I’m back again!

Today I am sharing another sample using our latest Digital Release of Underwater Wonderment, combined with the latest Pretty Palette Sketch Challenge 14:

Click here to enter your submission, or view the sketch details/samples!

I am so happy to finally get to play along with the Pretty Pattern Sketch team, on time! LOL!

I’ve been quite busy wrapping up projects, and completing end of year teacher gifts, since tonight we will meet with our school staff at the Author’s Night. I will share  those projects when the products I chose to use have been released 😀 For now it’s top secret 😀

Here is my take on the sketch.

Don’t you just love the NEW! Alexa Mermaid image from the Underwater Wonderment © set? She was designed with my sweet daughter Alexa, in mind. She loves to swim, like a little fish, and requested a Mermaid she could use and color herself.

 designed this using the latest Pretty Palette Color Challenge 13:

I LOVED this sketch that Tangii designed, as it allowed me to work with several patterns of paper, all together, which were inspired by the color palette!

 I chose to use:

Fun Flowers ©

Fresh Flowers ©

Don’t the patterns really compliment eachother, and add to the sea like feel of it, despite the fact they AREN’T “sea” themed?

I printed and colored by mermaid using my Copic Markers. I also chose to adorn the corner with the O’mazing Oyster image, instead of the “bow” in the sketch. I love her to pieces.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit! I hope you enjoyed today’s sample and that you get some time to check out what the Pretty Pattern Sketch team has come up with! Maybe you will even play along with one of our fun challenges 😀

Until next time!

Don’t miss out on the amazing Pretty Palette Challenge 09

 and the Pretty Patterns Challenge10

Sorry I’m MIA. Alexa had a little medical issue and now has to have surgery on Monday to have her port-a-cath. Then there have been many other medical crisis in my family, so I’ve been a tad busy.

I will have another post tomorrow.

OH boy!

Im sorry this is SO late (again) life has been crazy and challenging here! Summer is always busy at my house.

Here is a photo of my kids at Story Land from the other day.

The kids had a great time! They are at perfect ages to do stuff with.

I have a photo of Alexa and Noah in this same pumpkin YEARS ago, long before Amber was even a thought. Cool to see how much they have grown.

I always have lots of things I want to do with my children and have just been busy. I love taking advantage of the nice weather.

JASON UPDATE:

The GOOD news is I went “off”, tactfully I believe, on the OR scheduler and Jay’s surgery will be Monday July 27th! Not too far away. Jay wouldn’t let me talk to them before (for fear of what I may say! LOL!), but since he was at work I took it upon myself to call! LOL! I am the “fighter” in the family. Jay is very easy going and passive, so I always take on that role! LOL!

I am authorized to all his medical stuff, so I took full advantage of that! I think because I have been fighting for Alexa since pregnancy, that I’m just used to having to fight for what my family needs.  I make no apologies for it, and make sure that I’m realistic when it comes to what I am asking or expecting. I feel like I am kind of like a mama bear protecting her cubs.

 I am so glad I did because we were looking into late Sept. He wouldn’t make it that much longer.

Many of you mentioned we would have had a call for all the preliminary blood-work and procedures, and we did have all that done already. When I had my gallbladder surgery they called the NIGHT before to set everything up for that next day, so when we didn’t get a call sooner, we weren’t curious about WHY.

On another note, Jay had tried every avenue possible for his condition to avoid the surgery. This have gotten progressively worse, and this was his only option. His test results showed that there were no other safe options without risking permanent nerve damage. There is no guarantee it will even work! Poor guy.

I threw my back out yesterday, and have been in so much pain since! I can only imagine how he feels daily. I know, usually by day’s end today that I will feel better. I don’t think I could do this every day!

Today we have what is called Old Home Day! It is when our town has a parade and crafts and stuff for the kids. I LOVE living in a small town! Its so great for “family”

So I am going to make this QUICK so I can go.

Anway……today is Saturday, so that means it is time for a My Time To Create challenge.

This is the inspiration challenge. Get inspored by the pattern, or colors…….whatever!

If you play link your creations here:

Keyword MTTI 03

I used variation of the colors.

Here is my card—>Using paler versions of the inspiration colors! LOL!

I adore The Greeting Farm images! I have bought many, but sadly forget or don’t have time to use them! I decided if it killed me, I would use one this week 😀

This is Dahlia! She is just the CUTEST! So I decided this sentiment “Cutie Pie” from JustRite Tiny Words Borders & Centers Set 1-3/16″ would be PERFECT!!

Close up-

The paper is by Basic Grey! I love the colors and they really made my image POP!!!

I *just* got the nestability Pinking Circles. They are so cute too.

Well I’m off and running!
Be sure to pop over to the Design Team blogs for more inspiration from the challenge! They are really Rockin out the samples!

Thanks for poppin by!

Till tomorrow.

 OK, so I told you I had a BIG surprise today!

This is also why I have been a LITTLE more busy than expected 😀 A very good kind of busy.

When the world lost little Ethan Weiman, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt like I lost a member of my family. I never lost a family member that was close to me, so the feelings of sorrow and grief were unexpected, and just so raw. I knew I had to do “something”. So I took my emotions, and got some ideas, then made them  into something I felt would be an amazing tribute to Ethan.

I am over the moon, that with the help of Melissa at Pink Cat Studio, the design team, and My Time To Create Team (who seem to be like my unpaid assistants these days), we were able to make a wish a reality! Without them it would not be possible. Also I want to thank the Weiman Family for being so open to this idea, while they had just lost their precious little boy.

Well that BIG SURPRISE is ……..the NEW! Digi Stamp set The Weiman Wranglers!!

How cute are they?

This is a NEW! Digi Stamp release designed for the Weiman Family!

 ——–> CHECK IT OUT <———-

Seriously! Can you believe how AMAZING that it?

Now you can get some UBER cute images, and help a worthy cause!

Now these are a Digital Download-so you pay NO SHIPPING, NO STORAGE 😀 and you get them INSTANTLY! LOVE IT!

When I contacted Melissa with my ideas, she didn’t even hesitate! She is literally in the middle of moving, and MADE time to help out this family! I think that speaks volumes about her. I am so honored to be able to work for such amazing people like Melissa! I cannot even thank her enough for taking the time to do this.

Help us honor the life of Ethan Weiman by purchasing the Weiman Wranglers Digital Stamps. All proceeds will go to the Make A Wish Foundation of Illinois, per request of the family, in Ethan’s honor! Make A Wish fulfilled Ethan’s wish last year, when they gifted him with his horse Sanador, and a barn! Later, when Sanador passed away, they gave him another horse, named Questions! This organization really helped make Ethan’s dreams come true! It will be nice to be able to honor him, and give back something, to help brighten the day of some other sick child!

If you are not familiar with Make A Wish please read their site —>HERE

Make a Wish helped my own family, and I always donate to them, as well as the American Cancer Society!

SO let me share my samples with you, and let me know what you think! I’m so excited about all of this I could just scream 😀

In honor of Ethan, and his lil cowboy hat he always wore

I just adore shaped cards.

I hand cut this cowboy hat from chocolate cardstock! Yes, I was proud 😀 I just tried to make it a smidgen similar to the one on Cowboy Ethan. A little distressing and paper piercing, and it was looking pretty good. NOT perfect! But good all the same.

The top has the fold. I used some pretty “masculine” ribbon from My Little Ribbon Shop. Love that place!

I adore the star center piece, made from brushed copper paper, and poppy!

It was the perfectly simple, finishing touch it needed.

The Ethan hat rim, and Sanador’s (his horse in heaven) face is 3 D!

I loved it.

Now something for Ava…..

I have had the MDF letter “A” for quite some time now. This is about 12 inches. Always meaning to use it. NOW, is the perfect time 😀 I have been on a MDF kick these days eh?

I wanted to send Ava an altered letter, using her NEW! Digi Download image. Maybe she can hang it somewhere, or put it on a shelf??

I had some pretty paper from Imaginesce, so I chose that for my base 😀 and my color inspiration. I wanted it to be sweet, and simple, yet COW-Girly, but not typical Cow-Girly! Nice cheery colors. I think I got it 😀

I used New Times Roman alpha set from JustRite Stampers, to create Ava’s name tag.

I kept it all relatively simple, and loved the 1/2 and 1/2 patterned papers on the “A”. The ric rac ribbon border added to the girly feel. I felt the angles of the paper,  brought your eye to the Digi Ava image, and sentiment: “The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step” which is from Unity.

That sentiment has so much meaning to me, personally. The day Alexa finished Chemo, I saw a silver bangle with this message on it. It really spoke to me, and our journey through Cancer. My friend Paulette actually bought it for me!!! I wear it EVERYDAY, and it reminds me (especially during tough times) , that you WILL get through it, one step at a time. I just liked it for this project.

So those are my projects!

Please be sure to check out the Pink Cat Stamps Blog for more samples! Some of the Design Team were able to jump aboard, on last minute’s notice 😀 THANK YOU!

Oh and of course, the my My Time To Create Challenge Team  ROCKED out the samples with these images, so have a peek!

Thank you again to everyone who has helped with this process.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, and THANK YOU in advance for purchasing these images.

Here is where the FUN begins!!

I am personally donating a $25 GC to Pink Cat Studio  chosen via random.org, ONE WEEK FROM TODAY ( Monday June 28th) to the winning entry picked.

To enter to win, you need to make something using the NEW! Weiman Wranglers Digi Download, and link it here!

You can enter as many times as you want! You MUST make a new project each time.

Random winner will be picked June 28th.

So let’s get started!

Thank you again for all the support, and the kind words and comments so many of you leave. You are all just WONDERFUL, and always make my day.

PS I know! I didn’t do a Father’s Day Post :C Sorry! I had to get things together for today.

Hi everyone!

Im running off to t-ball and stuff and wasn’t home at all yesterday, so this is a QUICKIE post that Ill come back and edit later! SORRY!! Duty calls

Today’s challenge is a Sketch! Hope you like it.

Here is the sketch 

If you get a chance to play along link it HERE!!

I’ll come back to edit this!

Here is my peek! A VERY loose interpretation! LOL!

Mine couldn’t fit all the way over! LOL! Same idea though, with some added touches.

Stamp is from Stampavie Rachelle Anne Miller line-Rainy Days

My umbrella is 3D too!

Here are the My Time To Create Challenge Team Member Peeks:

A HUGE thanks to Kristen who has really taken the lead roll and helping me keep organized! She did the icon for today!!!

THANK YOU GIRL!!! I’d be so lost! My team has been fabulous, as are their peeks! So check them out 😀

Check out their blogs for MORE!!

On a side note: Please pray for my friend ‘Alicias son Ethan 😀 According to his Caring Bridge site (whcih I just cannot even read -breaks me apart) they did NOT get good news about Ethan.  The disease progressed in his bone marrow.  They’re bringing him home and setting up supportive care.  

Well today is the 5th weekend in the month.

I generally have 4 scheduled challenges a month for My Time To Create Challenge Team.

I let them opt to take a break this week! I should have taken one myself! LOL!

Anyway-I decided to do a technique challenge instead. I hope you find it fun and inspiring 😀

Dry Embossed Vellum

I LOVE using Vellum Cardstock. Today’s challenge is to DRY EMBOSS it!

If you play link your creation HERE

Here is who is playing:

Me

Alicia

Dana G

Kristen

MacKenzie

Maria

Pam

Tracey Cuccia

Here is a quick video to give you the HOW TO! My card for this technique uses a stamp set from My Favorite Things Presents: Sara Williams Spring Sprouts.Bloomin vellum

Hi everyone! If you are tuning in Happy Mother’s Day!!

I’ll share more on that at the end!

Today is day one, of a jam packed post, filled with excitement! AS ALWAYS :D)

As you know the Papertrey Ink countdown is here, and I always GUSH each month over and over at how excited I am. I know it may get old, but I REALLY am. Each month I fall in love the newest releases, and latest and greatest templates! Plus it makes me get a head start on my gifts.

I now get to FINALLY share a peek at my newest Timeless Template  called Ready, Set, Wrap!

 This one is SOOOOO cool and fun. Seriously.  It is so super adorable, fun and easy to make TONS of gifts for just about anyone you can imagine. Perfect size for SO many treats.

READY, SET, WRAP!

Looking for the perfect way to WRAP up something? Then this is the template for you!Ready, Set Wrap! will have you whipping out the perfect packaging for every occasion! Use it as a party favors or a fun project with the kids too.This is just the cutest box you could ever make! Perfect for that special something you want “un”wrapped in a fun way!The curves of this fun box will have the receiver in complete awe! You will be amazed at how fast this one comes together.

Go get READY, get SET-WRAP something special!

I also get to give you a peek at a NEW! stamp set called Bird Watching from Papertrey Ink.

NOTE: These items will not be released until the 15th

Today I am sharing a video that will HOPEFULLY help you  maximize the use of your stamps, and view them in a whole new way, save you MONEY, and add great embellishments to those My Timeless Template gifts you create for EVERYONE!!

This video shows you how EASY it is to use your stamps to make your OWN chipboard embellishments!!

SOOOOOO, the focus of my tutorial today used a large bird from Bird Watching.

When I saw Bird Watching I fell in love. I immediately KNEW it had to be by Melissa Bickford! I LOVE her stuff!! LOVE!

I knew the bird would make the CUTEST Keychain toggle for my Ready, Set, Wrap! template.

I like to use lightweight coasters for my projects. Usually you get 20 coasters for $2.00. That is ONLY 0.10 CENTS each-and you can get several images per coaster-HELLO!!! So affordable!

If you were to PURCHASE chipboard pieces or stickers, they would cost upwards of several dollars with only a few in each package-and NOT always in your color scheme! Now you can use images you already purchased for your projects instead.

Now you can use your STAMPS and make you own in MINUTES! AND it will MATCH any project! (like you needed another excuse to BUY MORE STAMPS?! :O)

Plus, lets face it, these chipboard pieces not only add a fun element, but dimension and interest to everything you put them on as well. Remember its the LITTLE details.

Sentiment reads: You’re so very tweet

Don’t you LOVE the chipboard bird addition to this project?! Perfect!

Now I got the little keychain toggle thingy from Michaels Craft store. They are in the back in the LEATHER section. 20 chains for $2! Not too shabby 😀

The cardstock is amethyst. I used Dark Chocolate Bitty Dots 2008 collection for this. I colored in the dots on the paper to match my project-so they are amethyst dots 😀 LOVE IT!

I began my project using my Inspiration Challenge—>HERE It was just what I needed to get started.

My felt flowers were made by me 😀 I die cut them from felt. Watch my video —-> HERE Button is from Vintage Buttons

I used the Cuttlebug Flowers #1 die for the flower, and another cuttlebug flower bundle die for the leaves.

Now to un-wrap it

Slide off one side, then the other………………..

You’ll get the idea, as I share more ideas throughout the week 😀

Supplies:

My Timeless Template: Ready, Set, Wrap!

Stamps: Bird Watching/Additions

Cardstock: PTI Dark Chocolate, Almost Amethyst

Patterned Paper: Bitty Dots 2008 Collection

Ink: Dark Chocolate

Copic Markers: BV00

Vintage Buttons in New Leaf

Punch: Small oval by SU!

Other: Lightweight coaster board, eyelet, key chain toggle, Felt, Cuttlebug Flowers #1 die 2X6 Flower Bundle, crop-a-dile, hobby blade, sm corner rounder

Now for more peeks be sure to check out Kelly’s blog for another template peek, as well as  Nicholes blog, Melissa, Lisa and Candice.

I am spending the day baking cookies from scratch with my kids! (Hopefully NOT cooking anything else for the day)*I know I can’t believe it either!* But Alexa sent me a letter in the mail about wanting to bake cookies with me Made me cry! It was SOOOOO sweet. I’ll also have to share the card/ poem she wrote me ALL by herself! She loves writing poems. I’m so proud of her writing and reading skills. She wants to write books/stories when she grows up! How cool is that?! A very good goal I think.

Amber made me couple things, that were REALLY cute. One saying she loves me because I take her shopping! LOL! And give lots of hugs and kisses.

Noah made me a card and puzzle-but told me he really wanted to make one for daddy! Um, thanks! LOL! So he took mine out of the envelope and made something for Jay instead! He is mad at me because he lost his XBOX for a week, after being TERRIBLE to my mother while she watched him, when we were at the funeral.

Oh well. He will get over it eventually!! I hope. It hurt my feelings for him to be so angry with me. I know I need to stand my ground, but its so hard to be a mom sometimes.

Thanks for stopping by!

 I’d LOVE to hear what your thoughts are for todays post and my newest template!

Enjoy your day.

Make sure you come back tomorrow for MORE peeks and endless ideas 😀

OK Im running like a chicken with the head cut off.

This is short and sweet! Amber has her dance recital today-2 shows, back to back! So I don’t have much time. I need to be there for her.

Anywho-if you aren’t doing anything special……………and have stamp time………………..I got something for ya!

OK it is time for my first Inspiration Challenge!

Keyword MTTI 01

Link your projects HERE

This comes from a dress I saw online at the Children’s Place!

I LOVED the colors and pattern on the dress! Just use this image to spark your creativity in any way you can. No restrictions Just go with it.

MY take on this challenge will go up tonight with my FIRST Papertrey Ink Countdown Release project!

 I have my first template peek for this month, and a video for you! You won’t want to miss that I know its Mother’s Day-but you can take a 10 minute peek, right?

In the meantime…….here are peeks at what the My Time To Create Team pulled together from the challenge!

Now you can go HOP around:

Well its May 2nd!

 That means tomorrow is my Birthday!! YEAH! I’m actually happy to be 31 (sort of)

I always make myself a birthday card 😀 I hope to do that today (and post ON my actual birthday :D)

We are celebrating with friends today. We are all going out to eat (like 20 of us) at TGIFridays. We all have kids so they are the place that is the most accommodating! For some reason I LOVE TGIFridays. Fried Green Beans and Fried Plantains-YUM. Im sure I’ll be sick

Tomorrow is “my day” so Jay lets me “eat out” where ever I want for Lunch & Dinner! WAHOO! Breakfast is always my fave-homemade Belgian Waffles, with butter,caramel, whip cream and syrup 😀 Now (given healthier choices) Ill skip all the extras and just have fat free whip cream and fresh strawberries (still Yum-O!).

My mom bought me a TOTAL Spa package-mani, pedi, facial and deep tissue massage! Can you say HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway-I’m happy for my birthday 😀 I know I sound like a kid huh? But how often do we get a day to be spoiled? I know I don’t get many, so I definitely milk it, for all its worth.

Today is the very first official My Time To Create Challenge with my NEW! Team of talent! Im in awe of the samples! Wait till you see. You are sure to get inspired.

Here is the sketch

Keyword: mytimess32

BONUS Challenge: Make it a Birthday Card! (Since my b-day is tomorrow I had to add that!)

Link Your Creation HERE

Now for my peek!

A hot cuppa

I have long awaited this image from Whiff of Joy-Willow with Hot Chocolate. She was FINALLY in stock, so I snagged her.

I made this girl to be similar to me :D, and using my favorite color-purple

She also features a felt flower I made-which I included a video for today

Keep reading!!

This is the felt flower that I show you how to cut from felt, in your cuttlebug machine. I also share how to use your nestabilities to cut felt as well.

I also show you how I stitched the flower, so you can see how easy and cost effective it is to create your own felt embellishments!! They would typically run you several dollars for only a couple in the store.

Here is the close up view of the sentiment I chose.

It is from JustRite Stampers -A little caffiene

Me loving coffee-it was PERFECT!

Here is the video-on how to make your own felt flowers

I hope you find the video helpful 😀

Now we move onto the My Time To Create Challenge Team.

This  is a collective view of PEEKS .

You have to hop around to see WHO made WHAT!

 Let me tell you, these girls are going to keep me hopping with their creativity, fresh outlook, energy and TALENT!

Thanks for stopping by!

Well I know you have all been wondering WHERE I am.

I AM here!

 If I ever shared all I have to do on a daily basis, you wouldn’t know how I fit blogging into any of it, I swear! Sometimes “I” don’t even know! Its time like this that I remember WHY I don’t have time to sumbit for publication any more. I do a lot of “behind the scenes” stuff people dont get to see or know about.

I have been working on videos (today will be editing!), samples and gathering the details for my NEW! My Time to Create Team! This weekend is the FIRST weekend they will be starting so I had to get their month of challenges done and whatnot.

 Let me just tell you it was SOOOOO hard to decide! I had 433 people apply between the sketch, template challenge, and many, many email submissions too. Funny, because I got LOTS if emails!! I’m happy I don’t own an actual company, because I’m SURE I’d never be able to pick!

You all did an amazing job on your samples, and I enjoyed seeing what each of you came up with, along with browsing your blog and/or gallery! Trust me this proved to be harder than I thought. I felt like the Bachelor on the TV show! Wanting to take everyone 😀

So with out further delay, here is who will be on the My Time To Create Team.

* Dana www.paperdaydream.blogspot.com 

*Lisa https://kindcreations.blogspot.com/

* Odette https://handmadebyodette.blogspot.com/ 

*Jennifer https://www.jentapler.blogspot.com/ 

*Pam https://paperandribbonsandstampsohmy.blogspot.com/ 

*Tracey https://tmcuccia.blogspot.com/

*Kristen https://kristinscrafts.blogspot.com/

These will be the girls who hopefully get you excited about the NEW! Weekly Challenge. I think it will be so fun, and I hope you do too.

Be sure to welcome them!

I’ll be adding a page about each of the girls this weekend with their first challenge !

Let’s not forget the girls from my team prior who are staying aboard with weekly samples 😀

·        

So thank you to all who applied! I did look at every sample/email. I obviously didn’t reply to evryone because I’d be here for a month! LOL! I still have “regular” emails to answer daily too.

I am waiting on Nichole to make another great announcment reguarding my templates, that will hopefully make you all happy! So keep an eye out on her blog.

I’ll post here when she does!

Thanks for checking in. I so appreciate each of you and the time you spent sharing with me! I enjoyed it.

Thank you!