Monkey Business

Today's limited supplies challenge over on SCS was to make a card following a list. The list was
1. Make a square card. (Any size)2. Use only scrap pieces of paper. (The base card doesn't have to be a scrap.)3. Use ribbon or fiber scraps.4. Use only ONE other embellishment.5. Use any colors, stamps, and tools. Easy enough, I thought!!! I had just got done making some cards for a color wheel swap, and I got called by my CIL, the one that is getting married this weekend, and she wanted to know if I could come help them get some stuff ready for this weekend, so I dropped everything and went to the rescue. I took us about two hours, and 16 ziploc baggies(I had to cut veggies for trays) but we got it all done, yayyy!! When I saw this challenge, I decided to use what I had out on the table. My card base is even one that I had cut for another project and decided not to use. The colors are Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, and Sage Shadow(it's all your fault Carole) and the main image is from Zoofari. I glued it all together and the paper pierced around the edges. I really try not to waste my ribbon, so all my scraps were little, so I decided to do ribbon tabs. What was cool is that I had already colored the main image for the swaps, but had too many, so this card literally took 5 minutes. Now that's fast(especially for me)!!! Hope you like it and I hope you have a great day!!
stamps-Zoofari
paper-Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, Sage Shadow, Whisper White, and Close to Cocoa DSP
ink-Black Stazon and Close To Cocoa
tools-maize and white grosgrain, white brads, markers, paper piercer and mat pack

Our First Featured Swapper

ETA: The date of the Paper Pretties release has been changes, so sorry for the false alarm!!! I will let you know when it is rescheduled!!!
Okay, back to the card!! As I said yesterday, I was asked to join a group called Great Swaps Girls. We have started a blog and are hosting challenges twice a week. One challenge will be posted every Monday, and it will change each time(ie. this week it was color, next week, who knows!!). On Wednesday we will have a featured swapper challenge, kinda like the SCS featured stamper challenge, where we chose one of the wonderfully talented ladies from our group to spotlight! This week it was none other than Miss Strappystamper, Miss Scalloped Edge herself, Jackie Pedro!! She has a fantastic gallery and a wonderful blog, and it was an honor to get to CASE her. I picked this card for a few reasons, one was the fact that I need a wedding card for my cousin in law this weekend, and two, I needed to make something for the ways to use it challenge over on SCS(which was to use scissors). I will go ahead and lay it out there that this is not my idea of a fabulous color combo(Brilliant Blue, ack!!), but it is the colors of the wedding, so I had to use them. I stamped the hearts from Always(SU) in Versamark and embossed them in white. I loved how Jackie had the ribbon slide with the half pearl on hers, but I don't have any(double ack!!), so I used a crystal brad from Making Memories. The rest is pretty easy to get, I think, but as always, if you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask!! I had to change a few things on the card so, besides the brad, I changed the colors, heart positions, sentiment, ribbon and placement, added layers, changed embossing folder, and changed my back ground stamp.
stamps-Always, Sweet Serendipity, and Filigree
paper- Basic Grey, Brilliant Blue,Whisper White
ink-Versamark and Basic Gray
tools-stylized silver hardware, blue organdy, grey taffeta, silver cord, designer label punch, crystal brads, cuttlebug, swirls folder, white EP
Also, I would like to thank my pal Donna over at Serenity in Stamping. She has been on a winning streak as of late, and I made a comment about it. She sent an email back to me saying that I had won something from Kim Hughes' birthday celebration. WHAT!!!! Say it ain't so!!! I had no clue I had won, and quite frankly had forgotten I had even signed up!! I won a May new release stamp set!!!YAYYY!! Thanks Donna for having my back, hehe, and as I told her, if you ever see I won anything, let me know, I probably forgot to check(cause I never win anything!!). Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Do You Wanna Know....

what I have been working on!!! I keep saying how busy I am, and I have a list as long as my are right now of projects and things that I have to get done, and this was one of them!!! Yay, I can check something off my list!! My cousin-in-law Brandi is getting married this weekend and she asked me(on Sunday evening) if I would be willing to make some table numbers and reserved signs. I will go ahead and admit that I love Brilliant Blue, but these are kinda pretty!!! Thanks for looking and have a great day!!

I Am Blessed

I have recieved a few RAK's in the mail recently that I wanted to share!! The first is from Billie Rillo, the second is from Christie over at Paper Pretties, and the last one is from Debbie(dbdoodle). She also wrote the most beautiful note and she sent me a present to encourage me in my journey to become a mom! Aren't I lucky!!

Great Swaps Girls Challenges

Recently I was asked by Becky(beccabatgirl) to join a wonderful group of ladies called the Great Swaps Girls. If you click on the little badge in my sidebar it will take you to our new blog which I am helping run with a wonderful team of women!!! On Mondays we will be posting challenges of all kinds and on Wednesdays we will have a featured swapper where you will get a chance to CASE some of their fabulous work. You are more than welcome to join in our challenges, all you have to do is go to the blog, find out what it is, make your card, and post a comment with a link to your card to the challenge!! This weeks challenge was a color challenge to use Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, and So Saffron. I decided to combine it with the SCS sketch challenge. My card base is RR and it is layered with CC and then Whisper White that has been run through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder. The next layer is SS CS and DSP. The main image is from the SU set Garden Whimsy and I used my markers to color it. I then put some glitter and crystal effects on the bloom. The rest is pretty easy to figure out!! Be sure to check out the GSG blog and meet this week's featured swapper Jackie Pedro(strappystamper)!!
stamps -Garden Whimsy and All Holidays

paper- Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, So Saffron CS and DSP, and Whisper White

ink- Regal Rose

tools- Rose grosgrain, white brads, stylized silver hardware, SU markers, swiss dots folder

Prettie Wednesday!!!

Yayyyy!!! This is my first official Wednesday as a Prettie Girl and I couldn't be more excited!!! Actually last week was, but Jillian had challenged us to take the week off, so I didn't have to do anything for it!! Two weeks ago, Jana challenged us to make a card with polka dots, which I love!!! Sorry Christie, I know this hasn't got to you yet, but look what you have to look forward too!! I created the background by stamping the polka dots from Sassy Circles on Pretty in Pink with Regal Rose ink. The polka dots on the dress were hand drawn in, which is about as much as I can draw!! The panel under the main image is a piece of Whisper White which has been embossed with my Swiss Dots folder and then I wrapped a piece of Rose wide grosgrain and pink taffeta around it. My main image is Flutter By by Paper Pretties, isn't Sophia adorable!! What I love the most about these stamps is that you can make the hair color any color you want along with the dress, so you can make it look like the special little girl in your life!! I colored her with my SU markers and aquapainter. I put white brads that I got from the Prettie boutique in each corner and and added a little glitter to all of the jewlery. I need to run, but I will be back later with some more stuff!! Don't forget to stop by the other Prettie Girls blogs and see what they have been up to, and check out this weeks challenge by Danielle(they are all over there in my DT sidebar). Also, be sure to pick out the home page at Paper Pretties to see what all Christie and her amazing team have cooked up for all of us!!! Thanks for looking and have a great day!!
stamps-Flutter By, Sassy Circles by Paper Pretties, All Holidays
paper-Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
ink-Black Stazon
tools-cuttlebug, white brads, ribbon, swiss dots folder, aquapainter, markers,glitter pen, grey marker

Simply Tuesday

I am up late trying to get some work done, and just happened to see the color challenge was posted. You know me, I had to play as soon as possible!! The colors for today were Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, and Chocolate Chip. I used my new favorite stamp from Paper Pretties, Simply Special, and colored it with my SU markers and aqua painter. Then I used my Cuttlebug and Nestabilities to cut it out along with two other scalloped layers. After all that was glued together, I put Crystal Effects all over the watering can and flower pot. I also wanted to use Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday sketch, so that is where the sketch came from The rest is pretty self explanatory. I have a lot going on right now, so I need to get back to work!! Over on the Paper Pretties home page Christie has been working hard putting together all sorts of fun stuff for us all to participate in(with the help of the DT). As you know, I am obsessed with sending out RAK's(about 8 a week), so if you are looking for a great RAK group, go get registered and have yourself added to the list, it is super fun and I have recieved some of the cutest cards!! There are no requirements(besides registering) and nothing feels better than sending out some happy mail!!! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!!
stamps-Simply Special by Paper Pretties
paper-Certainly Celery CS and DSP, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White
ink-Black Stazon
tools-cuttlebug, nestabilities, crystal effects, soft subtle brads, oval punches, SU markers, aquapainter, white gel pen

Gift Card Holder

Today's technique lover's challenge was this super cute gift card holder. There were three different tutorials listed but I used the one from Claudia from Germany's blog. Now, the writing is completely in German, but the pictures are great. Basically, you start with a 12x12 piece of card stock and cut it to 51/2 x 12. Then you score it at 4 1/4 from both ends and then in half at 6, so that when you fold it, it looks like a W. Then you take your adhesive, I used red line tape, and close the outside edges of the W. So it looks like a normal card(or a V) with a fold inside the card.(Claudia's pictures will definitely make this more clear). You then take your word window punch and oval punch and use it to make the opening to hold the card. Pretty easy once you do it!! I then decorated the front with Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White. The white panel was ran through the Cuttlebug with my Spots and Dots folder. The second panel is in the same colors(Not Quite Navy is the base color) and stamped my sentiment. The main image was stamped three times, once in each color, and I cut out different pieces and paper pieced them together. My stars were stamped in my card stock colors and punched out using my SU stars punches. I used a bunch of Soft Subtle brads all over. This card is for my friend Selena who is having her shower this weekend, unfortunately I won't be able to go, but I wanted to make her something special!! Thanks for looking and have a great day!!!

stamps-Nursery Necessities

paper-Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

ink-Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue

tools-word window punch, oval punch, small and large star punches, ticket corner punch, soft subtles brads, Cuttlebug, spots and dots folder

Happiness is...

Having your friends picked to be the featured stamper!!!! I was so thrilled when yet AGAIN, one of my friends was chosen as the Featured Stamper over on SCS. Silke Ledlow, best known in the SCS world as Sparklegirl, has one of the most distinctive styles I have ever seen. Her work is always so clean and crisp. She has a way with colors and embellishments that makes you wanna call your momma!! Silke was the first person I ever saw put the rhinestone brads through the big eyelets(as seen on my humble CASE) and I have been hooked ever since. Besides having a fabulous blog, and a gallery that requires you to wear a bib, she is also one of the sweetest people I have "met" so far on SCS(although, I have rarely run into one that isn't-I guess that is why it is the best stamping community ever). She is always quick to leave a comment on your card or blog and her words are always heartfelt and meaningful. Recently she and I have been emailing back and forth and I have enjoyed getting to know her better, and Silke, if I ever get to go to Germany, your coming too!!

I had a really hard time picking a card of hers to case, so I literally used random.org to generate a number and I CASED the card that it picked, how's that for indecisive!!! As per the rules, you are required to change two things about the person's card. Her card was absolute perfection, so all I changed was the colors, sentiment, and added a few layers-yes, I know, it's a sickness!! I picked my color combo from the SU color wheel(man that thing rocks) and went from there. Nothing fancy on this, but I am now in mourning- I broke the lever on my corner rounder so I had to use my Martha Stewart punch, so if you would, please join me in welcoming my beloved corner rounder into stamping accessories heaven. LOL!!

Okay, I have so much to do today, and so much to get caught up on, and if that wasn't enough(and as if we haven't spent the whole weekend together), Travis' family is having a fish fry tonight, so I have to get busy!! Hope you all have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!!

stamps-Happy Harmony

paper- Not Quite Navy, Blush Blossom, Always Artichoke, Whisper White

ink- Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke

tools-big eyelets, pretties kit, white taffets, Martha Stewart edge punch, cuttlebug and nestabilities

We Have A Winner!!

Oh what a night, late April back in 2008......LOL!! Okay, so I changed the wording a LITTLE to suit my purposes, but you get my drift!! Thanks to all of you for participating in my blog candy contest!! I always love when you stop by to see me, and running a contest like this lets me get to know some of you a little better!! I will say though, over the last 4 days, I have had over 1000 visitors to my blog, and only got 85entries, so to all your lurkers out there(you know I love ya), sign up next time, this could be you!!!
The most popular favorite song was"I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. I have to tell you that I LOVE music and that is why this was the question I asked. I associate music with all of my most memorable moments in my life. This song holds a special place in my heart, not only for it's beauty and amazing message, but it was one of the songs played at my step/second dad's, Mike, funeral. He was(and still is) a great man and not a day goes by that I don't miss him. He left too early and left a hole in our hearts that only God, time, and memories can fill. After the funeral, I immediately downloaded this song and listened to it repeatedly. I can remeber at the funeral looking around while it played and everyone was signing along, through tears of course, but I just remember feeling very connected with all my family, step family, and friends. To me picking a favorite song is like trying to pick a favorite niece or stamp, impossible!!
The least favorite song ranged from Achy Breaky Heart(I totally agree)to rap!! John Anderson's "Swingin" was mentioned a few times, but was also listed as someone's favorite so that just goes to show you why there are so many types of music and artists out there. There were a few random others, but sadly no one said the same least favorite song as me. It was also one of my second dad's least favorite songs!! Mom, I bet you know.......that's right Tubthumper by Chumbawumba. That song justs grates on my nerves!!!
Okay, enough carrying on, that's not why you are here are you!! Random.org picked

Here are your random numbers:32
Timestamp: 2008-04-20 16:22:34 UTC

Comment #32 was my dear friend Paola!!! Yay girl!!!

Congrazt again on your thousands of hits!!My gosh Jessie...U are too too much girl!I'm speechless reading about THIS blog candy but here I am nonetheless *lol*I have manyyyyyyyyyyyyy fav songs...but lately the one I've been listening often is:'No Woman No Cry' by Bob Marley (I'm in a raggae mood!)My list favorite one ...mmmm...gotta be anything 'rap'for sure!Thanks for this wonderful opportunity Jessie...U are one of the MOST generous person I've ever met! God Bless....Paola (SCS=Sama)

Paola, you've got all my info, so I will be waiting for your email or call!!
Thanks to all of you for playing and sharing your favorite songs with me, I have a lot of music to listen to! Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!