL and happy shopping!

Inktegrity's Preview Day #2!

I'm back with the NORTH POLE in my bowl! LOL! Isnt' that the cutest name for this adorable stamp!





Here is another preview for you from the Inktegrity's stamps that are to be released in Joni's store TOMORROW! Make sure to stop by the other DT to see the other yummy creations they are making for you to see (see previous post for line up!)

I added the sentiment to the inside of the card this time around so it would be as much of a suprise when it's opened :) TFL and have a blessed day!

Deets: Cardstock from SU (Baja breeze, real red) PTI white; DSP - My Mind's Eye; image from Inktegrity; colored with prismacolor markers, stickles; Basic Grey Buttons, AC Ribbon; MS Punch