It's a Giveaway!!

Over at Jenni Adores, She is giving away a super cute sun hat! Check it out HERE!

Travel Mini Album

Since my family is going on vacation soon, I thought it would be nice to have a mini album/journal for us to record our memories as we go. This is what I came up with.

The whole album is made up of the plain sheets of Tim Holtz Grungeboard. I punched 3 holes in the end with my Crop-A-Dile Big Bite, and put on book rings ( easy to take off and put on as I finished them).

For the cover, I inked the Grungeboard with "Tumbled Glass" Distress Ink pad, then misted it with Turquoise , Riptide, Sea Glass, and Sand Glimmer Mists. I colored this lovely sketch from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Seaside Sketches digistamp set with colored pencils, glued it to the cover of my mini, then surrounded the scene with tiny glass beads in various blues and golds, to mimic sand and water. The letters for the word "Travel" are from Making Memories Passport collection but they were flat stickers, so I attached them to a scrap of Grungeboard, and trimmed the excess.I added a Prima flower and a strand of golden brown beads. I decorated the book rings with various blue and white ribbons, tulle, and twill, and added a Grungeboard "key", that I embossed with gold embossing powder (looks real. huh? ;-) ).

For this part, I attached papers from the Making Memories Passport collection to the Grungeboard, and misted with turquoise, sand, and sea glass Glimmer Mists (very lightly). for the right side, I added a journaling sticker from the Passport collection. For the center, I added a little journaling card from Crafty Secrets, and an envelope for memorabilia that I cut from Kraft paper using Lindsay's Stamp Stuff's Envelope Bonanza svg set. The right side is also misted with Glimmer Mist, and I added an embossed golden keyhole and brads, and inked the edges with Sapphire Distress Ink.

For the next pages, I used some light blue papers from the Passport collection, and stamped a border and title with some stamps from the Passport collection and Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. For the center I used a Margarita digistamp freebie, which I printed on white cardstock, cut and embossed with my one Nestie, colored with my Copics, inked the edges with "Tumbled Glass" Distress Ink. I covered my "Blue Hawaiian" with Crystal Stickles, and my hurricane glass with Glossy Accents. For the right side, I used another Passport stamp and "Tumbled Glass" Distress Ink, and tied an "island blue" sheer ribbon for accent.

On the next pages, I used "sand" style paper from DCWV. On the left side, it is accented with sheer ribbon and a travel journaling tag from K&Co, which I also tied a sheer ribbon onto. I added another Crafty Secrets journaling card, and a Making Memories shaped journaling note paper. For the right side, I simply accented it with a ZVA Creative rhinestone flourish to evoke the feeling of a water spray or splash.

On the next pages, I left the grungeboard bare, and misted with sapphire, riptide, turquoise, and sea glass Glimmer Mists, dried with my heat embossing tool, and re-misted, and dried again. Then, I rubbed my glue pad on the edges, dipped them in gold embossing powder and heated. I added an orange hibiscus journaling tag from K&Co to the center.

The next pages are covered with some DCWV travel pages, inked the edges with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink. On the right side, I added a tiny envelope from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Envelope Bonanza svg set, and a tiny road sign that I cut from an svg I picked up somewhere (I have no idea where or I would share the link). Anyway, I cut it, stamped a tiny palm tree with a Studio G stamp, and inked the edges.

The next 2 pages are for the day of my sister's wedding, so I tried to make them a bit more elegant. I attached a creamy white shimmer swirl paper to a kraft background. I finished it off with a black Doodlebug Frill. I tied a tiny organza bag in the center to hold a small souvenir or momento.

The last 2 pages are dedicated to the drive home. I used paper from DCWV's Mango Frost stack, and stickers/journaling spot from Making Memories Passport collection. For the back cover, I left the Grungeboard bare, then misted with Sand Glimmer Mist, Mango, Treasured Hymn, Trufflez, Ruby, and Bed of Roses Shimmerz. To finish off the back cover, I colored another digistamp from Lindsay's Seaside Sketches.

Challenges that I am entering this mini album into are:
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Summer Days
By the Cute And Girly:Warm Summer Days
Clearly Delightful:Pearls, Bling, and Button Things
Crafty Calendar Challenge: Summer (with the option of using yellow)
The Crafty Pad: Use yellow and orange and some holes (I punched my own holes in the Grungeboard)
The Belli Challenge: Alter It and use up old stash ( I altered and used up a ton of Grungeboard that I have had for at least a year, along with a bunch of ribbon and other goodies)
Creative Cottage: no cards allowed
Creative Craft Challenges:Summer Lovin'

Drunken Stampers: Water (I will be adding beach photos as soon as I have them, as well)
Easy Crafts Projects: Challenges: summer
If The Shoe Fits...Scrap it:vacation
For Fun Challenges: Hand colored design

Gingersnap Creations: Shades of Blue
Pear Tree Designs: Glitter/Sparkles

Practical Scrappers: Embossing
Stamp With Sarah Kay: anything Goes

Now, my album is ready, bring on the vacation!!

Thanks for looking, now head over to Lindsay and the rest of the DT's blogs for lots of inspiration and a freebie!!

Lindsay Weirich (Owner & Stamp Designer)
Cheryl Gorka (DT Coordinator)
Cindi Hooks
Diane Bove
Jennifer Bliss
Karin Martin
Leanne Garner
Lisa Jurecek
Margie Visnick You are here!
Melissa Craig
Rebekah Doak
Rhonda Walker
Shannon Neparko
Tamara Bennett
Tracey Allen
Micki Harper

Sometimes guest
Erin Bailey

Recipes and challenges, oh my!

I have been buried in swap recipes for the past week. Here's a peek at what I have been working on.

Northeast Recipe Group (Pennsylvania):
I based this recipe card on this week's sketch from 2sketches4you, and I used a digistamp from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff new Sweet Stuff 2 digistamp set for the pie:

West and Southwest Recipe Group (Alaska):
The colors were inspired by this week's Basic Grey Challenge, and I based it on this week's sketch from Papertake Weekly . I accented the card with a tiny oven mitt cut from basic Grey Lemonade using my From My Kitchen Cricut Cart,dressed with a shimmery white "band"and some Cotton Candy and Fired Brick Stickles.


Southeast Recipe Group (Tennessee):
I based this one on this week's Card Patterns sketch:
Midwest Recipe Group (Illinois):
The little chef is a digistamp, but I can't remember where I picked it up.

Cupcakes/Muffins Recipe Group:
I based this card on this week's Mojo Monday Sketch . The Cupcake is from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Sweet Treats Collection, colored with my copic markers and dressed up with Diamond Stickles:


Copycat recipes:
The papers are from October Afternoon's Farm Fresh collection.

Happy Birthday, Lindsay!

Today's post is a celebration! Lindsay is having a birthday this week-and YOU get the present! She is putting her whole store on sale 34% off in honor of it (guess how old she is ;-) ). So, I made this "Sweet Birthday Wish" in honor of her birthday this week. I used Lindsay's new Strawberries and Watermelon digistamp set, and an acrylic stamp for the sentiment.

I used this week's sketch from 2sketches4you, and the color palette from this week's Color Throwdown.

The challenges that I am entering this week are:

• 2Sketches4You: sketch
• Color Throwdown: color palette
• Caardvarks: birthday

Now, head over to Lindsay and the other designers' blogs for more inspiration and a freebie!

Lindsay Weirich (Owner & Stamp Designer)
Cheryl Gorka (DT Coordinator)
Cindi Hooks
Diane Bove
Jennifer Bliss
Karin Martin
Leanne Garner
Lisa Jurecek
Margie Visnick You are here!
Melissa Craig
Rebekah Doak
Rhonda Walker
Shannon Neparko
Tamara Bennett
Tracey Allen
Micki Harper

Sometimes guest
Erin Bailey

Tuesday Q&A

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes, my grandmother (Gran), Margaret. She was going to name my dad Margie, but, well...

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Friday.Hubby upset me.


DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Only the neat version, which takes forever


WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Shaved roast beef


DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
yes, 4


IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes, I feel like I am a good friend and listener

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Not really

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No, I don't like heights!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Lucky Charms

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
no

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
yes

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
tin roof sundae or strawberry cheesecake-yum, yum

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
their clothes

RED OR PINK?
pink

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
my waistline or lack of one

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

my mother in law
WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
none, I'm barefoot

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
1 egg, toast, and cottage cheese

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Kitchen Impossible on DIY

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Cerulean blue

FAVORITE SMELLS?
freshly baked brownies or choclate chip cookies

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
husband at work

MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
beach house

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Nascar-Boogity,boogity, let's go racin', boys!

HAIR COLOR?
brown

EYE COLOR?
brown

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
no

FAVORITE FOOD?
do I have to pick just one?probably chocolate!

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
happy endings!

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Percy Jackson & The Olympians, The Lightning Thief

WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Grey

SUMMER OR WINTER? SPRING OR FALL
Spring and Summer!!

HUGS OR KISSES?
BOTH!

FAVORITE DESSERT?
cheesecake or pie

STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
both

COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
both

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
I need to find a good one-any suggestions?


WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
the mouse

FAVORITE SOUND?
babies/children laughing

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles

WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Canada

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
scrapbooking,drawing

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Jackson, TN

WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Humboldt, TN

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
red brick

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
burgundy

Sketchy Thursday Sketch Challenge...

I know, I know... this will BARELY be on time...but here it is! This week's Sketchy Thursday sketch inspired a scrapbook page for my little guy. I cut the silver gears for this page using Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Steampunk svg files, and the papers are from the Cosmo Cricket Cogsmo Line (finally got to use some of it, lol!). The photo of my son and hubby together is a tad blurry, but it was such a sweet memory, I wanted it to be the focal point of the page anyway.
Thanks for looking, and be sure to stop by Lindsay's blog for a freebie and links to the rest of the design team's blogs!

A Card for the Fourth of July..

When I saw this week's Cupcake Inspiration, I was inspired to create a card for this week's upcoming holiday (I would actually rather make cupcakes-but I am trying to fit into a bridesmaids' dress and a swimsuit by August, so I'll make a card). I used Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Patriotic Collection (digistamps and card printables), some lace and ribbons from my stash, Making Memories Upholstery Brads, and a little stickpin that I made for a swap. To make the stickpin, I took a pearl floral corsage pin, and added a little blue star shaped bead with tiny rhinestones embedded in it, and a tiny red glass bead, glued together with a tiny drop of Aleene's metal and jewelry adhesive.I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Card Patterns: sketch
ABC Designs blog: red, white, and blue
Cards Blog Challenge: 4th of July or BBQ Invitation
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #38: Use a digital image
Cupcake Inspirations: photo
One Stitch At a Time: Stars and Stripes
Wee Memories: red, white, and blue

Thank you for taking the time to look at my creation, now, head over to Lindsay's blog for a freebie and links to the rest of the Lindsay's Stamp Stuff design team!

Quick post for today...

Lindsay's Stamp Stuff is retiring some stamps at MyGraphico-for only $1 per set-grab 'em while you can!

Twin Beauties *scroll down for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff post

I am determined to get some scrapping done this summer!!And all of those fantastic sketches that are available are really helping me get it done! And having great papers and flowers (and sweet pictures-more than anyone can count) really inspire me! This page is based on this week's sketch from Sketch Inspirations. I started with some yummy Prima patterned paper (I tell you , I hated covering any of it! I arranged my layering pieces, and chose a pale pink vellum for the largest piece, in order to cover as little as possible of the beautiful background paper (the back was beautiful too... I so hated that none of it was being used! Anyhooo...the pinky/red patterned paper is Basic Grey, the embossed green cardstock is Bazzill Swiss Dots, the circle is a cream shimmer paper, cut with my Cricut and Plantain Schoolbook, the Roly Poly circle from page 72, and the title lettering is American Crafts Thickers fabric letter stickers. The three larger flowers are all by Prima- the Blue hydrangea flower is one that I layered and added the gems to the center of, the pink one started out as plain white flowers (single layer) from Prima's "e" line, that I add Bed of Roses and Ruby Shimmerz to, then lightly inked with a hot pink Hampton Arts ink pad, and a Tim Holtz Tattered Rose ink pad. After all of that inky fun (hubby just laughed at me and asked what I was doing on his wood floor), I layered then all together with a pearl brad and a crumpled, inked and folded paper doily. BTW, I put a sheet of cardboard down on the floor before I sprayed ;-) . The tiny pink roses are some that I found while scavenging through my grandmother's sewing box, and the other tiny flowers and brads are from Making Memories

Challenges I am entering this layout into:

• Sketch Inspirations-sketch
• Alys Sunday Challenge- Flower Power
• Bunny Zoe's Crafts-Nice and Girly
• Crazy4Challenges- Paper Flowers
• Everybody Art Challenge- Green and Pink
• Scrap-Creations- Basic Grey/anything goes
• Little C's Challenge-photo inspiration (green and pink cake-looks soo yummy!)
• Paper Sundaes-pretty as a princess
• Practical Scrappers-flowers