I feel so lucky to have all my Pretend Stamping Friends! You are all so wonderful and dear to my heart. Each one of you brightens my days. I so enjoy our “chatting” and all the PM’s and emails I receive. Especially when you take the time to send me a card you made. I just melt!

I am also excited to gather with some of you over the next few weeks. Who would think stamping could bind so many people together? AMAZING I tell you. Im always shocked by the people I have met.

I have alot of catching up to do, and time isn’t really on my side these days! I know I keep saying I have deadlines, but its true! I really do!

I promise to post some eye candy tomorrow. Lot of stamping going on over here! Just unable to post most of it! Trust me it kills me not to share it.

In the meantime…..

Here is Alexa with her happy mail

“Basketmom” sent this to Alexa! She loved it. Thanks so much!! She got right to work when she opened it. It was hard to get her to stop and strike a pose!

I got a very sweet card from Dawn Mercedes-thank you!

Then I got a SUPER SURPRISE in my mail- ready to freak out?

Nicole sent me this ribbon storage unitafter seeing my craft room! LOL! Isn’t it amazing! I got rid of 3 tupperware bins of “hidden” ribbon! I didn’t realize what I had cause I couldn’t see it! LOL! This also saved space.

THANK YOU so much Nicole!! You rock!

OK back to stamping for a while (if the kids aren’t getting antsy!)-

Everyone knows how much Make-A-Wish has done for my family.

 Well, this little boy Shane has a wish that is out of their hands! But YOU can help make it happen! All he wants is to beat the Guinness book of world records for most birthday card received!

 His birthday is May 30th so time is ticking!!! PLEASE get stamping and make his wish come true. I cannot imagine how disappointed he will be if he doesn’t make this happen. I am going to make some more cards this weekend! I hope you will join me. Even send some you already have done!!!!

He is very far from close-WE can all make it happen!

Look here for more info.

I’ve been tagged by AmyR. I have to link my 5 favorite blogs. Everyone knows Amy rocks! After much thought here is my list. I also have to say Ive been busy so my blog browsing has been cut back alot.

ALSO Let me say this was really hard cause I love everyone’s blog. Im trying to go with some that may not get as much well deserved traffic as others. Its hard if you aren’t the most “popular” person in the world to get noticed, and if you do people don’t generally “comment”. We all love feedback so lets give it up to these talented people!

So here goes……

I had to pick Colleen! She is a talented woman, who is so awesome. She had me as one of the featured stampers on her blog a while back. Thats how I found her. Im happy to have gotten to know her better.

I love Lindsey’sblog cause of all her goodies! If you haven’t seen her EBAY store then don’t go! (Kidding seriously delicious stuff that will empty your wallet)

I’m also linking some blogs that I love, and that will “enable” you. Some you may not have seen as they aren’t the most “popular”-YET!

I have to list Chrisitne Wooden at All That Scraps, (yes I know I am linking people I work for but) she has a great blog that goes “un-noticed” in my opinion. Plus she has these cute new stamps coming out soon-like TOMORROW! So guess what Im playing with today! Plus can you say Bind it all, and cuttlebug! You also have to check out the new Bazzill Bling papers people-to DIE for! Check back here later and I hope to enable you!

Kim also @ MFT stamps. You need to see the adorable bikini set that Im dying to get me greedy hands on-WAY cute. Anoter new blog that needs recognition. So add it to your lists.

And I had to includeGreen Grass Stamps blog. Now there isn’t too much there YET! But starting the 22nd they are going to post a new sample EVERYDAY! So it will be hopping with ideas. I will of course have stuff on there that is exclusive to them, meaning it wont be anywhere but there! So check in regularly, and tell me what you think!

There are tons more but that was my limit!

Enjoy-

Who is ready for some MYTIME MAIL??? Well I said if I came home and I was up to 10,000 views I would post some goodies! Reply to this and I will announce a random winner of Friday morning! Say 10am eastern time.

So here is what the winner will receive-A pkg of Making Memories  round chipboard alphabet. I LOVE this stuff. If you have no clue what I’m talking about see the bottom post. I have a card with a round piece of chipboard, altered, that is published in Paper Made Easy.

Sorry I have no time for a photo cause ,Alexa has chemo today, icky weather = horrible photos, and I have had no chat time cause I have some tight deadlines. Can you believe Ive got to start Christmas card! Crazy huh? I did do 5 and they are cute. Sorry can’t share- YET! Promise to chat tonight on SCS, and post photos tomorrow of other fun stuff!

Since I will be busy the next few days, I thought it would be fun to get to know my readers, and “Pretend Stamping Friends” better!

So reply to this post by answering the following questions

1) How long have you been stamping?

2) Do you remember your first stamp, and if so what was it, and do you still have it.

3) What is your favorite technique?

4) What item are you DYING to buy but keep putting off?

5) What is your MOST used tool? (besides your paper cutter people!)

Here is my answer

1) Stamping for 3 years

2) My first stamp is by Hero Arts, and was a flower, yes I still have it.

3) HMMMM my favorite technique, definitely faux stitching. and anything that adds sparkle, lately its my pearlescent chalks, and popping acetate, but keeps changing!

4) Im really wanting the Prism markers! No reason I just do!

5) My most used tool- Cuttlebug! Love the embossing folders-mini and large ones!

Now its your turn! Have a great day. And those of you getting the flooding like we are-stay warm & dry!

PS Sorry its not Disney stamp/scrap related I seriously was so summed to find NOTHING!

Hi! We are back!

I have gotten SO MANY emails. Pm’s and wonderful news I don’t know where to begin! So I have alot to do over the next few days!

Let me start by saying that I have dedicated a entire page to Alexa’s Disney Make-A-Wish. I chose some photos and memories to share so I hope you enjoy reading them! We had an AMAZING time! So feel free to read it and share your thoughts if any.

I also have to reply to the new thread started for Alexa’s pretend stamping friends, for chat. That way those of you who subscribe to the Prayers won’t don’t worry everytime there is a posting (thanks Tracey for starting that). It “may” get moved from what I hear. If you cannot access it its because its in demo chat.

I came home to new goodies!!! That means more things to work with and share with you. Some of my work has to be exclusive to the places I design for so I hope you will look for them!

I came home to see I also have 3 publications in print!

First one is “Ruff Day” in Paper Made Easy (I’m in the beginning on page 5! JUST so close to the cover!!) and its featured on page 52!

 It has all the instructions are in there so I won’t repeat it! LOL! I made this bone template myself-cute eh?

On page 66 you can see my Enjoy your birthday card!

I’m also featured in The Rubber Stamper page 21 in the Collage section!

I have also recieved some MORE great news.

Many of you noticed that I was asked to be on the Design Team of Lizzie Anne! Be on the look out, as my biography will be there soon. I do have some samples posted there in the gallery as well.

 I am also working with Kim from My Favorite Things stamps. She is just amazing! So watch for her stuff as well.

While I was gone I applied to be on a design team for Green Grass Stamps, and guess what-I’m in!!! YIPEE! I am so excited! I am living my dream! Gotta get a biography to them as well.

Now I better get creating for them. What a great way to end a vacation right?

Thanks for letting me share my news with you.

Gotta get to work. Did you all see the Dirty Dozen creations this month? Pretty amazing stuff. Go check it out!

I made 2 more samples with Alexa’s set. They were done to be sent out with the contest. I wanted to make a Thank You, and a Hi one.

This one, the Thank You is for Tracey-

I love pink and black, and wanted to use the butterfly from Alexa’s set. I used Pebbles pearlescent pastels to color the butterfly. I then filled in the hearts with liquid pearls. Such a cool item I rarely use. Gives it that extra dimension and shimmer. They are hard for me to get an “even” distribution when you squeeze it out, so I think I need to practice more! LOL!

I then used my Sakura glitter pen to draw the flutter trail.

Had to use my Sprite Prima’s!

The ribbon is from Jody’s ribbon share.

The circle with the flower and thank you sentiment is Lizzie Anne Designs Funky Floral.

Cardstock is by SU!- basic black, whisper white, pretty in pink. As are the black/pink brads.

This was the other one I did

This inspiration was from the decorative chipboard I had from K & co. Its called Anastasia’s Attic. I wanted to have sparkly flowers and leaves just like the chipboard. So I used my Funky Floral (again) and used heat & stick powder with some old retired SU! Glitter. The jewels in the center are by Heidi Swap.

The base is also a retired SU color- mauve mist. I layered Perfect Plum. They are similar in layout. I wanted the HI to be the focus of the card. I hope she likes it. I did this right before we left for Disney and time was not on my side. There are things I would do differently but Oh well. At least I got it done.

Thanks for looking-

So/ making these plastic “luggage” tags are HOT right now! Mine aren’t just for “fun” they are going to serve an important purpose! On the back of these tags I included vital info for each child. So they are my Ident-a Kid tags. I also have these plastic cards we had taken at the police station with their photos, info and fingerprints.

It has their name, DOB, ALLERGIES, height and weight, our names & cell numbers, hotel we are staying in, our address and doctors #’s. Alexa has a little more info as you can imagine, but its all important if someone found her and there was an emergency!

They will clip on the kids clothing. They will be in plain sight just in case the child forgets. I think you would want to look at it if you found a lost child.

 We have told our kids if you get lost, and can’t find us, find a Disney Character and show them your tag. Now I know there are personnel all through the park, and once we see what these people wear we will also take note. At my kids ages I think they will more easily remember to find a Disney character than a person. Especially Alexa who WILL NOT talk to anyone!

I got mine at Walmart- 12pk for $1. Im hoping we won’t need them for anything! But its better to be safe than sorry! My mom thinks there is too much info! What if someone kidnaps them! Well heaven forbid, but I really want every opportunity to be listed if they get lost to be found. Mothers!!!!

This place is HUGE, and although we have a one adult to one child ratio it can be crowded and things can happen. I know I probably sound insane, but Ive learned YOU can be THAT person!

Now about the tags-

Here is Alexa’s

She of course had to have her Alexa set and use the Groovy girlby MissyB Designs!!! I used Rhapsody designer paper by 3 bugs in a rug, Cardstock is SU! whisper white, orchid, Caribbean, and certain celery. The alpha’s on all the monograms are by Cuttlebug Red Tag alpha. My sakura glitter pen outline’s them for some “bling” Ribbon is by CardMaker.

Now here is Noah’s

I got the Buzz Light Year stamp at Michaels. Used the image on the stamp to figure out the colors! Red, gable green, and Lilac.

And here is Amber’s

She wanted Mickey and Minnie Mouse. This is a foam mount stamp from a set also bought at Michaels. Colored with markers. She chose the pink & black! She’s a natural I tell ya!

Thanks for looking!

Here is our Saturday Sketch!

I hope you have time to play this week. I told you I was going to share some of my sketches I have in my sketchbook each week, to help inspire you! There are NO rules just have fun. You will see by the original sketch, that I changed it a bit. The point is to get inspired, and get stamping!!!

Here is yet another card with my Funky Floral by Lizzy Anne . I am just lovin this line. I wanted simple, yet have some texture. The flowers are a bit “stitched” looking so that was my starting point. The awesome texture on the artichoke layer was achieved using  the weave bkgd by Cornish Heritage Farms! Its a really cool bkgd, and gives every paper that POP!

I also love this Heidi Grace double sided designer paper called Mushroom. I got that at eP. Gave me the cool combo of cameo coral, always artichoke, pumpkin pie, and pixie pink.

FOR A DOUBLE CHALLEGE try out those colors!! They really are fresh, and earthy, yet the pixie makes it scream spring!!

Supplies

Lizzie Anne Funky Floral, Cornish Heritage Farms weave bkgd

Cardstock-Sahara sand, whisper white, always artichoke, cameo coral

Ink- cameo coral, always artichoke, pumpkin pie, pixie pink, barely banana

Accessories

1 1/4 circle punch, singlo white gel pen, paper piecer, matt pack, ribbon by May Arts.

So I may “check in later” to show what I am making my kids today in case they get lost!!! Or add a post over the next few days! We will see I have a superlong to do list. If I get access in Disney then its a go!!!!! I hope you’ll check in while I’m gone. I will post some MYTIME MAIL from Disney when I get back if I’m over 10,000 hits!!!!

Pray we have a safe trip.

By random computer drawing # 86 Kathy Tice!

Kathy writes……

Hi Lauren!

My favorite color is pink – all shades!

My favorite color to use while stamping (lately, anyway!) is Cool Caribbean.

My favorite embellishment is ribbon, and glitter and anything cuttlebugged are a close second.

As far as your blog – anything you put on it I love! Keep it coming! I love your cards, so keep that up. Any techniques you have to show would be great, too!

Kathy please send me your address so I can mail off your card, Sprite Prima’s and stamp set!

I have really enjoyed reading about all my readers! You are all so fun for playing along. Im going to have to do more of these. I’m almost at 10,000 views! So when that happens it will be time for more Mytime Mail!!!

I love seeing all your answers, as I do read EVERY comment left.

I hope you will tune in tomorrow for the Sketch challenge! Cross your fingers I have interent access while we are gone to Disney as I will be updating on our trip!! We are now all packed. I hope to get a little stamping in tomorrow!

Have a nice night.

What is better than chocolate? Well this surprise box showed up on my door today, and would be hard to beat!

SIX of the most amazing MONDO size, chocolate covered strawberries, and SIX chocolate covered apples! Can you believe it?! I couldn’t.

So again what’s better than chocolate? MY FRIENDS!!!!

My friend Tracey from SCS (cuccicoo1002) sent this to me.Well I guess for the whole family, but I feel like its all mine!

Here I am diving in! I already had 3 pieces! YIKES! I think Tracey wants me to gain all her pregnancy weight for her. I’m starting vacation early, and all my clothes won’t fit if this keeps up!

Don’t worry I did share!

 Here is Jay shoving the whole thing in his mouth! What a waste! You are suppose to SAVOUR it!

While we were getting silly for the camera look who dove in

 See the look! If I dont look at them maybe they won’t notice! LOL! I think Alexa has claimed the rest of the Strawberries!

Tracey you are just SO SWEET! Sweeter than these delicious chocolate pieces for heaven. Im so happy we have become friends. You are just amazing to me, and I am so not deserving of all this! And you did without even seeing the amazing thing Im making for your sweet little bundle of (boy) I mean baby! LOL! Now I don’t know if I can wait to send it to you!!!

I have met SO many wonderful people through SCS! You wouldn’t even believe it! I have so many of you who feel like my family. You’ve all adopted me & my family, and I can never give enough thanks to you all.

While Im sharing here is a nice blurry photo of the kids after receiving some goodies from my friend Sarah (aka sarahstampart)

 Here is Alexa with Caroline’s Card! Caroline is only 10 and drew an amazing Cinderella and Snow White on the card for Alexa. Inside yet, another amazing drawing of Mickey & Minnie mouse! Alexa about fell she was jumping up & down.

Here are the kids holding the goodies- They were so excited. Sarah even included some AWESOME BIG primas! How do you all do it? You all have so much going on but take the time to do so much for me. I am in awe. I am just so thankful to have all of the people I have come to know in my life. Big cyber hugs. What I am going to do without you all for a week!!! OMG! I dont even know. Stay tuned cause 6pm is the announcement for MYTIME MAIL. Tracey’s gift inspired a card. So I must get in one before I leave-

Love ya all!!!