The Apple of My Eye

Happy Monday! I think that it has been forever since I have actually posted on a Monday. I don't usually get to stamp enough during the weekend to have anything to post. I did get to finish up one quick card.

Just a quick update on how things are going for Priscilla's Medical fund.

We are almost half way to my goal. I have a goal of 1,000 dollars. That isn't much when you consider what medical bills are, but I think it is something we can achieve. Keep spreading the word. Everyday donations trickle in. Thank YOU!


This is for the Moxie Fab challenge again.

I did a few things to focus on the gradient of colors. The ribbon at the bottom are pretty obvious. I did that by coloring my celery ribbon with my Copics in 3 different shades. There is also a gradient of using 3 buttons with 2,3,4 button holes. The leaf at the top is colored in a gradient of greens, as well as, the apple being colored in a gradient of reds.


I hope that you can see it a bit better in this picture.

I used 2 stamps from my Unity KOTM for this. I can't believe how many stamps I have inked up from that sheet in less than a week of receiving it. As far as the sentiment, I only used the first 2 words. The inside of the card says " the world a better place."
How true is that for a teacher?

I'm not sure which teacher will get this yet. My daughter really LOVES her language arts teacher. I have had to try and do her hair the same as Mrs. F's and now my daughter wants fake nails because Mrs. F has them too.

Yesterday she and I went shopping while my son was at a bday party. I took her to get a few things at the mall. She needs some new earrings so we stopped at Claire's. As we were leaving she saw some fake press on nails. I told her she had to use her own money for those.

Here's the thing....my Daughter has THE MOST BEAUTIFUL nails. We have had people comment on how beautiful they are...long, strong and gorgeous. Just like my sister's. She started cutting them off over the summer and now she wants FAKE ONES?! Her REAL ones are much prettier than fake. (Heavy sigh) The years of hair pulling, frustration are starting as my little girl is entering prepubescence . I am NOT ready for this. The bright side....at least it's only fake nails and not other fake things if you get my drift.

Hope you have a nicer Monday than it is here. I've been singing, "The sun'll come out TOMORROW...." It's not working:(

Toodles!

What's In It?
Stamps: Unity KOTM Sept, Verve All about You (inside)
Ink: Choc Chip Craft
Other: Choc Chip marker, paper piercer, dimensionals, Copics, Signo gel pen, grosgrain ribbon, buttons (TPS), corner rounder, embroidery thread

Oh, Woe Is Me....

....a pumpkin farmer I shall never be. This was the ONLY pumpkin that was produced from the 2 enormous pumpkin plants I grew this year. So I am just going to stick with an easier version of pumpkin making. The paper crafting kind.



The challenge today at STAMPTACULAR SUNDAY CHALLENGE is to make something with a tag on it. Anything as long as there is a tag somewhere. I have to say that tags aren't "my thing." I don't know why, but I have a hard time making them. That's why we call it a challenge. I ended up making 2 projects because my original tag didn't work out so well with my original project.

The first is this cute little pumpkin container that I made out of a planter from the dollar spot at Target. It is filled with a super yummy snack. Take one package of Candy Corn and combine in it with one can of Peanuts. Such the perfect blend of sweet and salty.


The second project is a "Witches broom" idea I used a few years ago for a Pumpkin Carving Party. I got the idea from Martha Stewart. You simply cut strips down the paper bag, fill it with some kind of treat, insert a stick and tie it up.

Do you want to know what's in it? Ok, honestly, NOTHING! If it had been closer to Halloween I would have made Butter Toffee Popcorn. This is SOOOO GOOOD!
I'll post the recipe at the bottom of the post.

I wanted to mention that on each tag I used a stamp from UNITY, who has so graciously donated SEVERAL stamps and stamp sets to my Blog Candy for A Cause. You can also get Unity stamps from Paper Maniac LLC.

I hope you can play along this week.

We have the wonderful LINE as our sponsor.

Please make sure you check out all the design team member's blogs and leave them some love. We will be saying goodbye to a few of them as they head towards new ventures. That means that next week you will see a few new faces.

BUTTER TOFFEE POPCORN
1 cup butter (NO substitutions)
2 cups light brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 batches of popped popcorn ( I don't use microwave...I don't think it would work well)
1 jar dry roasted peanuts (optional)

Melt butter, stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring mixture to boil; boil hard for 5 minutes without stirring

Remove from heat, add baking soda and vanilla. Stir quickly and pour over popcorn. Mix well. Spread in a roasting pan.

Bake for 1 hour in a 250 degree F oven. Every 15 minutes, remove from oven and stir to mix evenly. When finished remove from oven and spread on an absorbent paper towel to cool.

ENJOY!

What's In It?

Stamps: Fun Faces, Tasty Sweet, Unity KOTM Sept, Unity The Boo Crew
Ink: Versafine Black, Memento Black, Tango Tangerine, Only Orange, Choc chip
Paper: Black, White
Other: Copics, Nesties Labels 5 and 3, various ribbon from hobby lobby, cellophane bag, 1 3/4 circle punch, black buttons (TPS), white inkssentials gel pen

If You Want A Tasty Treat

Good morning all. We have a rather wet looking football game to attend in about 20 minutes. So I have to be quick. My guilt free day in the basement never happened. Guilt took over when I looked at my messy house. I did make one more card for the Make A Child Smile foundation. Please take this weekend to make a card for a child and then post it here for a chance to win a stamp set.

This card uses Taylor's Sketch...sort of:) I made this a spinner card. I have been wanting to do that for YEARS. That fishing line has been tucked in my stash for a LONG time. This really wasn't too hard to do. I used a lot of old things which is great. I'm learning to stop hoarding things. I may as well use it up and make someone smile. It's just collecting dust otherwise.

Here is the inside...it's kind of plain, but I still need to write a message so that will fill it up. I made this card for CALEB.


I'll have to go so check back if you want the details. One detail you can't forget...GOOGLIE EYES. They make EVERYTHING more fun.

I'm back! We lost. The other team's boys were HUGE. One kid got carried off the field. We were all trying to figure out who got hurt, but no one could see that far down the field. It was MY kid...I thought I recognized those scabby legs. He is fine though. Just got his ankle crushed...he "walked it off." That's what football player's do right?

Anyway, here are the deets...

What's In It?
Stamps: Retro Backgrounds (PTI), Tasty Sweet, Trick or Treat
Ink: versafine black, versamark
Paper: Tango Tangerine, Halloween DP(retired), white
Other: CM cutting system, 1 3/4" circle punch, fancy fibers, clear EP, button, fish line, dimensionals, Martha Stewart punch

Is this MOXIE FAB?

I just love saying, "Moxie Fab." It is becoming my second favorite word...Serendipity is my first. Go ahead... say it out loud..... It's fun to say.

"A Moxie Fab Serendipity of a day to ye." ( in my best English accent)

Did you ever pretend to have an accent when you were a kid? I did. Like anyone believed that I was from Ireland or Australia. Still it was fun. I find my daughter doing it occasionally. She also pretends to be from Texas. The funniest thing she says in that Southern drawl is, "Stop pullin' ma chicken leg." Crazy kid!

I had to come back and add that after I had uploaded this card to my Splitcoast gallery the advertisement at the top had the definition of SERENDIPITY!!! How funny is that? It was for a company called Serendipity Stamps.
I just had to share that.


Anyways, my card today is for the MOXIE FAB Challenge. We were to make a card using a gradient of colors.


I had to use this big bird stamp...Not the Sesame Street version. I decided to take my Martha Stewart pigment inks and apply them in strips. These are pigment inks so they didn't blend as well as I would have liked. Then I pulled out my Stampamajig and stamped it again in versamark and applied Iridescent Ice EP for some shimmer. The edges have just a hit of ink added to them and the whole card is layered on a strip of black. BOTH of these stamps are in this months UNITY KOTM. I used a sentiment stamp from Inkadinkado (I think) on the inside.

It reads, " Life's most beautiful things are not seen with the eyes, but felt with the heart."

I love this saying because I think it holds so much truth. Don't you think a person can become more or less beautiful on the outside to you depending on how beautiful or not they are on the inside?

I'm not sure the sun shall ever shine so that my pictures can come out better, but we shall hope. Hope you have a fabulous weekend. I'm going to take the day and just sit in my craft room without guilt. I may have something for you tomorrow. If not, make sure you check back here on Sunday for another Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.

Double THANK YOU!

I have 2 cards to share today. First, though, I would like to thank 2 people.

I contacted Ashley Newell yesterday to see if she would be willing to help me spread the word about my blog candy. Without hesitation she wrote up an AMAZING post on her blog. Thank you Ashley! What she mentioned, that I failed to remember, is that even if you CAN'T donate, you CAN help spread the word.

I am happy to say that more donations have come in since her post. YES! THAT is the fabulous thing about blogging. The world seems to "shrink" in a GOOD way. I am amazed at how many people from other countries are donating and spreading the word.

I also would like to thank Michelle from DIGIMENTS. She has offered to ADD to my blog candy. She is offering TWO $15 dollar gift certificates to her online digital sentiments store. How awesome is that! Upon checking out Michelle's blog I found that she is an extremely generous person, as she is also donating to Travelingmama's fund for school children in Morrocco. WHAT a generous SPIRIT. Michelle also has some great "how to" videos for using the digitals. Love that!

I also want to thank ALL the people who have donated so far and for all the wonderful words you have shared with me. I was moved to tears by the comments. What moved me most was one special person who asked me to share her donation with another who was going through a similar situation as Priscilla and couldn't donate at this time. Beautiful Souls...you all have such beautiful souls.

So a double thank you to ALL OF YOU! I would love to be able to thank each and everyone of you personally. However, my next 2 cards will have to do. They are for all of you.

Both of these cards were pretty quick. Right now I have a lot of things I am working on that AREN'T for me personally. So quick cards are what I am thriving on at the moment.

This one was inspired by the little one I babysit. Her PJ's were so darn cute!

I used the Back 2 Basics (The Stamps of Life) set again and paired it with a Jillibean felt flower.

BTW, Stephanie is offering $1 shipping right now. Holy Cow!

This card again uses the Back 2 Basics and my new KOTM from UNITY! I got it in the mail yesterday. Seriously, if you don't participate in the Unity Kit of the Month you should. It is soooo cheap and you get so many amazing, HUGE images and awesome sentiments. I love it because I get things I may not purchase on my own and it helps me to stretch my creativity.

One thing it has not helped me with is SEWING. I can't believe I can't even sew a WONKY line. UGH! Awful! But, you can see what I was TRYING to do, so just work with me, ok?

I paired the circles from Back 2 Basics with the flower in this month's KOTM (which you don't have to purchase each month...no commitment....that's so perfect...just telling you more perks....moving on now:) I also used the colors for the EMBELLISH online magazine publication call. However, I don't think BAD wonky stitching is allowed:(

One more detail.....I used the Technique Challenge on Splitcoast this week for the button.

Before I sign off I just wanted to say Thank You and big HUGS from me to you. Also, I still need more participants for the challenge in honor of Priscilla. There's an extra prize up for grabs there too!

What's In It?
Card 1
Stamps: Back 2 basics, Retro background (PTI)
Ink: Choc Chip, Rose Red, Pixie Pink, Old Olive, choc chip craft
Paper: Vellum cardstock, Dark Chocolate (PTI), white, pixie pink
Other: green twill ( joann's), Binding Egde edger, Jillibean flowers, flower brad, pearls ( recollections), corner rounder, dimensionals, clear EP

Card 2
Stamps: Sept KOTM (Unity), Back 2 basics
Ink: Choc Chip craft, Fresh Snow (PTI), Real Red, Tempt. Turq.
Paper: Kraft, vanilla
Other: Janome Sew Mini, 1/2" circle punch, paper piercer, burlap twine, dimensionals, crystal effects

Fuzzy, Wuzzy Was A....

....POLAR Bear.

Fuzzy, Wuzzy had (Flower Soft) Polar White Hair:)

That's my REALLY BAD rhyme for the day. I just got some Polar White Flower Soft to try on some of the winter projects that I have in mind.

My card today uses the Card Patterns Sketch 33.

I know that it's hard to see in this picture, but it is a clear acrylic card.

Here's a side view:

I used several things that I got from Paper Maniac LLC. They have sponsored SEVERAL things in my Blog Candy for a Cause. I think they have a rockin' store. I used some really cool Cosmo Cricket paper called JOLLY by GOLLY. That little polar bear was also one of my purchases from the "dollar" section of the store. (It's no longer there, but they have many other things)

I also made this card to send as part of my challenge to Make a Child Smile. Do you want to play along and win a stamp set? Check out the details HERE.

I have to share the story of making this card because usually nothing in my life every goes very easily. I'm not complaining. It's just a fact of my life and I've learned to try and "roll with it."

So I'm up early this morning making this card. Trying out my new product, Flower Soft, and this new paper. I realize that the colors on this paper are REALLY hard to match with ANYTHING I have. I'm thinking I may try to incorporate some red into it.

After coloring the scarf all one color I decided maybe this is where I'll add the red. Mind you, this is AFTER I have already put the Flower Soft on.

I'm carefully coloring with my red Copic marker when I see that some of the Flower Soft has been SATURATED with red ink. Now I have a card for a sick child that has a BLEEDING Polar Bear on the front. Oh Yeah! THAT'S UPLIFTING:( UGH!!!!!

Fortunately, I was able to pluck the bloody pieces off and salvage the card. Then I decided to add some black dimensional paint that I just got for another craft project. Well, it ended up dripping and so my Polar Bear looked like one of those Mimes with the sad eyes who has been crying. Black eye make up smeared everywhere. Racoon eye-ish if you will.

I was bound and determined that this %$*&@ card was going to be HAPPY darn it! After stamping and redoing that Polar Bear about 6 times, I FINALLY got it right. AND I think he's cute. I hope that it makes Justine, the girl I am sending this to, smile. The inside says "Sending you Polar Bear Hugs."

I should be back tomorrow with another dotted card:D

What's In It?
Stamps: Imaginisce Polor Bear
Ink: Black Memento
Paper: Jolly by Golly, White, snow vellum
Other: Acrylic sheet, scalloped edge punch, dimensionals, prismacolor pencils, Inkssentials white gel pen, paper piercer, glitter, snowflake button, pearls (recollections) Janome Sew mini, ribbon (hobby lobby), crystal effects, Copics

Hey Friend!

I got to make a very quick card using that fabulous set that you could win HERE! This time I paired it up with another stamp set. I think the Back 2 Basics set is so perfect for using to make backgrounds. This card is for my husband's very good friend back in Michigan. Her birthday is coming up.

I am so excited to use this dotted ribbon that I have seen pop up on so many blogs. It is by Creative Impressions and I found it at my local scrapbook store. I THOUGHT I got such a deal on it....only 30 cents a yard. Yeah! Can you believe it? Too good to be true, right? Well, you ARE right. They sell it by the FOOT not yard. UGH! Still, I loved it so much ( and they had already cut it) that I HAD to get it. Apparently, they are now switching over to selling it by the yard. NOT at 30 cents though:( Bummer.

Ok, I have a gazillion things I am currently working on. I may head down and create one more "dotted wonder" while the baby sleeps. I was so inspired by her outfit this morning that I have to do it. Sorry if you are sick of dots. Just one more...I think,ok?

Hope you have a great Tuesday. Hey! Is anyone else ready for some cooler weather? Don't you just get to that point where you are ready to wear some jeans and a long sleeve shirt? Besides, I'm sick of shaving my legs, ya know? Just a random thought for today.

Don't forget that you can help out a special someone AND have the opportunity to win some BIG blog candy HERE

See you!

What's In It?
Stamps: Back 2 Basics (SOL), Wishing You the Best
Ink: Colorbox Rose, Versamark,
Paper: Text Pink from SOL, White
Other: Clear EP, Glitter, 2 way glue pen, Sharpie marker, dotted pink ribbon (creative impressions, button (TPS), black embroidery floss, swiss dots EF, cuttlebug, scalloped punch, circle punch, Kaiser Pearl, Inkssentials white gel pen

Fall Picnic Basket

Today the challenge over at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge is to make ANYTHING, well Anything BUT a Card, that is:)

I decided to use one of MY TIMELESS TEMPLATES by Lauren Meader. This one is called Pack a Picnic. It is really quite big and rather easy to assemble. I got some gorgeous new paper by Bo Bunny called Kitchen Spice. I love it. I never used to like the color orange. Now I'm becoming quite fond of it. I also used a new set called Autumn Blessing by Papertrey Ink. I had so much fun coloring this in. These are totally MY colors. I have a very similar flower arrangement on my kitchen table.

As I said before this basket is very big. It also has a lid that you can make. I decided to add a scalloped edge instead. Lauren's templates come with a about 5 different design ideas along with the directions. All this for only $5. She even has 2 free templates that you can try before buying. She just made the cutest stocking from one of them HERE. Do you want to see what I put in mine?


Peanut Butter Cup Cookies!

I think I may love chocolate and peanut butter as much as the women in the blog where I got this recipe. You can get 2 different recipes HERE.

YOU can have a chance at winning TWO My Timeless Templates and a Papertrey Ink stamps set, along with a slew of other things HERE. Don't forget to check it out. I also still need participants in my Challenge in honor of Priscilla. There's some stuff up for grabs there too!

Now head on over to SSC and check out all the Design Team's fabulous creations. They have some really cute stuff. I hope you have a great week to create!

What's In It?
Stamps: PTI Autumn Blessings, Linen background
Paper: DCWV Sand, Choc Chip, Bo Bunny DP, White, DP orange
Ink: Sahara Sand, Memento Brown,
Other: Copics, Signo Gel Pen, scalloped circle nesties, CM circle cutter, Ribbon (HL), Brads, scalloped edge punch, EK success scalloped punch, dimensionals, sponge

How Is It.....

.......FRIDAY already? I mean, really, WHERE did the week go?

I have a quick post today using the colors from The Color Throwdown and the cute, premiere set by Stephanie Bernard called Back 2 Basics ( The Stamps of Life).

YOU could win this set. See how HERE.


One of my favorite things to use with stamping is flower images. I LOVE FLOWERS! And in case you couldn't tell by my blog design, I also love circles and dots. Combining them just makes me happy. That's one reason why I love this set.

I messed up right at the end when embossing the word "hi" so I just covered it up with the big bermuda circle. I'm having serious white EP problems. I need to get some that is new I guess.
I also used a new punch by EK success. I also get giddy over scallops. They are half circles after all.

Every stamped element on this card is from the set that I have up for grabs. So go check out the challenge and play along. Don't forget the awesome blog candy on my left sidebar too!

Hope you have a great Friday!

What's In It?
Stamps: Back2Basics
Ink: Versamark, snow white (PTI), Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Dusk Blue (Martha Stewart)
Paper: Lemon Tart (PTI), Bermuda bay, DCWV Olive
Other: Bermuda Bay ribbon, Circle punches, EK Success scalloped punch, Scalloped edge punch, dimensionals, button, Janome sew mini, Inkssentials white gel pen, embroidery floss, swiss dots EF, cuttlebug

Happy Blogiversary To ME:) and a CHALLENGE

I just received this card in the mail last week. It was addressed in a child's handwriting. I thought it was for my kids. It was from the boy that I sent a card to awhile back. It was such a nice surprise.

WANNA WIN SOMETHING? KEEP READING TO FIND OUT HOW THIS CARD AND YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ARE RELATED.

Today is my official 1st Year Anniversary of blogging. I have had a lot of firsts in that year.

It is the first time that I decided to try Acrylic stamps! LOVE THEM:)

It's the first time I decided to branch out and try new stamping companies...so HAPPY I did.

It's my first time of being on a design team...SO fun!

It's my first year of really feeling like I'm ok being a SAHM. I know that may sound silly, but it was a big adjustment for me to not go to work.

It's the first time I THINK I've figured out where I want to go with a career path.

It's the first year I had a REALLY hard time with my birthday. Mainly because I found out I am actually a year older than I thought I was:(

It's the first year I realized that it doesn't matter what I look like, I NEED to take pictures of myself for my kids. They love me even when I look like poo.

It's the first time I've ever been on a committee of any sort. The biggest lesson I got out of it was that it doesn't matter "what you are in life" (doctor, lawyer, business executive, SAHM:), EVERYONE has a contribution to make.

It's the first year I realized just how FAST my kids are growing...it STINKS, BTW!

AND it's my first solo CHALLENGE!

I hope you will participate. You have the chance to win this FABULOUS set called Back to Basics from The Stamps of Life. It is the Premiere set and I can't wait for the next release. These images come in DIGITAL FORMAT as well. How cool is that. You can sign up for her CLUB and receive a discount on each release. I must say that shipping was FAST too. I LOVE THAT!



Also up for grabs is this ribbon assortment that is sooo cute. Patti at PAPER MANIAC LLC donated this, as well as, a few other things in my BIG BLOG CANDY! Thanks guys....You ROCK!

Speaking of ROCKING... here is a card I made with the set you could win....



I also made this quick card. It's a bad picture though...

Wouldn't you love to win this stuff? Here's what you need to do:

I would like for you to make a card for a sick child. One website that you can visit is called Make a Child Smile. There are several others. It doesn't matter which one you choose. Please be honest and send it though. Also note that many times these organizations have some DO's and DON'Ts. Please read these so that your card is taken in the fashion it was meant...with a good heart.

Link your project up here:




I will randomly draw a winner on October 16th. Thanks for playing!

Also, don't forget to CHECK OUT THE HUGE BLOG CANDY AND HOW YOU CAN WIN THAT TOO! Click HERE for details.

I Know....

......I promised a challenge today. I will be back to post it.

Monster headaches for me have delayed my progress on this. I am sooo sorry.

I will be back later with it. I promise:)

A Weekend Sketch

Here is a card for Beate's Weekend Sketch 97. Of course I had to turn the sketch again. I didn't mean to, the card just looked better that way. I have started using my glue gun to secure my buttons on my cards now. What a "duh" moment. The ONLY drawback is that once it's down it's down. There is no moving. So that is why my second button is a little "off."

I used some new paper by Cosmo Cricket called EARTH LOVE and I got it from the new store in town called Paper Maniac LLC. Patty, the owner, was wonderful to work with in donating to my blog candy. Make sure you check out the store and the blog. They have a challenge every two weeks and you can win a gift certificate to the store. Woo hoo! Wouldn't take me long to spend that. Anyways, I love this paper. It so soft and soothing. I also used a digital image called Gretal from ATS. I think she is just darling.

I made this card for my daughter. She has just been so cute and funny lately. She is getting way too big. Sunday she decided that she wanted to enjoy the sunshine, but she MUST finish the last Harry Potter book. So she went out and sat on the rock in our front yard. The way she was hunched over reminded me of THE THINKER statue. That is a perfect description of her. She is always thinking, studying, learning, inquiring....etc. She is NOTHING like me:) I didn't get a picture of her in her "pose," but she let me take a picture.

I think she is definitely the "Queen of Cute."

Now in case you didn't know,I am giving aways some HUGE blog candy. You can check that out HERE.

See you tomorrow with a CHALLENGE:)

What's In It?
Stamps: Gretel digital image, Practically Perfect (verve), Bundle of Bouquets (MFT)
Ink: Basic Grey, Brillance Black
Paper: Earth Love, Bareley Banana, Vanilla, White
Other: Scalloped Circle Nesties, CM Circle Cutter, Satin ribbon (Joann's), Button (TPS), stardust stickles, Copics, Scalloped Edge Punch, Dimensionals

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG CANDY IS NOW CLOSED. A HUGE THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU THAT DONATED AND MADE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE!

My BIG announcement:)

The Big Event

About a month ago, I realized that I was approaching my First Blog-iversary. Now usually people celebrate with some BLOG CANDY. Today is NO exception! I have some HUGE blog candy to share. My blog candy, though, is a little different. I'm calling it my "Blog Candy for a Cause." Let me explain...

About 6 months ago I had the honor of being welcomed onto the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge Design Team. Priscilla is the driving force behind our fun challenge blog. Although I have never actually met her, I could tell right away that she was a special person.

She has been a foster parent and was discussing the possibility of adopting another child when she was diagnosed with Cancer. In the meantime, both her husband and daughter have suffered some health issues as well. Just when they thought it couldn't get much worse...more "bumps in the road" ensued.

Let me share a few of the specifics in Priscilla's own words....

"Shortly after I was diagnosed with Cancer, I was laid off from my job and about six months after that Mack was laid off too with no hopes of ever being called back. I didn't qualify for unemployment because I was a private nanny, but thank goodness Mack did. However, as anyone knows, you can't truly survive on what unemployment pays. So, not only did we no longer have jobs and a financial means to support ourselves, but I also no longer had medical insurance and had a pre-existing condition.

" Just goes to show that we all stumble upon a few bumps in the road. BUT...with love ,family, friends and HOPE....together, we can get through anything!"

In all the time that I have "known" Priscilla I have been amazed by her commitment to being as positive and upbeat as possible. She never complains. She continues running the "behind the scenes activities" each week, as well as, coming up with ways to keep our challenge blog above and beyond amazing. She inspires me in more ways than one. Maybe it's because I feel a kinship towards her. ( She lives only about 2 hours from me here in Ohio. She is also 38 and, like her, I have always wanted to adopt.) Or maybe it's just because she is truly AMAZING!

I believe that each person that comes into our lives leaves an impression on us in some way and that we ALL have the ability to affect the people we meet each and everyday. I know that Priscilla has made a huge impression on me.

I decided that I wanted my blog candy to be so much more than just a "giveaway." I wanted it to MEAN something.

So I am asking you to help me to raise money for Priscilla and her family to help pay for their medical bills. In return you will have a chance to win some HUGE Blog Candy.

This is a chance for you to make a difference in someone's life. I am asking you to donate money to a fund set up for her and her family. Maybe you'll donate because you want a chance to win. Maybe you have no interest in my blog candy and you just want to help from your heart. Whatever your reason I hope you will and that you spread the word. That's the great thing about blogging. I am asking you to help me to get as many donations as we can, ok?

This "EVENT" will run until October 16th. That is Boss's Day if it helps you remember:)

Edited....This event will stay open through Friday the 16th. I will tally up all the entries on Saturday and my children will pick the winner. I will then announce the winner on Sunday during the STAMPTACULAR SUNDAY CHALLENGE POST
I should have made that more clear...sorry:(

Are you ready? Here's what you need to do.

UPDATE: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE A COMMENT SO I KNOW THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE BLOG CANDY AFTER YOU DONATE. I have family and friends that are also donating that aren't interested in my blog candy. Therefore I will be matching donations to names linked in my comments section for the drawing. Thank you!

1. See that little DONATE BUTTON at the top of my sidebar? Donate at least $5 towards Priscilla's medical fund.

2. Save the image of my blog candy to your computer and post it on the sidebar of your blog with the title BLOG CANDY FOR A CAUSE with a direct link to my blog. Let's try to raise as much money as possible for Priscilla! (If you don't have a blog just post a card onto an online site and mention IN BIG BOLD LETTERS about this event...then post the link in the comments section)

3. Leave me a comment linking to your blog and letting me know that you have made a donation.

4. You don't have to "follow me." However, I will be featuring the companies that have graciously donated for this event. It's a great way to learn about them and see some of their products. I will also be offering another small challenge to win another prize. Stay tuned for that on Wednesday. I may end up offering a few more surprises along the way too. You never know!

Want a second chance to win? Donate more than $10 and I will put your name in the drawing TWICE.

Do you want to see what you can win?

Not Pictured, but also included

2 My Timeless Templates of your choice
A Papertrey Ink stamp set of your choice
A $10 gift certificate to The Digichick
Magnolia Stamp added
Two $15 gift Certificates to DIGIMENTS added

I am SOOOOOOO grateful to the following companies and design team members for donating to create this blog candy that would retail for about $275. (that is MY estimate)

UNITY
Paper Maniac LLC
The DigiChick
My Favorite Things
Lauren Meader for My Timeless Templates and Papertrey Ink
The Stamps of Life
Carly of Paper In Bloom
Paula of Paula's Ponderings
Liza of Pink Candy Stripes
Kristen of Lilsweetpea's Place

Janneke of Janneke's Creations
DIGIMENTS

This blog candy COULD NOT have been possible without them. I am forever grateful for their heartfelt generosity. The candy is so big that I had a hard time getting a good picture of it. So, here is what we have pictured:

2 Unity stamps sets: Little Buggers, Tiny Trinity 3 Single Unity stamps , MFT Farm Friends, Verve Plain Janes (2), Heidi Swap Love stamp, Circles Scallop#2 Sizzix die cut,Sizzle Floral Fusion die, Jolee flower punch, Cutterbee piercing bugs, Making Memories Spellbound stamp set, Alota Rubber Stamps Halloween set,Sassafrass Wee Bundle ,Spinner card,American Crafts ribbon and Mini Jewel Brads,Ice Circles Rhinestone brads,KI chipboard letter, WeRMemory Keepers Jumbo eyelets, Designer brads,Decorative borders by Recollections,Copics, Flourishes V2 by Stampology, Alphabet stickers, Corduroy Flowers by American Crafts, MM charm eyelets, Giraffe clear stamp by Prima, Chipboard and flowers, metal edge tags, On Board Art Journal, On Board Book Basics, 5x7 brag book, Gable boxes(3), adhesive badges by American Crafts and various stickers and embellishments.

Are you pumped? I am! I hope you can help me spread the word about the lovely Priscilla.

Come back and visit me tomorrow for a card. Since Wednesday is my actual blogiversary
(how do you spell that BTW?) I will be hosting a special CHALLENGE in honor of Priscilla with a separate PRIZE for that. I hope you visit with me often because I will have some great things to share about my fabulous SPONSORS throughout the month.

See you soon!

Happy Stamptacular Sunday!

This week the challenge is a sketch! Don't you just love that? So hop on over to check it out at the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge blog.

It always amazes me how many different takes there can be to the same sketch. Make sure you check out all the design team's creations.

When I saw this sketch I couldn't get the image of a swing out of my head, so that's what I did.


This card really takes me back to my childhood. I used to stay at my "grandma's" house a lot in the summers. I was a totally introverted kid and loved playing by myself on her farm. She had outhouses, a huge garden, porches, an empty chicken coop and tons of fruit trees. I used to swing on a tire that hung from an apple tree. From that same tree we would gather apples and make homemade applesauce. Maybe that's why I love to make applesauce at this time of the year. It's so great to travel back to those wonderful memories. While I'm happy to say that I didn't LOOK like the child in this card ( which I got HERE), every time I see it I am reminded of me. I didn't intend on making this card for me, but that's exactly what I've done. The inside reads "and embrace each one."

A few things to note about this card:

1. Copics are fabulous for color coordinating your buttons or ribbon. I colored my top button to match.

2. My swing was hand drawn.

3. My sentiment banner is raised in the center for a little extra dimension.


I hope you can join us for the challenge this week and I hope you have a chance to visit some old memories!

Make sure you join me tomorrow for my BIG announcement!

What's In It:
Stamps: digital boy and dog, Unity KOTM June
Ink: baroque burgundy. chocolate chip
Paper: sahara sand, vanilla, choc chip, DCWV olive, Jillibean Soup
Other: Copics, twine, dimensionals, buttons, sizzlet leaf

TODAY.....

I Remember

This Card in NO Way.....

......depicts that I am ready for SNOW! Nope! Not in ONE bit am I ready for it. However, isn't this the cutest card! I love the bright cheery colors and the image from the Digi Stamp Boutique is a must if you love to build snowmen and have snowball fights.

I really do love the snow. It is one of the things that I miss about Michigan. TONS of snow to build snow forts, snow men and snowballs. Plus sledding. We used to live in the country and could just sled down the hill in our backyard. LOVED it! Then follow that up with red noses and cheeks on my little ones combined with us sitting around the table with hot cocoa. THE BEST MEMORIES!

Do you feel this fun and cheery about snow? Here in Ohio the last few years we have gotten "dumped on." It just doesn't stay as long. It's sad, but we haven't gone sledding since we moved here. I hope to change that this year.

I made this card following Splitcoast's Sketch Challenge this week. I got my colors from that super fun paper by Cosmo Cricket. I plan to add a small white pom pom to her hand so it looks like she is throwing a snowball. You have to use your imagination here since I didn't have any little white ones...just green and blue. I also added some glitter to my snow. I am really working on coloring with my copics. So far, it's not going the way I'd like. I think I'm going to sign up for a class...hopefully. X (crossing my fingers).

Gotta finish up. The little one is getting bored.

What's In It?
Stamps: Digi Stamp Boutique, Great Friend
Ink: Rose Red, Bermuda Bay
Paper: Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly, bermuda bay, barely banana, white
Other: BB ribbon, button, ribbon, copics, prismacolor pencils, baby oil, scalloped edge punch, janome sew mini, cuttlebug EF, sponge, 2 way glue, glitter, corner rounder, oval punch, scalloped oval punch, dimensionals

A Mojo Monday on Tuesday:)

I had a great day yesterday working along side my son as he painted and created in the basement with me.

I worked on a Mojo Monday Sketch...

It has been awhile since I've had enough Mojo to participate in the challenge. I am really into black lately. That and using some bling. I used a few of Taylor's Twinkles along the bottom and a big rhinestone brad, inside a filigree brad, attached to a grommet at the top. I also decided to knot my black satin ribbon in 3 areas for a different look. I kind of like it.

What's In It?
Stamps: Serenity (Verve), Unity KOTM
Ink: Basic Gray, Versafine Black
Paper: damask from The Paper Studio, Black, Off White textured, Naturals white Basic Grey Phoebe
Other: Labels 3 nesties, black satin ribbon, filligree and rhinestone brads, MS punch, Taylor's twinkles, sponge

While I did my Mojo thing my little guy worked on an airplane....



I love that my kids like to get crafty. My daughter didn't craft this weekend, but here is one of her latest creations.

She created her own paper doll house complete with a bed (hand sewn), a nightstand with a flower filled vase, tablecloths and a TV.

Here is another closeup.

She doesn't like to stamp with me, but she loves to make things with paper. She is so imaginative. She can make just about anything with tape, paper and scissors.

Hopefully we can get creative again this week. I hope you can too!

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you are all having a great weekend. It's pretty uneventful here. My son and I have been creating in the basement today. I made a card for a new challenge blog that I found. Scrapmaster's Paradise Color Combos. I am always looking for color combinations. I really liked this one. However there is a new one posted today. I'll have to try something with that one too.

I used one of the stamps from my Unity KOTM. I had to add a little bit of "bling" to my flowers. I know that my stitching is atrocious, but it took me so long to make that little strip that I decided, convinced myself really, that it gave this card the "perfect" handmade touch. Don't you agree? Look, don't tell me if you don't. Just work with me here. That yellow trim was another clearance find at Joann's. My letters are white thickers that were colored with a black sharpie marker.

Here is a detail shot:




Now that I have crafted I think I may have the motivation to clean. Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

What's In It?
Stamps: Unity KOTM and Bevy of Butterflies
Ink: Memento Black, Old Olive
Paper: DCWV olive textured, white,
Other: Yellow trim, pink grosgrain, bling and Taylor' twinkes, janome sew mini, button (TPS), thickers stickers, black sharpie marker, Copics