Thursday, June 30, 2011

Hello Sunshine..it's The Craft's Meow


Scroll down for the new
challenge from
The Play Date Cafe




It is Day Four of the previews for the new release from



 Each day this week, you will see a new set
revealed and have a chance to win a set each day!



These sweet stamps are from the brand new
'Baggin Some Rays'
set designed by the fabulous Nina Brackett.

This set has versatile stamps that works
well on it's own or with some of the previous sets by TCM.
It also has tremendous possibilities with our
upcoming sets as well ; )


 Make sure you pop by
and check out the fabulous-ness
from all of the designers.
TCM is giving away 3 stamp sets
each day, so make sure you leave a comment
on my blog for a chance to win!

I am so glad you stopped by today and I hope
you will plan to come by each day this week
so you don't miss a thing!


Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper: 'Dots & Stripes' by Echo Park
Stamps: 'Baggin Some Rays' by The Craft's Meow 
Tools: 'Lacey Squares' die by Spellbinders, Big Shot
Embellishments:  Baker's Twine in 'Mandarin' by The Twinery

The Play Date Cafe Challenge


Look at this stunning color story from our girl Jax

I unfortunately was over-extended this week.
(I'll share why at the end of this post)
So I was unable to create something for this challenge,
but I know a fabulous Design Team who did and here are
just a few of the beautiful creations you'll find in
The Cafe to inspire you...


CAS beauty by the aforementioned Jaclyn Miller


CAS elegance by the one and only Andrea Ewen


Fab creativity from the artistic mind of Fiona Schultz


I hope you will play along this week.
We have a tremendous new sponsor with us...



Now...here is what has taken up much of my
attention in the past week....


Many of you know my 8 yr old grandson, CJ.
Last week, we were called to the hospital because
CJ had fallen from the top of the slide on the playground
and had an ambulance ride to the hospital.


His left arm was indeed broken.
That is NOT his elbow you are looking at...enough said!
It was a long day of waiting for surgery, but he had
to have a couple of pins put in because the
break was so bad.  He stayed overnight in the hospital
and received his brand new blue cast yesterday.

I've been on babysitting duty all this week and it's
cut in to my creative time...but I know you understand
and I couldn't imagine doing anything else but
taking care of that little man.

Do me a favor...get over to The Cafe...and play!


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Oh Baby! It's The Craft's Meow



It is Day Three of the previews for the new release from

 Each day this week, you will see a new set
revealed and have a chance to win a set each day!


These sweet stamps are from the brand new
'It's a Banner Day'
set designed by the fabulous Nina Brackett.

This set has versatile stamps that works
well on it's own or with some of the previous sets by TCM.
It also has tremendous possibilities with our
upcoming sets as well ; )

 Make sure you pop by
and check out the fabulous-ness
from all of the designers.
TCM is giving away 3 stamp sets
each day, so make sure you leave a comment
on my blog for a chance to win!

I am so glad you stopped by today and I hope
you will plan to come by each day this week
so you don't miss a thing!


Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper: 'Flea Market' by Colorbok
Stamps: 'It's a Banner Day' by The Craft's Meow 
Embellishments:  Flowers & Pearls by Recollections

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Enjoying the Ride with The Craft's Meow



It is Day Two of the previews for the new release from


There's been a tremendous response to the release
so far and I have a feeling it's going to get even better
once you visit the blogs of our other designers....
and make sure you do because TCM is 
giving away three sets of today's release
to lucky winners who leave comments on all the designer's blogs.

I absolutely adore this set called
'Life is a Carnival'
designed by the fabulous Nina Brackett.

What a fun set of stamps!!
It has become my favorite of the week!

I love that there is a lot of rainbow color
to this card and will be sharing it over at
The Embellish Magazine Challenge as well : )

Make sure you pop by
and check out the fabulous-ness
from all of the designers.
TCM is giving away 3 stamp sets
each day, so make sure you leave a comment
on my blog for a chance to win!

I am so glad you stopped by today and I hope
you will plan to come by each day this week
so you don't miss a thing!


Today's Project Recipe:
Stamps: 'Life is a Carnival'' by The Craft's Meow 
Ink: 'Slate' by A Muse Studio
Tools:  Corner Rounder punch by Fiskars
Embellishments: Rhinestones by Me & My Big Ideas

Monday, June 27, 2011

Chirp Up! with The Craft's Meow



It is Day One of the previews for the new release from



 Each day this week, you will see a new set
revealed and have a chance to win a set each day!


These sweet stamps are from the brand new
'Lovely Birds'
set designed by the fabulous Nina Brackett.

This set has versatile stamps that work
well with some of the previous sets by TCM.
It also has tremendous possibilities with our
upcoming sets as well ; )


 Make sure you pop by
and check out the fabulous-ness
from all of the designers.
TCM is giving away 3 stamp sets
each day, so make sure you leave a comment
on my blog for a chance to win!

I am so glad you stopped by today and I hope
you will plan to come by each day this week
so you don't miss a thing!


Today's Project Recipe:
Stamps: 'Lovely Birds' by The Craft's Meow 
Tools:  Spellbinders Lacy Squares Dies, Big Shot
Corner Rounder punch by Fiskars, Copic Markers

Sunday, June 26, 2011

I'm Joining The Craft's Meow Team!


Do I have some pretty fantastic news to share!!!


I am thrilled to announce that I have been asked
to be the newest member of 

The Craft's Meow Design Team
as a 
Designer 
and
Newsletter Editor.

I absolutely adore Lisa Hjulberg and when she
asked if I would be interested in taking the position
as the newsletter editor, 
she didn't have to ask me twice!
If you have visited my blog for any length of time,
you will probably know that in my other life, I was
a copy writer & show producer for affiliate & public television.
I published my own store store newsletter
that was sent to over 1000 customers monthly
and have written dozens of articles for trade publications
in the rubber stamp industry.
I have a real passion for creative writing as well, so I
feel like it's a match made in stamping heaven!


I love the set of 'Timeless Tags' from The Craft's Meow
and felt this one best shares how I feel about Lisa
giving me this opportunity!

I look forward to all that is to come designing with the
extremely talented 
and 
creative designers
from

Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper: 'Emma's Shoppe' by Crate Paper,
'Dots & Stripes' by Echo Park 
Stamps: 'Timeless Tags' by The Craft's Meow 
Tools:  Spellbinders Grommet Tag Dies, Big Shot
Border punch by Fiskars
Embellishments: Pearl Brads, Crochet & Paper Flowers by Recollections


Friday, June 24, 2011

Gettin' Edgy at CAS-ual Fridays


It's another fabby challenge day at....

 
...and what a creative one this was!!!


The challenge was to create an 'edge' to our project,
so I pulled out one of my favorite Martha punches
to create this shadowed edge.  I also used one
of my all time favorite Cuttlebug Embossing Folders
to create the background.

The stamps that I used are from one of my favorite
stamp companies as well .... go figure!!
They also happen to be sponsoring our challenge...


I used the 'Sweet Lace' background to make
the flower pattern and the sentiment is from
'Follow Your Heart'.

Hope you will come by the 'Break Room' over at
CAS-ual Fridays and see what the talented 'Girl Fridays'
have created to inspire you to play!
I'll see you there!


Today's Project Recipe:
Stamps: 'Follow Your Heart' & 'Sweet Lace' both by
Market Street Stamps
Inks: 'Ocean' & 'Fern' by A Muse Studio
Tools:  Cuttlebug EF in 'Stylized Flowers', 
Spellbinders Scalloped Circle Dies, Big Shot
Fiskars Corner Rounder Punch, Branch Border by Martha Stewart
Embellishments: Pearl Brads by Recollections



Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Beauty with Fran-tage at The Play Date Cafe



It's that time in the week once again!


Jax came up with this fantastic color story using
Slate Blue...Barn Red...Grey
 and our team all worked with the fabulous new
images from the new line of...

by Stampendous, this week's sponsor.


I love this image and decided to use the 'color block'
design method to make my colors work together.
I added a little charcoal baker's twine from The Twinery
to give it some texture as a finishing touch.

I hope you will pop by The Cafe and check out
all the fabulous inspiration there and make sure
you check out the AMAZING PRIZE PACKAGE
that one lucky winner will receive!


Today's Project Recipe:
Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink & Worldwin
Stamps: Stampendous 'Dragonfly Vine
Tools: Fiskars Corner Rounder Punch
Embellishments: Baker's Twine in 'charcoal' from The Twinery
Sentiment stickers by EK Success

Saturday, June 18, 2011

A Very Special Welcome...


I thought I would take a few minutes to share a couple
of my newest designs that were featured this week
over on the Lily Pad Cards Blog. I was an invited
Guest Designer and created a few new projects
just for them!


I enjoyed putting this card together because of it's cheery
colors.  I had purchased a set of sentiments from The Gifted Line
several weeks ago and thought this one worked really
well with these beautiful papers from Prima.

It was a very nice surprise today to find out
that I had been chosen as one of the blogs
from the 'Out and About' segment over at


for this week's DT entry for The Play Date Cafe.
Thanks so much Cath!!!


And now a card with a little extra special meaning...


This card was made using some of my favorite stamps 
inks and designer papers from

Of course you know that all A Muse Studio stamps
papers and inks can be ordered through my Web Store here.

I am in a baby mood lately and here is why....


This is Finn...he is my 4th grandson and will be
making his appearance some time between
July 4th and July 18th.  My daughter Mallory
(whose birthday is also July 18th) 
has been getting ready for this new one
and doing her best to get through this summer heat.
I told her a couple of weeks ago, that she now knew
what I felt like as, of course, I was pregnant with her 
at this time nearly 27 years ago...it didn't help!

Those 3-D ultrasounds are quite amazing, aren't they?
Of course, nothing compares to the miracle of life...

Thanks for stopping by...more to share soon!


Give Thanks Project Recipe:
Designer Paper:  Prima 'Sparkling Spring'
Tools: Fiskars Corner Rounder Punch
Embellishments: Flower & Pearl Flourish by Recollections,
Sentiment sticker by The Gifted Line

Welcome Little One Project Recipe:
Designer Paper, Inks, Stamps:  all from A Muse Studio

Friday, June 17, 2011

Designing in Blocks of Color at CAS-ual Fridays


It's challenge time once again...


CAS-ual Fridays brings you another fun challenge
this week using the theme of 'color blocking'.
If you're new to this idea, we are going to
help you out over in The CAS-ual Fridays' Break Room.
Our Girl Fridays have beautiful designs
that will really inspire you.


I love working with these colors during the summer time.
It's a CAS design focusing on layers of color.
No stamping, but lots of simple design elements.

This week's sponsor is....

I really look forward to everyone playing this week.
I know you will wow us with your creations!

Thanks for popping by and have fun with the challenge!


Today's Project Recipe:
Cardstock:  Bazzill & American Crafts
Tools: Spellbinders Lacy Square die, Big Shot 
Embellishments: Peel-off stickers by The Paper Studio,
Rhinestone flourish by Recollections, metal sentiment from JoAnn's



Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Fun...Fresh...Fabulous The Play Date Cafe


I am so happy to share this week's color story
with you because I think it's so fresh and fun....


Check out these fun summer colors
and here is my offering for this week's challenge...


Another CAS design for me this week but with colors
this bold and beautiful, I think it works.

I would love for you to come by and play along with us
this week.  The very talented Tami Mayberry is our guest
designer this week and she brings along a very
special prize for one lucky winner!

I'll see you over in The Cafe!


Today's Project Recipe:
Stamps: Hampton Arts
Ink: Memento in Bahama Blue
Embellishments: ribbon by Autumn Leaves
rhinestone centerpiece by The Paper Studio, gems from Martha Stewart