Some Big News!!

So, the other day I get this private message over on SCS, and it is from Kim, the MFT lady. She says she has a question about a card that I had made, and wanted to know if she could call me. DUUUHHH, of COURSE you can!! So, naive little me, who has been DESPERATELY trying to get My Favorite Things to notice me and make me a design team member, REALLY thought that she just wanted to know something about my card. That wasn't why she called, she called to invite me to be a design team member- CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!! I am so super excited, and having met a lot of the MFT girls when I went to the swap in Arlington Texas back in May, I am so honored to be a part of such a wonderful and fun group!! So with all that said...an announcement....

Wanna get cozy with the MFT crew? Want excuses to buy more stamps and play with the ones you have? We are changing up our forum to make it tons of fun for the MFT lover in you! On Sept. 15th, we unveil our MFThemed Forum Days!

Play along with Who’s That Girl? Monday
Find out more about MFT crew and fans on Thread Starter Tuesday
Chat it up MFT style on What's Up Wednesday nights at 9pm(est)
Get a little sketchy on Thursday
Hum a little Oldie PLUS Goodie on Friday

What’s in for you? We thought you’d ask! So we decided to offer a $5 store gift certificate to one lucky winner each day! And on top of all that goodness, the daily winners will be thrown into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate! Now that’s a reason to celebrate, don’t you think?

Keep your eyes peeled and be ready to party on Sept 15th. Wanna know a little secret to get you started? You’ll need Rain or Shine for the very first challenge, so from now through Sept 15th, it’s 20% off, just to get you in the mood!

On Friday, you'll be playing with Hearts Galore, which is already on special as it's being retired. Grab it up at $12.75 while supplies last!

Come play along with My Favorite Things at www.mftstamps.com or our SCS Member Company Forum at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=164.


So, for my first card as an official MFT design team member, I decided to play along with the first challenge. It is the Who's That Girl challenge, and the challenge was to use the Rain or Shine set along with some bling!! So, I stamped my main image from that set with Black Stazon on watercolor paper. I then colored it with my SU markers. The raincoat, dogs coat, and boots were paper pieced with some Apricot Appeal DP. The image was layered with Celery and Apricot layers cut out with my Nesties. I added some white brads with some sparkle added to them to each corner of the image and of the main card. The panel under the main image is some more AA DP with some glitter dots added to it. I added some spiral clips with ribbon to it too. The smaller circle panel is the separate boot stamp in that set, with the boots paper pieced and the spots colored with my white gel pen then my SU markers. I embossed my white layer with my Swiss Dots folder and added my sentiment. After it was all done, I basically spread some icicle stickles all over the place to make it sparkle!! This card is also for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS. The Featured Stamper was Liz(lazy lizard) and she is so super sweet. I chose this card as my inspiration, but added some layers and change the images and colors!! That is it for me now, thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

A Bella SFYTT

Hello everyone, hope where ever you are, you and all your loved ones are safe!! Last night, my DH and I went to dinner together, and there getting gas at the three gas stations that surrounded the restaurant we were eating at, were 15 trucks from a power company out of Ohio. I assume they were on their way to help out in Texas, and I gotta tell you, it made my heart happy to see them headed out to help with the terrible situation left after Hurricane Ike ravaged the gulf coast of Texas. Here in Illinois, we are experiencing the leftover effects of Ike and even lost power for a few hours this morning. My mom sent me a picture text showing me the tree that just barely missed her house too. My DH got a little whiny about the loss of power till I pointed out how wrong he was and how it could be SO much worse. He quickly shut up!! So anyway, here is my card for Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try. This weeks sketch was also part of a challenge being sponsored by Stamping Bella. All you had to do is make your card using a Bella image to be entered into the drawing to win a $15 GC to the Bella store..yay!! I used this super cute Wreathabella image(I guess I was inspired by their holiday cards...Christmas is coming soon...yikes). She was colored with my SU markers. I added some liquid applique to the hat and shoes to make them poufy. The bow on the wreath was stamped twice, colored and then one was cut out to give the bow some dimension. The DP is by Basic Grey and is part of the Fruitcake line. I paired the paper with Cranberry Crisp and Always Artichoke. The buttons are from SU, and I added some silver twine to them. I pierced around the edge of the different squares and added some silver brads to the corners. The sentiment is from the SU set Holidays and Wishes.

Well, that is all for me for now, I am off to stamp now that the power is back on!!

stamps-Wreathabella and SU Holidays and Wishes

paper- Cranberry Crisp, Always Artichoke, White, and Basic Grey Figgy Pudding

ink- Black Stazon

tools- silver brads, SU markers, silver twine, buttons

Beate's Weekend Sketch and the LSC

Yayy, I finally got to stamp today!! I wanted to participate in Beate's weekend sketch challenge and the Limited Supplies Challenge on SCS, but I messed up my first card, so I went ahead and finished it for the LSC and then did a separate card for the WSC. For the first one, I used my new There She Goes stamp set, Friendship Flowers. I stamped the table first, then added the flower pot and foliage to the top of it. The image was colored with my SU markers. The sentiment(which you will see on my next card) is also from the Friendship Flowers set. I used my new SU scallop square punch along with my other SU square punches to make my sentiment panel. The DP is retired Always Artichoke Prints, and the ribbon is from a share I did with Jody Morrow. I added some silver brads and piercing and it was done. This card is about as simple as I like to get, they don't call me the layer queen for no good reason!!LOL!!

My next card was made using my new Inspired By Nature set from SU. I used my markers to color the image directly on the stamp and then used the "huffing" technique to re moisten it. I sponged the edges with Always Artichoke ink and added some piercing and large silver brads. The ribbon is all from SU too. I stamped the grass part of the IBN stamp on the Always Artichoke layer and then layered it on a white card base. I used the same sentiment and punches as on the other card, but I stamped the words in Always Artichoke. The other colors on this card are Bashful Blue and Ballet Blue.

That is all for me for now, I am off to clean my stamp table....otherwise, I may never get to stamp again due to lack of space..LOL!!

And The Winner Is....

Stephanie Hargis!!! Stephanie, along with a few others decided that my name should be the "Layer Queen", so I put all their names in a hat, and she is my lucky winner!! I will get in touch with you tonight Steph to give you your goodie options!! Thanks so much for all the help, and I really enjoyed reading all your suggestions!! Have a great day, be safe!!

I Need HELP!!

Okay, so, that is pretty much a loaded statement..but seriously, I do need help!! I recently went over the 20,000 post mark at SCS. Well, as some of you may know, when you pass that mark, you get to pick your "name" that appears under your screen name on SCS. Right now, mine says "Stazon Splicoast", which is true, but uber-boring!!! So...HELP me pick a name.......the person who comes up with my new byline will get a little goodie bag from me!! You can either leave me a comment with it, or send me an email at jessi96@yahoo.com.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and wether you all chose to believe it or not...I'm really not that clever!!LOL!! I will leave this post up at the top for a week...thanks in advance!!

MFT Thursday

So, I REALLY hope you aren't getting sick of this My Favorite Things set, because I think it is so stinkin cute!! I own a ton of MFT sets, and this may be my favorite!! Since I am really trying to get ahead of the game on my fall/Halloween cards, I decided that using this super cute stamp again wasn't such a bad idea! I stamped the monsters from Monster Squad with black Stazon on white paper and colored them in with my SU markers. The paper is from a retired SU Creepy Crawly pack. I used my cuttlebug to cut out the circles, along with my Nesties, and added white dots with my gel pen. The black gingham and pumpkin ribbon are from SU and the black polka dots is from May Arts. The sketch is this weeks My Favorite Things sketch and all the white dots qualify this card for the Ways to Use it challenge, to use your white gel pen. Well, that is all for me today, I will reveal the winner of my new name contest tomorrow!! Gotta go, the master is calling!!LOL!!

Life Is Good

Hello everyone!! Better make this fast, Jared should be awake any minute and I don't want him to catch me trying to do something. I swear he has a sensor...he only cries when I am on the computer or the phone..spoiled already I guess!! This is my card for today's sketch challenge over on SCS. I decided to use my new Eastern Blooms set because I think I love it...LOL!! My colors are two of the new in colors-Kiwi Kiss and Tangerine Tango, and Chocolate Chip. I stamped the branch in TT first and then went over the branch with the journaling end of my Chocolate Chip marker. I pierced a border around the edge and then sponged with CC ink. The next panel is just a piece of white run through the Cuttlebug with my Swiss Dots folder. The background paper is some Bella Rose DSP. I added a piece of white taffeta, Kiwi Kiss striped and chocolate grosgrain. The sentiment is from the retired She's All That set. I punched it out with my 1in circle punch and added the layers from there. I did a bunch more piercing and sponging, added some silver brads and it was done! Since I started this post 4 hours ago, you can imagine how my day is going.....gotta love kids!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

stamps-Eastern Blooms and She's All That

paper- Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss and BellaRose

ink- Tangerine Tango

tools- chocolate Chip marker, Cuttlebug, swiss dots folder, silver brads, circle punches and ribbon from SU

Prettie Wednesday- Shaped Card

So, two weeks ago Julie challenged the Prettie Girls to make a card in a shape other than the normal circle, square, rectangle...she really wanted us to think outside the box. Well, I really wanted to use my new Angel Sophia stamp, so I decided that I would do something angelic. Automatically the line from It's a Wonderful Life popped into my head..."every time a bell rings, and angel gets its wings". SO, you guessed it, I decided to do a bell!! I have never seen a bell shaped card, so I don't know if this is an original idea, but I will tell you that I free handed it, quite a big deal for me, trust me. I made a pattern and then traced it onto a piece of white cardstock that was folded in half. I made sure the top of the bell was on the seam so that the card would stay connected. In hind sight, I think I will do it a tiny bit different so that the seam isn't at the top of the bell, but right under the ring. Anyway...I traced it onto a piece of gold metallic paper from DCWV and cut it out. I added some silver paper from the same pack to accent the bell. The main image is Angel Sophia and she will be the October SOTM for Paper Pretties. You have until September 30th to sign up for the SOTMC in order to get this GORGEOUS Sophia a month before she is released to the public!! Be sure to tell them I sent you!! While you are at Paper Pretties, be sure to check out the rockin sale!! Anyway, back to my card. I colored my Sophia with a combination of glitter pens and SU markers. I decided to pierce a border around her after adding some brads to the corners. I don't know why, but I kinda like it(actually, I messed up, and I had the WHOLE thing put together, so I improvised, but I do love it). I highlighted the wings with a grey marker too. I added some piercing around the edge of the bell, and also added some yummy ribbon to the ring at the top and around the bell. The sentiment is from the SU set Small Script.

Well, that is all for me now, be sure to check out the other Prettie girls and see what gorgeousness they have created!!

Danielle Lounds
Carolina Buchting
Charmaine Ikach

Jackie Rakoski

Jana Weaver

Jodi Collins
Joni Stringfield

Julie Masse

Chill Out....

So, when I first saw the new Chill Out stamp from My Favorite Things, I couldn't help but think of my Grandpa Hedge. He has been gone for years, but I still remember spending the summer at his orchard working a fruit stand by the road. The pay was little if anything, but it was fun to be away from home and people watch all day. I didn't have to do any real work, just sell the fruit, but it was still a ton of fun, until that fateful day.....My grandpa and I were arguing about something, to this day I can't even remember what it was, but I told him to chill out. That ended my summer of fun...he promptly called my mom and told her to come and get me!LOL!! Totally wasn't funny at the time, but to think that those two little words could get even your grandpa to give you the boot is funny now!! Anyway...after I finally got my new laptop hooked up to the internet(see last post for the LONG story), I checked out Emily's SCS color challenge for today....YIKES!! Today was the first time that we have got to use the new in colors and she picked Riding Hood Red, Green Galore and Going Gray.....WHOA!! So, I was going to do my normal cop out when the colors scare me...lots of white space and the least amount of the offending colors as possible. Then I started to color my new image....and I like it...hmmm. SO then I started to look for some DP, and I came across this LONG retired SUPER bright GG paper...hmmm. SO I put it all together, and you know what...I kinda like it. Now it is bright, but I still think it is pretty. I did make this card 41/4 sq. but , hey, I tried!! The image was colored with my SU markers, blender pen, and the Riding Hood Red ink pad. I added some silver brads, piercing, ribbon, spiral clips...yep you guessed it, all my normal stuff and added a panel that had been run through the Cuttlebug with the swiss dots folder. I am actually REALLY happy with this card. It is bright and cheerful...kinda reminds me of strawberries too. Okay, lots of blurfing to do to make up for yesterday!! Thanks for stopping by again and have a great day!!

What a DAY!!

First things first....VOTE FOR MY FRIEND DONNA!!! She has made it into the finals at the Just Rite Stamper blog and I am THRILLED for her!! The competition is FIERCE, so she needs YOUR VOTE!! She SLAVED for her project, and it totally deserves all the votes it can get!! Be sure to check it out...her project is #5!! Thanks!!
So yesterday I get up at 6am like normal, get Jared's stuff ready to go, get myself cleaned up, straighten up the house, and then get on the computer to check my email before he gets here. My normal routine right?? Well, everything went they way it should have, I got my blog post done, sent out a TON of emails, got all caught up, and went about the business of taking care of Jared. When he lays down for his first nap, I run in here really quick to check and see if I missed anything(I am hopelessly addicted to the internet), and my computer has LOST its MIND!!! It had over 50 windows open trying to get on the internet without me. I finally get it to shut down, and I decide that it might not be a bad idea to run a virus scan...some tracking cookies were found, I cleaned them up, and restarted and it was fine. Okay, so about 2 hours later I come in and my computer is in the process of doing an entire system restore...all by itself!!YIKES!! By the time it was all said and done, it restored itself, then proceeded to open up 852 explorer windows.......HOLY MOLY!!! So..........after crying ALOT(I am a huge crybaby), my DH finally says, GET IN THE TRUCK, hauls me to Walmart and proceeds to let me buy a new laptop...YAYYY!! I know it isn't as fancy as some of the laptops out there, but it has everything I need to get by, and god honestly, I can barely run what I have, much less if it had any more bells and whistles. My old computer is on its way to the DR. to see if he can get it to recover from its stroke. I just hope he can get it working long enough for me to get my pictures and itunes off of it!!

So, needless to say, I had a rough day!! Today after Jared left, I decided that I needed to stamp in a big way!! One would think that last night since I couldn't get on the internet, I would have stamped instead...well you would be wrong. By the time I got done dealing with the computer I put myself to bed, I had definitely had enough!! This first card is one I made for the Paper Pretties Pajama party the first of this month. The challenge was to do some embossing of any kind on a card, including using the Cuttlebug. Well, since we all know I am addicted to my Cuttlebug, I decided to use it and my favorite Swiss Dots folder. The main image is from the Paper Pretties set Sealed With A Kiss. I colored it with my SU markers after stamping it on watercolor paper with Black Stazon ink. It was then cut out with my oval Nestabilities. I added all my normal ribbons, brads, oh my....hehe. I had originally made this card with my Sister and her husband in mind, but for some reason, I colored the hair colors backwards. I think we could officially call that a blonde moment!! Okay, this post just officially got out of hand, so I am going to post my color challenge card seperately!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! Don't forget about the Paper Pretties sale....45% off...UNBELIEVABLE savings!!