HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE!

That is what I have been doing for a little over 2 weeks. Giggling. Every time I see this picture I crack up. Does it make you laugh?


The challenge at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge is SLAP YOUR KNEE ....FUNNY. I really didn't have any "funny" stamps. So I had to get creative.

The front of my card says, "Sending you a little birthday advice from a Wise Old Owl...."

When you open the card...


...it says, "BEWARE OF GEEKS BEARING GIFTS"

I think it is hilarious and everyone in my family chuckled. I'm not sure if that is because it is funny in general or because the picture inside is of MY BROTHER.
That could be why we think it is funny. So you tell me. What do you think?

My brother was playing around on the last day of our camping trip with my camera. We took all kinds of pictures of funny things. This was the very last picture of that day. He is holding a little ducky that says, "I love you"....that's the "gift."

I am sending this to my dad as a belated birthday card. I know it will crack him up. I may have to make one for every member of the family.

I just love this picture because it shows my brother as he really is.... the fun loving guy. He is a beautiful person both inside and out. Yes, he really is beautiful on the outside too! He doesn't usually wear goggles.

See!

Most of the time though, you will find him acting goofy.

He can, however, be very deep, extremely sensitive and full of knowledge. He is so talented in so many artistic things.
You will always find him laughing or making people laugh. I think he is AMAZING!
Today is my tribute to him. Thanks Shawn for always making me laugh and smile with your FUNNY, FUNNY ways! I Love you!

I also wanted to share one more thing because laughter and smiles are infectious.

This is something that I watched last year and it cracked me up. Probably because this is how I always imagined my sister old boyfriend dancing. The guy (Matt) in the video looks a lot like my sister's old boyfriend (who we loved, BTW, so I am NOT making fun of him).

My hope is that it at least makes you smile.

CLICK HERE! Then hit the PLAY button.

Dance and Laughter....they defy all language barriers.

After all that, I hope you join us for a FUN challenge this week at SSC. Please check out the design teams cute cards and then play along for a chance to win some goodies.

Have YOU laughed today?

What's In It?
Stamps: Little Forest Friends and Birthday Numbers (MCS), Collage Numbers
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Certainly Celery, Choc Chip
Paper: DigiChick, Textured Brown, MM Blue, White
Other: Crystal Effects, Inkssentials white gel pen, dimensionals, Hallmark Card Creator, Copics, Choc Chip, real red, green galore, pink passion, brilliant blue, only orange markers

A Card For Kate

Yesterday I mentioned that Jennifer McGuire is hosting a card drive for Kate. This is the card I STARTED at the beginning of the week. However, in putting it off, I ended up using Beate's Weekend Sketch and I think my card turned out better than I expected. I also used the color's for this week's TCP Tuesday challenge this week hosted by Jen Del Muro. I have several pictures to show you of this card. I apologize in advance that they are a bit blurry. That's what happens when the sun goes down.

Here is the inside of the card.

I can't remember what this technique is called. I will try to find a link tonight and update it here on this post. I didn't use any ACTUAL directions which may be why my little ghosts and bats are tipping forward. I just kind of "went with it." For you though, I will search for proper directions. I think this is a fun card for a kid to open. I hope it makes Kate smile. Lucky for me our local scrapbook store is also accepting cards for Kate. I'll just head over there to drop it off....and check out the clearance bin:) I mean, I may as well while I'm there, right?

UPDATE: It's called a Spiral Pop Up Card and the tutorial is HERE.
(And yes, I did it backwards. Should have followed the directions:)

A better close up of the ghosts.

I'm having serious embossing powder issues. I think it's time to start with fresh. Does anyone have any suggestions for a nice white EP?

The last thing I want to point out is that darling image. It was a free download at Digital Delights. Every friday they have a new freebie. If you want to purchase this cute image you can find it HERE. Another thing to note is that I made a tiny "charm" from a shrinky dink. It hangs from the bow. The other thing is that I will never win any awards for sewing:)

I'm off for now. I'll be back with a card for the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge tomorrow morning. See you then!

What's In It?
Stamps: Digital Delights, Booglie Eyes
Ink: Versafine black, metallic purple, Stazon black, white craft
Paper: Black, Halloween DP, purple from stash, white
Other: chipboard, shrinky dink, black satin ribbon, janome sew mini, Copics and Prisma color pencils, sakura gel pen, inkssentials white gel pen, whole punch, hot glue gun, CM cutting system

Farwell! No, HELLO To The Freedom of Expressing My Own Creativity!

I feel the need to warn you that the following post bears a lot of feeling and a bit of ranting and raving. Feel free to bypass that for the card at the end if you wish.

Hello Friends!

I'm sorry that it's been a few days since my last post. I had to take a some time to unwind, think, cool down and regroup. I found out on Wednesday that Stampin Up had changed the policy regarding demos and their personal blogs. I have been with SU for 6 years now and have been mulling over the decision to leave for about 2 of those 6 years. In being a hobby demo over the last 4, I have found it increasingly difficult, with all of the changes the company has made, to maintain that level of participation. Each time they make an announcement they have always been reassuring that they" love their hobby demos." However, actions speak louder than words...even words spoken in a big cheesy grin. I decided last month that I would quietly leave Stampin Up as a demonstrator, even though I managed to officially meet the requirements in sales. In light of their recent policy announcement though, I find that hard to do.....leave QUIETLY that is.

I am thoroughly disgusted that this company would think they have the right to dictate what I say on my PERSONAL blog. To me this feels like an infringement on my FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Does that seem a little drastic of me to say? Maybe. But it's how I feel. I want to be able to share in this place, MY place, ALL the things I love. Do they realize all the wonderful things that happen when people link to each other in this crafting world? Do they understand what can happen when we all support each other?

I am appalled by their sheer audacity. How dare they think they can tell me I'm not allowed to link you to PINK CAT STUDIO, a company that is donating money in memory of a little boy who lost his life to cancer this summer. You can view that stamp and information HERE. Or to Jennifer McGuire who is having a card drive for a little girl with brain cancer.

Does this mean I can't participate in challenges? Because that's how I found out about THIS CAUSE. An Etsy shop that donates money to help fund a school for children in Morroco. They have a direct link on Traveling Mamma's Inspiration Challenge blog to this Etsy shop where cards are for sale. Therefore, it becomes a violation of SU's new policy. I guess that, technically, I can still participate in these challenges. I just can't share with you any of the information on how you can also be involved.

Imagine the affect this policy could have on the number of people who learn about these great charities and events. Not to mention all the knowledge and inspiration that can be shared through blog hopping, regardless of what company they endorse.

I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I should be able to link to the person who has inspired me with something fabulous. That is the kind of example of what may NOT happen because of this new policy. Lauren Meader has some great templates. She deserves CREDIT for sharing her talent regardless of who she designs for. I think I have made my point and I think I'm done with my linking tantrum now. Wait...maybe not.

Julie Tilman is one of my favorite people in the blog world. She amazes me with both her creativity and unselfish personality. She inspires me in more ways than one. Now here's the lesson folks.......She HAS her own company and yet she constantly endorses other companies; Stampin Up included. Why does she do that? I don't know her answer, but for me it's because of something I tell my kids all the time. "There is a place in this world for everyone!" We all have the ability to learn from each other and that includes ALL aspects of life. Not just in this little tiny piece of the world called stamping.

I'm sure it was never the intention of SU to have this kind of effect, but that's what happens when you try to control too many things. When you think only of yourself and not how every little thing that you do affects the world around you in some small or BIG way.

What I've learned in this world of competition is that no one ACTUALLY wins. What happens is that people LOSE sight of what really matters.

I want to maintain the vision of why I stamp. It's for my own therapy, yes , but also to bring a smile to someone's face. To let people know that they are special. To give them something from my heart. I've stopped smiling being a Stampin Up demonstrator. That's how I know it's time to say, "FAREWELL!" This policy was the validation I guess maybe I needed.


I read Jen Del Muro's feelings on this whole situation and felt happy to know that I wasn't alone in my own thoughts. She's said it probably nicer than I could have....

To quote Jen, "They need the demos more than the demos need them {in most cases}. For now, SU and I! are parting ways........I do have a ton of the paper and will continue to use it here and there, but once it’s gone it’s gone. There is more to this creative world than just SU!. It took me a long time to realize that, but I am glad that I did. That’s just my two cents. I know that not everyone will agree, and that’s ok. This world would be pretty boring if everyone thought the same way! I hope that if you are a demo that you are able to come to a decision that you are happy with and benefits you."

The only thing I have to add is that I will no longer endorse Stampin Up on my blog. I will still use the things that I have (because I have acquired a LOT in 6 years) I just won't make mention of them any longer. It is the very thing they have asked me to do, just in reverse. That may seem childish, but I believe in sticking up for what you believe in and I am a kid at heart after all. This is MY blog and I want to share ALL the things I love about this craft, about this life and about this world. I won't allow someone to take that away from me, regardless of their intent.

I hope that I have not offended anyone. That was not what I wanted. Sometimes you need a good little tantrum to move on. I apologize that you had to witness it.

I hope you come back to visit with me though because....

I have a HUGE announcement coming on Monday Sept 14th. It is something I am very excited about. Fortunately, the new policy will NOT apply to me and, therefore, ruin something I have been working hard on. I hope to make a difference in the life of someone; someone special. I hope that you can join me in making a difference as well. Please stay tuned for the SPECIAL EVENT!

Now after all that I do have a card to share. I used the Viva La Verve Sketch and got my inspiration of colors from a comforter I saw on a movie. Funny where inspiration will strike:) Over at Paper Maniac LLC they have an embossing challenge going on as well. You can enter for a chance to win a gift certificate to the new online store!



I used my Creative Memories cutting system along with a few Verve stamps. I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. This is for her. I added some glitter along the edges of the main image and some Taylor's Twinkles in black along the bottom. It's a pretty simple card. I hope she likes it.


Thanks for hanging in there through all my ranting and raving. I feel better now.

Change is good. I look forward to growing in my creative process and my own personal journey. I hope you will come along for the ride.

See you soon!

I decided to add some more glitter after looking at it all day. So here is the revised version.

What's In It?
Stamps: Serenity (verve)
Paper: DCWV off white textured, blue bayou, soft sky, black
Ink: versafine black, soft sky, versamark
Other: sponge, dazzling diamonds, glue pen, Taylor's tiny twinkles, CM cutting system, black satin ribbon (walmart), dimensionals, clear EP

Another Sympathy Card

Well, this is not the card I was working on, but we received some information that our friend's mother passed away. So I decided to use Dawn's Color Challenge and the Card Positioning System's Sketch for this card.

I love the colors of this card. With the cooler weather we've had lately I am all geared up for fall.

I hope this is the last Sympathy card I will need to make for awhile. I used leftover Kraft DP from my card HERE. That card is very similar to the colors needed for this challenge too. I just got some new lace from Joann's. They were having a big clearance. (SMILING) I also saw Lori Craig do that "thing" with her ribbon and a button and I LOVED it. One other thing to note is that my butterfly was stamped twice and then layered to give a more 3D effect. I had to add some glitter too!

Here is a better shot of that.....


Now don't forget that today is the grand opening for the Paper Maniac LLC. You can save an additional 15% if you use the code GRAND15.

I'm heading there now:)


What's In It?
Stamps: Bevy of Butterflies, Of the Earth(SU)
Ink: Choc Chip, More Mustard, Summer Sun, Close to Cocoa
Paper: Kraft DP, Choc Chip, More Mustard, Vanilla, Kraft
Other: Scalloped Edge Punch, Nesties, ! 3/8" circle punch, lace, walmart satin ribbon, scalloped oval punch, MS glue pen, dazzling diamonds, sponge, button, SU fibers, dimensionals


Have a good one!

Just another Manic Monday!

Alright, so I have NO card to share with you YET! It's started, but I just can't craft at night. I'm a morning person and the sun inspires me. Having said that, I didn't get up very early today. We have a busy day of appts. I hope to be able to come home and finish my card.

However, I have some news to share with you today.

First, I am so happy that my card from yesterday was featured on the ABC Toys and Crafts design blog as Creative Customer of the Week. Now Justine was nice enough to share with me a CODE for 15% off my next order. The great thing....she said I can share it with you TOO! So here is the code: ABC15F. There is a link on my sidebar for their store. So have fun shopping. They carry lots of things, but the MY CUTE STAMPS are my favorites.

Now onto my next announcement. There is a NEW STORE IN TOWN....It's called Paper Maniac LLC and I have been anxiously awaiting their grand opening. It's tomorrow! WOOHOO! I think this store is going to be unlike any online store you have every visited. The link won't work until tomorrow though. Make sure you visit them though. They are also having a GRAND OPENING SALE AND DISCOUNT. Use the code GRAND15. This code can be used until Sept 6th. You can check out the store's blog HERE. They have a blog hop going on FULL of inspiration and information on the store. This store is gonna ROCK I can tell ya! I just can't wait to check it out tomorrow. They have some blog candy up for grabs too. So go HOP AROUND! It's fun. Check out ALL the companies they will be offering. Can you say "ONE STOP SHOP!"

Ok, I'm off to get ready for running around. Hopefully I will have another creation to post later.

SEE YA!

Sunflower Thanks

I have another late post for you today. I really have wanted to participate in the Traveler's Inspiration Challenge. Tonight is the deadline. So, here is a quick, simple card. I adore the pictures on her blog. To see the world through a lens. Fascinating!

Also, I used Taylor's Sketch...the TRUE sketch this time.LOL I did 2 challenges in one. Yippee!

The photos on Traveler's Inspiration inspired me with the lines and colors. I had a different thing in mind when I started. I guess that is what happens on the creative process. You start in one direction and just let it take you where it wants to go. At least that has been happening to me a lot lately. I have LOTS of people to thank so I will be posting a lot of thank you cards in the next few weeks. Remember, I have something BIG in the works. I can't tell you yet.

Come back tomorrow for a few fun announcements and hopefully a card. See you then!

What's In It:
Stamps: Stitched, A Flower for all Seasons (SU), Bundle of Bouquets (MFT),
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Choc Chip
Paper: Kraft DP, Kraft, White, DCWV Yellow, Choc Chip
Other: CM circle cutter, 1 3/8" circle punch, Copics, scalloped edge punch, white grosgrain (American Crafts), janome sew mini

Stamptacular Sunday Scallop Mania

Don't you just love scallops? I do...well,not the fishy kind. THOSE I'm not so fond of, but paper scallops I love. So what can you create this week using scallops? That is our challenge this week at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge. As always, you have a chance to win some goodies. Our sponsor this week is Hobby Compleet De Duif. I hope you can play along!

This card idea came from another SSC card I did HERE. My friend Kathie commented on all the possibilities using that template and I had an idea. Thanks Kathie for pointing out the "not so obvious." I decided to turn the template on it's side, alter the measurements a bit and VIOLA! A Gate covered with flowers! I used a cuttlebug embossing folder for the woodgrain and then sponged it with Going Gray ink before rubbing White Craft ink over the entire thing. The beams that go across are just leftover from what I cut off the right side. All those extra scallops became extra "planks" if you will. I used A Melissa Frances Vintage frame to resemble a sign that might be hanging on someone's front gate. The flowers are colored with Copics and were all cut out. Yes, this was not a quick card:) In the center of each pink flower I put a dollop of liquid pearl and then dumped dazzling diamonds over it. I used a Sizzix die to resemble the vine that is traveling up the side. That is from my mom's stash. Thanks MOM~....do you want that back:)?

The measurements of this card are a little different. The gate seemed too long leaving it the correct dimensions. So after scalloping the edges and cutting off a few on the right side it measures to about 4 5/8 x 4 1/8". I said ABOUT that. Just try it and play around to see how you can alter it. Think of how many MORE possibilities there are for this template now that it's a gate instead of bib overalls. FUN!

Are you all geared up to get your scallop punches out? What, you don't have any? Well, check out HERE to see how to use your SU corner rounder for circles or just use it straight across your paper by removing the guard and lining up each edge as you punch. Confused? Just check out the link for the scalloped circles tutorial. That should clarify it more.

All RIGHT! Now go to it. Can't wait to see all the lovely creations you guys can come up with. Remeber to link it back to the SSC blog. Also, make sure you check out all the design teams work and leave us some comments, ok. It makes our day.

As always, I hope you have a fabulous Sunday!

What's In It?
Stamps: Something to Celebrate (mycutestamps), All About You (verve)
Ink: Brilliance Black, Going Gray, White Craft
Paper: White
Other: Vintage Brads, MF vintage frames, Copics: B41, R85, RV34, B37, Crystal Effects, liquid pearl, dazzling diamonds, Sizzix decorative die cute