Going Postal with FMS

I'm getting so behind on my Hope You Can Cling To challenges, but thankfully one of them worked perfectly with Cindy's awesome sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week.    When you go by the challenge blog, you'll see how versatile this sketch can be!  Mary's HYCCT challenge description is sad, but also a touching way to honor her friend.  Here's what she wrote:  This has been a very rough year for many of my friends. Since January 5 of of my friends have been diagnosed, 4 are currently doing good but my one very dear friend died. She was 46. I met her because she was the post mistress of a small post office that I always went to mail my swaps. We struck up a friendship and she joined my stamping team. She was one of those wonderful people who never met a stranger and is missed beyond belief.  So...in honor of her and all the lives she touched..."let's lick this thing". Make a card inspired by postage or the mail!

I didn't own anything to make postage (where are those darn scissors when you need them?), so I opened up My Digital Studio and found the postage punch.   I added a bit of text for the 44 and printed it out.  I am starting to enjoy making there hybrid cards.   I do have to say that this was the first time I think I'd used Raspberry Ripple and now I'm a fan.  It looks amazing with Crumb Cake...or I think so anyway!   

It actually got a bit chilly down here in Texas towards the end of last week so we had to bundle up a little!  I wish I knew how to share a video from Facebook on here.  She found her voice this week and has been super chatty.  It's adorable!

Chicken Soup

Silly card, right?   Dealing with cancer is no laughing matter but as we all know, laughter IS the best medicine (at least sometimes).  The other old standard, chicken soup for under the weather folks, is also represented in the form of chickens.  :)  This card was made for another of the Hope You Can Cling To challenges.  This one came from Sabrina and here's her challenge:  My challenge to you is to use a chicken (hens and roosters are acceptable too ) on your card, and elements that spell the word S-O-U-P.

For my S-O-U-P, I used Scallops, Orange, Unique pink barn, and Pink.  I know that's stretching it a bit, but this one was tough!   The images are from My Digital Studio's Barnyard Buddies brush set.   

Don't forget the big sale today!    Stamps are 15% off today only, MDS kits are on 50% off until the 5th, and there will be a special kit project unveiled later on for sale today as well!   I'll be putting in a stamp order at noon my time today, so email me quickly if you need anything.  

 My little pumpkin in her candy corn onesie that her Aunt Crista made for her.  I have a bit of an obsession with candy corn, so I was so excited when she brought it by the other day. 

Standing on One Leg?

I can't really call this one clean, but it is simple. :)  I was working on Denise's HYCCT challenge this morning and I now have a stack of great cards to finish up that didn't work out.  lol  She gave us a tough one that's for sure.  Here's the description: So my challenge to you is be like a flamingo and stand on ONE leg ! That means, use only ONE of each supply...one stamp, one button, one sheet of DP, one sheet of colored cardstock, one rhinestone...You can use any combination of things but only one of each type of product (the card base, a sentiment stamp, and your ink do NOT count). 

Yikes, right?!   I kept having too many of things so I finally decided to go really simple and came up with this one.  I'm not sure you can see "the world" that's stamped very lightly behind the sentiment, but it's there.  :)   I actually like how simple but NOT boring it turned out.  

Stamps:  Word Play, The Open Sea
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse
Paper:  Crumb Cake
Tools/Accessories:  Simply Scored, sponges, Midnight Muse stitched ribbon, color spritzer

My little 4 month old!  Goodness.   She's going to be out of stickers before I know it.  It is amazing to watch her grow and learn new things.  I can't believe how she changes from one day to the next.   She is such a blessing and I love her so much!

Clearly Fabulous!

I finally found a few minutes to stamp today while Laila played on her mat.  She is giving me a rough time with breaking out of her swaddle and not napping, so it's been a challenging few days here.   I was happy to have a little crafty time to give myself a metal boost of sorts.  I decided to work on this new sketch from Fab Friday and another HYCCT card.  This is for Bev's clear challenge to use something clear.   Tough, right?!

Hopefully can you see my jar "clearly" in this picture.  I just did a simple card since I was a bit limited on time  today.  :)  Now I'm off to try to nap while she's napping.  We had some cooler weather move in but it brought sinus troubles for me along with it.  My poor head is very unhappy.   Have a wonderful weekend!

My little munchkin from earlier today.   She just keeps growing!   

Soaring in the Air

It's been a couple of days, but I finally have a new card for you!  This is for Lisa's 'Up in the Air' challenge for Hope You Can Cling To.  Here's her description:  Create a card with something that can be found UP in the air! Some simple examples are birds, a kite, balloons, etc. Be creative, but think of things that that are up are "IN" the air.  Of course I had to pull out my kites for this one!  It is one of my all-time favorite sets and I just love using it!   I also love using it with this color combination; this is the second card that I've made with them together in fact!  :)  

Here's my little pink giraffe with her little pink giraffe.  She's been something else this week!   She's started "talking" so much more; she's turning into a little chatterbox.  She's been breaking out of her swaddle a lot and waking herself up which means less sleep for the whole house!   I can't believe she'll be 4 months old tomorrow.  The time is just flying by.   She's such a sweet baby and so happy most of the time.  She gets a bit upset about nap time, but other than that she's usually smiling and loving life.   We are so in love with her and feel so lucky to have her.   

Digital Scrapbooking Day!

What do you get when you combine Digital Scrapbooking Day and My Digital Studio? A week of FREE downloads and 50 percent off ALL digital kits!

What: Three FREE downloads. 50% off ALL digital kits. Mega blogging on MyDigitalStudio.net all week!

When: October 29 - November 5, 2012.

Where:  My demonstrator online store.

Get a BONUS FREE Download:If we get 18,000 downloads of FREE items we'll give you another FREE download!

To view all the digital kits, click here!   

Be sure to check back next week for more details. 

FMS58: Topsy-Turvy Cake

Time for a new Freshly Made Sketch!   This one comes from one of our fabulous guest designers, Narelle.   I have been struggling with my mojo for over a week now, so I was pretty last minute getting my card made for this one.   I did manage to combine it with a HYCCT challenge!   Cindy asked us to make a pink birthday card inspired by some pictures that she shared.  I chose this one and focused on the colors. 

My Topsy-Turvy Celebration set has been neglected lately, so I thought it might be a fun one to pull out for a cute birthday card.  

The more I look at this, the more I kinda like it.  :)   It's been a while since I could say that actually.   I did change up the banners a bit.  I thought they might look fun all mixed up like my topsy-turvy cake!  I hope it will bring joy to someone's day just like this little girl brings joy to mine.  

Vital Signs

I'm way behind on my Hope You Can Cling To and my design teams cards this week.  :(   Stamping just hasn't fit in my schedule as well with Laila's reflux acting up.   We did get some different medicine last night so fingers crossed that it will work the entire month and not crap out on us the last week.   I did put together this fairly simple card over the past few days.  It is for Ardyth's challenge:  Make a project inspired by one (or more) of the 4 main Vital Signs : heart beat (pulse), temperature, blood pressure and breathing.  I thought the chevrons and hearts were perfect for this one!  :) 

Stamps:  I {Heart} Hearts

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink 

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Chevron embossing folder, Heart punches, Subtles buttons, White Baker's Twine

My little pink giraffe.  :)

Two Times the Fun!

Pink again?!  That's what I'm saying anyway...  I had some papers left on my desk from a previous card, so I decided to use them to make a card for Taylor's Hope You Can Cling To challenge.  Here's what she asked us to do:  When I think about breast cancer, and breast cancer awareness....I think doubles (for obvious reasons). My challenge to you today is to have TWO times the fun...with a little catch. Everything you use on your card, you have to use TWO of, but they must be slightly different. Two different patterned papers, two different buttons, two different ribbons, two different stamps (a stamp and a sentiment counts), etc. 

I'm not sure that I quite made it, but I tried. I used two different DSPs, two stamp sets, two techniques, two dies, and two flags.  I did use 2 different types of rhinestones, but I think I broke the rules by using 2 black ones and one normal one.  :/    The bicycle and sentiment are from a CTMH set that the lovely ladies at Black Tie Friday's gifted me for being their first entry.   You should try to go play along as they are such nice ladies over there.  I did use the sketch at iSpy Sketches again for this one too!  

Stamps:  Netting background, It's Your Day (CTMH)

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black

Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Neutrals and Subtles DSP stacks

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 die (retired), 3-inch circle die, Rhinestones, Color Spritzer, Sanding Block

This weekend we tried on the pants that her Aunt Crista made for her.  I think they are more like Capri pants now!  She is getting too long for everything.   Even her six month sleepers are getting short, so I went shopping yesterday for some cute nine month ones.  Yikes!

Retro Edge

Yesterday was so busy that I didn't get a chance to upload my card!   Now I have two that I haven't shown you because I stamped a bit today too.  :)   I'm going to show you today's on this post because I like it better.  I used the awesome sketch from Retro Sketches this week for it.  It is also a Hope You Can Cling To card for Lynn's challenge to use a decorative edge on a card.  Remember you can find the master challenge list here if you want to make some cards!  

I'm stuck on using Gently Falling in these colors.  It's just so pretty.   I am going to have to challenge myself to use it in more traditional colors again.  lol  I've also seemed to have the color spritzer tool on my desk a lot these days.   Just be sure you guys let me know when I need an intervention.  :)

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Soft Suede

Paper:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Pool Party ruffled ribbon, Island Indigo baker's twine, Neutrals buttons, color spritzer tool

I realized today that I hadn't shared my favorite picture from Laila's three month photos!  How adorable is this one??  We just LOVE it!  I can't believe she's going to be four months this week.  My little one is just growing up too fast.  

Text Me a Butterfly

I'm tempted to just post the picture for this one and run away.   What a challenging challenge!   I got an idea in my head and then it just wouldn't work!   I changed out papers and added layers...it was an all day event! I finally gave up and this is what was left.  lol   I used the sketch from iSpy Sketches and Theresa's HYCCT challenge:  My challenge to you today is to simply make a card that FEATURES TEXT in some way in your creation. Use a stamp, patterned paper or even pages from a book, but use text somewhere and have a little bit of fun creating a card that will be well received.

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

Paper:  Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, First Edition DSP, Subtles and Neutrals DSP stacks

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Scallop circle and circle dies, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Black Rhinestones (retired)

We got dressed up and went out shopping yesterday.   It lasted for a whole 30 minutes before the crying started, but we were out.  I'm really starting to struggle with depression from being stuck in the house so much.  It seems like so much work to get things together for us to go out, but I'm going to have to work on doing it more often.  Today we went to Target and she did great!  It was a quick trip, but again, we were out! Now if we can just get this nap situation back under control...   I guess I shouldn't complain too much about her short naps as she's been sleeping all night, but it's rough to not have a break all day!  If you smell me through the computer, it's because I haven't showered today!   :)

Mashuped Up Ornament

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with a "Christmas Ornament".
2. Or Make a project with some "Sparkle".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Christmas Project with some Sparkle".

Amanda has a fun challenge at the Friday Mashup this week.   With October over halfway gone, it's time to get serious about those Christmas cards and this challenge is perfect to get started.   I am embarrassed to say that I had not inked up my Ornament Keepsakes bundle, so I just had to pull it out for this challenge!   I combined it with Bev's HYCCT challenge and here's the description for it:  Make a card (or project) using lots of sparkle. You know how much glitter you usually use (a little spot here or there)? Double it! Triple it. Shimmer and shake it, baby! We want to see your sparkle! 

I really loved Erna's card last week for my sketch at Freshly Made Sketches, so I inspired to try the sketch and ornament for myself.  I don't know why, but I was in a one color mode the day I put this one together.   I do love Island Indigo, so it was an easy choice.  The sparkle isn't showing up in my picture, but the ornament is embossed in Iridescent Ice embossing powder and there's some homemade shimmer mist on the Very Vanilla background.  It's pretty sparkly in real life, trust me!  :)

LOL  This was the end of the pumpkin patch for the day!  

Vintage bird for HYCCT

Laila went to bed at seven last night, so I had some time to stamp and watch a little TV before bed.  I wasn't sure how the night would go with her crashing so early, but she was only up at three to eat and then back down until eight this morning!  She woke up smiling and happy too!   Anyway, I worked on another HYCCT challenge from Bridget.  We were to be inspired by this this verse from Emily Dickinson:  

Hope is the thing with feathers 

that perches in the soul
and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all.

Thing with feathers = bird, sings the tune = music paper.  That works, right?  :)

Stamps:  Nature Walk, French Foliage

Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede

Paper:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Natural Composition DSP

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, sponges, Very Vanilla seam binding, Neutrals buttons

This was my first time making a "shabby bow" based on my friend LeAnne's tutorial.   I just needed a small one, but it still worked!  Yay!

What are these things? 

Ship Wreckage :)

Whew!  Have you ever worked on a challenge that just refused to come together for you?  I can usually get them, but this HYYCT challenge from Jeanne S. has just kicked my butt. Here's her description:  The greatest thing when dealing with an illness is the hope that you or your loved one will be feeling "ship shape" again soon. My challenge to you is make a shaped card - no circle, rectangle or square cards.    I am not sure what number attempt this one is, but man!   I was about to give up and just not do that one, but I really wanted to finish them all.   I've set a goal to complete ALL of them, so I had to keep trucking.   This one is at least passable I think so I'm going to use it.   It was hard to make and ever harder to photograph!   Anyway, I got it I hope.  

I will say that cutting through 2 layers of card stock with your framelits is not recommended and does void the warranty.   If you try it, it is at your own risk.  Scary, but I like to walk on the wild side sometimes.  Ha!  

Stamps:  Stampabilities Pink Ribbon, En Francais

Ink: Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Versamark

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels framelits, Festive Piercing Pack, Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, sponges, Heat Tool, Iridescent Ice embossing powder 

Jason mailed off my first box of cards to the cancer center today.  It is only about 40 minutes or so from us, so it should arrive fairly quickly.   I admit that I cried a little putting them in the box.  I put a lot of love into them and feel so good about doing something so worthwhile.   That's why we stamp, right?   To make us and others feel good?  :)   

Before Laila was born I said no bows.  Uh huh.   That's working out great as you can see.  

If you are looking for my Freshly Made Sketches post, click here.

FMS57: LeAnne's Sketch

Today at Freshly Made Sketches one of our fabulous guest designers for the month, LeAnne, created the sketch.   Isn't it fabulous?  So versatile and good for any type of occasion.  Since we are so close to Halloween, I decided to focus on that for my card, plus I needed a card for another Hope You Can Cling To challenge.  This challenge was from Judy and here's her description:  My challenge to you is a reminder! Get 'em mashed, squooshed, photographed, x-rayed, and checked! And to that end, we will be sharing creations inspired by "The Monster Mash"!

I don't have the super fun Ghoulish Googlies, but I was able to bum it from my sweet downline Shannon to make this card.   I thought lil' Frankie was perfect for the Monster Mash theme.   I did switch the image side for my card, but that's the fun of sketch challenges, right?!  

Stamps:  Ghoulish Googlies, Tiny Tags

Ink:  Staz On Black, Pear Pizzazz marker

Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Whisper White, Wicked Fun DSP (retired)

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Pennants die, Chevron embossing folder, 2 1/2 circle punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Basic Black 1/4 grosgrain ribbon (retired)

Here's our little family at the local pumpkin patch yesterday.   I'll have more of Laila to share in the next week or so.  I'm not sure she knew what was going on poor dear.  It was pretty warm here, so I'm hoping it will cool off a bit so that we can go again.  

Serenity Now!

I'm still trying to catch up on my Hope You Can Cling To cards.  Making a card a day is tough for me, but I'm trying my best!    I am glad we have the first week in November to play catch-up.  I can already see that I'm going to need it.  Today's card is a challenge by Jennifer, a breast cancer survivor.  Here's her description:  So my challenge for you is to create a card that evokes peace, calm, and serenity with a touch (or splash!) of pink. no pressures, no requirements other than to just enjoy, embrace, and have fun while you are making it! Don't forget you can play along too!   A discussion with all the challenges can be found here.

I started off in a different direction, but it didn't work out and I decided to try again with the clear block background.  My first one looked amazing and then I dropped an inked stamp on it.  I figure that goes along with the rest of my day where I went grocery shopping with no purse, somehow double loaded my Starbucks card, and left the grocery store without buying any meat for our dinners this week.   It's definitely one of THOSE days.  Yuck.   Anyway, I I like how this turned out once I finally got it together.   I think it evokes serenity.  It does to me after my day.  :)

Stamps:  Just Believe, Petite Pairs

Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso

Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit, clear block, Early Espresso stitched ribbon, Basic Pearls

Just playing a little dress-up for our trip to Target last week.  :)

HYCCT Green Foliage

After a rough few days, Jason was finally off today and I got a break to go stamp.   Laila was sure a challenge for me for the three days he was working, so I'm glad to have him here for a few days.  It's much easier when we can trade off parenting.  :)    I'm trying to catch up with the Hope You Can Cling To challenges so that I can mail off a package of cards to the MD Anderson Cancer Center this week.   The challenge I worked on today was from Dina and here's her description:  Make a card inspired by a show tune!  Any song (title or lyrics) from any musical or movie will do – just let us know what song inspired you!  For my card I picked a song from Little Shop of Horrors called Somewhere That's Green and made this monochromatic card.   I hope that will work!  :)

Stamps:  French Foliage, Just Believe

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Garden Green

Paper:  Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, scraps

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Woodgrain embossing folder, Scallop Oval punch, Medium Oval punch, Regals buttons, Linen Thread

It's still been pretty warm down here in Texas, so I've been trying to get her in the rest of her summer clothes before it's too cold for them.  This girl sure did get a lot of clothes!   

October Stamp Club

Last night was my monthly stamp club with my totally amazing group of ladies.  There's always so much fun and laughter and I love that they enjoy our meetings so much!   I thought I'd share our cards and a few other pictures today.  

This first one we did using my favorite set, French Foliage, and the new Core'dinations card stock from the Holiday Catalog.  I just LOVE that background!

For our second project we used the Naturals Composition paper from the main catalog.  I just love the look of it brayered with color.  We did change up the card a little and add more leaves to the image panel.  I did two panels to show a few choices and they all liked the other option better.  Of course that's the one I forgot to snap a picture of.   Looks like I was in a More Mustard and Early Espresso mood, huh?  :)

 Here's everyone with their beautiful masterpieces!  (Notice my Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler kitchen in the background.)

Last night was our last meeting of this round of club so I wanted to make them up a special gift.  I found this fun idea on Pinterest and made them this gift-in-a-jar.  Jason was a huge help with these or I think it would have taken me forever!  

LOL  Is this not THE best "caption this" photo ever?!  I love it!    

Friday Mashup Flowers

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using "Faux Washi Tape".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project using the "Sketch and Faux Washi Tape".

Tara is our hostess this week at The Friday Mashup and she challenged us with a technique and this cool sketch!  I didn't manage to mash mine up as I couldn't find the tape in our house, but if you want to, you can find the tutorial here.  

I had an idea for this card in my head for over a week but couldn't find the stamp set.   I finally found it the other day which was great because I didn't really have any other ideas!   It didn't translate quite how I pictured it, but I guess it's still okay.   

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature

Ink: Versamark

Paper:  Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Basic Gray, First Edition DSP, scraps for the flags

Tools/Accessories:  Heat Tool, black embossing powder, Scallop Edge punch, Neutrals buttons

I am a bit obsessed with cone flowers, so here's some I took a picture of at the arboretum the other day.  :)  

She just keeps growing so fast.  I'm afraid prom is just around the corner!  Ha!