Happy Mail!!

I LOVE getting happy mail!!! Yesterday I received this beautiful card from my Meade Girls' Secret Sister:

You can't tell by the picture, but the two butterlies and the grass are under the top of the card, which is a piece of clear transparency. This card sure makes me ready for spring!! Thank you SS, whoever you are!!

Then, today I get a package from one of the "founders" of the Meade Girls, Tracy. Tracy now lives in Alaska and we miss her! She sent me this RAK and inside the card she wrote "Way too much snow this year...snowball fight! You have been hit!!"

What a cute little gift! Thank you, Tracy!!!! Thankfully, though, we've had very little snow here in Maryland, but that's fine with me! Bring on spring!

Checkbook Cover Brag Book

I was browsing on Pinterest the other day and saw where someone had made a Brag Book using a clear vinyl checkbook cover. I knew I had one of those floating around the house somewhere, so I went on a search and finally found it! I decided to try my hand at making one. Well, one thing I've learned from making this one: always, and I mean always, measure the openings in the checkbook BEFORE cutting and assembling the pages!! Mine didn't quite fit so I had to alter it a bit to get it into the checkbook. Still came out cute, I think, even if the inside pages are a tad bit too big. Check it out:

You can see the inside pages hanging out a little. That I will remedy on the next one I make!

Here is what it looks like when it's opened:

This is just a proto-type using up odd pieces of designer paper that I had. I've ordered some better quality checkbook covers and they should arrive next week. Once I get those, I will attempt to make one the proper way and I will try to post a picture tutorial of how to make these. I want to make a baby brag book for a teacher at my school who just had a little boy. These are perfect to keep in your purse and pull out to brag!

Hope to see you again soon!

Design Team Call!

It's time to select the next six Bombshell Pin-ups (Guest Design Team members)! Each Pin-up receives a free set of stamps, a generous discount to Bombshell's store, will be featured on Bombshell Stamps' website and blog, and sets a monthly challenge. If the Pin-up rocks her guest design gig, she's asked to join the Bombshell Girls (our Design Team). To find out how to apply, please visit this link! Applications must be received by March 14th. The new Pin-ups will be notified before March 20th!

SAB Kick-Off Party!

Due to illness and having a couple of wisdom teeth pulled, I'm a little behind in getting things posted to my blog. A couple of weekends ago, my friend, Amanda, had a Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off Party for The Meade Girls to showcase items that are available in the Occasions Mini-Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration catalog. She created some fun and beautiful items for us to make. We made 2 of each card plus the Password Log (which I desperately needed!)

Check out these fabulous projects that we made:












All projects are made using Stampin' Up products. All stamp sets are available now in the Occasions Mini and the SAB Mini.

Thanks for looking and don't forget to leave a comment!

Paper Bag Album Class

On Saturday, the Meade Girls invaded our friend Gloria's house. Gloria had agreed to teach us all how to make a paper bag album, but I'm not quite sure she knew what she was getting herself into! :) I must admit that Gloria was a VERY patient teacher and taught us well. Check out the albums that we all made:

Thanks to Angie for taking the "group" photo! As you can see, some are already decorated and some aren't, but wow, how beautiful they are! Each one is so very different. I loved seeing our choices in patterned papers! Gloria even let us raid her embellishment "stash", and believe me, it was a HUGE stash!!!

Here is my album:

The outside cover:

















Inside each bag is 2 white panels that are border punched and hang out of the bag. These can be used for journaling or adding photos to.

This was SO much fun to make, and so much easier than I thought it would be! I can't wait to make some more!!

Thanks, again, Gloria, for opening your beautiful home to us and for teaching us how to make these beautiful albums!!!

February is Julie's Month Again!

Not only is today Groundhog Day, but it also would have been my niece, Julie's 36th birthday. In September 2007, we lost Julie to cervical cancer. She fought a long, hard battle, but in the end, she lost that battle. She was only 31, so young, with so much life ahead of her, however cancer doesn't care who or when it will take a life.

Again, I am declaring February to be "Julie's Month". I will donate $1.00 per comment that I receive on this blog during the month of February. I will donate that money to my school's Relay For Life team, to benefit the American Cancer Society, in Julie's memory.

Every family is touched by cancer is one way or another. Please help me help find a cure for this horrible disease. I received 196 comments during February last year and I made a donation in the amount of $200 to the American Cancer Society.

Please come back often and make sure to leave a comment on my posts. Thank you for your support!

Lost In the '50s!

It's that time again!! Time for Digital Delights by Louby Loo's monthly release...and we're lost in the '50s!! Click on the link in my side bar to take you to these fabulous new images!! Here's my card for this week:


What fun images! Sure makes we want to "rock around the clock"! Also stop by the Digital Delights blog to check out more fun and fabulous creations by the rest of the Design Team!!

Stamps: Hearthrob Richie, Dazzling Sue, Fabulous Fifties DP, 50's Sentiments
Papers: Neenah 80# white, Basic Black,Barely Banana
Accessories: Copic Markers, 1" red grosgrain ribbon (repurposed from a Christmas present), yellow rhinestones

Loving Cherub

The Digital Delights design team has been "on break" for the past two weeks celebrating the holidays, but now it's time to get back to work. This week, my image is Loving Cherub. Isn't he the sweetest little thing?

Here's a close-up of this cute little guy:

Head on over to the Digital Delights blog to check out what the rest of the design team has been up to!

Stamps: Loving Cherub
Papers: Bashful Blue, Real Red (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper unknown
Ink: Bashful Blue (Stampin' Up) for sponging edges of image
Accessories: Copic Markers, Stardust gel pen, white gel pen, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, pop dots, cream-colored cluny lace, sponge, red Stickles, red glitter stick-on adornments (Michael's)

My Last Card as a Party Planner- PTT # 48

This will be my final posting for Party Time Tuesdays. My term as a design team member has come to an end. I have had a great time working with Jen and I thank her allowing me to be a part of PTT's fabulous team!

Now, here is my card:

Yes, Christmas is over, but I have ONE card ready and waiting for next year!! Woo Hoo!! I'm already ahead of the game! :) The image is from 2 Cute Rubber Stamps, who is a sponsor for this week. Papers are from My Mind's Eye and the ribbon is from 3 Girls Jam, who were both month-long sponsors for December.

Please stop by Party Time Tuesdays blog to check out the cards that the other DT members have created for your enjoyment and inspiration.

Stamps: Girl Tree by 2 Cute Rubber Stamps
Papers: Garden Green (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned papers by My Mind's Eye
Accessories: Copic Markers, Spica pens, Stardust Gel Pen, gold glitter stick-on adornments (Michael's), Cherry Lipstick ribbon from 3 Girls Jam

Steampunk!

Bombshell's Ms. December, Torrey, challenged us to create a Steampunk Project this monthusing our Bombshell stamps and digi images. Well, the challenge terrified me! I really wasn't quite sure WHAT Steampunk was, so I Googled it and this is what I found:

From Wikipedia: Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne.

So, what I found out is that anything "steam-powered", gears, or clockworks would work for Steampunk. I checked around for Steampunk-themed crafting items and oh, my...there are tons available out there!! Tim Holtz is a great one!!! So, with my Bombshell images and crafting supplies in hand, I delved into the world that is Steampunk...and, much to my amazement, I enjoyed it!!! My Steampunk project is a wall-hanging, but I need to find a frame to fit it (guess I should have thought of that first!!) The page is actually a recycled page from a wedding photo album. The gold-striped "frame" was already on the page and I just slipped some Steampunk-themed DSP into it.

The page measures approximately 8" x 9". I'll have to keep looking for a frame that I like and that will fit properly.

I used my beloved Bombshell Angel image and the Bombshell Halloween Costumes digi-images. Yes, it's a Halloween costume but with the top hat and cape, I thought it looked steampunk-y enough to use.


These images are cut from the Steampunk Debutante designer paper from Graphic 45 and layered onto cardstock.

The words "Steampunk Debutante" are actually cut from the cover of the Steampunk Debutante designer paper from Graphic 45. I added a couple of brads.

I hope you've enjoyed my first Steampunk project. As much fun as I had making this, I'm sure it won't be my last! Please visit the Bombshell Stamps blog for more Steampunk inspiration! You will NOT be disappointed!!!

Stamps: Bombshell Angel, butterflies from Butterfly Queen, Halloween Costume Digi-images
Papers: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, Steampunk Debutante Collection DSP (Graphic 45)
Accessories: Copic Markers, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Timepieces and Game Spinners, 1/16" hold punch, antiqued copper brads (American Crafts), recycled page from old wedding photo album, glue dots, dimensionals

PTT #47- Oh, JOY!

Happy Tuesday!!! It's time for this week's Party Time Tuesday challenge- to use RIBBON!

This week's image sponsor is Bugaboo Digital Stamps. This JOY stamp is so fun. This is our 3rd week using our month-long sponsor- My Mind's Eye patterned papers and 3 Girls Jam ribbons. Make sure to check 'em out!!

Now head on over to the Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog to check out what the rest of the design team has to offer!

Stamps: Make It Snappy- JOY Squares by Bugaboo
Papers: Old Olive, Real Red (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, My Mind's Eye patterned paper Accessories: Copic Markers, Cherry Lipstick ribbon (3 Girls Jam), Cuttlebug, Tim Holtz Alterations embossing folder, pop dots

Zentangle Christmas

I recently took a class at The Queen's Ink on Zentangle and I've been wanting to try it on a Christmas card, so this was the week that I decided to do it! So, here is my card:

Here's a close-up of the cute image:


Stamps: Getting Ready for Christmas digi-image by The Paper Shelter
Papers: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white
Accessories: MicroPen 01, Copic Markers, Scorer, gold stick-on beads

Little Dumpling Ringing in the New Year!

Wow...can you believe that there are only 16 days left and then it'll be 2012??? This year has flown by!! Here is Little Dumpling from Digital Delights by Louby Loo ringing in the New Year:

Shhh, we won't tell anyone that I accidentally put the 1 on backwards...oops! Once it was stuck there was no getting it off! Oh, well! :) Isn't Little Dumpling just adorable, though??


Head on over to the Digital Delights blog for more holiday inspiration!

Stamp: Little Dumpling New Year Boy by Digital Delights by Louby Loo
Papers: Cherry Cobbler, River Rock (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper by Bo Bunny
Accessories: Copic Markers, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug alpha-numeric dies, Nestabilities, glue pen, glue dots, Idea-ology Time Pieces and game spinners (Tim Holtz), stick-on rhinestones (Studio 18)

Santa's Suit- PTT #46

It's time for your Party Time Tuesdays inspiration. This week's challenge is to make a green and red Christmas card using The Paper Shelter image that we received. My image is an adorable one- Santa's Suit hanging on the clothesline!! I guess Santa is airing it out after being in storage for almost a year!

The Antique White ribbon is from 2 Girls Jam and the papers are from My Mind's Eye. and they are fabulously fun to use! Such cute designs! I really love this Merry Christmas paper. There were also little punch-outs included with the paper...I decided to use a scrap of the paper and one of the punch-outs in the inside of my card:


Please visit our sponsor's websites- The Paper Shelter, My Mind's Eye, and 3 Girls Jam to see these fabulous products as well as many others. Also stop by the Party Time Tuesdays' blog to check out more Tuesday inspiration from the rest of the design team...and we hope that you'll play along!!!

Stamps: Getting Ready for Christmas digi-image by The Paper Shelter
Papers: Cherry Cobbler and Wild Wasabi cardstock (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Copic Markers, Antique White ribbon (3 Girls Jam), gold stick-on beads, Sakura Clear Sparkle Jelly Pen

**This Antique White ribbon from 3 Girls Jam would be perfect for any shabby chic projects you might be working on!!!

Muscle Beach in Gingerbread-land

Bombshell Stamps just released a limited edition digital stamp set call Gingerbread Pin-Ups. Here is my first project using these images. I made a Christmas wall-hanging and it would be perfect for someone who collects gingerbread men! (I apologize for the poor pictures- it's really hard to get a good picture of something this size and not have flash-glare on the glass!)

Here is a close-up of that gorgeous Gingerbread Pin-Up:

Did you notice that someone has already taken a bite out of her leg?

Here's a close up of those muscle-bound beefcakes...or should I say "ginger"cakes showing off for the lovely lady:

This fun set is available in the Bombshell store only until the end of December and then they'll disappear, so hurry and pick up your set today!!!

You might want to also stop by the Bombshell Stamps' blog to check out what the rest of the design team has created using these deliciously adorable images!!

Limited Release!!!

Bombshell Stamps has just released an adorable Gingerbread digi-set called Gingerbread Pin-Up. These Pin-up and Pump-up Gingerbreads are mmmmm good with zero calories for the holidays! But only for a limited time! So get them while they last and have a Sweet Holiday Season! Check 'em out!


Hop on over to the Bombshell Stamps blog to check out Kathi's sample using this simply adorable set! Come back here on Monday for some more Gingerbread inspiration!

Zentangle Star

Last night, my friend, Gloria, and I took another Zentangle class at The Queen's Ink in Savage Mill and we had a blast! In this class "Queen" Patti taught us how to make 3-dimensional stars decorated with 'tangles'. Check out what we made:

We used a star template (enlarged on the Xerox) found on Susan Breen Silvy's blog cut from cold-press watercolor paper. Although the design didn't come out quite like I had planned, I'm still happy with how it turned out. Of course, you should see Gloria's star! WOW! It turned out beautifully!!

I can't wait to take a more classes so I can learn more patterns! This Zentangle stuff can be addictive, although at the end of making this star, I was little cross-eyed! :)

Christmas Kid Cocoa Pouches

Hello, and welcome to my hide-away! It's time for your weekly Digital Delights inspiration! I hope you enjoy my little project as much as I did making it!

I recently went to a Christmas get-together with my stamping group. My friend, Paula, made these cute little hot cocoa "kits" for each of us. It was so cute, I decided to give it a try. (Check out Paula's here!!)

Here is my version of Paula's brown bag pouches using Digital Delights' Christmas Kids digi-images:


As you can see in this next photo, there are actually two "pockets" in this pouch- the back pocket holds the hot cocoa mix pouch and the front pocket holds the candy cane stirring stick and two Peppermint Patty candies.

These will make cute little gifts for co-workers or classmates. You could even tuck a gift card in the front pouch if you wanted!

Thanks for stopping by!! Please drop in on the Digital Delights by Louby Loo blog to see what the rest of the design team has been up to! Oh, and stop by the Digital Delights store! They're having their once a year Christmas Blow-out! Save up to 70% on most of their Christmas images, BUT it doesn't stop there! You can also get 20% off any single purchase of $10 or more!! Use code SNOWFLAKES at checkout!! Hurry! This special won't last long!

Stamps: Christmas Kids digi-image by Digital Delights by Louby Loo
Papers: Eskimo Kisses patterned paper pack by Basic Grey
Accessories: Copic Markes, brown lunch bag, redline tape, gold glitter stick-on adornements (Reflections by Michael's), white organdy ribbon, hot cocoa packet, candy cane, 2 Peppermint Patty candies

PTT #45- Fancy a Mug for Two?

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another Party Time Tuesdays Challenge! I've been "off" for a month, so I'm excited to get back into the swing of things! This week we have some fabulous sponsors- Paper Makeup Stamps, My Mind's Eye, and 3 Girls Jam provided us some wonderful images, papers and ribbons for the Design Team to use this week. Stitchy Bear and House of Gilli will be providing prizes for this week's challenge winners!!

Okay, now onto my card for this week. The image that I received to use is called
Pete the Penguin and he's from Paper Make-up Stamps. Isn't he adorable!!??

Here's the inside of the card:

This image would also work for hot cocoa holders. Think I'll give that a go next! :)

I'm really loving the designer papers that we received from My Mind's Eye and the ribbons from 3 Girls Jam are fun! You'll be seeing more of their papers and ribbons throughout December for our PTT challenges.

Now, head on over to the Party Time Tuesdays blog for more inspiration from the design team and to check out more info on our sponsors. While you're at it, why don't you come and play with us?! You never know- you might win a prize from one of those fabulous sponsors!!

Stamps: Pete the Penguin from Paper Makeup Stamps
Papers: Certainly Celery, Real Red (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned papers from My Mind's Eye
Accessories: Copic Markers, Cherry Lipstick red ribbon (3 Girls Jam), glue dots, tea bag, poem is computer-generated

Bombshell Holiday Challenge Contest

Bombshell Stamps is getting into the holiday spirit and feeling generous, and we want to do something for our loyal fans! We're having a Holiday Challenge Contest!

This special challenge is a one-time only contest. Use any stamp to create a holiday card and share it with us in the Gamblers Anonymous section of The Casino in Bombshell's forum!

Each entry will earn one chance to win a $5.00 gift certificate to the Bombshell Store, which will be selected via a random draw. Use a Bombshell Stamp and you'll win two chances!If you win using a Bombshell stamp (rubber or digital), you can win a $20.00 gift certificate!

The deadline for this challenge is December 31st. The winner will be chosen by January 5th!