Hello friends! Thanks for stopping by today! It's another fabulous Unity Hip Hop Thursday and I am excited that we are celebrating Creative Imaginations all week long on the Unity blog. Creative Imaginations has so many amazing designers and products! I was so excited to recieve some of their amazing Marah Johnson products to create with for this week's Hop. Here's what I created with them.

 be you

Supplies: Paint It with Luminarte * Marah Johnson, Twinkling H20's,

Unity/Marah Johnson Co-branded Dare to fly set.

 

 I really enjoyed creating with this paper and the Twinkling H20's. It was fun to color this paper to my liking and really easy to do. After I finished coloring the paper the way I wanted to I simply wiped the excess color with a paper towel.  I really liked that this paper also worked well with colored mists.

 

I also used some MFT flower dies to create coordinating flowers to embellish my layout and color them with the Twinkling H2O's.  

Don't forget to leave a comment over at the Unity and Creative Imaginations blog to be entered to win a wonderful prize!!

 Now it's time for you to head over to Stephanie's blog to see what she has to share with you!

Have a creative day!

Paper Posies November kit

Hello friends. I caught that terrible head cold last Tuesday and have been MIA ever since. I am so lad I was able to bundle up Monday night and get out with little girl for her first real Trick or Treating experience. She hasn't stopped talking about it since Halloween. Since I wasn't feeling that great I really didn't snap that many pics (insert sad face) I know...but I did get a few I will share soon! 

Paper Posies revealed the November kit last week on the website here. I always love getting every Paper Posies kit in the mail! Not only does Michele pick the best products to mix and match but I always love the little project included!

To see the complete list on contents in this month's kit click here.

Here's a look as some of the layouts and cards I created with the November kit.

I loved using this Be You butterfly Co Branded stamp by Unity Stamp Co/Samantha Walker for my card. I also used one of the new Sizzix embossing folders.

 

My husband loves to make a special lunch for Lily. We call it "Lunch by Dad".

And here's my take on this month's project. I made a cute magnet for our fridge!

I really enjoyed creating with this month's kit. Order your today before they're gone!

Hello Hip Hoppers! It's our second week hopping with My Little Shoebox and I am lucky to be on both of these wonderful teams. MLS Co-branded with Unity for their Summer 2011 collections. I'm so excited about all of these beautiful stamps and even more excited that they are on sale right now! Make sure you've started the Hip Hop at the Unity blog today because Angela has some exciting news about a giveaway you can win by particpating in today's Hip Hop.

If you get lost along the way here's the line up of the Hop today to help you out.

Unity Blog - http://theunitystampco.blogspot.com/

Angie Blom – http://angieblomdesigns.blogspot.com/

Nicole Wragge - http://beingoutoftheboxcreative.blogspot.com/

Christi Snow –  http://www.alteredambitions.blogspot.com/

Norine Borys- http://www.thevelvetlemon.blogspot.com/

Jen Buck – http://thebuckstampshere.blogspot.com/

Pattie Beltran- http://www.pattiebeltran.blogspot.com/

Jimmi Mayo – http://www.stampingwithjimmi.blogspot.com/

Pearl Liu- http://maisymary.blogspot.com/

Lisa Arana – http://dahlhouse-designs.com/

Rocio Duran - http://www.chiotaz.blogspot.com/

Maren Benedict – http://zanynotcrazy.blogspot.com/

Ro Philippsen - http://www.scrapbyrophilippsen.blogspot.com/

Natalie Dever – http://www.dougnat.blogspot.com/                   

Shelly Berg – http://shellyberg.blogspot.com/

Shemaine Smith – http://www.shemainesmith.blogspot.com/

Zoe Nemburt - http://ceydaboo.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Muzzulin -  http://handmade75.blogspot.com/

My Little Shoebox Blog - http://www.mylittleshoebox.typepad.com/

Today I am sharing a couple of layouts I created with MLS's Audrey collection and the Unity Co-Branded stamps.

 Stay Sassy beautiful

Supplies: My Little Shoebox Audrey collection and Unity Co-Branded Audrey Set.

Misc: Recollections resin roses and bling. Martha Stewart Punch around the Page.

Go Beautiful girl

Supplies: Patterned paper: Charade. Roman Holiday & Love in the Afternoon. Dies: Spellbinders Beaded Oval die: Scrapping Cottage Cottage Cutz Cameo and Oval Frame. My Little Shoebox mini alphas white and Sprinkle Glaze Cotton Candy stickers. Misc: Hero Arts bling

Audrey

on sale for only $10.00

Now I'm gonna send you over to Zoe's blog! Enjoy the rest of your journey!

I've been neglecting my blog again. I promise it's not intentional but I think when you handle social media for others, your own blog tends to be the one that suffers. I do have a couple of things to share today. I made some cards for a call with My Little Shoebox's Audrey collection that did not make the cut.

 Hello Baby Girl

Supplies: MLS Audrey patterned paper: Charade Love in the afternoon Dies: Spellbinders lacey oval, ribbon Stamp Sentiment: Hero Arts Misc: resin roses Recollections Kaisercraft pink rhinestones

_______

Happy Day

Supplies: MLS Audrey Pattern Paper: My Fair Lady Love in the afternoon Roman Holiday Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Audrey Cardstock Sticker Die: Cottage Cutz Ornate Circle Frame Flowers: Prima Stamps: Unity Stamp Company Misc: Hero Arts rhinestones.

With Halloween a week away I wanted to share my front door decor I made using My Little Shoebox's Trick or Treat collection.

Here's a closer look at the little scene I created, each of the cardstock sticker kids represent Scott and Lily. Can you tell who's who?

Here's a fun decor idea from inside the house. I used Recollection gem stickers from Michaels to decorate this white pumpkin. Sadly the stickers lifted off the pumpkins the next morning and I had to come up with a plan B to get them to stick. Thankfully a little Modge Podge over the top and my heat tool did the trick for setting these not so sticky embellishments. Simply coat the top of the sticker and pumpkin with Modge Podge and turn on your heat tool. You will see the plastic on the stickers lift from the heat but it will lay back down or you can help it with a popsicle stick. Then let cool and use hot glue to apply the bow! 

Back to the outside, I also altered this fun sign from Michaels with Pink paisley glitter alphas. I think it's spooky fun! 

We even buried some of the family in the front yard...jk

Well, that's all I have for you today! Have a creative day friends!

Unity Stamp Company & Spellbinders 2-Day Blog Hop

Welcome to our TWO-day event!  It's Day two and I am soooo excited about this Blog Hop!

You should be joining me from Gloria Stengel’s blog, if not then head to the beginning on the Unity Stamp Co. blog.

With all the blog-swaps that are happening out there lately, I can't think of one more exciting than when the amazing women of SPELLBINDERS get together with the rockstars of UNITY STAMP COMPANY!

We can't wait to show you a special line of coordinating products featuring SPELLBINDERS dies and SAMANTHA WALKER for Unity Stamp Co. rubber stamps!  
Not only are we thrilled to be collaborating on such a special 2-day event, but ONE of you will win ALL of the coordinating stamps and dies from the Samantha Walker collection!  We will also have 1 winner each day from the comments that will receive 1 Samantha Walker stamp set and coordinating dies.
So be sure to enjoy our hop both days, leave comments on all of the blogs each day and check back to see if you won!

(winners will be posted on Wednesday, October 19^th on the Unity Blog and Spellbinders Blog)

I was so lucky to get this set to create with!

So I made a little layout today using coordinating Samantha Walker papers too!

Supplies: Patterned Paper Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations Orchard Harvest, Unity Samantha Walker Co Brand Cuckoo Clocks, Spellbinders Compadables Cuckoo Clocks die, Martha Stewart micro beads, American Crafts Thickers, misc Copics and jewels.

Here's a close up of the clock which I absolutely love! The detail in these stamps! The images are so beautiful. Stamps and a Spellbinder die to cut them out perfectly is... CRAFTER'S HEAVEN!!!

Now please head over to Michelle’s blog, I just know she's going to have something amazing for you!

In case you get lost along the way, please visit the Unity Stamp Company blog for a list of all the blogs in today’s blog hop!

 

Unity Stamp Company http://www.theunitystampco.blogspot.com/

Robyn Weatherspoon http://herebygrace.typepad.com/here_by_grace/

Heidi Blankenship  Embellished Dreams
Lesley Langdon http://lesleylangdoncreative.blogspot.com/
Maria Gurnsey http://scrapsbym.blogspot.com/

Judy Hayes    http://judyhayesdesign.blogspot.com
Eva Dobilas http://evafromca.blogspot.com/

Holly Simoni  http://www.hollysimoni.typepad.com/

Jen Erickson http://shut-up-its-true.blogspot.com/

Tonya Dirk  www.creativit-tonya.blogspot.com
Lisa Henke http://www.mylittlecreativeescape.blogspot.com/
Julie Overby www.joverby.blogspot.com

Maren Benedict http://zanynotcrazy.blogspot.com/
Christine Emberson   http://hope-chances.blogspot.com/

Wendy Chang http://www.justwen.blogspot.com/

Gloria Stengel  www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com
Shemaine Smith http://www.shemainesmith.blogspot.com/
Michelle Woerner  http://stopandstamptheroses.blogspot.com/
Angie Blom http://angieblomdesigns.blogspot.com/

Spellbinders Blog http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/Community/Blog.aspx

Hip Hop... Hope!

Hip Hop Peeps! October is Cancer awareness month! So Angela being Angela had to do her part and stand up to Cancer. She created Unity's first ever themed KOTM. So today we are celebrating this month's KOTM faith, hope, love...live by it!

Guess what? THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EVER you have been able to purchase a KIT OF THE MONTH the MONTH that it is released. 

You will purchase the Kit for $35. $5 will be put into a fund and at the END of October the fund will be dispersed to families that are fighting the battle with Cancer. Unity will let you know where every penny is sent. We will be splitting up the money collected so that we can send it in different directions and it will DIRECTLY help these families.

 Hope

I love the circle type image so I used it to create this card. The patterned paper is Kaisercraft. I used a Martha Stewart punch around the page punch and of course I had to use a big satin pink ribbon too! 

Now if you didn't start the Hip Hop at Unity please head back over to the Unity blog! I know you won't want to miss what Angela has to share with you.

 Now I am gonna send you off to see Stephanie!

i {heart} papers: Swimming for Katie Day Three

I am really honored to be participating in this fundraiser for this brave momma. My heart goes out to her family and loved ones and I am praying for strength for them all. Cancer has touched my life and the lives of my own family more than once so I will continue to stand up to cancer in any way I can. 

From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer. If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year. This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight. A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer. Her first post about it is here. The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

Here's my card I made for Katie. It's going in the mail today. I added some bling and glitter because we all have sparkle, but some sparkle brighter than others. I hope Katie knows how bright she sparkles.

This exclusive stamp used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file. 100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family. Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support. In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale. Direct donations are also being accepted. Information central is HERE. This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.

Here are all the items available for sale.


I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation. The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today. I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate.




  If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Here's the master list of today's participants

• Amy Heller  
• Jackie Pedro  
• Julie Masse
• Kecia Waters  
• Sandie Dunne 
• Susan Liles 
• Latisha Yoast 
• Laurie Schmidlin 
• Lisa Arana 
• Lisa Henke 
• Lisa Silver
• Lydia Fiedler 
• Lyn Bernatovich 
• Lynette  
• Maria Gurnsey 
• Meg Craig 
• Melissa Bickford 
• Michelle Woerner  
• Mona Pendleton 
• Niki Estes 
• Robyn Weatherspoon 
• Sarah Jay 
• Sarah Martina Parker 
• Savannah O'Gwynn 
• Stephanie Washburn 
• Susanna Boyd 
• Tobi Crawford  
• Julie Lacey 
• Kim Kesti 
• Shemaine Smith 
• Danielle Lounds 
• Debbie Carriere 
• DoBea A. 
• Fran Gumprecht  
• Geny Cassady 
• Gina K. 
• Holly McMillen 
• Jak Heath 
• Javablustamper/Jacquie 
• Kimberly Crawford 
• Jeanne Streiff
• Trudy Sjolander

Thanks for your support!

Oops! I almost forgot to post

I can't believe I almost forgot to post my Tuesday Trigger card! Here's a look at this week's Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger challenge.

Ohh doesn't that look scrumptious! I was inspired more by the colors than the yummy treat. The colors reminded me of the soft Fall palette from We R Memory Keepers Autumn Splendor collection.

I've enjoyed playing along with this weekly challenge the past two weeks. Since I'm posting at the deadline tonight I want to share that every Tuesday is a new Trigger challenge

so swing by and check out what Cath has for you this Tuesday! I hope you'll be inspired to create something too!

Weekend wrap up

It's been a busy weekend once again with both kids playing soccer. Lily got her cute plaque with her soccer photos Saturday at her Jamboree session (I'll post a pic of the plaque this week) She really loves to go every Saturday and play with "my girls" as she calls them. I am still trying to convince her in soccer she does not have to share the ball. It's funny how we teach our toddlers to share and then along comes a sport where the whole idea is not to share at all. It's too funny to watch her run to the ball get it under foot and then let her team mate take it from her to score the goal. She'll get it tho, I am sure. Here's a team 1 pic I shot on picture day. There are about 25 pink ladies in U5 so they had to split them into groups.

I must admit that I am not getting into my studio as often as I like.

It's not because I don't have time, I do actually. I think that sometimes the weight of life gets to be a bit too much for me and rather than escaping to my passion I let my worries take over. I don't typically share personal stuff on my blog but I've been thinking why would that not be OK? Most of the people who read my blog are friends who've always been so supportive and besides who would ever judge me for being honest about my feelings? I think that when we keep all these thoughts and worries inside us it only makes them worse. My husband told me once that his Mom used to have a cartoon on her fridge when he was a kid that said "worrying is like dying twice." Oh that is so true. I am a worrier... There I said it. 

I think it started when I was a child because I had a very demanding mother who wanted things done exactly the way she wanted them done. I was given a lot of responsibility in caring for my young siblings when my parents divorced when I was 13. My mother worked nights, I was the Mom and all of those responsibilities fell on my shoulders while she was out of the house. I worried constantly about if I had completed the tasks she'd left me the way she wanted them done. I worried when I came home from school that day would she be mad or happy. Many times she was mad and I learned not to allow friends to come home with me. The one time I did, I regretted it forever and thankfully my friend was a real friend. She never told anyone at school what she witnessed that day she came home with me. We are still friends and I still love her for being so understanding and caring. I musty admit tho, finally I was able to share with someone what my life was like with my demanding mother and having someone to talk to about my life and struggles really set me free.

Sadly my mother and I don't have much to say to each other today. I have a lot of hurt over my childhood and she has a lot of anger towards me over my womanhood. She feels I mis- treated her and in many ways I still feel broken from her abuse. I'm working on letting it go but it won't happen anytime soon and neither will my worrying. I'm trying tho, and I guess sometimes to succeed you've got to first admit you failed.

So instead of letting my worries get to me, I am really going to make an effort to get in my studio and create more beyond my expected assignments from the teams I am so thankful to design for.
I have so many ideas that fill my head for projects and I really love the way crafting gives a certain feeling of peace. I think my life could use more peace right now. Scrapbooking has also given me the self confidence I didn't have as a girl. I know things won't change over night but realizing that sometimes things are out of my hands and letting go is good. I want to feel this weight I carry lift and I know with courage and the love I get from my sweet hubby, it will. I'll keep praying that our lives turn in a better direction and that my worries become a little less. Sheesh... it feels good to get some of these thoughts out of my head. 

New from Ippity!

It's new from Ippity! A really fun set called Time for...friends & wine.

This is such a cute kit and I love the meaning behind the sentiments and all the girls! After all where would we be without our girlfriends? Here's a little something I created with this cute set!

Supplies: Image and Sentiment: Ippity Patterned Paper: Kaisercraft. Misc: ribbon and Stickles

If you are interested in purchasing this set click here to find an Ippity Chick in your area!

Happy World Card Making Day!

Hello! I am so excited to be participating in Paper Crafts World Card Making Day Blog Hop. I love making cards and there is so much card inspiration on each of the participating blogs today. 

I hope you've been having a great time so far and if you made it to my blog I am really impressed since this year I am # 77 in this year's blog tour!

To celebrate World Card Making Day I wanted to create a special card for all of you who visit my blog. I love seeing the new and regular visitors who stop. I really appreciate that you take the time to check out my creations and leave me comments. I think it's super nice and wanted to share with you that your time is greatly appreciated. I've been so lucky to have made some wonderful fellow craft buddies here in cyber space. So today this Thanks is for you!

Supplies: Patterned paper and cardstock We R Memory Keepers: Autumn Splendor collection. Ribbon: Papertrey ink. Misc: bling from Michaels

The next blog on your hop is A Happy Scramper and belongs to Linda Langes. Enjoy your journey today!

Happy World Card Making Day friends!