I'm on a roll!

I finished up my third digital page this morning!  It's really becoming super fun for me.   I pinned a bunch of scrapbook sketches yesterday and am finding them fun to do.  It's a bit like all the challenges that I'm addicted to.  This page is loosely based on this layout.  I am still using the free trial of the program, but I'm totally putting the upgrade to MDS2 on my next order.  It is AWESOME!  I love recoloring the stamps!  I need to visit the SU YouTube page and watch the videos so that I can learn more tips and tricks.   I am more of a click and see what it does kinda girl, but I need to expand my horizons and learn from others.  :)   

I'll try to make a card this weekend so that you aren't missing that part of my sharing too much. Ha!  I've been working on some cards for my design teams since I hope to go back to them soon.   I almost have all the cards made for September for Friday Mashup and will be starting some for Freshly Made Sketches soon.  Busy, busy, busy!   

Laila's 2nd MDS Page

Okay...being honest here, I suck at scrapbooking.  I actually started paper crafting by scapping my wedding photos, but once I discovered card making I totally quit trying to do scrapbook pages.  I had good intentions of doing a book for Eli but with him being sick it just didn't happen.  I want to do better for Laila, but I know myself and I know I'm not going to do a paper version.   That leaves digital and well, I haven't used MDS as much as I should have to know all the features and tricks.  I can get by, but I'm a novice for sure!   To remedy that, I decided I'd try.   I'm totally intimated with scrapbooking and never know where to start.  My friend Mindy has a Pinterest board with lots of page maps, so I went there today and found this one from  Sketchy Thursdays.  I still wasn't sure about it, but I figured I'd give it a go...

It's not perfect, but I made it all by myself!   I'm a bit proud of it because I normally won't attempt things that I think I'm bad at.  :)   I stuck with the colors and size from yesterday's page in hopes that I might end up with enough pages to make a book!   I'd love to have something to print for both us and my parents for Christmas.   

So anyway, yay me.   I swear if I can do it, you can do it!   Go download that free trial and give it a shot!

Laila MDS style!

I just downloaded the trial version of MDS2 and have been playing around with it. I found this really cute template and I love how easy it was to just drag and drop my picture and add text.   I can totally scrapbook when it's THAT easy.  :)  If you think you'd like to know more about it, you can try it out free for 30 days to see if it would work for you!   Just go to my website, click on shop, look for MDS2 free trial, and download it to your computer.  Stampin' Up! even has a ton of new training videos to help us learn how to use it too!  

Many Mini Trees

I really wanted to find time to play along with my ladies over at Freshly Made Sketches last week but time just got away from me and I didn't get my card made in time.  I had the idea for one in my head so I sat down last night to make it anyway.  :)    

White space tends to stress me out, but I'm trying to learn to embrace it and use it like any other color.  I think I actually like this one!  The embossing distracts me and I forget that it's SO white!  :)   I used the fun new Merry Minis punch pack that I received as a gift from my sweet friend Mindy.   They are just adorable!   I'm not sure I love the sentiment on the banner, but I wasn't sure what else to do with it.  Any ideas?

Stamps:  Bright Hopes (retired)

Ink:  Real Red

Paper:  Whisper White, Lucky Limeade

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Lace Brocade embossing folder, Merry Minis punch pack

Here's another image from Laila's Hope Calendar photo shoot.  I just love how peaceful and sweet she looks!

Halloween Club Card

Now that school has started back up, my hostess club will also be resuming soon!  We have 2 more months to go before the current round is over.  I have to start thinking about what I want my business to be after that and how to balance my love of stamping with others with my new role as mommy.   It's tough, huh? I'm in awe of those of you who have been doing it all for a while.  :)   Anyway, for our September technique I decided to do the starburst technique.  It's such a cool look and I thought it would be neat in black and tangerine.  I dirtied it up a bit with some sponging and spritzing and added some shiny rhinestone cat eyes.  Spooky or cute?  Maybe a bit of both!

Stamps:  Frightening Feline, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray (sponging)

Paper:  Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Brights and Neutrals DSP stacks

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, 3inch circle die, Spider Web embossing folder, Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, sponges, Color Spritzer tool, Basic Black 1/8 taffeta ribbon, paper trimmer, basic rhinestones

My little one turned two months old today.   How did that happen?!   We started a new medicine for reflux today to see how that would go.   She's really been a good baby lately other than some fussy crying at feeding/burping time.  Lately there's been so many smiles!  It's amazing and wonderful.  I never thought we'd get sweet baby smiles again and am so thankful for them.

Christmas Pennant Trees

I thought I'd share one of the cards I originally designed for my Christmas card class.   After looking at it a few times, I decided that it was really too much work for a quick, simple class.  It's still flat and easily mailable, but a bit too detailed to make a lot of at once.   I love the mix of greens and the little scene it creates though!

Stamps:  Pennant Parade, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Early Espresso
Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Whisper White, Gumball Green, Brights and 2011-2013 In Color DSP stacks
Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Vintage Wall Paper Embossing Folder, Petite Pennant Builder punch

Here's a picture from Laila's photo shoot for the Hope Calendar:

She's been doing some better, but we did have a pretty rough midday yesterday.  I finally swaddled her in the evening and she napped great.   I think she was just cranky from not sleeping much in the morning.   Those arms just move so much and wake her up so she must be wrapped up to sleep well.   I did call the doctor today about her progress with the Zantac medicine.  She seems to have more stuff coming back up and is now spitting up some.  Feedings are not always that great either, so maybe we need to make more changes...I guess we'll see.   I hate feeling so clueless!  I just want my baby to feel good.  

CAS Paper Players

Clean and simple is an idea I continue to work on, so I thought I'd play along with this fun challenge from Anne Marie at The Paper Players.   I combined it with the CAS challenge today from Splitcoast which is to be inspired by the word school.   Now what I was thinking (and I am going to say I wasn't) picking the image I did, I do not know. Talk about some seriously fussy fussy cutting!  Yikes!    I already struggle with my scissor skills on a normal day, so this was most definitely a challenge.

People always seem to get paper piecing and paper piercing mixed up.  I actually did both on this one, but the piecing happens on the dress, bow, shirt, boy socks, and books.   Those tiny little spaces were awful to cut out let me tell ya!   I kept losing them my desk and was happy when I finally got them all glued down.  I love this color combination so much!  I think my current three favorite SU colors are represented.  :)

Stamps:  Greeting Card Kids, Thank You Kindly (retired)

Ink:  Staz On, Rich Razzleberry plus Crumb Cake, Blush Blossom, and Daffodil Delight markers

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Brights and In Color DSP stacks, Cottage Wall DSP (retired)

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Framelits, Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Snips

One of my favorite pictures from her 1 month photo shoot.  It's hard to believe that she'll be 2 months old next week.  The days are just flying by!  

ColourQ with a Sketch

    
I actually found some stamping time today!   Laila took a nice nap in the middle of the day and I took the opportunity to sneak in my craft room while she was snoozing away.  :)   I combined a couple of challenges, the bright, fun colors of colourQ with the fun sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday.

This was my first time playing with the jar stamp from Perfectly Preserved.  It is such a cute set and I have been wanting to ink it up ever since I got it last week.   I'm not sure that I love my design, but I did have fun playing.   I am really struggling with creativity lately, but I keep hoping for it to return.  Jason keeps telling me it's the lack of sleep causing it.  :)  

Stamps: Perfectly Preserved, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Poppy Parade
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Perfect Polka Dots DSP
Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Collection framelits, Cannery framelits, Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Word Window Punch, Whisper White 3/8 taffeta ribbon, Island Indigo baker's twine, In Color Polka Dot brads

Playing on her mat yesterday.   The Zantac seems to be helping with her fussiness, so I'm so thankful that I trusted myself and made the trip to the doctor.   :)

Nine days?

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted.  It has been a rough nine days though, so please forgive me.  Laila has been so fussy and such a handful that I've just been exhausted both physically and mentally.  I'm not sure who has cried more, me or her.   The doctor thinks she has reflux and we started some medicine on Tuesday, so we are waiting (and hoping) that she will start feeling better soon.   Thankfully she's been giving us some big smiles which help us cope with the crazy crying spells.   Anyway, upset babies are bad for stamping mojo so I really haven't stamped anything except for the last card for my Christmas card class that is tomorrow.  I thought I'd share that with you and let you know that I'm still alive!

Trying to keep with the simple and easily mailed theme, I put together this card with the Pennant Parade set. I think it is a bit adorable and cute.  Flagged banners seem to be popular right now, so I added in a few of those to keep it trendy.  

Stamps:  Pennant Parade

Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Real Red

Paper: Lucky Limeade, Real Red, Whisper White, 2011-2013 DSP stack, Brights DSP stack

Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Pennants die, Petite Pennant punch, 1 3/4 circle punch (I think?) 

My sleeping beauty.  Lately she seems to need swaddled to settle down and sleep, but normally she loves to stretch out like this.  Hopefully we get back there soon! 

Tuesday Sketchy Cat

Man...I'm having one of those days!   I've been congested and dealing with a sore throat, so sleep is all I've wanted.   I'm sure you know how impossible that is with a little one, right?   lol  Jason has been great about letting me sleep as much as I can, so I feel some better tonight.   I needed a mental pick-me-up, so I decided to go stamp while Laila was sleeping. (Much more fun than dishes, right?)   I wanted to play along with the new sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday.    I can't believe I actually made a card for it ON Tuesday!  I'm usually a few days behind.  :)

I used my favorite stamp from the new holiday catalog!   Seriously, you NEED this cute kitty.  It's such a fun, fun stamp!   I don't make a lot of Halloween stuff, but I might this year just to use it.  :)   I paired it with some of last year's Halloween paper.   I can't believe how much designer paper I have in my room.   I never seem to finish up a pack no matter how much I try to use it!  Anyone else have that problem?  I really need to find someone to split packs of it with I think.  Anyway, I also used up some retired accessories like the black rhinestones and glimmer brads.   

Stamps:  Frightening Feline, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Basic Gray

Paper:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Peach Parfait (retired), Pick Your Poison DSP (retired)

Tools/Accessories:  Scallop Edge border punch, Modern Label punch, Ticket Corner punch (retired?), Cutter Kit (retired), In Color Glimmer Brads (retired), Black Rhinestones (retired), Basic Gray 3/8 taffeta ribbon (retired)

Love this girl!  :)

Vintage Purple Flower

Still working on those Dare to Get Dirty challenges!   Laila was up a little after four and I wasn't able to go back to sleep after that.  I decided to just get up and stamp while the house was nice and quiet.  I'm not sure if I do my best work so early in the morning, but it was fun anyway!  I do struggle a bit with vintage, but I decided to try it...with purples!   :)   

I used a new product, the Stampin' Spritzers!  I combined alcohol, Frost White Shimmer Paint, and some Wisteria Wonder reinker and sprayed both the flower and the embossed panel.  It has a nice shimmery look to it that you can't really see in the picture.  I added in lots of distressing and sponging too.  

Stamps:  En Francais, Petite Pairs

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Crumb Cake

Paper:  Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Fun Flowers die, Top Note die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, circle punches, Stampin' Spritzer, Antique Brads, Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon (retired), Cutter Kit (retired), sponges, Color Spritzer

I call this one her Glamour Shot photo.  :)  What she was doing while this one was snapped was most definitely NOT glamorous.  

More Dirty Cards

I'm still trying to play along with the Dare to Get Dirty challenges over on Splitcoaststampers.   There are some really fun ones, so if you have a Fan Club membership be sure to check them out!   

This was my first card of the morning and I think it would rock if I'd had one more cup of coffee before I started it.  I wish I'd moved that top flower up just a bit so that they didn't overlap so much.  Oh well...it's still pretty and I'm sure my grandma will appreciate it anyway.  :)

Stamps:  Reason to Smile, Watercolor Trio
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake (marker), Versamark
Paper:  Crumb Cake
Tools/Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, ruler, sponges

Isn't this berry sweet?   Ha!   I just got the pennant die and I love that fun circle shape.   I have a wonderful friend in mind for this one and I hope she likes it.  She's sweet indeed!   This uses that awesome sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday again too!

Stamps:  Tart & Tangy, Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Real Red, Old Olive

Paper:  Real Red, Old Olive, Brights DSP stack, misc Old Olive paper, Whisper White

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Pennant Die, Finishing Touches edgelits, Circles #2 cie, Jewelry Tag punch, Old Olive 1/4 Grosgrain ribbon

This is a cute card that I created while playing around with the new Holiday Framelits.  I wanted to see if I could use them without the stamp set.  It turned out okay I think, but it's not really what I think of as a "me card."

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Real Red

Paper:  Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, assorted green cardstock

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Holiday Framelits, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Framed Tulips embossing folder, Petals a Plenty embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Basic Pearls

It's so tough being a baby.   :) 

Tuesday Stampin' on Friday

Isn't this a cool sketch?  When I saw it pop up on the Try Stampin' on Tuesday website I just knew I had to play along!   I can see myself using this one a lot as it has so many possibilities!  My idea didn't totally work out, but I still had a fun time with it.  You might see another card with it as I try to get the idea in my head to come to life!   (This is another of my Dare to Get Dirty cards for the Splitcoast challenges as well.)

Purple with green is a favorite color combination of mine.  I would really have liked to do an all purple card, but I didn't have the Wisteria ribbon that I'd need to do it.  :(   Don't you hate when that happens?  I went with the green but I'm not totally sold on it.   I am glad that I did a bit more stamping today though.  It's been a bad week emotionally and I needed my therapy!  

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature

Ink:  Versamark

Paper:  Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, 2011-2013 In Color DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Lucky Limeade ribbon, Basic Pearls

We took the beautiful quilt that my Mom's friend made to Laila's photo shoot.  I think Jason did a great job picking out the fabric and pattern for it!  It's GORGEOUS!

Retro Gratitude

I really loved the sketch at retro sketches this week and wanted to make a card with it even though I knew I wouldn't make the deadline to submit it.   I've been having some serious creativity issues lately so just getting a card completed has been a huge challenge for me.   Eli's birthday was yesterday and Laila has been super fussy for over a week, so I think I'm just mentally exhausted.  It's hard to stamp when your brain is tired and overloaded with other stuff.  :(  But anyway... I DID make something!   I don't know why I wanted to play with fall colors, but that's what I grabbed.   Maybe the hot weather just has me wishing for cooler weather and leaves and all that good stuff.   :)   Fall is by far my favorite season of the year!

I pulled out some of my favorite retired designer paper, Autumn Spice, and the stamp set I got at my first Stampin' Up! event, Day of Gratitude.   It's been ages since I played with this one and I thought it deserved some love.   I love the colors and love the layers.  At first I just had a flat, one color image but decided it needed a little something to make it POP.  I think bringing in the other colors added much more interest and made me like it a bit more.  :)

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude

Ink: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso

Paper:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Autumn Spice DSP (retired)

Tools/Accessories:  1 3/4 circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Brights brads, Regals buttons, Linen Thread

And as always, Miss Laila:

We had her picture taken with Eli's crab and picture.  It was a bit heartbreaking, but I want her to grow up knowing him and continuing the fight to find a cure for SMA.   August is SMA Awareness Month, so if you don't know anything about it, please take a minute to get informed.  

Happy August!

The Holiday Catalog is LIVE!   This catalog is amazing to say the least!   You can check out the .pdf version here.    I can't stop making wishlists and wanting so many of the products in it!    We'll be using some of the new products in my upcoming Christmas card class later this month and I know they are going to be a hit with the stampers!  

Another great thing about today is the release of My Digital Studio 2!   If you already have MDS, you can upgrade for only $19.95.  For those of you who don't have the awesomeness already, you can purchase the program for $39.95 or $79.95 (this one includes over $500 in digital content).   You can also download a free trial if you'd like to try it before you buy it!  :)    More details on the different options can be found here.  

There's also a great sale 31% off on select MDS downloads and print products!  To see the downloads, visit my online store.  All cards, photobooks, individual pages, and tags are on sale for the entire month when you get them printed through Stampin' Up!   It's a great time to get an early start on Christmas gifts!  :) 

And last, but most certainly NOT least, if you sign up as a demonstrator during the month of August, you get this super cool project, plus $125 worth of products of your choice, and all the business supplies you need to get started all for $99!   What a deal!  Can I sign up again?!  Contact me today or head on over to my online store to sign up!