OWH Memorial Day Weekend Hop

Good morning!! It's time for the Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop for Operation Write Home! You should be coming here from
Sharon's blog.
If not, or if you get lost, head on back to the very beginning.

I've got a Heartfelt Creations card to share based on this card by Mona Pendleton.I thought it would translate beautifully using the Semper Augustus Tulips. The sentiment is from the Dutch Iris Oval precut set and the hummingbird is from the Springtime Medley Collection - the Angel Trumpet Flower, to be specific. The matching die makes it a snap to get a perfect cut every time.

Over the top, I stamped Unity's Worn Music in Vintage PhotoDistress Ink. As usual, when making cards for Operation Write Home, I've used Memory Box cardstock because of it's white reverse side, making it ideal for any writing conditions.

Copics used were YG13, YG23, RV14, RV17 and RV19.

Thanks so much for visiting me today! Next on the hop is the lovely and talented
Joanne!

PS - I almost forgot to mention! The spousal unit officially retired from the Air Force on 1 April after 24 years 4 months and 17 days.
I'm proud of him.

Tulip Love

Hey guys! It's my day over at Creative Inspirations Paint and I made a card that follows a couple challenges, as well as using several of those wonderful, shimmery paints! I love, love, LOVE things that sparkle and shine, so you know I love these paints - and they are just so super creamy and fabulous to use. If you haven't gotten your hands on any yet - well, what are you waiting for??? The sketch is from Lucy's Lovely Lines. This is a new one for me that I found through the sketch challenge links on Stampin' When I Can. Allison provides such a fabulous service for the community and I truly appreciate the trouble she goes to in helping provide a one-stop-shop for all of the sketch challenges out there.

Second, and I really hope this counts, because Ashley has been after me to play along with this one for a while, Lawn Fawn's Lawnscaping Challenge this week is to use polkadots. I'm not sure if my dots around the sentiment count as polkadots or not.

That's it for me today. Hope you all have a wonderful day. Hug your kids and your friends. They're priceless jewels.

Grateful for Paper Maniac & ATU

Good morning. This is the card I posted over at Paper Maniac a couple days ago. I made it with All Things Unity challenge #31 in mind, and chose a couple stamps that I'd never used before - but which were also still in stock at Paper Maniac. I probably have a few too many of those, so I love this particular challenge!! It works for both previously unloved stamps *and* brand new goodies! At least, that's how I read it...it doesn't say how long a stamp has to have been in your stash. Right?

So anyway...I've had the set Simple Blessings since it was released, but I'd only used the leaves before. My friend, Nancy, is a member of My Time Made Easy's Pretty Pattern Sketch DT. She suggested I play along with Challenge #10, so I thought the larger leaf swirl would be perfect for the slanted lines in the sketch. And since Paper Maniac is closing (sniffle) several of us are making cards for Patti, the owner. I chose the Grateful for You sentiment because I am truly grateful for the opportunity she gave to me in giving me a place on the design team and I appreciate the faith she showed more than I can ever convey.I used Memory Box cardstock for the base, Crushed Olive Distress Ink and Oval Nestabilities.

EtsyInspired #139 - Paula Art

Wow. I almost feel like I've forgotten how to write a real blog post! But I think I can, I think I can! It's Saturday, which is EtsyInspired time again. We're biweekly now, so you'll have 2 full weeks to play along!

This week we've got a super cool shop. Paula Art is contemporary, collectible art for your home, using as many recycled, reclaimed and reused items as possible. This makes for some very intriguing pieces! This is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill art. This truly is super cool and downright funky!

I chose to be inspired by the colours in the photo of these pipe vases - red, white, grey/black, and kind of a sandy colour. I like the colours and I think they're pretty darned awesome looking.

I went totally CAS to coincide with the SCS CAS DT search, but our sponsor this week, Shery K Designs has some great patterned paper that would work perfectly with the colours I chose, including the Victoria Super Mega Paper Pack, which is only $3!!

Deets:
Stamps: Unity Beach Days & Sun Rays
Ink: SU Real Red, Distress Ink Vintage Linen, Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: SU Real Red, GinaK Pure Luxury Base Weight
Etc: Embossing powder - clear & Brushed Corduroy Distress, pop dots

Now it's your turn. For full deets and to link up your project for this week, head on over to the EtsyInspired Blog. You've got until Friday, June 3, at noon, Pacific time. Before you go, though, check out the rest of the EIC team...Ashley & Emily may be a tad late, so if they haven't gotten their posts up when you get there, check them out later today.

Angi
Ashley
De
Ellie Augustin - May Guest DT!
Emily B.
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Ruby
Savannah
Sherry
Virginia

Thanks for stopping by and for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Paper Maniac is Going Out of Business

I am very sad to finally add my post to say that Paper Maniac is closing its doors.


Products are flying off the shelves, so shop soon to get the best selection.

Blast From the Past May Hop

Hi guys. Long time, no blog. To be perfectly honest, my family has been through hell this past month. But we need a little normalcy, so I'm going to try to get back to blogging and card making. Thank goodness for my dear friend, Ashley (HeartHugs Designs), who pretty much held my hand while I took baby steps in figuring out how to make a card all over again.

Since the theme of this hop is masculine cards and the spousal unit's birthday is coming up next week, I decided to make him a card from all of the kids. I used the birthday sentiment from Pet's Place. I kept it super simple, using Sketch #69 from OWH Stars & Stamps in shades of blue. The dp is Basic Grey Granola.Thanks for stopping by and thank you again for all of your support this past month.

Family Emergency

Hi all. I just wanted to post and say that I have not dropped off the face of the earth. It's simply that we have had a family emergency and it's been something that has taken nearly all of my energy, both physical and emotional. I am not entirely sure when I will be back to blogging, but I will be back as soon as I am able.

Thank you for your patience, and especially for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

EtsyInspired #136 - Bearly Art

Hey peeps. Pain is kicking my hind end today (Friday) so this is uber short. Super cool shop with all kinds of neat painted clocks this week. There is truly something for every taste, including my daughter, Hannah's. I cannot show her Bearly Art, because she will beg for the horse clock. I actually like this lemon painted rolling pin holder. It's really cute and would add such a bit of cheer to any kitchen. Some lucky winner will get to choose any in-stock clock just for playing along this week!

Photo will be attached in the morning, when I can get my fingers to behave....

Our sponsor this week is Sassy Cheryl's, a shop with some super cute digi-stamps that are really a lot of fun and would be utterly fabulous for anyone who is a colouring freak. Either Copics or Prismacolors with gamsol would just be marvelous with any of her images and one of our weekly winners will receive a $5 Sassy Cheryl's gift certificate.

So now, you know the drill. For full deets and to link up your project for this week, head on over to the EtsyInspired Blog. You've got until Friday, April 29, at noon, Pacific time. Before you go, though, check out the rest of the EIC team...

Angi - sitting out this week
Ashley
De
Emily B.
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Kimme - April Guest Extraordinaire!!
Ruby
Savannah
Sherry
Virginia

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Luvlee Birthday!!

Surprise!!! It's a mini-hop to wish a very, very

to my sweet friend, Lee - she of the many amazing smilies!!

When I heard about this, I was excited to take part. Lee has been so supportive of me during the two and a half years that I have known her. Even when I've fallen down on the job, she's been there to help pick me back up and dust me off. So Lee, this one's for you! I hope you have a truly fantastic birthday!!

Of course, since this card is for Lee, it had to have pink and it had to sparkle. It wouldn't be a Lee card without either of those things, would it girls? I may have gone a tad overboard with the stickles, but I just couldn't help myself. (I'll redo the pic once the stickles are dry...and yes, there's a story behind that. Somebody remind me that I really do love my son?)
Here's a list of the rest of the the birthday bloggers...and of course, don't forget to stop by and wish Lee herself a happy birthday!

Allison
Christi
Crafty Math Chick
Joanne
Lori
Lydia
Misti
Nancy
Paula

And one more time, Lee...

Wooly Blast From the Past April Hop

Good morning everyone! I just love Taylored Expressions' Blast from the Past Blog Hops! This month, Sankari's sketch is right up my alley, too! I am such a CAS girl.

When I first saw this stamp set back in December, I knew I had to have it. I learned to knit when I was pregnant with my eldest daughter, who turned 17 on the 7th. Six months later, I started spinning my own yarn. It's where my online nick came from and I still love it! Plus, I think the Knit Wit sheep is just way too cute!I'll keep it short since there are so many blogs to visit. I hope you enjoy the hop!

EtsyInspired #135 - Creatingisfun

Happy Saturday! I'm starting to feel almost human again, but I'm going to keep it short and sweet. This week our shop belongs to a friend of most of us here at the EtsyInspired Challenge. Creatingisfun is Martha's shop and she sells various buttons and trims, and the occasional hand-created, vintage-inspired project. I particularly love her buttons. I've been dithering between two sets for a few weeks now and can't decide which ones I want. I think I'm going to have to order both - assuming nobody buys them first. As I was writing this post, I was told that there is a 50% off sale that she is continuing through the rest of today (that's Saturday.) The code is FRI50.

When I saw this suede ribbon, I remembered some that I had that was kind of similar...just with an added ruffle on the edge. It's almost the same shade of brown! My whole card started with that ribbon. I needed an extra birthday card that isn't for OWH, but is for a woman with Fuch's Corneal Dystrophy.

Deets:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Fancy Phrases
Ink: Distress Ink Vintage Photo
Cardstock: Memory Box
Etc: suede ruffle ribbon, CB embossing folder

Fuch's is an inherited disorder that both my mother and aunt suffer from. I have a 50% chance of having it, too. So far, they've been unable to tell whether I do or do not, but if I do, then each of my children will have a 50% chance of inheriting it. My aunt has already had one corneal transplant. My mother's is slow-developing, so, although she is the elder sister, she is not in need of a transplant any time soon. My aunt needs her other eye done as soon as her first eye is healed enough.

The woman to whom I am sending this card has other health issues and, because of these, is unable to have a transplant. Her Fuch's is so severe that she must sit in the dark. Because of this, I wanted to add texture to the card, so I thought the embossing folder would be a good idea. This way she can feel the letters. The suede ribbon should also feel nice.

Now it's your turn. For full deets about this week's sponsor, all prize information,and to link up your project, head on over to the EtsyInspired Blog. You've got until Friday, April 22, at noon, Pacific time. Before you go, check out the rest of the EIC team...

Angi
Ashley
De
Emily B.
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Kimme - April Guest Extraordinaire!!
Ruby
Savannah
Sherry
Virginia

Thanks for stopping by!

GIU Makeup Day 4ish

Hey guys. That fibro flare has me good and hard still, but I will finish out last week to give everyone their full opportunities to comment and win.

Today was my first day on the Creative Inspirations Paint blog, and since typing hurts, I'm going to cut/paste most of what I wrote over there.

This past week has been birthday central around my house, so I made a birthday card using a few Unity stamps. I thought I'd try painting directly onto my stamps and stamping with them, since I'd never used my paints that way before. As you can see, it worked out really well! It's definitely a different look, but I think it came out really cool, plus the shimmer is fantastic!

Deets:
Stamps: Unity - retired vine
Unity/Bella Blvd: Bella Trees & Sweet Celebration Birthday
Paint: Creative Inspirations Paints - Emerald, Evergreen
Cardstock: Memory Box, Neenah Classic Crest
Etc: embossing folder Swiss Dots

I especially love the look of the vine stamp down the left side of the card. I'm definitely going to be using this technique more often! I did learn that it works a lot better with a stamp that has more solid areas, rather than just outlines, such as the sentiment, but that did still work. I can hardly wait to try it with multiple colours!

Paper Maniac has all of their Unity stamps on sale for 40% off throughout the month of April. That's a fantastic steal! Great time to pick up one of the new Websters Pages kits or some Melody Ross....

EtsyInspired #134

Hi everyone. Long, bad week. Fibromyalgia struck with a vengeance and I'm still in some pretty good pain. I think it was the weather change that did it. It happens that way sometimes and about all I can do is wait for it to pass. Look for a couple posts from me in the next day or so.

Today, however, it is time to be EtsyInspired and we've got an extra special shop and an EXTRA special guest!! This week, we're featureing none other than Kim Kesti!! She and Jeri Smith (to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure which one of them is the mother, and which is the daughter!) have a shop called think fast designs where they make and sell darling aprons, gorgeous quilts and several other vintage-inspired items. For EtsyInspired folks, there is a disount coupon this weekend. Just type in "THINKFASTPLEASE" to get 10% off your order! One lucky player is going to win his or her choice of Vintage Pendant Necklaces!! (I like this one...)

When I saw this particular quilt, for some reason, it reminded me of Cosmo Cricket's Nutmeg dp. I think maybe it's the light green and maybe the rotated plaid - which, of course, I ended up not using. Then I saw this new-to-me challenge - Peachy Keen Sketch Challenge #49, and it was just perfect to use for a quilt-inspired card, so I went for it. The sentiment and border dots are from Fancy Phrases by Waltzingmouse Stamps.Our sponsor this week is Nikki Sivils! We are just busting out with awesomeness all over the place this week! Some other lucky player is going to win a Nikki Sivils collection pack, complete with paper and embellies!

Okay now, you know the drill. For full deets and to link up your project for this week, head on over to the EtsyInspired Blog. You've got until Friday, April 15, at noon, Pacific time. Before you go, though, check out the rest of the EIC team...

Angi
Ashley
De
Emily B.
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Kim Kesti - Special Guest
Kimme - April Guest Extraordinaire!!
Ruby
Savannah
Sherry
Virginia

Thanks for stopping by!

CASEing Myself for Growing in Unity

It's day 3 of Growing in Unity and I was a little stumped. Ashley pointed me to the monochromatic challenge at Claudia & Company, and looking at Piali's card reminded me of a couple cards I made way back in April 2009. I'd actually forgotten that I'd originally CASE'd someone else when I made the first two way back then! The link to the original-original (made by LynniePoo) is in my SCS gallery description.

The layout works beautifully with Unity's big background stamps and it also works with the large {ippity} stamps.
The background on this one is Grandma's Apron. The sentiment comes from an older Kit of the Month (September 2008), which is now retired. Both are stamped in Faded Jeans Distress Ink.
For this card, I used {ippity}'s Gurnsey Gingham for the background and Life's Little Moments for the sentiment (both of which I do have in stock - just leave a comment or email me if you'd like either.)

That's two more for my 40 cards in 40 days for Operation Write Home. I hope some of you are joining me, even if it's just for one or two cards. See you again here tomorrow!

ACK!! Just realized I hit save last night rather than publish...so this didn't get put up at 8am like it was supposed to! I'm such a dork!

GIU - Jillibella Soup

Good morning. It's been busy already today. We had one heck of a thunderstorm at 4:00 this morning. It was loud enough to wake up several of us in the house. The wind was terrible. Then the Dell guy came and replaced the spousal unit's motherboard, soundcard and something else. We're hopeful that this will solve his blue-screen-of-death errors. We do know that 2 of the RAM slots on the old motherboard were bad, so cross fingers and all that.

Today, I've got a quick and easy birthday card, yet again for OWH. This is my go-to sketch, which is from Nina Brackett's first blogiversary. It's so multipurpose and just the easiest thing in the world.
The reason for the odd placement of the present and stars is because I accidentally droped the ink pad onto the card when I went to stamp the present a second time. Of course I already had the background attached to the base.

Oh, and my goofy title for today is because I used Jillibean Soup paper (Yellow Squash) and Sweet Celebration Birthday from Unity's Bella Blvd co-branded stamps.

Have a great day today! I'll be back again tomorrow (much earlier!)

H{ippity} Hoppity Hello, I'm Growing in Unity!

Good morning! I'm super excited to be hosting Growing in Unity this week!! It's my FIFTH time! I think I'm beginning to make a habit of this!! Of course, this is also H{ippity} Hop day, so I have an {ippity} card to share. It's very CAS, as I'm working on my personal challenge to do 40 cards to send to Operation Write Home.

For anyone who plays along, there is blog candy involved. I'm still working on what all that includes, but so far, I have a set of nesties, at least one {ippity} kit and one from Unity. You have until Easter Sunday to finish up, and they do not all have to be different, so long as there are 40 total and they've been made between Lent and Easter.
I've used OWH's Sketch Challenge #63 for the layout. The sentiment is from the {ippity} set Sweet Thoughts of Spring.

Check out the {ippity} blog for a full list of today's participants.

I'll be posting each day for the rest of this week with more Growing in Unity! Don't forget to leave a comment on each post, as I'll be drawing a name at the end of the week and someone will win some Unity goodness!

Growing in Unity Week

Hey everyone. Just wanted to let you know that I'll be hosting Growing in Unity starting tomorrow morning, so don't forget to stop by every day this week. My first post will be up at 10am Eastern. See you then!!

EtsyInspired #133 - xs baggage & co.

Hey everyone. It's gonna be short and sweet from me today as it's been a very stressful week in the Chesser household. Today it's time to be EtsyInspired. Xs baggage & co. is a super cute shop with the most darling little bags. If I didn't already have a case for my ipad, I'd be all over this one.

I'm still working on my 40 card Lenten Challenge, so I used one of the Operation Write Home sketches from Challenge 62. There are 3 this week! There is no stamping at all on my card, either - just a really cute Stickerz from EAD Designs. This adorable little cell phone bag was my inspiration. I couldn't resist the cherries!Our sponsor this week is the Wax Fruit Company. I couldn't make up my mind which of her fabulous digis I wanted to use, because they're all so pretty! I especially love her flowers!

Now it's your turn! For all the prize deets and to link up your project for this week, head on over to the EtsyInspired Blog. You've got until Friday, April 8, at noon, Pacific time. Before you go, though, check out the rest of the EIC team...

Angi
Ashley
De
Emily B.
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Kimme - April Guest Extraordinaire!!
Ruby
Savannah
Sherry
Virginia

EtsyInspired #132 - Fresh Metal

Hey everyone! Are you ready to be EtsyInspired? It's another week and we've got a fantastic shop for you!! Fresh Metal Jewelry has got the COOLEST flower pieces made out of fabric. I just LOVE them!! She upcycles bits for as many of her pieces as possible, all of which are inspired by vintage necklaces and brooches.

This one is my favourite.

For my card today, I chose to be inspired by all of the floral pieces in the shop. I used Memory Box stamps, cardstock and patterned paper. Oh, and yes, this is another card that will be heading off to Operation Write Home as a part of my 40 cards for Lent.

Our sponsor this week is Amber Ink.
AmberInk was started by a mother and daughter team. Amber lives in the East, Pam lives in the West. Amber is an Emmy nominated children's animator and illustrator, who creates from her Brooklyn, New York studio. Although they do carry some clear stamps, the company runs by the premise that their customers are more brilliant than patient. If you've been a diehard clear or rubber-stamper, they can even help you with the transition to digital. And don't worry about asking a silly question, because as a retired public high school teacher, Pam has already seen it all. Check out the ever-increasing tutorial links, which you can find on the homepage. Hailing from the Hawaiian Islands, the Aloha Spirit is alive and well at AmberInk.com.

Now it's your turn! For all the prize deets and to link up your project for this week, head on over to the EtsyInspired Blog. You've got until Friday, April 1, at noon, Pacific time. Before you go, though, check out the rest of the EIC team...

Angi
Ashley
De
Emily B.
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Libby - March Guest DT!!
Ruby
Savannah
Sherry
Virginia

Friends With Flair - March 25

Hey everyone. I hope you are all having a really good week. The boys have been on Spring Break, so that's been nice. Today and Tuesday, the spousal unit will be taking the civilian form of the language test that he's taken yearly for the military. His results could net him a job, so I'm on pins and needles. It would truly be a wonderful thing for him to have a job offer prior to his final military paycheck on 1 April.

Anyway, it's Friday, so time for another episode of Friends With Flair! For a full list of participants, check out the Unity blog.
For my card today, I used the sketch from CPS#210. The colour combo is from the Play Date Cafe #74. The stamps are from an older kit I don't recall the name of and Simply Said. I get my Unity and Memory Box patterned paper at Paper Maniac.

Have a great weekend. Good luck finding the blinkie!!