One is Good...Two is....

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

Another Sweet stamp set called
'In Tandem'

designed by Nina Brackett

of Nina B Designs

Another lovely set of stamps perfect

for the summer months of creativity

Make sure you pop by

 The Craft's Meow Blog

and check out the fabulous-ness

from all of the designers.

TCM is giving away a stamp set 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 again tomorrow for...

THE OFFICIAL RELEASE 

& 

DESIGN TEAM BLOG HOP!

Today's Project Recipe:

Stamps: 'In Tandem' by The Craft's Meow 
Cardstock:  American Crafts

Ink: 'Tuxedo Black, Grape Jelly & Lilac Posies' Memento
Copics in various colors

Embellishments:  Hand-dyed Seam binding from Sugar Lump Studio,

'Boutique Fleur' flower by Recollections

Special Delivery from The Craft's Meow

It is Day Three of previews for the new release from

I absolutely AdOrE this beautiful set

designed by Nina Brackett

of Nina B Designs

I can't wait for you to see the entire set next week

because it is off the chain!

So many lovely elements to play with!

Make sure you pop by

 The Craft's Meow Blog

and check out the fabulous-ness

from all of the designers.

TCM is giving away a stamp set 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: 'Telegram' & 'Timeless Tags' by The Craft's Meow 
Designer Paper:  'Summer Days' Echo Park Paper

Tools: 'Distrezz-it-All' by Zutter, 

Double Loop Weave punch by Martha Stewart,

'Grommet Tags' dies from Spellbinders, Big Shot

Embellishments:  'Sweet Taffy Aqua' flowers by Prima,

'Boutique Fleur' flower by Recollections, Doily Ribbon by TPC

'Sweet Talk' gems/pearls by KandCompany

Oh Baby...You're Sweet Indeed!

I am a *smidge* late with my post for this week's

challenge over at....

Many of you know why...and I'll share that in

just a sec....but first, here is my design team offering

for this week's challenge which is to create a

Clean and Simple

card measuring 4 x 9.....

Our design team was really fortunate to have a set

of stamps from this week's sponsor

and I used 'Admit One'

I kept it VERY clean and simple using just

a spot of color from Echo Park Papers

'Candy Shoppe Dots & Stripes'

We'd love to have you play along, so make sure you

check out the design team gallery at CAS-ual Fridays because 

our Girl Fridays really nailed this one!!!

Now...here is my wonderful excuse for being tardy

with my posts today....

Our sweet Baby Finn was born yesterday at 4:44pm

This photo was taken within 20 minutes of his birth

and it's truly amazing the gift that he is....

Finn Paul is grandson number 4 for Paul and I

and it never gets old!

Thanks for all of the well-wishes along the way

and I appreciate being able to share even the

'tiniest'

of blessings with you : )

Today's Project Recipe:

Stamps: 'Admit One' by Lawn Fawn
Ink: 'Tuxedo Black' Memento
Copic: Sand E33
Designer Paper:  'Dots & Stripes' Candy Shoppe Collection
from Echo Park Papers

You're an A+ at The Craft's Meow

It is Day Two of previews for the new release from

These sweet stamps are from the brand new

'Owl See You in Class'

set designed by Jenny Suchin.

Make sure you pop by

 The Craft's Meow Blog

and check out the fabulous-ness

from all of the designers.

TCM is giving away a stamp set 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: 'Owl See You in Class' by The Craft's Meow 
Ink: 'Mushroom' Adirondack from Ranger,
'Artprint Brown' Memories from Stewart Superior
Embossing Power:  White from Hampton Arts

Welcome Little One...The Craft's Meow Sneak Peeks!

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

I was seriously inspired by the fact that my

sweet daughter Mallory is STILL waiting on the

birth of her third son!

So that's Mama Mallory and her 

soon-to-be THREE boys!

These sweet stamps are from the brand new

'Owl be Thinking of You'

set designed by Jenny Suchin.

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

 The Craft's Meow Blog

and check out the fabulous-ness

from all of the designers.

TCM is giving away a stamp set 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: 'Owl be Thinking of You' by The Craft's Meow 
Embellishments: 'Stardust' Stickles by Ranger,
mini copper brads by Recollections

Tools:  'Icicles' border punch by Martha Stewart

Corner Rounder punch by Fiskars, Copic Markers,
Marvy Markers 

A Dark & Stormy Night Brings a Challenge...

There are MAJOR thunderstorms with tornado warnings

all over our area...winds are sustained at 60 mph and

you cannot see across the lawn.

I am running on empty laptop battery as the lights

are flickering....

So I just wanted to quickly share this week's

challenge for

The Play Date Cafe.

Make sure you get over to The Cafe and see what

our talented design team have to share with you

and check out this week's sponsor...

I'll be back tomorrow with a very special

'scheduled' : ) sneak peek!

Gotta run...the winds are a blowin'!!!

Another BIG Announcement!!

FOR MY CHA PHOTOS 

& A GREAT PROJECT

FEATURING 

THE CRAFT'S MEOW

CLICK HERE

I've been holding back on one more terrific announcement

and I am thrilled to be able to share it with you now!

The wonderful Angelica Suarez, owner of 

Market Street Stamps

asked me to be a part of her Senior Design Team

and I couldn't have been more thrilled!

I've known Angelica for quite awhile as she and I

work together at The Twinery.

I was able to spend a little time with her in Milwaukee

in June and again at CHA last week.

 I hope you will check out the MSS Blog and take

a look at the wonderfully creative designers I'll be

working with...a great reveal of all new designers is

coming very soon!

I am really excited to be a part of this amazingly

talented design team and am looking forward to

sharing their beautifully unique stamps with you!

Sharing Some Sunshine from CHA

Hey Everybody!!!

Just a quick card I whipped up from last week.

There's been a whole lotta heat goin' on all over the country

and Northern Illinois' has been right in the middle of it.

100 degree temps with heat indexes up towards 120 made

it so difficult to breathe...so no patio time for Julie last week.

But I am happy to say that I am coming to you today

directly from my patio to share this card full of sunshine...

just like my day...

I adore the sunshine on this card.

It was created using 'Baggin' Some Rays' from The Craft's Meow.

So many fun images to choose from!

Last week was the Summer CHA Show.

I am so fortunate to have Chicago in my backyard

so I was able to go and walk the floor for The Twinery.

Before I go, I thought I would share a few photos from

CHA...most are mine and a couple I snagged from my

friend Stacy Rodriguez.

One of the sweetest people in the world, Cath Edvalson.

You know her as the author of the Moxie Fab World blog.

Have you visited her personal blog?

I LoVe visiting there...really getting to know the heart

of this lady...hope you will check it out too!

You never miss the fab red-headed beauty that is Susan Opel.

She is the creative editor of Paper Crafts Magazine.

It was such a lovely time at the PC Mag Meet & Greet,

which is where the majority of these pics were taken.

I love this photo of Susan with Kelly Marie Alvarez

of Lawn Fawn Stamps.

Kelly Marie's adorable husband Mike was taking pics

at the exact same time so those poor girls had no idea

which way to look!

Several talented designers made it to the CHA floor.

Vera Yates was the only one I found that was the

same height as me and we loved it!!

Kate Baldwin of I {heart} Papers has been a facebook

friend of mine for awhile.  She is always there when I have

the oddest questions that need a quick answer!

This is my dear friend and another very talented designer,

Stacy Rodriguez.  I was so happy to finally hook up with her.

One of the sweetest around!

(I have no idea what is going on with my eye here!)

Talk about a stairstep photo!

Along with myself and Stacy, this is Madison Parker

of Echo Park Paper.  Great guy!

Stacy does the social media work on FB for EP

so it was great to finally put a face to the company.

(again..no idea what is going on with the eye!)

This is my sweet and talented friend and teammate

from The Play Date Cafe & CAS-ual Fridays.

I saved her for last...

you know how they do in TV shows

where the big names get the last look in the opening credits?!

She was my companion for the day and it was so wonderful

to finally spend some time with her.

She is one of the most talented designers in paper crafting

today and by the way, she is currently a 

Top 10 Gallery Idol Finalist...so please go vote!!

Project Recipe:

Stamps:  'Baggin Some Rays' by The Craft's Meow
Ink: 'Papaya' by A Muse Studio
Tools:  'Fancy Tags 2' by Spellbinders

Big Shot, Starburst Border punch from Martha Stewart,

Corner Rounder punch from Fiskars

Choo-Choo Birthday at CAS-ual Friday

I have been in such a 'boy-themed' creative mood

lately and I have a feeling it's because we are still

awaiting the arrival of our newest grandson

{which should be any day}

This week's challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays

is to use stickers or rub-ons and is sponsored by...

EAD Designs

and each of our designers was given their choice

of beautiful designs from their vinyl 'Stickerz' collection.

These are so cool, removable & repositionable.

I chose this fabulous set...

Birthday Trains

Because I've been thinking about all my grandsons, it was a 

no-brainer on which set I would choose.

5 year-old Caleb has always loved

'Thomas the Tank Engine' and this set definitely

reminded me of him.

I just added these fab clouds made from dies by

Lil' Inker Design.

I hope you'll come play this week...you could win

a $35 shopping spree over at EAD Designs!

Project Recipe:

Cardstock:  'Kraft' by The Paper Company
Ink: 'Sky' by A Muse Studio
Embellishments:  'Birthday Train' by EAD  Designs

Tools:  'Clouds' die from Lil' Inker Design, Big Shot

Sailing with a 'Splash' of Color

Lots of black and white with just a 'hint' of color

can only mean one thing...

 It's 'Color Splash' week

over at The Play Date Cafe!

This week, it's a Player's Choice and you get

to choose your own 'splash'.

Each of our designers featured their splash of

 color using baker's twine from our sponsor...

 The Twinery has THE BEST baker's twine

on the planet!  Of course, you may think me biased as

I am the design team coordinator for them...

but if you want beautiful 100% cotton in very

saturated colors, then you want baker's twine

from The Twinery.

I have loved all the nautical-themed stamps and papers

this summer and thought it would be a good theme for the splash.

I grabbed this fabulous stamp featuring a Webster's Pages

design from Unity for my focal point this week and used

'Caribbean' baker's twine for the sailboat ropes.

We are saying goodbye to one of our fabulous 

designers this week.  Fiona Schultz has finished her term with

us and is moving on to do things in her country

of Australia, focused on family and her creative work.

I know I will miss her and I thank her for all the

inspiration and friendship she has brought to me.

I hope you will pop by her blog and wish her well

and join us this week in The Cafe.

I'll be back tomorrow to share a few photos from

the CHA Show in Chicago.

Project Recipe:

Stamps:  'Celebrate' by Webster's Pages for Unity

Embellishments:  'Caribbean baker's twine by The Twinery, 

Tools:  Embossing Folder by Quickutz, Big Shot

Birthdays & Baker's Twine

It's a new week and I am so glad you stopped by!

Today I am sharing a couple of fun cards using 

the best baker's twine on the planet!!!

Of course, I am speaking of the beautiful twine-goodness from

The Twinery!

I love working with die cut frames and sometimes all they need

is a little extra pizazz bring them to life.

I used 'Blossom', 'Charcoal' & 'Cappuccino'

and just wove the three colors around the perimeter of
the beaded oval frame.
The center sentiment is a die cut sticker from EK Success.

This next project was created for the brand new
July Sketch Challenge over at The Craft's Meow.

I had fun playing with the 'Life is a Carnival' set
for this card and it came together so easily.

I love the designer papers from Crate Paper's 'Emma's Shoppe'
and they really made this card come alive.
I paper-pieced the little cotton candy stand with the sweetest
designs from this collection and then all of the background
panels are from corresponding designs.
I love the 'Honeydew' baker's twine which I used as
part of the sketch design and the cotton candy
was accented with teeny-tiny pearls.

I hope you will take some time to play with us over at
The Craft's Meow.  You have until the end of the month
to get your project entered, so check out all the details here.

I am also thrilled that the CARDS magazine blog is
featuring baker's twine for it's challenge this week,
so of course, I will share these cards with Paige there.

Thanks for stopping by...I hope you'll leave a quick
comment to let me know you were here.

Before I go....I have one more very special shout out ...

Today is my daughter Mallory's 27th birthday.

I've been reflecting all this past weekend on how
quickly the years have gone by.
She is now a mom herself with 2 of the most amazing
grandsons I could have hoped for and of course, as most
of you know, she is expecting her 3rd son any day now.
I am so proud of all she has accomplished in her family
and her career and know that God has
a wonderful year in store for her.

'Just Married' Project Recipe:

Cardstock:  Bazzill  
Ink: 'Shell' from A Muse Studio  
Embellishments:  'Cappuccino', 'Blossom' & 'Charcoal'
baker's twine by The Twinery, Die Cut Sticker by  EK Success
Tools:  'Beaded Ovals' Die by Spellbinders
'Twizzle' EF by Sizzix
Big Shot, corner rounder punch by Fiskars

'Cotton Candy Cart' Project Recipe:

Designer Paper: 'Emma's Shoppe' by Crate Paper
Stamps: 'Life is a Carnival' by The Craft's Meow
Embellishments:  'Honeydew' baker's twine by The Twinery
Tools: 'Scalloped Circles' & 'Standard Circles' dies by Spellbinders
Big Shot, corner rounder punch by Fiskars
'Scalloped Lace' border punch by Martha Stewart