catching up feels SO good!

Ahhhhh. It feels good to cross some things off a to-do list, doesn't it? Projects had seriously piled up, and I had an EXTREME amount of work to do before the end of the month. This week I managed to get through everything, and now I can take a LITTLE breath. (Just not for too long, or I will be behind all over again!)

This is a quick little card I made using the Little Buggers set from Unity. . . this set has some cute little bugs, but it's also possible to make some really cute bug-free projects too! This is SO simple, just ink, and colored pencils. But I think the notched out corners add the extra little pop this card needed. I hope you like it! And I hope you have a GREAT weekend. We have a birthday party to attend today, and a BBQ here at our house tomorrow. . .it will be a busy weekend! I hope I am well enough to enjoy it! (Could someone please tell my tummy that I am almost 14 weeks pregnant, and it's time to STOP feeling sick!?)
XOXO

Hip Hoppin' Joy

Are you feeling the joy today!? By now, (if you started hip hopping at Angela's blog) you know that we are feeling the joy over Lindsay Spencer's new release, called FEEL THE JOY, on this HAPPY HIP HOPPIN' DAY!

As we are each sharing 5 things that bring us JOY, I decided to share 5 things that bring me CRAFTY joy . . . .here they are!

*polka dots

*bright COLORS, COLORS, COLORS!

*adhesive that sticks only where I want it to, and is forgiving when I change my mind!

*juicy new ink pads

*finished projects that I am happy with!!!

(And now, if you feel like it, leave me a comment . . .what brings YOU crafty JOY?)

You're almost done with the blog hop now. . .
head on to Miss Wendy and see what brings her JOY!

(card goodies: yellow patterned paper - Carolee's Creations Adornit, orange and red paper - Pebbles Inc., stamps - Unity Stamp Co February Kit!!! ink - CTMH, ribbon, craft supply)

CPS #104

This week CPS is being sponsored by Papertrey Ink. They have beautiful clear stamps, and really thick quality cardstock (among a thousand other lovely things!) I have to keep this short and sweet, as I have GOT to get ready for church, but this is the card I made for this week, using PTI cardstock and stamps. I used two new sets, one called Background Basics: Retro and the sentiment from Tags for Spring

Just a couple of tricky things I did on this card . . .the scallops along the edges are one of the Retro stamps, trimmed and tucked under the pink cardstock. Also, if you look at the Retro stamps, you'll see the four-leaf stamp - I simply stamped it twice, on top of each other (one of the joys of CLEAR stamps!!!) to create the flowers. Oh, and I also stuck the striped line stamp down on my block in a curvy shape . .. another fun thing you can do with clear stamps - make a straight line, curvy!! So fun! I hope you like it!

Have a GREAT week!!!

XOXO

It's another HIP HOPPIN day!

Happy Hip Hop, friends! I have two cards, using NEW STAMPS, to share with you today!! These cards were made with the new release called Rain & Flowers.
This first card is loosely based on Tami Mayberry's CPS sketch #103 (this week's sketch!) The funny thing, is that I didn't really set OUT to create a card based on the sketch, I think I just had it in my brain, and didn't realize I had "used" the sketch until I was all done!
(card goodies: cardstock (Papertrey Ink) patterned paper (We R MemoryKeepers) ribbon (KI Memories)


I paper-pieced the rainboots and legs on this image, and added lots of sweet blue ribbon to the card. I'd really like to point out the scallops on the bottom of the card .. . another of my new FAVORITE stamps, a set called Fun With Four Inches. Go check this out, you are going to be seeing these stamps making an appearance on a LOT of my cards!
(card goodies: cardstock (Papertrey Ink) ribbon (CTMH and American Crafts)
Note: sentiment is from the OLD version of Mix Up of Cuteness - sorry, unavailable now! I didn't realize it when I made the card! Whoops!)

And now, back to the hopping girls. . .

your next stop is to the sweet miss Heather M

A Robot Valentine. . .and the big winners!

Happy Tuesday friends!! MAN, the CPS blog hop was nothing short of AMAZING. We are so thrilled with all the participation - wasn't it FUN!? I am so happy to pop in today, despite the cold I have managed to catch - seriously, was morning sickness all day long NOT ENOUGH!? Cold or no cold though, I have WINNERS TO ANNOUNCE!!!!!

The first winner will receive the CardMaker's Sketchbook, the March issue of CardMaker magazine, a variety of Valentine stamps from Starving Artistamps, and anything else I can cram in the envelope!! The winner is:

Jen said...
let the begging begin! pick me pick me! Happy birthday CPS and congrats on another great year!
February 14, 2009 11:13 AM
(***Jen, I sent you an email - please check your spam folder if you didn't get it!!!)

The second winner will receive the January issue of CardMaker magazine, the December issue of CARDS Magazine, some unmounted stamps from Impression Obsession, and a bunch of other goodies that I am going to pull out of my box of tricks!! The winner is:

Donna said...
CPS will owl-ways be my favorite! I'd love to win some blog candy. Thanks for the chance to win. I really like Sweet 'n Sassy. Happy Valentine's Day.
February 14, 2009 7:15 PM
(***Donna, I left a comment on your blog, with my info!)

Okay, onto my card for today. This is my CPS card for this week. We have a sponsor-free week, so I dug out some of my most FAVORITE product - Cosmo Cricket Cogsmo goodies. This is one of those products that I HOARD. I don't know why I don't use my stash, I just love it so much I am often afraid to use it. WHY!? So silly. So this week I dug in and used it. I added a little heart stamp from CTMH too. :) I hope you enjoyed your Valentine's Day, and your long weekend!
XOXO

Sharing the Love . . .the CPS Blog Hop!

Happy Valentines' Day, friends!!!

I hope you're up to something wonderful today . . .like blog hopping!!! The anniversary celebration at Card Positioning Systems has been SUCH fun. Have you enjoyed the extra sponsors, giveaways, and inspiration the past few weeks!? If you haven't started at the begining of the hop, at the CPS website. . .go there first, and hop your way through a bunch of the CPS designers, each with a fabulous giveaway to share!
Before I tell you about the goodies I have, let me tell you about my card! I used some more of the SUPER cute Starving Artistamps Valentine stamps, paper from We R Memory Keepers, and some Papertrey cardstock.
But now, onto what you'd REALLY like to hear about!! I want to SHARE some Valentines/CPS Anniversary love with you today . . .

*a copy of the Card Maker's Sketchbook. It has sketches by the darling and talented Tami Mayberry, and card samples from a lot of the CPS designers.
*some super cute Valentines stamps from Starving Artistamps.
*the new March issue of CardMaker magazine (if you win, and you already have this mag, let me know - i have a couple others i could trade it for!!!)
*anddd, any other treasures I can fit in the envelope!!!

On Tuesday morning, I'll draw one winner from the comments here on this post. (Maybe two, if I find some more goodies to share!) If you'd like, I would love to know who your favorite CPS sponsor company has been. Any new company you weren't familiar with, or maybe an old favorite of yours!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! I hope you'll come back again!

And now. . .HOP ONWARD, to the oh-so-sweet Lea Lawson

She is one seriously talented chica, and I am ALWAYS inspired by her work!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

XOXO

Shop some of my must-have craft supplies:

Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine

Magic Mat that fits Platinum 6

Shop all the Magic Mat sizes here

Spellbinders Color Essentials Cardstock

Thanks for stopping by! 

While you're here, you might love these cards too:

Make a clean and simple birthday card with just two stamps!

Make the CUTEST veggie cards . . .with wiggle eyes!

  I'm so glad you stopped by today! Let's connect again - subscribe so you don't miss a blog post! 

post updated 3/27/24

Simple and sweet. . .Sweet as sugar!

Another sweeet cupcake from Starving Artistamps for you today. It's tough to see, but I added some pink Stickles to the sprinkles on this cupcake, and I just love it! I love how bold the lines are on these stamps - it makes it so fun to color and paper-piece them. I used some super bright and happy Doodlebug Designs papers, and a ColorBok sticker for the sentiment.

And remember. . .I've promised you a Starving Artistamp giveaway later this week!

And speaking of SWEET, how SWEET are all of you with your happy thoughts and congratulations on my baby-news. What a fun surprise it was to see so many comments on Sunday's post. I should share big news more often. . .I got lots of comments!! Tee hee! Have a great week, and I'll be back on Thursday for the Unity Stamp Hip Hop!!! I have BRAND NEW not-yet-released stamps on the way, and I am crossing my fingers that they will get here in time, so I can whip up some projects to show you NEW GOODIES for the blog hop!

Hugs!

XOXO

Sweet! A new week, new CPS sponsors, and NEWS!

Hello, hello friends! I have been WAITING to share this card . . . .it's my card for CPS this week. Remember, we have another week FULL of sponsors and giveaways!!! The sponsor I worked with this week is Starving Artistamps. Their line of DoodleFactory stamps is one of the most fun stamp lines I have worked with. The lines are bold (great for paper-piecing and coloring!) and images are cute and quirky. The sentiments are cheeky and fun, and Starving Artistamps was INCREDIBLY generous to us, loading us up on Valentine stamps!! I have a few more cards to share throughout the week, using these stamps, and I might just have a few stamps to giveaway too later this week!!! (One of the giveaway prizes at CPS this week is from SA as well!!!)

So, in other news. . .if it hasn't made it through the grapevine to you, I have one other MAJOR excuse for my lack of cards, and posting throughout the month of January. It's because in addition to my computer being out-of-commision, I was also (and still am) feeling incredibly crummy because I'M PREGNANT!!!!! I have had a MAJOR case of the yucks since shortly after Christmas, but I am trying to convince myself that I will be feeling better soon. With my last pregnancy, the yucks lasted MUCH longer than the "normal" first 12 weeks - but I am going to do my best to think positively!!!!

OKAY. I really have to try and make some breakfast for my little man, and get us out to church. Mornings are definitely a struggle these days! (Come to think of it, so are the afternoons and evenings! UGH!!!)

Have a GREAT week, and check back soon for more cute DoodleFactory cards!! :)
XOXO

i {heart} hip hop!

Happy Hip Hop Thursday, chickies! If you are just joining us, hop on over to the Unity blog to get started at the begining!!!!

I thought I would share a little Valentines love today, on this lovely Hip Hop Day . . .both of these cards were made with Unity's January kit of the month. If you missed out, and you haven't joined the kit club, have no fear. . .. this set will be available on the website in March. So, hang in there!! This first card had a problem. . . .so I had to work it a little bit. The red ink that I used, once dry, was not quite dark enough for the words and swirls on the red cardstock. My remedy? Trace over it with a darker red colored pencil. Still not quite as dark as I had wanted, but I rolled with it. (Sometimes, ya just gotta do that!!)

And this card, is just a quick little Scrapling. . .a card I made with SCRAPS. (And a much darker ink color, after learning from my mistake!!)

And now, Hip Hoppers . .. hop onward to miss AJ!

You've almost made it to the end of the Hop!

And be sure to join us in the Unity forum at SCS for lots of chatting, giveaways, and fun!!

Have a wonderful day!! XOXO

hi little catepillar!

hey there everyone! it's been awfully quiet around the old bloggity-blog, after my little hiatus without my computer. today I have a card to share, using some fairly new stamps from Unity. This set is called "Little Buggers". I LOVE the HI sentiment. . .if you look closely, you'll see the letters are polka-dotted, and i just adore it.

Don't forget about the hoopla and fun at CPS this week. Saturday will be here before you know it, so be sure to get your sketch card linked up, for a chance to WIN WIN WIN!!! All the info is on the blog, if you need the full scoop!

(card goodies: stamps - Unity Stamp Company, patterned paper - My Mind's Eye, buttons - craft supply, cardstock, ink - Close To My Heart)

The CPS Anniversary Shindig! (and a yummy recipe!)

Have you been keeping up with all the daily fun at Card Positioning Systems? Seriously generous giveaways, beautiful cards, and fantastic sponsors are FILLING our days over there, and the party is long from over! This week we have three sponsors, for sketch number 101. I am happy to be working with Our Daily Bread Designs (my projects will be up on the CPS blog Tuesday. . .so enjoy this little sneak peek!) Our Daily Bread is a fairly new company, and they make really fabulous Christian themed stamps. This is my first of two cards that I did based on the CPS sketch. I'll share the other one in a few days. (card goodies: cardstock - Bazzill, stamps - Our Daily Bread, fibers, brads, ink - Close To My Heart)

This afternoon we are heading out to a SuperBowl party, and I am taking one of our family-favorite desserts. (Well, it's one of hubby's and my favorites. The little man doesn't like mint. Oh the horror!!) I have no idea where I got this recipe from, but if you like mint and chocolate, you will LOVE it.

Double Chocolate Mint Brownies

ingredients:

(brownies)

20-21 oz. brownie mix (I use Martha White, that comes in a bag - its perfect!),

ingredients specified on brownie mix

1 package (4.67 oz.) of thin mint candies (divided and unwrapped)

(frosting)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 TBS. light corn syrup

2 TBS milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13x9x2 pan with foil. Spray with nonstick spray.

Prepare brownie mix as directed on package. Spread half batter into pan. Arrange 24 thin mint candies over batter in a row of 4 across and 6 down. Spread remaining batter over candies.

Bake according to package.

Frosting: Break remaining 4 candies into pieces. Microwave candies, chocolate chips, and corn syrup in a small bowl, 1-1.5 minutes, till chips are shiny and soft. Add milk, stir till smooth. Spread over warm brownies. Cool completely. Use foil to lift from pan, cut into bars.

YUM-O!!!!