Celebrate Rejection!

Happy Saturday!  I know I said I would show pics of my craft area today, but I took A LOT and I won't have time to make up my post until later.  So they will be in another post that may just show up tomorrow.  We have a busy day of birthday celebrating.   I would have done it last night, but my son had a friend spend the night and my daughter and I treated each other to a spa extravaganza.  So fun!  We did each other's feet.  She massages my feet and since she hates massages I just have to paint her nails.  I think I'm getting the better deal:)

For now I just have a card to share. I used  another Moxie Fab sketch.  I think I am going to have to get that new release because I'm a girl that needs a sketch.  Here's the sketch:

And here's my take:

I also had to include the requirements for a few other challenges this week.  First up is Die Cuts R Us challenge 33.  I missed out last week so I just had to play along this week.  I had to put a bird on my project along with a stamped image.  This is another one of those "Bird REJECTS".  The embossing on it was not so good, but it goes with the aged texture of my paper this time around.  Actually, the glittered circle was in that pile too.  That's why I'm celebrating rejection:) I used a silhouette stamp for the CCEE challenge this week.  I know on another challenge blog I had to use pink, but I forgot to write it down.  Gotta find that one.  Also these are the colors  over at The Color Throwdown...grey, pink and olive.

My paper is from The Digi Chick and it's called, Beginnings.   I got some textured paper and printed it on that.  It's fun to touch now too!  Being that TEXTURE is the word over at Totally Gorjuss, I 'm entering there too:)

Yikes, gotta go.  I can hear the rowdy boys are up.  I'm sure they are hungry.

Have a blessed day!





What's In It?
Stamps: Life and Autumn Abundance PTI, Always
Ink: versamark, pink pirouette, going gray, antique linen
Paper; white, beginnings digital
Other: MS punch, circle nesties, dazzling diamonds, pink Offray ribbon, flowers, wintage buttons, dimensionals, corner rounder

Always On My Mind

  

Here is a Whimsy Creation I made this week.  I love frogs.  I think THIS ONE is so sweet.  Doesn't he just look like he is thinking about someone so fondly?

I used the colors from this weeks Color Throwdown: Chocolate Chip, Pink and Green.  I also used the sketch over at Splitcoast.  Allow me creative liberties on that though.  I have really been trying to use up my scraps.  Therefore, I can't really tell you where the paper I used comes from.  I know the pink is from The Digichick and the leaves are a card stock vellum.  My flower was made by using various sized circle punches.  I cut them out, distressed with a distressing tool and ink.  I really wish I could sew a circle.  I'm going to work on that.  Please check out this creation, as well as, many others over at the Whimsy Inspiration blog.

There is still time to enter to win some candy by spreading the word about this NEW inspiration blog.  

Don't forget to check over there next week.  I will be hosting a new challenge.  More details to come:) 

Sending My Love

Happy Thursday Peeps!  I know it's been pretty quiet here on the blog.   It took me a few days to recuperate from that nasty flu bug.  Now I am SUPER behind in so many things.  I have been busy creating, but it's for things that I can't show til this weekend.  Which actually begins TOMORROW.  Wow!  The week has flown by!  Speaking of tomorrow, it's the Release Party for PaperWorks Co.  They are introducing two new characters.  You can join us for some fun on the blog starting at 8pm my time:)  That's when all the new stamps will be revealed along with some samples to get your creative juices flowing.  Peggy also has some giveaways planned.  Hope to see you then!

  Now onto the card for today.  I whipped this up quickly this morning before everyone got up.  I am so excited because it covers quite a few challenges:  Yippee!

I used that Bo Bunny Love Bandit paper again.  I am sooo behind on Valentines right now that this sheet is going to make whipping up some cute, quick cards very easy for me.  Phew!  I made this card for The Color Throwdown  to use soft sky, pink, and kraft, The CCEE challenge to use hearts and a charm, The EBTKS challenge to use box tops, and the ABC blog SWEETHEART challenge.  I'm also going to add this to Paper Crafts February Gallery Challenge.

Are you wondering about the box tops?  Well, I just got rid of all my recycling last night so do you think I had an empty cereal box anywhere?  Nope!  I decided to take the remaining cereal out of th Fruity Pebbles box and will make my son finish it this morning..lol.  I used my Spellbinder's Heart Nesties to cut out two hearts and painted them with some acrylic paint.  Once dried, I stamped them with Antique Linene Distress ink and my Weathered back ground stamp.  I sponged the edges and added some pretty Melissa Frances pearls.  You would never know that Fred Flintstone's face is on the other side of those hearts.   

That's all for me today.  I'll see you back here tomorrow for another challenge creation!






What's In It?
Stamps: Weathered BG, Hearts Afire (verve)
Ink: pink colorbox, antique linen TH distress
Paper: Kraft, off white text DCWV, 
Other: Bo Bunny  Love Bandit cut out sheet, box, ribbon, charm, mounting tape, flourish EF, EK success border punch, scalloped edge punch, paint, MF pearls, paper piercer, heart nesties

I Need A KISS:)

If you are blowing me kisses right now, thank you.  However, that's not the kind of "kiss" I'm talking about.  I needed to make a Keep It Simple Silly card.  I tried to keep it more simple than this, but I just couldn't help adding a few more things.  I then tried to make another card that was simple and I hated it.  I'm going to try it again though....maybe:) Why is simple so hard?

 I made this for the Color Throwdown this week.  The colors were Purely Pomegranate, Certainly Celery, and Taken With Teal.  I promise those are the colors I used for the Emboss Resisted image.  I cut the image out using a one of the Labels nestabilities and left it in the die while I rubbed each area with color.  This was done on Glossy white cardstock.  The layer below that is reverse embossed with my cuttlebug and then the corners were punched with a Fiskars corner punch.  I added tiny pearl details to all the corners too.  It's hard to see but the base of the card has Micro Pearl Ex rubbed all around the edges for added sparkle.

What's In It?

Stamps: Unity June KOTM

Ink: Taken with teal, Pure Pomegranate, Cert Celery, Versamarker, Versamark

Paper: Glossy White, Whisper White

Other: Cuttlebug EF, Labels, Nestie, pearl ex, kaiser pearls, sponge, white EP, white satin ribbon (Michael's), glue dot, dimensionals

I should have another post tomorrow.  I think it may be "hairy" if you know what I mean:)

See you then!

Disappointment

This is the word that describes a little bit about how I was feeling yesterday morning. I had taken a Copics class on Thursday evening that wasn't really what I expected. While I learned some things I didn't get from it what I was hoping. (YES! I thought I would leave feeling like Picasso...maybe my expectations were a BIT too high:).

Then there was the small feeling of disappointment at not meeting my goal for Priscilla's Medical Fund. While I was so happy that we had still raised around $800, I had a tiny feeling of disappointment that I didn't get to my goal of $1,000. So, with it being the last day I went to check the current balance. I was so happy to find that while still not at my goal, someone had made a VERY generous donation. In fact it was so generous that I felt the need to immediately thank her. Feeling a little better about the possibility of reaching $1000 ,I clicked over to Tosh's blog.

There in BIG, BOLD letters was the title to her post for the day~

"HAVE FAITH"

I swear to you that is what it said. You can see the post HERE. Below it was a beautiful card, but I honestly never read the post. I didn't have to. I got "the message."

I am so happy to say that within 4 hours, with the help of Laurie Schmidlin and Jen del Muro both posting about the my Blog Candy, I had reached the $1,ooo goal. As of this morning we are at $1,130!!!!! I am so GRATEFUL to all of you who helped in anyway to make this event such a huge success. I truly have no words. Just a feeling of sheer joy in knowing there are so many wonderful people in the world.

I did make a card yesterday that was inspired by the way Laurie does her's. She likes to distress things on her cards. While this in no way compares to her talent. It is inspired by her and her lovely post that helped to get so many more donations.

I used the colors from this weeks Color Throwdown Challenge ( Baja Breeze/Sahara Sand/ Chocolate Chip or Black) and the CPS sketch from this last week. Abundant Blessings is a set from Verve and it is the perfect sentiment for how I am feeling today and for what I wish to all of you.

My card is pretty straight forward. I know that it looks like I used Kraft cardstock, but it is actually Sahara Sand that has been distressed with Choc Chip Ink. I ran a layer of it through the cuttlebug first before distressing. I also added some Soft Sky as my background panel for the image which was stamped in Choc Chip craft ink and then clear embossed. I colored the leaves with a Copic marker. That yummy chocolate satin ribbon is from Starlit Studios. Fabulous, quick shipping! Again with my ribbon addiction:)

I almost forgot! I will be announcing the winner of the blog candy AND the Make a Child Smile card challenge TOMORROW. Tune in then as we gear up for another challenge at Priscilla's Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.

I hope you all have a very BLESSED day!

What's In It?
Stamps: Embrace Life, Abundant Blessings
Ink: choc chip craft, choc chip, baja breeze
Paper: soft sky, choc chip, sahara sand, baja breeze
Other: Sizzlet Lots of Tags, Labels Die, cuttlebug EF, Fiskars border punch, baja breeze ribbon, chocolate satin ribbon, button (TPS), dimensionals, distress tool, clear EP, sponge, chocolate twine

Fairy Wish

Sorry for the late post. I really thought I was ahead of the game for my camping trip. WRONG! Let's just say it's going to be a long night. I still have several things to get done. But, I really wanted to post this card since it's for 2 challenges and one ends tomorrow:) I got a few digital stamps from DigiStamp Boutique. This was a sponsor for our last Stamptacular Sunday Challenge and I REALLY fell in love with the images. Go check them out. So Sweet!


My card combines Jen's SFYTT and Color Throwdown 51. I've been practicing with my Copics. I would really like to get more colors. I think I'll have to wait awhile though. Just got the bill for them and my husband asked if they colored by themselves. Yeah! They are pretty expensive. But, I got one heck of a deal on them at www.oozak.com. Really, it's the cheapest place for them. Anyways, I had fun coloring the little fairy girl in. Her wings have Shimmerz on them. It's hard to see in the photo though. Ok, enough chit chat. I have to finish my packing and baking and shopping and....I'm tired already.

DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY ON SUNDAY! SO EXCITED FOR THAT CHALLENGE!

What's In It?
Stamps: digital digistamp boutique, Small Sayings, Short and Sweet, Wishing You the Best (SU), Bevy of Butterflies (Unity)
Ink: Almost Amethyst, Versamark, Gem Metallic Purple
Paper: Garden Green, DCWV purples, So Saffron, White
Other: Star punch, UK Wavy punch, Circle Punch, corner rounder, stickles, dimensionals, So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Walmart Green ribbon, Rhinestone Brads, label punch, tiny twinkles, Copics E00, E37, BV04, BV02, G07, YG03

Happy 4TH!

Good Afternoon! It's a slow going day for us here. My hubby has to work and we have no plans except for fireworks this evening. Everyone is very content to stay home today. We didn't sleep well since the firework festivities started yesterday around our house. REALLY missing that country peace and quiet:) Anyways, I did a card for SEVERAL challenges today. I actually have 2 cards to show. Both use the same color combo from Color Throwdown. I found this old designer paper from SU that I had never even opened. It's beautiful too! Why did I never get it out? I think I may have to use it for a special project I have brewing....in my head. This first card is also for the Saturday Sketch. As usual, I had to alter it a bit.


This is definitely not my typical style. Not sure it will even fit in an envelope it has so much dimension..LOL. I used a Making Memories sentiment plate. I love those things so much I may actually pay full price for them next time. They are a perfect, quick touch to a card.


This card uses a sketch from over at Paper Craft Planet. Again, I altered it a bit. Are you sick of the butterflies yet? It's that free set from Unity. They have so many in there to use that I just feel compelled to try them all out. I'll take a break from them though...soon:) I used one of my favorite product EVER! Iridescent Ice! Yah! ICE ICE BABY! Ok...I can't stand that song. Sorry for the 80's digression. I guess my hubby is rubbing off on me. He loves the 80's.

Speaking of my hubby, I have to tell you about a typical "Nikki" moment that involves him somewhat indirectly. He doesn't even know this happened. I swore my daughter to secrecy. Honestly, I have the craziest things happen to me. I'm kind of "LUCY-like." I blame this on my Aunt...she's the same way. It makes for an interesting life, to say the least.

Here goes.... We were camping on Saturday and my daughter and I were sitting by the fire reading in our "bag chairs." I had our dinner sitting on the tri-pod grilling over the fire. It was very relaxing. Suddenly, my husband's phone starts to ring. It's in the little cup holder part of the chair next to me. I reach over to grab it while yelling to him that he has a phone call. I'm not sure exactly how it happened. Really, I don't understand. Somehow the phone went flying out of my hand and landed....yep, RIGHT IN THE FIRE PIT!!!! AHHHH! Without even thinking, I reached in and rescued it from the hot coals. Luckily, Dave never even heard me say he had a phone call. He was in the camper playing War with my son. I mean, can you believe it?! What are the chances? I try to be nice and take him the phone and it ends up in the FIRE! It was perfectly fine though, except that it was covered in ashes. I calmly proceeded to the camper and asked my son for a paper towel.

"Gee, Mom, your hands all black."

I just calmly replied,"Yeah, whatever. Ok, thanks!"

I then proceeded to get rid of the evidence. Dusting, wiping, blowing every trace of ash. I only received a minor burn. However, that wasn't a very good example for my daughter. It just goes to show that an adrenaline rush really does give you super powers.

So, now the "cat's out of the bag" or the "phone's out of the fire." Whichever you prefer and we'll see how well my hubby reads my blog. If I'm not around for the next few days you'll know he found out. Until then....SHHH! I'm out of time for pictures. I'll have to post next week. Don't forget to stop in tomorrow for the Stamptacular Sunday challenge!

Hope you have a great 4th of July!

What's in It
Stamps: Bevy of Butterflies, Pretty Petals and Linen background (SU)
Ink: Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Choc. Chip, Versamark
Paper: Afternoon Tea DP, Choc Chip, Groovy Guava, White
Other: Taylors's Twinkles, Satin Ribbon, TPS button, Linen Thread, Flowers fromHL, velvet brad, MM sentiment plate, glue dots, dimensionals, distress tool, scalloped edge punch

Stamps: Bevy of Butterflies, Beautiful You (verve),
Ink: Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, Choc Chip, Versamark
Paper: Afternoon Tea, Gr. Guava, Choc. Chip, Soft Sky
Other: Satin Ribbon, Oval nesties, dimensionals, Iridescent Ice, Sponge, Lace punch MS, Cuttlebug and Embossing Folder