Sites of the week

New stamps are coming, new stamps are coming, new stamps are coming! I thought I should warn you, because I know some of you have Christmas cash that you are dying to spend

On January 2nd, Stamp A Sweet Impression/Taylored Expressions is coming out with several new sets and lotsa lotsa {as Ellie would say} goodies to play with. Today the Design Team {<--click to see links to everyone's blogs} is featuring projects using stamps from each of the three calendar sets: Year of Sweets 1, 2 & 3. These sets work with both the perpetual calendar {which I am working with} and also the hanging calendar that will be available on Friday. Both of my calendar pages use stamps from Year Round Sweets 2.

Here is July...

Detail shot of the SPAR-KA-LAYS {even the star is a rhinestone!}…

Here is August…{sentiment from the Year of Sweets Sentiments}…

Detail of the popped up beach ball…

In addition to the stamps and calendars, a new Key Ingredients Kit {which you’ll see a lot of tomorrow and Friday from me}, AWESOME new Choice Cardstock {supah dupah blendable with Copics} and binder boxes with be available. I just now got a binder box from Taylor and will be ordering more. I thought that it was a good idea to begin with, but now I know that they really are great. I love the size! You can store 4 sets in the same area that one SU! set takes up. Storage space is becoming quite a premium in my room, so I certainly appreciate this.

I’ve mentioned already that a new look is coming for me. It’s not going to be up right on the first, but I hope that next Monday will be the reveal day…with lots of goodies, too!!

Hope you all have a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

YAY! I used my Slice! At first I panicked because it would not cut through cardstock. With a quick little adjustment, I was on my way! If you are having problems like this, THIS PAGE on the Slice site has very helpful videos to watch. I love this resource page! What a wonderful idea…do you think anyone will catch on to this? {crossing fingers!}

I’m guessing that you really don’t want to hear too much about me in awe of their videos, and would rather see what I made. So here it is. I altered a tin to give to my friend, Rosie…

The plaque shapes behind the letters are from the Noteworthy design card, and the letters are from the FaLaLa design card. I used the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder on the Kraft piece after I cut out the shape. I have yet to try to cut on anything other than flat cardstock or patterned paper.

I picked up this little crown at Paper Tales in San Diego. I am so proud of myself for you using it so quickly and not hoarding it! LOL!!

Here’s a detail shot of the flower {from Stamping Bella} and Swarovski crystal that I added for detail on either side of her name….

Finally, here is the top of the the tin. These are some Prima Sprites that I got at eclectic Paperie.

This morning I am back to the gym after a way to long break. I am sure I am going to feel it tomorrow! I had no problem taking in every guilty food pleasure yesterday as a last hoorah, knowing that I would be pack to the routine today {ugh!}.

…still no SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY card. It just didn’t happen, no other explanation. So instead of fretting about it, I’m just letting myself slide on this one. No biggie, I think that this is the only one that I missed this year. Plus, I was messing around with my new Slice, so I really do kinda have an excuse. I do; however, have a lot to say, and I hope I don’t bore you too terribly much. So here it goes…

1. The Cat’s Pajamas is having an AWESOME sale! 25% off EVERYTHING on the site!
2. My new site is coming soon! Some parts may be a little delayed, but I hope that I will be launching the all new www.iheart2stamp.com…YAY!! Sara Williams is the mastermind behind this re-do. I hope that you like what she has in store for me!
3. When the new site launches there will be some MAJOR blog candy, so be on the lookout!
4. About the book…I was commissioned to do 6 pages in an alcohol based marker {i.e. Copic} book that is being published by Design Originals. The book will be out in time for CHA at the end of January. At the time of publication, I will have some available for sale here, if you are interested.

Ok, now onto the lots to show part. Here are a few pics from our Christmas vacation…

I love this shot of Ellie and I at the dolphin show at Sea World. Yes, it does get cold in “Sunny” Southern California. We bundled her up just a little extra because she was getting over pneumonia.

A couple from Christmas Eve with Tony and Ellie…

While in San Diego, I went to the cutest little paper crafting/stamping store called Paper Tales. Here is some of the loot I hauled home…

I am totally excited about these strawberry boxes!…

And this ribbon…

How cute! Pixie Sticks!!!…little tubes filled with glitter {from Pink Paislee}…

YUM-O smelling embossing powder {from Gel-a-Tins}. It’s really more of a light mint mixed with sweet vanilla…so yum!…

Who can guess what was on my brain? LOL! Top one is from Inkadinkado and the bottom one is A Muse…

These are alterable bracelets that I picked up from Creative Cafe {online store}. How fun are these? I am so looking forward to altering these!…

So did I bore you? Hopefully not. I plan to play a little more with the Slice later today and I may just have something to show off. I know better not to make promises or hopes, tho.. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Call me a slacker! I don’t have my SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY card done. That wasn’t the plan, I promise!! The plan was to get home from San Diego and do my card. Well, apparently I have never flown congested before because when I got off the flight I thought that I was going to die. Ok, maybe it wasn’t quite that bad, but I wasn’t feeling all too hot and was certainly not in the mood to stamp. Popped a couple of Tylenol and plopped into bed. I promise…well, let’s make that I hope to have my card and a post with a new goodies {and there are LOTS!} report for you tomorrow. For today, there are plenty of samples to see for this sketch, just click on the links…

Here’s Lynn’s beautiful sample. THANK YOU Lynn for being this month’s Designer of the Month!!!

Wanna play? Here’s what you should know…
1. ANYONE can play.
2. Have fun with this!
3. When uploading to SCS, use the keyword SFYTT.
4. Post a link to your blog or gallery on this post.

Check out the samples from a few of my stampin’ friends, Amy R., Amy S., Carole, Shannan and Susan!

Happy TCP Tuesday. In lieu of a challenge this week, the TCP Design Team is wishing all of you a very happy holiday season with our very own blog hop. You will want to check out the TCP site starting the day after Christmas for a 25% off sales {now, that’s what I call an awesome deal!!}

I’d like to share a little funny story with you, even though it doesn’t start off that way…

On Saturday we had to take Ellie to the Emergency Room due to pnuemonia. The ER at the Children’s Hospital is quite possibly the saddest place on earth, but amazingly, Ellie was still able to make us laugh…even as sick as she was. She had to get a chest xray and while she was getting it we had to had to stand behind a shield of protective glass. She was crying, I was crying. She was such a trooper and did so well, though. After the xrays were all done, Tony went to pick her up and said, “See, that was a piece of cake. I’m so proud of you.” She got some stickers for being such a rockstar and when we were headed out the door of the xray room she said, “Hey…where’s the cake?” Too cute! {She’s doing much better, now. Thank goodness for good docs and good meds!}

Now hop on over to Leigh’s blog for some more holiday cheer!