Are you ready to HOP?! It's all about the LOVE .... :)

** Good evening Sunday update!** The winner of the blog freebie digi from the hop is Callie! Congratulations! Please email Carolyn at http://pmsetc.blogspot.com/ for your prize! Thanks everyone!**

Good morning from a CHILLY Miami! I'm LOVE LOVE LOVING this wonderfully chilly sweater & scarf weather :) It makes snugglin' up all that much more wonderful! Speaking of snuggling, it's nearly Valentine's Day! And The Busy Beauties have been quite busy with some of the most DARLING images for you, available at the BBB store - check 'em out! **I'm stop #2 on this hop around the blogs so if you are just finding me, make sure you start at the beginning from the awesomely talented Barbara! ** There are prizes to be won! Just make sure to leave a comment on all the blogs as you view all the yumminess created for you ~ you have until Sunday night to complete the hop. One lucky Grand Prize winner will receive your choice of 3 digis! There will also be one winner from each blog so make sure to leave some love! <3


Although I *did* have 3 cards prepared for you, you will only see only 2 (and a half!) I have to laugh as this seems to be my week for silliness! I was putting the finishing touches my card and of course, fumbled a marker I was putting the lid back on and dropped it right smack in the middle of my card - on the image that I had just freshly colored and coated with glaze .... ack! :(











First my first card above, I made a 5 x 5 card using Kissy, Kissy. Sweet, huh? I am in love with my Doodle Around pack from DCWV and this Valentine shimmery dsp was a perfect match to this darling image. It was wonderful to color up! I paired it with a scrap of left over IMME, using a scallop edge punch to give it some definition. I hand-sewed the big button and ribbon together and then onto the card so it should stay put. For me, that's huge. Mom has the sewing gene, I have the crafting bug ;)



Next, I have an improvised card to show you since my "We got together like Cookies and Milk" image is now a marked up image. Hence, I give you ..... CUPCAKES! Can you believe I actually dreamed this one up? No .... not the cupcakes! The layout! ROFL!! I was in bed one night, jumped up and jotted it down and voila! I found these delish Love Me Do papers at my LSS and bought them all {that's the hard part about delish double sided papers! You NEED both sides!} The cupcake is called With a Cherry on Top and the sentiment is one that I just came up with an added ..... which says a lot.... I love me some cupcakes ;)










Lastly, this one from my little son, who does not like to color. In preschool, he hurries up and does his coloring so he can have the empty, reverse side of the paper do anything else with! He was sitting beside me making his own Milk & Cookies image "for my best mommy" - awww! Then he attached it to a piece of cardstock, glued down a pencil and said it was a card for me :) Is that not the sweetest!! And I just LOVE the card - all wonky, glue peeking out and all. It's PERFECTION :) and in case you were wondering, his "milk" is white puffy paints for t-shirts. Ingenious! And I humbly thank you because I had to add his beauty to the card line-up :) :::: proud mommy moment! ::::


Remember to keep on hopping - you just might be a big winner! TSM for stopping by today!



Blessings!

xoxoxoxo

Eye Spy with my little eye ...... TEAL! :)

Happy Wednesday! Only one more day til BBB has the most darling images for you to see and shop! :)

Can you believe it's the middle of the week already?! I can't believe 2 days have gone by so quickly ..... must be all the cold weather we are (loving!) having :)

Have you been to the Crafty Creations Challenge blog yet? The challenge this week is black and white and a splash of color. I *splashed*the card with some tempting teal ~ it just seems to POP when I was matching a color to the most darling Busy Beauties Boutique image {Randy's heart} that will be released tomorrow! How exciting ~ make sure you stop by to see all the cards from the DT and scoop up some of the darling images you find at the BBB store :)

BBL with more yummy BBB creations for you to see!

xoxoxo

Challenge for KLSNS11 - It's a New Year!

And this is pretty much what I looked like the day after ..... rofl! Just kidding .... I never had curlers in my hair unless they were hot rollers back in high school - 'membah big puffy hair!?!

I made this for the kick-off challenge at KL Stampin .... check it out here! I had so much fun making this card and using the sketch. I actually bought this CC Design stamp - she's Kiki La Rue - months ago and it had yet to see ink although I loved it the second I saw it .... isn't that funny how we are that way!

Here is the sketch:

It's hard to see from my sad little camera and it's washed out colors that this is super colorful. I propped up her little rollers on 3d dots because all rollers should be puffy and springy, lol! I also fluffled up the flowers to give the card more dimension. I added the flowers behind the image for the sketch requirement and fastened them with a button. I have to say, I am liking the way this turned out and it will makes it's way to the home of a friend this week ..... I hope she likes it, too :)

Hugs!

Deets: Cardstock: Mambo Melon & Crushed Curry from SU, White Cardstock from MFT - Whipped Cream, Stamp - KiKi La Rue, CC Designs; paper from American Crafts collection; Momento Ink, colored with prismacolor markers; flower punches, dew drops, Tombo, Cutterpede, cutterbug nesties, BG Button, Prima flowers, 3d dots

It's Kit-Cat time! And it's *SNOW* MUCH FUN!!

This is always the most exciting time for me to post! It's time for the December Kit-Cat post, this month hosted by the lovely Jeanette. I loved it *snow much* because this wonderfully talented gal sent us SNOW! That's right -- a wee little snow from her ingenious crafting of a styrofoam ball! How much fun is that!! And it will snow all weekend on my blog! :)

{ She knows in my heart of heart that all I wanted for Christmas was some snow!! *wink!* We most certainly wont' find any of that down South, LOL!}

I couldn't wait to play in The Pink Elephant challenge this week so I used that as the story-board for coming up with my creation this month ..... using their sketch, the 2 dsp squares that Jeanette sent along with some snowflake ribbon, sheer ribbon, some gorgeous tdf clear buttons and darling snowflakes - and did I mention SNOW!! It matched perfectly to the image of the snowman she sent from Plum Purty ... a company I have been drooling over for awhile now but haven't had the chance to shop so thank you for this most unexpected and exciting gift of an image! :)

Paired with some Enchanted Evening from PTI (finally got to open that pack!), I propped up this snowman in his nestie frame, decorated the frame to match the color palette, and really love the soft feel to this. I added the snow to the snowman and hat - and as my partner in snow (hee hee!) already knows, just a tip - add the snow to the image AFTER you need to run it through the cuttlebug, ROFL!! I don't know where my mind was but ...... that one goes into my "things you do not do with your cuttlebug" journal as post #2 ..... Post #1 being "do not drop a cuttlebug on your foot!" Ouchie ..... oh the flashbacks ...... lol

Thank you, m'friend, for a most fun and ingenious Kit you sent out this month! This was truly snow fun to work with!

Now check out the other *Kittens* and see what they've come up with for you to enjoy!

Jeanette

Catherine

Lorie

Michelle

Susan

Snowy hugs! Or Sand hugs in my case! ;)

Sending a little LOVE .... :)

Sending a little LOVE your way today!! I hope your first day of the New Year *- 2010-* is going well! Today the uber sweet and talented Heather from Fresh Brewed Designs is releasing some of the cutest stamps and has a couple of mini contests going on at her BLOG - check it out! (and did you know Valentine's Day is right around the corner!?!)

This image is Turtle Love and he is just darling -- bringing his happy basket of love right to you! I have him propped up on some happy love dsp, colored up with prisma markers and he is just delightful :)




This little darling is So Sweet Valentine ~ She's a little sweet, a little sassy, but definitely ready for sending a little love! She's propped up on some Cuttlebugged circle that were run thru my heart CB folder and what I love about this stamp is her matching friend "blowing kisses" = check him out in the store!

Lastly, we have one of my personal favorites which is Mailing you My Heart! This is such a fun and versatile image to work with ~ I have her sneaking out of a Valentine's Card (how cool, I'm a whole month early for my honey! LOL!)

Now head on over to FBD and take a peek at all the fun and wonderful challenges and check out the shop! :)

And ..... Happy New Year!

Deets: TBA .....

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 ...