Moving Thoughts for Friday

I love these Japanese dolls- they are from a set from My Grafico. I had the background paper for a while (a cool find from Tuesday Morning) and it seemed perfect with the flowers on the kimonos. I added a little Stickles to their hair ornaments.

I'll be in and out for the next few days. My family is relocating to our hometown next week. Very exciting to reconnect with family and friends. My dear friend Deb who started me stamping 15 years ago has assured me that we will be stamping in her home studio while our kids play together (back in the beginning we were carefree and childless!) I'm also looking forward to stamping with my new friend Brenda who is going to let me use her corner rounder because I packed mine and I NEED one to finish a project!

I actually stamped 10 cards on Monday so I have a few more projects to show you and by the time you've seen them I'll be in NY stamping in my mom's basement.

SheetLoad November Sneak Peeks

Make sure to head on over to SheetLoad of Cards to see sneak peeks from the upcoming issue.



But before we jump into November '09, don't forget about the fabulous October '09 issue, sponsored by DRS Designs!! You still have time to enter the Show Us Your SheetLoad challenge for chances to win gift certificates from the sponsor!!



Here are sneak peeks at the pieces I have in the issue...

Zentangles


Zentangles are a new art form- similar to doodling repetitive patterns. I had to opportunity to review a kit for Craft Critique. Check out my review HERE. I created the tile above and several other Zentangles in the past few weeks. Very fun and addictive! If you like doodling I especially recommend it. My 9 year old played right along with me and we had fun.

Twick or Tweet


This card features Mudzie the Moose from Squigglefly. Isn't he cute? I'm partial to moose (obviously) so this one stole my heart. I donated it plus about 30 other cards to Shareacard.org

Later this week I'll have a review of Zentangles on Craft Critique, a card featuring Sunshine's Stamps (and links to the blogs of the newest DT members) and I don't know what else!

Hope Fights Blog Candy from SheetLoad





Head on over to the SheetLoad blog today and find out how to win the adorable image above.



This digital stamp set is called 'Hope Fights' and was created by Melyssa of Whimsie Doodles, in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.



SheetLoad will be giving out four (4) free sets and you have until Monday at Midnight to get your name in the drawing.



Good luck!



PS: You can see more of Melyssa's creations at her Whimsie Doodles site.

Sweet Friday


It is another busy Friday in my world! How about yours?

I couldn't resist the Cute Card Thursday candy corn (or any other candy) challenge for this week. The image is called "Elf's Gift" and it is from Squigglefly. It is so cute!

I wrote a review of Squigglefly for Craft Critique and it appears today. HINT- Go check out the article... especially the end :)

If you haven't done enough blog hopping today, check out my post at the Cottage Studio- I used my favorite butterfly image.

Bunny Self Exam


Think Pink

(This post sponsored by Sunshine's Stamps)

Simple, Special, Stunning

It is time for the October edition of Simple Special Stunning at the SheetLoad of Cards blog, featuring samples by Katie Skiff.



Each month one of our artists will share three different cards that use the current layout. Each card is a "step up" from the previous one, but they are all fabulous. It is a good way to show how SheetLoad is geared toward papercrafters of all levels.

Here are some sneak peeks to whet your appetite...

New art on the way...

Thanks to everyone who participated in the blog hop for Sunshine's Stamps! If you didn't hop, you still have time- just scroll up to the first entry on my blog.

I have artwork and/ or articles due this week for 4 of the 5 DT's of which I am a member. (The first time this has happened!) Rather than toss up any old thing today, I'm taking the day off from posting art today...

Coming up later this week:
Think Pink projects
The Cottage
My review of Squigglefly (love their new digital images)
and something else - I'll remember it later

And last but not least thanks to Kim Marie for selecting my blog for the Honest Scrap Award.
I have to list 10 things about me and then grant this award to 5 other creative people!

1) Pale pink and navy blue is my favorite color combination (extra points if there are polka dots involved!)

2) My husband and I collect Happy Hollister books. One day the flea market we bought 12 of them for $10! The vendor must not have known how collectable they are.

3) I have rosacea which is a skin condition that makes my face look red and flushed especially in the cold, hot sun, after a warm shower and after eating spicy food.

4) My favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption. When I saw it at the theatre years ago the movie broke and the "explanation" at the end got spliced so I didn't see the ending until it came out on video.

5) When I was a kid the Brady Bunch was my favorite show. A few years ago Veronica Mars was my favorite. These days I like Monk, Greek and Hell's Kitchen.

6) I love to wear jeans and sneakers and in the winter my navy blue fleece too.

7) I wear glasses or contacts and this year for the first time ever I bought 2 pairs of glasses (1 pair black plastic, 1 pair bronze metal) so I can alter my daily look.

8) My husband and I (married 16 years next week) have NEVER had Cable or Satellite TV except for a 1 month stint while we were in furnished apartment waiting to close on a house.

9) I have a weakness- make that addiction- to office supplies- particularly pens.

10) When I was a kid Captain and Tennille was my favorite group. Years later I lived about 45 minutes from their lake Tahoe home but I never got to see them in person.

I give this award to:

1) Holly- Not only is she a talented artist, but she has been very encouraging to me creatively
2) Heidi- She does incredible work with punches and embossing. I love her unique look.
3) Belinda- She is the owner of Clear Artistic Stamps, a gifted artist and a warm and wonderful person. I'm so honored to be on her DT.
4) Christina- Owner of Sunshine's Stamps, a gifted artist and a multi-faceted individual. I've enjoyed getting to know her since I became a member of her DT.
5) Kelly- Another talented blogger that I got to know through Sheetload. I am amazed at how she finds time to do it all!

Sunshine's Stamps Blog Hop

**If you are looking for newer blog posts please scroll down- this post will stay on top until Wednesday**
Welcome to Sunshine's Stamps Grand Opening Event! We are so pleased to show you Sunshine's newest images and treat you to a mini-blog hop, a challenge, an in-store special and of course Blog Candy!


Here are the details:

If you arrived here without starting at Sunshine's Blog
http://www.yourspecialdelivery.co.uk/sunshine-stamps.html
- head on over there to start the blog hop and just follow the links on each blog to the next blog in the hop!! Be sure to leave a comment on every blog as you go because there is MYSTERY BLOG CANDY to be won and you can't win unless you comment on each blog in the hop! No one but Sunshine knows which blogs comments will be chosen to randomly win the Blog Candy!! And it's nice candy too!! So be sure to comment!

Next - we have a great challenge for you to play along with. You don't have to use Sunshine's Stamps
images to play either! Head on over to Tami's blog - The Journey of Life http://journeyoflifetamijo.blogspot.com/ to see the challenge! The winner will receive 3 FREE IMAGES of THEIR CHOICE from Sunshine's Store!!


Finally, we are running an in-store special!! Buy any two or more images and receive Sunshine's Autumn Wreath Image FREE!!! http://www.yourspecialdelivery.co.uk/sunshine-stamps.html

(This is the free Autumn wreath image)

Most of all we want you to have some fun! To have the opportunity to win some great images and blog candy and check out the great images Sunshine's Stamps
has to offer! There are new images every week, so be sure to become a follower and keep an eye out for some other great events Sunshine's Stamps
is going to be involved with between now and Christmas!

Now lets have some blog hopping fun and get a little inky with the challenge! Have fun everyone! REMEMBER: the Grand Opening Event is Open from October 17th 8AM Central Time - October 20th 9PM Central Time to allow for those folks who are UBER busy on the weekend to have a chance to play early in the week! The winners will be announced FRIDAY, October 23rd on Sunshine's Blog
so be sure to hop on over to see if you are a winner!!

Thanks for stopping by and we hope you have fun at Sunshine's Stamps
first event!!


Sunshine: http://sunshinesstamps.blogspot.com/

Chrissy
: http://nursechrissy.blogspot.com/
*
Tami: http://journeyoflifetamijo.blogspot.com/
*
Heather: http://stampdetails.blogspot.com/ ---->>>> You are here!
*
Jenny: http://playingisapassion.blogspot.com/
*
KY: http://bunnynest.blogspot.com/
*
Kym: http://nanaskeepsakes.blogspot.com/
*
Stuffie: http://stuffiestamps.blogspot.com/
*
Jennifer H: http://inking-obsessions.blogspot.com/
*
Sharon: http://rhapsodyincraft.blogspot.com/
*
Trinity: http://mom2angeljocelyn.blogspot.com/
*

Get Thee some Clearasil! (or tale of the ugly witch)


You do not know how hard it was for me NOT to make those two marks into zits! So I compromised and used that title.

This witch was a freebie from Squigglefly. Very easy to color. You can't tell from my photo but I added lowlights to her hair which is 4 different colors! Tomorrow they are having digi day and releasing a bunch of new stamps!

Challenges:
Squigglefly #23- Black, orange and purple w/ bat, crow or spider embellishment
Mojo Monday #108- sketch
Digital Tuesday "Boo"- Halloween theme
Cute Card Thursday 82- Spook Fest

Clear Artistic Stamps- Rumble #17- Rubberbands


Today there is a new challenge in the Cottage Studio. Come check out our rumble challenge featuring rubberbands. I created the background for my mini-purse using rubberbands wrapped around my acrylic brayer and Dsitress ink. The images are from a new set that I really like called Stationary Time. Go check out the design team's projects over at the Cottage.

Be sure to visit my blog tomorrow for Sunshine Stamp's first ever blog hop to celebrate their grand opening. Check out my right side bar for details!

Memories Always- Forever
is holding its first ever Fall Festival Online Crop October 17-19 and there will be some great challenges and prizes.

On Monday when everything quiets down I'll be sharing some exciting (non stamping related) news!

Sponsor Spotlight at SheetLoad of Cards

It is time for the monthly Sponsor Spotlight at SheetLoad of Cards!! This month's featured company is DRS Designs; the sponsor for the October '09 issue.







Head on over there today to find out more about the company, learn how you can enter to win DRS Designs Gift Certificates and find out about their special offer for SheetLoad readers.

Sunshine's Stamps Grand Opening Event


We are finally ready to have our GRAND OPENING EVENT of our online Sunshine's Stamps Store!! The big event will be THIS Saturday! October 17th starting at 8AM Central Time and running until October 20th - 9 PM Central Time.

Here are the DEETS:

Mini Blog Hop - Sunshine's Dream Team will be having wonderful cards and projects showcasing our newest images for Autumn and Halloween! We will also be showing off our newest line of Sentiments and our newest Sunny Bunny!!!

Mystery Blog Candy
- as you hop from blog to blog be sure to leave a comment on each blog! No one knows, not even the Dream Team who's blog I will be choosing the winner from!!! So be sure to comment on all of the blogs as you hop on through! (The candy is fabulous- you'll want to do the hop!)

Challenge - we will be hosting a challenge on our Dream Team Member - Tami's Blog - The Journey of Life be sure to hop on over and take part in the challenge!! The winner will receive THREE FREE IMAGES of your choice from our Store!! How fun!!!

And finally - OUR IN - STORE SPECIAL

From October 17th, 8AM Central Time - October 20th, 9PM Central Time - When you purchase 2 images from our store we will give you our Autumn Wreath Image for FREE!! The image will be going to our store for sale on October 21st so be sure to get yours while it's free!!!

Win free stuff from EK Success

This week Craft Critique is featuring reviews of products from EK Success. All you need to do is comment on my review or any other EK Success review for a chance to win!

How not to dress up an autumn wreath


I was trying to come up with a unique bow sort of ribbon thing and ended up with this! If this ever becomes a hot trend in cardmaking- you'll know I thought of it first!

This card features the new autumn wreath image from Sunshine's Stamps using the Corrosive Challenge Sketch #33. It is FREE with the purchase of 2 images from the newly restyled e-shop. I was so excited when I saw it. I really like the assorted leaf shapes and that it is easy to color. You'll see more cards with this wreath very soon.

One last thing- the acorn image is from Inkadinkadoo and the acorns are embellished with Stickles.

My lost day

My family and I were out of town over the weekend and due to my last minute packing I left behind my Copics and a STACK of digital images to color. I was very eager to spend a little me time today stamping. It just never happened- my day was e-mails and phone calls and helping my daughter and helping my husband and laundry.

So new artwork tomorrow. New images from Sunshine's Stamps- the grand opening of their online store is this weekend and there is a blog hop and prizes. There is a brand new autumn wreath image (you'll see it tomorrow) that is free if you purchase 2 images. I love that wreath and the new autumn sentiments. Autumn is my favorite time of year!

Memories Always- Forever is holding its first online crop next weekend. Lots of challenges and prizes.

And this Craft Critique will be doing a vendor spotlight on EK Success products. I lucked out and got 3 stamp sets, 1 mini set, 2 mounted stamps and a punch for my review.

Art- tomorrow ;)

Coffee, Tea or Me?


Corrosive Challenge #32- Wanna go for a coffee?
Caardvarks- Take a Bow

I loved the theme for this week's challenge because it game me a chance to use this image from Lost in Paper Scraps and I added the sentiment. I spruced things up a bit by drawing some silver dots on the frame, and adding some steam curls and hearts. The scalloped layer is actually a very pale yellow but it looks more like cream in the photo but in real life it is a closer match to the mug.

MAF- Fall Festival Online Crop



We are having our first online crop at MEMORIES ALWAYS FOREVER!!!

And we are very excited about it!!!
Save the Date: October 17-18, 2009 at MEMORIES ALWAYS FOREVER

We will have tons of:
CHALLENGES: Bingo card, Sketch challenge, Card challenge, Color Combo Challenge, Card Sketch, Prompt challenge, Recipe LO challenge, Use your Stash among others!!!
GAMES: Bingo, Scavenger Hunt, Scramble words, Unscramble!!!
MAKE AND TAKES: Flower Tree, Origami Box!!!

And of course PRIZESSSSSS!!!!

Please remember to register at MEMORIES ALWAYS FOREVER to be eligible to win a prize.

I'll be hosting a Thanksgiving card challenge-- more details soon!

Need for Speed


On the Squigglefly group in SNR the color challenge for this week was to make a card using mainly yellow plus an element that pops up. They even offered this image as a freebie! I opted to use a google eyes and pop-up my computer generated sentiment. Originally, I was going to use a sentiment about riding a lemon and thus the lemon paper (ancient stash from Miss Elizabeth.)

Shout out to SheetLoad and win!





Would you like to win a gift certificate to DRS Designs' online store?! Make sure to check out October's 'Shout Out to SheetLoad' challenge over on the SheetLoad blog.

SCS249 + Sunshine Stamp's New Signature Line

Today is Wednesday and it is SCS sketch challenge day (SCS249) AND my day to show off my Sunshine's Stamps creations for the week. This is a special week because the new line of signature stamps was launched featuring Sunny Bunny himself! There's even a bunny for breast cancer awareness called "Boobie Bunny." Sentiments are now available too! Sometimes the worst part of digital images is trying to come up with a snappy sentiment in a cool font. I just love these new Halloween images and their accompanying sentiments. They are all separate images so they can be used together (like I did) or individually.

I went "distressed" above by sponging Distress ink around the edges of the card and adding lots of extra (gray and beige and brown) ink to my colored image. For my second card (which I actually made first!) I went clean and simple but added some Stickles to the Sunny Bunny's puffy tail! I didn't use traditional Halloween colors because I needed a break from orange/purple and green for today!

On October 17 Sunshine's Stamps will be holding its first ever blog hop! There will be prizes and mystery blog candy. I'll excited to be participating!

Family Portrait Tomorrow


When I was in high school I had a friend named Angi. Angi was into music and favored "punk" style hair and clothes. Back in my day, the "cutting edge" of cool was a mohawk, spiked hair or bright colored highlights (Angi liked peacock blue and neon pink!) I can only imagine how Angi's Mom felt the first time Angi arrived home with colored hair (family portrait tomorrow!) And so Angi inspired my card today. (BTW- Angi was a DIEHARD Adam Ant fan so Little Rocker is listening to Goody Two Shoes!)

Challenges:
Pink Elephant #35- Orange, Black, White & Purple
MMSC #22
Digital Tuesday- Music to my ears

As soon as I saw the music themed challenge, I immediately thought of Little Rocker from Squigglefly and the newly retired "A Little Note" set from Clear Artistic Stamps. It was easy to combine the color and sketch challenges to make the card ;)

My all time favorite color combination


When I saw Squigglefly's challenge #22 today I smiled! Pink and blue is my favorite color combination (specifically navy and pale pink). I combined it with the Mojo Madness #107 sketch. By the way- I know there is a splice in my photo- by the time I realized it was there I had deleted my original photo and it is too dark to take another. I am having THAT kind of day.

I felt like smacking stamps to cardstock tonight so I reached for my newest stamp set from Clear Artistic Stamps-- Stationary Time. Inside the flowers added detail with a dark blue marker.

MAF Card Tag Reveal

Kim, our Card making and Stamping DT leader over at Memories, Always-Forever hosted a round of card tag over at MAF. She lifted a card from the gallery by Julie Boeckul as her inspiration:

Inspiration card

Here’s Kim's lift:

my card

Here's Leah's take :

2

See what Diana did?

Diana 3

Heeeerrrreee's Vanessa:

Vanessa 4

Here is Mary's:

Mary5

Chris was next:

6mudmaven

Dawn was next!

Dawn7

Here's MINE. I don't have a large circle cutter (wait till you see what I want for Christmas Mom- either a breadmaker or a stamping toy)

Heather8

Look at Monica's (LOVE that DP):

Monica 9

Here's Joakima's

Joakima 10

Sparkles Christmas


Today was my day to post on the In the Cottage Studio blog for Clear Artistic Stamps. Last week we posted an inside~out challenge and this is my project. Wondering what's inside? You nee to go check out my post there!

Show us your SheetLoad

Since many of you will be celebrating World Card Making Day tomorrow, SheetLoad of Cards is putting out their monthly "Show Us Your SheetLoad" challenge a bit early this month...

Head on over to the SheetLoad blog today and find out how you can win one of the following prizes from their October '09 sponsor, DRS Designs!

Grand Prize:


Runner Up:


SheetLoad October issue ready for free download



It is time for a new issue of SheetLoad of Cards!! The October '09 issue is ready for download at the SheetLoad blog.



This issue was sponsored by DRS Designs and features a fabulous sketch by Ann. We were lucky enough to have Cathy, the DRS Designs DT Coordinator, and some of their fabulous DT members join us in the issue.



Make sure to check out the eZine or the top of the blog for DRS Designs' ad... they have a special offer for SheetLoad readers! (Pssst FREE SHIPPING! Just use the code in their ad)

Also the ShortCuts online store will be closing soon. Shop right now for 25% discount. Check out the details HERE.