Tuesday, February 28, 2012

What a Way to Start the Day!!



Happy Tuesday All.....

It is indeed a happy day for me today as I get to share a bit
of news that I am super super excited about!


I received a fabulous email from Liz Qualman over at
Little Yellow Bicycle inviting me to be a member of the
Swoon Cycling Team!!!


I could not be more thrilled as LYB has become one of
my very favorite companies to play with.
As one who typically does not do layouts, I appreciate that
LYB recognizes the work of card-makers out there and appreciates
what we can bring to the table...or should I say, road??!!.  
Card-makers appreciate all the fun patterned papers
and groovy embellishments too!

This collection is so elegant and I can't wait to get started!
I am really blessed and truly honored!

Thanks LYB!!!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Celebrate Life...


Happy Monday!
Hope you had a great weekend and are ready for a creative week.

Today is one of my favorite days...


If you've stopped by directly from 
then you are in just the right place to continue with the hop.

If not, make sure you stop back at the
because there is a terrific prize for one lucky blog hopper!!


What I love about EAD Stickerz, beside the fact that they are repositionable...
and oh, the price...and of course the variety....
is that sometimes they can be used as the 
focal point of a card and other times,
they are the accent...I feel like this card shows both!

I created another woven flower using the new Cantaloupe baker's twine
from The Twinery and centered it with a beautiful and 'trendy'
bottle cap with a simple verse from EAD's 'Random Words'.
Those bright colors remindede me so much of Spring getting ready
to bloom here in Northern Illinois.

Behind it all is the Retro Flower Vine EF from Sizzix
showcasing the sentiment from EAD's 'Pocketful of Sunshine'.


Here are the sets I used....

Pocketful of Sunshine

Random Words

OH!  Here is one more thing I love about EAD...


Now it's time to move on so you can visit the other
talented ladies on this hop!
Your next stop is my sweet teammate

Please leave a comment and enjoy the rest of your day!!


Project Recipe: 
Cardstock: Bazzill
Embellishments: Stickerz in Random Words
and Pocketful of Sunshine by EAD Designs
Cantaloupe baker's twine from The Twinery,
bottlecap from Spare Parts
Inks:  Latte by A Muse Studio
Memento Bamboo Leaves & New Sprout by Tsukineko
Tools: Retro Flower Vine EF by Sizzix, Big Shot

Saturday, February 25, 2012

It's Paradise....


Happy Saturday!

I don't post a whole lot on the weekends, but I created a couple of
cards this past week that I am excited to share 
and
I have a terrific deal waitin' at the end of this post!


This past Monday, Paul and I took a little daytrip and of course, I landed
at an Archivers. {it's also our excuse to do a little shopping at Trader Joes!}

I had been looking forward to picking up some of the new collections from
Little Yellow Bicycle and today, I share with you a couple of cards from
the Paradise Collection.

I just love the bold colors of the papers and the richness it brings out on
each of the embellishments.  Of course, one of my favorite things they
make are the Clear Cut Acetate embellishments which is what this
lovely large flower is.
They are really on trend as I see a version of this flower everywhere
in rubber stamping right now.


For those of us old enough, don't those birds remind you of 
The Partridge Family??!!
I used some Pink Sorbet and Honeydew baker's twine from The Twinery for
just the right accent.  I like short cut knots lately and this has a few.


A bit of a color shift but still using the Paradise Collection.


I love the focal point of this card.  That tree is so beautiful.
What I love about our baker's twine at The Twinery is that the 4-ply
strands are nicely woven so they bring saturated color, but on both of
these projects, I really wanted to fray them for effect.
I would love to be that little bird in a forest like this.
Reminds me of the show 'Once Upon a Time'. 
Are you watching this season?


Anyway...I used my Martha Tree Branch Border for the edges and combined
the brand new Flax baker's twine & Cappuccino 
baker's twine from The Twinery.

I purchased a few pieces of LYB's Saturdays Collection and 
am hoping to have a little play with that later today.

Before you go....I wanted to make sure you didn't miss out
on the new online crafting club called


It's totally FREE to sign up and once you do,
you can take advantage of member-only discounts.

Look what I found on there this week:

Reg. $26...Blitsy price  $11.95

Reg. $4.50...Blitsy price $2.99

Reg. $7.50...Blitsy price $2.99

I'm tellin' ya, it's worth signing up JUST TO SEE
what is coming up on sale...of course, the deals are terrific as well!

Of course, I get $1 for sending you there (only thru 2/27)
I would so much appreciate it if you would go sign up....

Please click this direct link here:


Thanks ever so much for stopping by on the weekend.
I know there is a lot going on for everyone and if you'll leave a quick
note to say hello, I'll come find you to say hi back : )


Each DayProject Recipe: 
Patterned Paper: Pleasant Plaid & Happy Dots from Paradise by LYB
Embellishments: Pink Sorbet & Honeydew Baker's Twine by The Twinery
Tear Out Tickets, Cardstock Stickers & Clear Cuts 
all from Paradise by LYB


Be You Project Recipe: 
Patterned Paper: Paradise & Happy Dots from Paradise by LYB
Embellishments: Flax & Cappuccino Baker's Twine by The Twinery
Cardstock Stickers from Paradise by LYB
Tools: Tree Branch Border Punch by Martha Stewart

Friday, February 24, 2012

To my Favorite 'Pursen'

For the Jingle Belles Challenge
sponsored by EAD Designs
Click HERE




It's that time again...Clean and Simple with


What a FUN challenge...create something Clean and Simple
and....'pun-ny'

This week, our design team were given great sets from our sponsors
They know how to keep the puns going....


Anything with a handbag will get my attention.
I did a little paper-piecing for this challenge using new papers
from Lilybee Designs.
The stamp set is called 'Birthday Purses'.

I hope you will play along with us this week.  It's such a fun idea
but remember....keep it Clean and Simple!
See you there!


Project Recipe: 
Patterned Paper: Picket Fence by Lilybee Design
Stamps:  Birthday Purses by Skipping Stone Design
Embellishments: Honeydew Baker's Twine by The Twinery
Tools: Lacey Circles & Standard Circle by Spellbinders, Big Shot


Rockin' Around....


Nope!  You are not seeing things!

This is indeed a Christmas card!

The designers of EAD are playing along with the designers of the...


as EAD Designs is sponsoring Jingle Belles


The mission of the challenge is to create something for Christmas
all through the year and this week's challenge is called
'Stuck on You'


I pulled out my 'Deck the Halls' Stickerz and put a little Stickles
glitter glue in Stardust just to bling it a bit.
I laced my Spellbinders Lacey Circle with Honeydew baker's twine
from The Twinery and put it all on top of a panel embossed with
the Santa Bingo EF from Sizzix.  The beautiful gingham cardstocks are
from A Muse Studio ( and you can visit my web store here for all things A Muse )


It's never too early to think about Christmas cards, 
so I hope you will take the challenge.
There's all kinds of fabulous inspiration from the designers over on the

Visit EAD for fabulous designs for the holidays

Have a great time!



Project Recipe: 
Patterned Cardstock: Gingham by A Muse Studio
Embellishments: Deck the Halls Stickers by EAD Designs
Honeydew baker's twine from The Twinery,
Stardust Stickles from Ranger 
Tools: Lacey Circles & Standard Circle by Spellbinders, 
Santa Bingo EF by Sizzix, Big Shot

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Just for Fun


Hello!
I'm afraid the nasty bug that has been making it's way around
the country has landed smack-dab in Northern Illinois,
so I am coming to you from the comfort of my new bed.
{more below}

I have my laptop, calendar, DT submissions,
the current paper crafting magazines, the TV clicker
and a hot cup of tea...I reckon I am going to get a lot done
without the distractions of all the paper & embellishments in
the creative nook.


I actually created these cards a couple weeks ago, but I've not had any blog space to share them ..... LOL
When Paper Smooches offered this sweet tree set called 'Gently Seasoned',
I knew I had to have it.  I used a variety of my FAVORITE inks from
A Muse Studio in Latte, Shell & Slate

The sentiment is from The Paper Company.




I am loving using my Lacey Circle die from Spellbinders and thought it would be fun to stack them for this card.


I have been holding on to this paper from Cosmo Cricket because I absolutely love it.
This card is pretty self-explanatory.


I mentioned my comfy bed a moment ago.


If you follow me on Facebook, you know a few weeks ago
Paul and I went on a search for a new bed and mattress.
We've had the same bed for the past 20+ years, as it is a family
heirloom having been in our family for over 75 years.
But it was only a full size and we felt that it was time to give ourselves
just a little more room.
It's a cherry wood Sleigh bed and we really do love it.
We went on a 4-hour search for the bed clothes and settled on this beautiful
set from Martha Stewart for Macy's.
The new mattress is fab and is the perfect place for me to get work done
while I'm feeling under the weather.

Thanks for stopping by today...and for indulging little personal notes.
I miss just sharing little bits of life with you, so I am going to try and
slip in the occasional post with just fun things I've created.

I'll be back at midnight EST with a new challenge from


God Promises Project Recipe: 
Cardstock: Bazzill
Stamps: Gently Seasoned by Paper Smooches,
Faith Greetings by The Paper Company
Ink: Latte, Shell, Slate by A Muse Studio
Mushroom Adirondack by Ranger 
Embellishments: pearls by Recollections
Seam Binding from Hug Snug
Tools: Lacey Circles & Standard Circle by Spellbinders, Big Shot

 
Hope Project Recipe: 
Cardstock: Bazzill

Patterned Paper: Apron Strings by Cosmo Cricket
Stamps: Faith Greetings by The Paper Company
Ink: Mushroom Adirondack by Ranger 
Embellishments: pearls by Recollections
ribbon from Michaels
Tools: Lacey Circles from Spellbinders, Big Shot

Precious ...


I'm on a baby card kick lately.
I think it's these adorable Stickerz from EAD Designs
that inspire me.
Today I bring two additional inspirations for my card as well.

First....


This beautiful color story from 


The additional inspiration comes from a former teammate from the UK,
Debby Hughes over at Lime Doodle.
I totally cased a card she did this past week because I LoVe her style!
{you can find her original design here}
I used the 'Baby Safari' Stickerz from EAD, a few of my dies from
Spellbinders and just did a little layerin'!
I pulled papers from my 6x6 pads by Jillibean Soup & Cosmo Cricket.


We have a pretty amazing prize package up for grabs...


The very talented Theresa Momber, designer for Gina K Designs
is giving one lucky winner these fab sets worth $70!

So come play...COME PLAY!!!


Project Recipe: 
Patterned Paper: Blossom Soup by Jillibean Soup
& Clementine by Cosmo Cricket
Embellishments: Baby Safari Stickers by EAD Designs
Tools: Lacey Circles & Standard Circle by Spellbinders, Big Shot

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Girls Just Want to Have Fun



Today is one of those days that I get to post whatever I want!
LOL
I love working for all my teams and who wouldn't?  To get to 'play'
with so many fabulous images and embellishments and of course,
you know me.  My passion is working with developing teams and
the social media that goes with building businesses.

So today, I do that behind the scenes on my laptop.

Last night I spent a couple hours playing with some new
'stuff' I picked up on a trip to Archivers during the day.
Paul and I had a daytrip out and it was a beautiful day.


How ridiculously cute is this line from Imaginisce?! 
It's called Sole Sisters and it's perfect for those girly-friend cards that we all
need to make once in awhile.  The pattern that I created the arched border from
is actually the backside of the shoe pattern in houndstooth.

I added tiny pearls to each of the shoes and to the marquis.


Here is another CAS card using the same theme of 'Girls Night Out'....


There's that houndstooth which in fashion, is uber-timeless!


I love the colors in this collection and the embellishments are AdOrAbLe!!
Tiny  pearls always bring a little somethin'-somethin' to a card.


I hope you enjoyed your visit today.

A BIG thanks to Imaginisce for featuring this card in the weekly

 

I've been working on a lot of cards in between my DT work, so I have
bunches of things to share, so I hope you'll stop by again soon.

Have a GREAT day!!


Girls Night Out Project Recipe Includes: 
Patterned Paper & Die Cuts: Sole Sisters by Imaginisce
Embellishments: pearls by Recollections
Tools: Lacey Circles & Standard Circle by Spellbinders, Big Shot
Lattice Arch border punch by EK Success

Monday, February 20, 2012

Happy Bird-Day with The Craft's Meow


For the EAD Blog Hop


  
The day is finally here!!

It's the New Release Blog Hop with
the designers from


If you've arrived here from the very talented
then you are in the perfect spot.
If not, I would love for you to start over at
because you will have a terrific opportunity to
win all 4 brand new releases!
They all go on sale TOday!!!


Today I combined 'Tweet of You' and 'I've Got Your Number'
to make one sweet birthday card.
Whenever I have an intricate pattern with a stamp, I immediately
think 'paper-piecing'.
I did the same with the little bird on the cage.
The numbers in this set are so fantastic with a distressed-feel.
They make great foreground AND background images.


 Here are the 4 brand new sets you have a chance to win...

I've Got Your Number

 Tweet of You

 Owl See You in the Spring

 Sew Lovely

To win, just make sure you stop by each of the blogs
on the hop and leave a comment when you do.
Visit and comment by 9pm PST, Tues Feb 21st
and you could be the winner of these fab stamps.

It's time to send you on your way to my dear friend

I'll see you again soon...have a GREAT day!


Project Recipe: 
Patterned Paper: Citronella & Berry Sweet by K&Company
Stamps: Tweet of You & I've Got Your Number by The Craft's Meow
Embellishments: gems by Me and My Big Ideas
Ink: Tuxedo Black from Memento & Slate both from A Muse Studio