Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Stampin' Up?? Really??

Yeah, I don't really use SU stamps much. I do like their card stock & inks, but their images....most of them aren't my style. I love *cute*, & they just don't have a lot of *cute* stamps. The exception to that is the hedgies!!! I *heart* the hedgies. & I bought the Halloween Hedgies set on Ebay about a year ago.



How cute are these trick-or-treaters?!?!! This was actually my second attempt, I really messed up my first & it is now in the circular file. I messed up the background....which figures, because I was already done coloring the image!!

Anyway, I used my pencils & gamsol, & added a bit of shimmer to the pumpkins & the stars on the witch hat with my clear Spica glitter pen. The papers are SU's Basic Black, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, & BASIC GREY EERIE!!!! That's right, I finally got the new schtuff & I couldn't wait to use it! I got all 3 of the new pads, I actually bought 2 of the Eskimo Kisses just cuz it's so cute!! You can get all the new Basic Grey papers & embellishments at 7 Kids College Fund HERE......the NEW new stuff is towards the end. I used my Martha Drippy Goo punch on the black & orange layers.....I just love that punch!






Here's a close up of the trick-or-treatin' gang!





And how cute is this pumpkin charm?? Someone asked me where I get my charms.....why, I get them on Ebay, of course!!!! But you can also get a huge array of charms & spacers at my friend Nikki's store HERE. She has some great stuff so while you're there, why don't ya do a little browsing???

I'm off to get my kids from the bus stop.....then homework, dinner, clean up, showers....there just isn't enough time on school nights to get everything done!! What about watching all the new fall shows?? Sheesh, a girl's gotta get her fix!!!!

Monday, September 28, 2009

High hopes challenge....a bit late

Well hooray!! I told you I'd get my card done....eventually! LOL!! Only a day late, not too shabby!!



If you will recall, yesterday's High Hopes challenge was to make a birthday card, in honor of our one year blogoversary! I used Warm Wishes for my card.....& a lot of green & pink, lol. The papers are SU's Always Artichoke, Bazzill Bling (pink matte) & Basic Grey Eva. I added glitter to his wings & tail, & to his fiery breath. A few Dew Drops, a few Primas, & finally we have a birthday card. Happy birthday to our blog!!!!




A close up of the cutie, hopefully you can see his blingy tail & wings :)

Hope you had a great Monday. It was cloudy, rainy & cold here. Quite a difference from last week....I can feel winter just lurking around the corner!! Brrr....

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Happy birthday to us!!

Wow!! Can you believe it's been 1 year since we started our High Hopes challenge blog?? It's like a baby's first birthday....that year went FAST!! I didn't get a card done yet for today's challenge, but I wanted to share what the challenge is, so those of you more organized than I can play along! The theme is......birthdays!!!!! Happy birthday to us, & also happy birthday to our Divas Danielle (yesterday) & Ying (tomorrow)!! Best wishes to you, my friends!!

So....of course we are asking that you simply make a birthday card!! As always, if you play along, you can enter to win some HH goodies.....check out THIS POST for the details & to see the other Divas GRAND creations!!

Now I need some cake :)


I also wanted to mention that 7 Kids College Fund has the Stampavie Penny Johnson stamps available for preorder HERE.......they are so adorable & I'm pretty sure I need all of them!! And don't forget she also has the Magnolia Spooky Collection & the new Whiff of Joy available for preorder!! So many stamps, so little time!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!! Michael has a birthday party from 3-7.....4 hours.....that's quite a party!! There will be swimming (they have an indoor pool) & homemade pizzas. Of course I'll be staying, lol. Now that's how I like to spend a Sunday :)

Have a great week!!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Tilda with strawberries

I know....it's Thursday already! Where have I been? It's been a busy week.....working every day with a smidge of sickness thrown in. There has been no creative time....except for when I got home today....I think this card is my new speed record....done in under an hour!!



The day Tab asked me to me on her 7 Kids College Fund design team, I ordered some Tildas. Well I had to order *something*, right? That was a few weeks ago & I finally got to ink up Tilda with Strawberries today! She's from the Lazy Summer Days collection....you can find all of them HERE. I colored her with my Prismas & gamsol, & used the sketch from Just Magnolia from a few weeks ago. I had to move the sentiment because there was no room under the green panel....but I like how it turned out. Especially the strawberry charm :) The papers are Prism & DCWV's Nana's Nursery. I didn't have any flowers to match so I punched my own from the same papers.




I wish I had a bucket of big juicy strawberries!!!





The sentiment is from the Life is Sweet set from Our Craft Lounge....I just inked up the "sweet" part.

Well I hope you've had a terrific week. Thanks so much for all of your support regarding my job interview. It went well, although I was floored at how much the company has changed. I worked there 10 years ago & it was a small company...I think when I started there were 13 employees. Now it's in a fancy schmancy office....twice the employees...it's a fantastic place. Still not sure about the whole working-40-hours part....but we'll see what happens! Stay tuned!!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

High Hopes challenge~ playing favorites

Howdy, blog readers & fellow High Hopes lovers!! Today's challenge is hosted by Jeanne.....& she'd like us to use one of our favorite High Hopes images today!! Well, how can one possibly narrow it down?? They're all favorites!!




Well, ok, so I did pick one!! I've always loved Ice Cream For Two......this little boy reminds me so much of Michael. So of course I had to give him blond hair! I colored the image with Prismas & gamsol....the papers are DCWV & My Minds Eye. I used the Martha Stewart loop border punch, added a couple of Primas with a button, & added some Dew Drops.....very simple card, very simple layout, very few embellishments. I'm not great at making "boy" cards....but even with the flowers I think this would be great for a boy of any age!!




Here's a close up....I used my clear Spica glitter pen on the ice cream, & a wee bit of Crystal Effects on the dog's nose & tongue.

Be sure to check out what the other fabulous Divas created on the High Hopes blog....& as always if you play along, be sure to link your creation in the comments section for a chance to win a goodie :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!! Tomorrow morning I have a job interview, so I am going to spend the rest of the day being extremely nervous about that!! I haven't interviewed for a job in a loooooooong time! It's at the company I worked for before I had kids....& it's even the same position (although I'm sure after 10 years it's been amended a wee bit, lol). It's full time, & to be honest I'm not quite sure I'm ready for that. I was hoping for part time, but I gotta do what I gotta do. My kids are all for it & very supportive. Yeah, they're just sick of hearing we can't go to McDonald's because I don't even have $10 in my wallet, lol! I love subbing, but the pay stinks & it's so sporadic & I really need a real job with real hours & most importantly a real paycheck. I'm sure 200 other people are also interviewing for this job, so I need to focus!!! I'll let you know how it goes!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Spooky Collection at 7 Kids!

Hi all!

Hope you've had a wonderful Saturday!! This weather just can't be beat!! Wouldn't it be great to have this 12 months a year....nothing but sunshine & 70?!? I know some people would miss the snow in the winter & the extreme heat of the summer, but I'm pretty sure I'm not one of them, lol!!

I just wanted to let you know that 7 Kids College Fund is accepting preorders for the Magnolia Spooky Collection!! In fact, she's asking that if you'd like to preorder them, that you do it ASAP. She's a bit nervous about shipping times, & would like to put in the order within the next few days. So if you want 'em......go order 'em!!!!

~~~HERE IS THE LINK~~~ to the Spooky Collection....aren't they just too cute???


I will see you back here tomorrow for my High Hopes challenge card!! Enjoy your evening!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Blueberry Tilda

TGIF!!!! And what a day it was! I took off today to have some aloooooone time.....hubby is up north & with him working 2nd shift, I don't get the peace & quiet I used to after the kids got on the bus. So I had a list of things I wanted to do today.....but a higher power had different plans for me. I got a call from the school at 10 that Michael's ear was hurting. He's been congested & coughing for 3 weeks....at first I thought it was cold, then when it didn't go away I thought it was allergies & started giving him Claritin. But the school has a thingie that tests fluid levels in ears, & lo & behold, his were high . So off to the dr.....she said she thinks it's a sinus infection that's turning into an ear infection. Poor guy.....& bad mommy!! I definitely didn't win any awards today. But he was never sick sick.....never tired, never complained....he was just stuffy......sigh....hopefully he's on the mend now :)

Anyway.....in between all that I did manage to get a card done!!!! I've had Blueberry Tilda stamped for a week now, & finally got to do something with her!!



I colored her with Prismas & gamsol....& used the only papers I could find with even a hint of blueberry-y color in them......K&Company Madeline. The matte is SU's Purely Pomegranate, which I am almost out of :( The layout started out as the Just Magnolia sketch, but my main image was too big & I couldn't quite squeeze that 3rd panel in. I glitterized her apron & used my Martha doily lace punch on the borders. I also used it on my flower, a cute little concept I found on *someone's* blog.....can't remember whose....I apologize, I look at way too many blogs!! Added the Hero Arts sentiment, some ribbon & rhinestones & I think she is just sparkly beautiful!




Ready for my close up!!!


Remember, you can preorder the Magnolia Yummy For Your Tummy collection from 7 Kids College Fund HERE........it looks like she expects them to ship in late September/early October. That's coming up quick!! And.....she will also have the new Spooky collection....more info available on that this weekend!!!!

Well I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! It's supposed to be beautiful once again here.....& even though I *still* have a long list of things to do I'm going to spend as much time as I can outside!!! Before we know it, the snow will be flying!! Ugh!!!!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Missing in action.....

Good Thursday morning everyone!! I have had an UBER busy week & have had no time to create nor blog hop. I haven't even looked at my stamping table since the weekend. Which is good, since I've been whining all summer about not being able to find a job. I'm resigned to the fact that I will be subbing for another year, & the hours are being piled on!! The first week of school there were 2 cases of strep, & a lot of the kids & teachers have been absent. All the more subbing hours for me!! I've worked all day every day this week, so there hasn't been time for much else. I thought I would share a couple of my favorite fall cards from last year, since I don't have time to create any new ones!!!!!




This is one of my favorite SU sets.....gosh I miss those hedgies! I sure wish they'd bring them back!! I have this set out right now with the intention of doing something soon with one of the other images!!




And this Magnolia is one of my favorites.....must be her beret....it just says "fall" to me, lol! Wish I looked so chic in a beret!! The stitching is faux.....it was either before I bought my machine, or before I had the courage to try it!!

I'm looking forward to a bit of time maybe tomorrow. My husband went up north for a few days & I definitely want to take advantage of the empty house!! Tonight is Cub Scouts so doubly looking forward to some rest time tomorrow, lol!!

Have a great day!!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

A beautiful Sunday

Hello everyone!! It is gorgeous once again here today!! How long can this weather hold out??

Today's High Hopes challenge is Wrap It Up.....which means we want to see a gift bag, box, gift card holder, basically anything that isn't a card!! I didn't get time to play yet.....hopefully I will still get to it this week because I do have an idea in my head....but I would love it if you all headed over to the High Hopes blog to check out what all the other Divas created.....such talent, I tell ya!! As always, if you play along, you will be entered to win a bit of High Hopes goodness....

And speaking of High Hopes goodness....Tab at 7 Kids College Fund has decided to take special orders for High Hopes stamps. So many people have been emailing her that she's afraid she won't be able to stock all the stamps that everyone wants. So....if there are some stamps that you simply MUST HAVE.....please email Tab no later than Tuesday, September 15th. Check out THIS BLOG POST for more info if you are interested in placing an order!!

That's it from me....I'm ready to start my day now :) Have a great Sunday!!

Friday, September 11, 2009

I finally remembered the goo!!!!

Happy Friday everyone!! Hope you're having a glorious day!! It's beautiful once again here......we are really getting spoiled with the nice weather. I'm afraid to blink.....it might start snowing!

I was in the mood to make another Halloween card.....& just had to use this adorable Penny Black stamp!!



It's called Witchy Mouse....although he doesn't look so scary to me! I'm sure I've mentioned once or twice how terrible I am at watercoloring....well since this image doesn't require much coloring, I decided it was a good time to try again. I stamped the image onto watercolor paper & clear embossed it, then used my Tim Holtz Distress Inks & waterbrush to color it. After coloring it, I spritzed it with Harvest Orange Glimmer Mist. I really need some more of those limited edition colors....they are just gorgeous!! Just a hint of colored shimmer! The papers are DCWV (the black & orange) & My Mind's Eye Boo To You, which I just picked up at my LSS today. I'm really having a hard time finding fun Halloween papers in the stores! And......I *finally* remembered to use my Martha Stewart Drippy Goo punch!!! I've meant to use it on the last couple of Halloween cards, but kept grabbing my Web punch.....think I went overboard buying punches? When I can't even remember what I wanted to use......




Here's a close up.....maybe if you click you can see the gorgeous shimmer from the Glimmer Mist!!




The web & spider punches are from last year.....I attached some floss to the spider's butt, lol....poor guy has a glue dot right on his behind!!!




Here's a pic of the inside.....


That's all from me....I'll be gone all day tomorrow but I hope to be back Sunday with a card for the High Hopes challenge! It's a good one!! Have a great weekend everyone!!

In memory of....

all of those who lost their lives on 9/11.....





Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Kitchen Tilda

Good Wednesday, everyone!! Wow, the week sure flies when there's a holiday on Monday! The weather is still surprisingly gorgeous here....hope it's sunny & beautiful where you are as well!!




I got to ink up another beautiful Tilda from the set I just received. This is Kitchen Tilda....remember, if you missed out on the kit from Magnolia, 7 Kids College Fund has all of them available for preorder HERE. I used my Copics to color her, & my Rectangle Nesties to cut her out. The papers are SU's Old Olive & an older line of Cosmo Cricket. I believe it's called Honey Pie, of course I only have scraps left. I also used the last of my olive colored Tulle, I'll definitely have to get more of that. I wasn't too sure about it when I bought it but I use it all the time! Finished it off with a heart charm, & of course some Primas & leaves in the corner.




Here's a close up....I did decorate the inside but didn't get a pic....used the same papers....I'll be putting this card either on Ebay or in my Etsy shop later, if you know anyone who loves Tildas :)

Well I'm off to work on some projects. Hubby went to work early (yay!!) so I have 3 whole hours.....well, now 2 1/2 since it always takes me so long to take pics & write up my post, lol.....but 2 1/2 hours of peace & quiet before the kidlings get home.....better make good use of that time!! Have a great day & thanks for visiting!!

Monday, September 7, 2009

New stuff at 7 Kids!

Just a quick post to say Happy Labor Day & to let you know Tab just added a whole bunch of fun new stuff to HER STORE. Here's a direct link to all the new products~~~~FUN NEW STUFF~~~~~

She's added a whole array of Tim Holtz Distress Stickles, some fall Sugarplums & Magnolias, some Stampendous cling stamps including the ones I used HERE & HERE......& a few other treats. I don't own *any* of the Sugarplums & I think they are so adorable!! Guess I'll have to do a little shopping myself http://planetsmilies.net/grinning-smiley-9518.gif

Sunday, September 6, 2009

High Hopes challenge #43

Good Sunday morning, everyone!!! Summer vacation is over & the High Hopes challenges are back! Woohooooo.....I've so missed our challenges!!!

Today's challenge is brought to you by.....ME!!!!!! I chose the theme "Fall Into Autumn".....so get out those fall images!! If you don't have any, no worries.....just incorporate some lovely fall colors into your card!! Fall colors are my favorite!!




I chose to use an oldie but a goodie.....Fall Joy! Oh, how I love those rascally raccoons!! I used Prismas & gamsol to color these critters, & since the image is so big I kept the embellishments to a minimum. I used my Martha leaf border punch to not only do the border, but also to punch 3 leaves for the corner. I added Crystal Effects & Dazzling Diamonds glitter to them.....because leaves are sparkly, right? LOL! A couple of flowers in the corner & that was it!! The papers are SU's Basic Black & Old Olive, & the pattern pp is Reminisce.



Pic of the inside.....wow does it look washed out. Guess I should have worked harder with the photo editor, lol!!

If you'd like to play along, be sure to add a link to THIS POST on the High Hopes blog.....you will be entered to win a couple of High Hopes goodies!! Be sure to check out the blog anyway to see all the other Divas' amazing fall creations!!!

I have some more exciting news!! 7 Kids College Fund will soon be carrying High Hopes stamps!! I know many of you in the US were wondering where you were going to buy them now, since High Hopes is only selling to wholesalers. I'm so glad Tab will be carrying them......but she needs your help in deciding which ones to carry! Read THIS POST on her blog, & email her with your thoughts!!

Well that's it's from me today!! Happy Labor Day weekend to all my friends! It's a gorgeous one here.....which is not the norm, lol. Usually it's rainy & cold. I guess we had enough of that yucky weather all summer, Mother Nature must have felt bad & given us great weather for the long weekend!! Enjoy!!!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Recipe Thursday/Friday

I meant to post this yesterday, but I completely ran out of Thursday!! Now that the kids are back in school my days are flyin' by!!

I'm sure all you gardeners out there are starting to get lots of zucchini! I have THE best zucchini bread recipe EVER! Well, my kids tell me it's the best. I never touch the stuff Smileys

ZUCCHINI PINEAPPLE BREAD

3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp nutmeg
3 cups flour
***optional 1 cup chopped walnuts

Beat eggs, Add oil, sugar & vanilla; beat until foamy. Stir in zucchini & pineapple. Combine rest of ingredients & stir into zucchini mixture. Blend well. Bake in 2 greased & floured 9"x5" loaf pans at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes in pans, then on wire rack.


I usually make 1 9"x5" loaf, & 3 mini loaves. Love to have those to give as gifts. And of course, I always use my Pampered Chef stoneware......they are the BEST for baking....you don't get those crunchy edges. Some people LIKE the crunchy edges, so use what you love!!!! Enjoy!!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

New Magnolias!

Woohooooo!! I received my Magnolia Fall Kit the other day & oh, are they cute!! I'm so happy I was able to ink one up today.....the hardest part was deciding which one to use first!!




I played eeny meeny miny moe & Jam Tilda won!!! Remember, if you didn't order the Fall Kit, 7 Kids College Fund has them available for preorder!! I colored her with Prismas & gamsol, cut her out, & plopped her onto 2 Spellbinders Blossom Dies. I sponged the background she's sitting on with Frayed Burlap & Walnut Stain Distress Inks. The papers are all K&Company Madeline....one of my favoritest pads ever!! I couldn't find any Primas that matched real well, so I inked up SU's French Script with some chalk ink, stamped it then punched the flowers. The sentiment is from Hero Arts....it comes in a set of 6 & I use them ALL the time!!





Close up of Miss Tilda.....I actually had colored her first with Copics....then decided I didn't like it so I pitched it. I stamped her again & colored her with Prismas.....but just now as I was looking at the card....& looking at the image in the garbage....I decided it wasn't so bad after all & salvaged it. Another day, another card, lol!

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Mini blog candy winner.........

First of all, let me say thank you to those of you who entered my little blog candy!!! It appears that Pumpkin Pie wins by a landslide!! Can you believe I *hate* all things pumpkin?? Except carving them, of course. I make pumpkin bread & pumpkin muffins because my kids love them, but I can't even stand the smell of them!! Ick!!

Anyway.....on to the winner!! I used Random.org & came up with.......


Here are your random numbers:

5

Timestamp: 2009-09-02 16:19:19 UTC



& that would be Rachel Hope......who said her favorite fall food is.....


My Fave is Pumpkin Creme Pie with Apple Butter...Wowza is it tasty!!!


What a surprise!!! Pumpkin pie!!! LOL!!!!!!



RACHEL.......please email me with your address so I can get your mini goodies out to you :)


Thanks again for playing, & I will have another candy soon!!






Tuesday, September 1, 2009

A wee little candy

THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!!!!!!! STAY TUNED FOR THE WINNER!!!!



*****This post will stay at the top until September 1st, so please scroll down for new stuff*****



Good Monday, everyone!! I hope you all had a splendid weekend!! I did not.....I had plans that were canceled & I was quite crabby about it. But....new week....& a busy one at that....getting ready for school....wrapping up summer plans....sniff...

Anyway, I've been a very bad blogger lately.....so I wanted to offer up a mini blog candy to try to make up for it!!! I have an extra Woodland Santa......a VERY adorable High Hopes stamp released last year.....& an extra Santa hat....which makes for a very fun accessory stamp....& a package of Making Memories snowflake eyelet charms. HERE is a bag I made last year with the Woodland Santa....I think he is one of the most fun Christmas images EVER!!



So.....to enter to win.....leave a comment on this post......& tell me, oh I don't know.....your favorite fall food!! It's always all about food for me!!!! I think my favorite food to eat in the fall is caramel apples!! I love making my own, & dipping them in sprinkles, M&M's, Reeses Pieces.....you get the picture! You can't have naked caramel apples!! LOL!!!

If you'd like to link this candy on your blog, that would be great!! If you don't have a blog, that's fine, just be sure to leave an email address where I can get a hold of you if you win. This candy will be open until 10:00 PM (CST) September 1st......our first day of school :) I will draw a winner using the Random Integer thingie the next day. I will ship anywhere so everyone can play!!!!!!

Good luck :)

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